Best SDPB Podcasts (2025)

1
One Book South Dakota explores 'The Cost of Free Land' 48:10

3d ago48:10

48:10

Author Rebecca Clarren discusses finding her place in history while researching her memoir, "The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance."By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

1
West River land dispute attracts political muscle 11:31

4d ago11:31

11:31

The Dakota Scout's Jonathan Ellis breaks down his coverage of the dropped charges against the Maude family. He also discusses the crowded race for South Dakota's next governor.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Digging into the history & legacy of the Homestake Gold Mine 49:04

4d ago49:04

49:04

What was one of America's largest gold mines is now one of the world's deepest underground research facilities. We spend the hour exploring the mine's the lasting impacts.By Ellen Koester, Lori Walsh, Ari Jungemann

1
SFPD chief on crime trends, mentorship & immigration enforcement 49:08

5d ago49:08

49:08

Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum brings us an update on the city's crime trends. He also shares why he says mentorship programs are important to the community as a whole.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

1
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons week: No more stolen sisters 49:19

6d ago49:19

49:19

The Red Ribbon Skirt Society held its annual Red Dress Gala this weekend. Hear some of the night's public remarks from advocates, women and two-spirit people.By Lori Walsh, Ari Jungemann, Ellen Koester

1
How South Dakota cares for neighbors & loved ones with Alzheimer's 49:25

7d ago49:25

49:25

We dedicate the hour to treatments, resources and challenges for Alzheimer's patients and their loved ones. Medical providers, caretakers and advocates join us.By Lori Walsh, Ari Jungemann, Ellen Koester

1
Poetry in conversation with the landscape 44:38

10d ago44:38

44:38

We return to our conversation with U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón as her time as America's poet comes to a close. She discusses her anthology "You Are Here."By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

1
Arts nonprofits face unique challenges — now more than ever 44:04

10d ago44:04

44:04

Marty Two Bulls Jr. is the interim executive director of the Rapid City Arts Council. He shares his journey into arts advocacy and why fundraising has gotten tougher.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

1
Analysis: Trump's executive actions & ratings for his first 100 days 18:39

12d ago18:39

18:39

Our Dakota Political Junkies take a look at how Trump's actions have deviated from the presidential norm. They also explore what we can really glean from the latest polls.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Trump's approval ratings decline, judicial challenges increase 48:52

12d ago48:52

48:52

Our Dakota Political Junkies analyze Trump's first 100 days of his second term. Plus, how the administration is creating a "new normal" for the federal judiciary.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

1
'Free For All' explores the public library's quiet revolutionaries 49:01

13d ago49:01

49:01

The PBS Independent Lens documentary on public libraries premieres Tuesday night on SDPB. We return to our interview with the filmmakers and the South Dakota State Library.By Lori Walsh, Ari Jungemann, Ellen Koester

1
National Poetry Month: Linda Hasselstrom & Sion Lidster 48:58

14d ago48:58

48:58

A poet and rancher introduces listeners to a cow who holds a grudge. And a bookstore-owner-slash-poet digs into the politics of dog pork.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

1
Poet Bert Malcom & the performances he can't recreate 44:00

17d ago44:00

44:00

Bert Malcom has spent much of his life with a guitar on his back. He brings it into the Rapid City studio to share his spoken word poetry, music and talent with SDPB.By Lori Walsh, Ari Jungemann, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: SD's former governor remains in the media spotlight 23:20

18d ago23:20

23:20

Secretary Kristi Noem appeared in several news headlines over the weekend. South Dakota Searchlight's Seth Tupper takes a look at how she works coverage in her favor.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Sen. Rounds speaks to South Dakotans disrupted by Trump tariffs 43:34

18d ago43:34

43:34

Mike Rounds discusses the administration's first 100 days in office, including his hopes that Trump will modify tariffs and his concerns about Secretary Hegseth.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

1
Former Gov. Kristi Noem's lasting impact on SD politics 48:53

18d ago48:53

48:53

Seth Tupper analyzes how Noem's leadership style translates to the national stage. Plus, the Secretary of the Department of Corrections discusses the new prison plans.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

1
Analysis: Sen. John Thune as senate majority leader 38:39

20d ago38:39

38:39

Jon Hunter and Michael Card, Ph.D., scrutinize Thune's performance as majority leader. They round up national headlines and stories about the South Dakota congressman.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Big Sioux Stewardship Summit reaches urban & rural communities 49:09

20d ago49:09

49:09

Ecology-minded South Dakotans convened in Sioux Falls last week to spend a day thinking about the city's river. Hear highlights from the Big Sioux Stewardship Summit.By Lori Walsh, Ari Jungemann, Ellen Koester

1
Dakota Conference explores settling & resettling the Great Plains 49:04

25d ago49:04

49:04

Norma and Jerry Wilson discuss caretaking one of the oldest log houses in the state. And an Augustana researcher takes us back to the 1893 Chicago World Fair.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

1
Sen. John Thune's role in the legislative branch 48:47

26d ago48:47

48:47

Our Dakota Political Junkies look at how the national news is scrutinizing Leader John Thune's leadership style. Plus, where do deportees go when they can't go home?By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

1
'Giants in the Earth' endures as award-winning opera 49:19

27d ago49:19

49:19

The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra will debut a Pulitzer Prize-winning opera for the first time. We preview "Giants in the Earth" and revisit the story's legacy.By Lori Walsh, Ari Jungemann, Ellen Koester

1
Classic Midwestern novel explores cultural pluralism on the prairie 49:26

28d ago49:26

49:26

Norwegian-American Ole Rølvaag explores what it meant to be a hyphenated American in his 1927 novel. We discuss the impact of "Giants in the Earth" with scholars.By Lori Walsh, Ari Jungemann, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: Pierre property taxes proposal might not work for Sioux Falls 21:28

1M ago21:28

21:28

Patrick Lalley says property taxes aren't the biggest concern for Sioux Falls residents. He shares who you should really call if you're dissatisfied with your tax bill.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Arts across the state: Bach, prairie poetry & Chaitanya Skye 49:07

1M ago49:07

49:07

A Bach scholar from Augustana University previews the school of music's Holy Week concert. Plus, we check in with the state's poet laureate for National Poetry Month.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

1
South Dakota Humanities Council faces potential loss of all federal funding 49:21

1M ago49:21

49:21

Almost 75% of the South Dakota Humanities Council's budget comes from federal grants. The Department of Government Efficiency has cut off that funding stream.By Lori Walsh, Ari Jungemann, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: Gov. Rhoden's homeowner property tax proposal 29:43

1M ago29:43

29:43

Former legislators Linda Duba and Jean Hunhoff take a look at how Rhoden's proposals on property taxes and the prison fit into the budget.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: Trump administration & judicial review 16:42

2M ago16:42

16:42

Lisa Hager, Ph.D., and David Wiltse, Ph.D., discuss the challenges that Trump's executive actions are facing in the courts, especially in regards to education.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Bob Mercer: 40 years of coverage at the Capitol 25:15

2M ago25:15

25:15

Since 1985, journalist Bob Mercer has left his mark on 40 South Dakota legislative sessions. He discusses his time as a reporter and as a governor's press secretary.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: 2025 legislative session & state government reset 19:46

2M ago19:46

19:46

Kevin Woster and Brad "Murdoc" Jurgensen discuss the surprises and frustrations of South Dakota's 2025 legislative session, from the ingestion bill to government funding.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: The 2025 legislative session in review 28:11

2M ago28:11

28:11

Jon Hunter and Michael Card explore the impact of a contentious 2024 primary, the ongoing debate over direct democracy, and the role of legislative mentorship.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: Governor spending & government transparency 14:08

2M ago14:08

14:08

The Dakota Scout requested former Gov. Kristi Noem's state credit card records last year. Jonathan Ellis shares why and how the story has developed since.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: When legislation impacts education 21:32

2M ago21:32

21:32

South Dakota Searchlight's Seth Tupper unpacks his commentary on the politics behind the teacher shortage.By Jackie Hendry, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: Open government and Gov. Rhoden's administration 18:23

3M ago18:23

18:23

Our Junkies discuss what they expect from the new governor. Plus, do taxpayers have a right to know how governors spend their money? Even when it's on a credit card?By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: Appropriations committee changes come during a tight budget year 25:26

3M ago25:26

25:26

Former state lawmakers Jean Hunhoff and Linda Duba bring their years on the appropriations committee to analyze what current legislators are up against.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: President Trump seeks to refashion federal agencies 22:52

3M ago22:52

22:52

Our Dakota Political Junkies analyze how Trump wants to reshape the government and its implications for federal employees and state governments.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
An interview with the state's new lieutenant governor 12:22

3M ago12:22

12:22

Rep. Tony Venhuizen has been named Gov. Larry Rhoden's pick for second-in-command. He shares how he'll bring his conservative values to the office.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
Analysis: South Dakota hits reset with new governor 20:24

3M ago20:24

20:24

Gov. Larry Rhoden took the oath of office on Monday. Our Dakota Political Junkies explore how his administration could be different from Noem's.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester, Ari Jungemann

1
Charting Gov. Kristi Noem's political past & future 14:46

4M ago14:46

14:46

Seth Tupper of South Dakota Searchlight and Jonathan Ellis of The Dakota Scout share how they would sum up Gov. Kristi Noem's political rise.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
State of the State analysis: Jean Hunhoff & Linda Duba 17:14

4M ago17:14

17:14

Two former state lawmakers provide their insights into what Gov. Kristi Noem said — and what data she didn't provide —during her State of the State address.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

1
State of the State analysis: Jon Hunter & Michael Card 19:29

4M ago19:29

19:29

The State of the State felt like a farewell address from a governor on her way to Washington. Our Dakota Political Junkies take a closer look at Noem's latest top 10 list.By Lori Walsh, Ellen Koester

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