In this episode of Downtown Dish, hosts Charlie Nusser and Anna Moyers Stone sit down with Isabel from Luna's Tacos. Isabel shares her inspiring journey from selling tacos at the Iowa City Farmers Market in 2019—sparked by her son's autism diagnosis—to opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant downtown. She discusses her family-inspired Mexican recipes, the challenges of building a business while managing health issues and her son's therapies, and the overwhelming community support she received. Isabel also reveals her dream of creating an inclusive playground for children with disabilities in Iowa City.

About Downtown Dish: The hit Iowa City radio show is now a hit Iowa City podcast! Join Anna and Charlie every month as they dish on everything about downtown Iowa City, including interviews with area movers and shakers, news headlines, and even some spicy gossip!

This show is presented in partnership between the Downtown Iowa City District and the Corridor Business Journal, and is produced and distributed by Upload Media Group.

In this episode of "Downtown Dish," hosts Charlie Nusser and Anna Moyers Stone discuss new businesses and upcoming events in downtown Iowa City. The highlight is an in-depth interview with André Perry, Executive Director of Hancher Auditorium, who shares insights into the collaborative programming, community engagement, and behind-the-scenes efforts that make Hancher a cultural hub. The episode explores Iowa City’s vibrant arts scene, the integration of university and town, and upcoming festivals, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how the performing arts enrich the community.

About Downtown Dish: The hit Iowa City radio show is now a hit Iowa City podcast! Join Anna and Charlie every month as they dish on everything about downtown Iowa City, including interviews with area movers and shakers, news headlines, and even some spicy gossip!

This show is presented in partnership between the Downtown Iowa City District and the Corridor Business Journal, and is produced and distributed by Upload Media Group.

In this episode of "Downtown Dish," hosts Anna Moyers Stone and Charlie Nusser chat about upcoming downtown Iowa City events like Top Chef, the Cookie Crawl, and the One Book Two Book Festival. They also welcome Mackenzie DeRoo, Senior Director of Advocacy for Greater Iowa City, Inc., who shares her journey from Russian literature to local business advocacy. Mackenzie discusses supporting area businesses, leading the Community Leadership Program, and the importance of civic engagement. The episode blends fun event highlights with an inside look at how local leaders work together to make Iowa City a vibrant and welcoming community.

About Downtown Dish: The hit Iowa City radio show is now a hit Iowa City podcast! Join Anna and Charlie every month as they dish on everything about downtown Iowa City, including interviews with area movers and shakers, news headlines, and even some spicy gossip!

This show is presented in partnership between the Downtown Iowa City District and the Corridor Business Journal, and is produced and distributed by Upload Media Group.

In this episode of "Downtown Dish," hosts Charlie Nusser and Anna Moyers Stone chat about fun upcoming events in downtown Iowa City, like the Hot Cocoa Crawl, Cozy Clearance sidewalk sales, Cookie Crawl, and Free Week at arts venues. They also interview John Engelbrecht from Public Space One (PS1), who shares stories about PS1’s evolution, its welcoming, creative atmosphere, and exciting programs like artist residencies, interactive art shows, and the annual Dada Prom. The episode highlights Iowa City’s vibrant, inclusive arts scene and encourages everyone to join in the community fun.

About Downtown Dish: The hit Iowa City radio show is now a hit Iowa City podcast! Join Anna and Charlie every month as they dish on everything about downtown Iowa City, including interviews with area movers and shakers, news headlines, and even some spicy gossip!

This show is presented in partnership between the Downtown Iowa City District and the Corridor Business Journal, and is produced and distributed by Upload Media Group.

In this episode of the "Downtown Dish" podcast, hosts Charlie Nusser and Anna Moyers Stone chat with Doug Alberhasky, owner of Iowa City’s iconic John's Grocery ("Dirty John's"). The conversation covers festive downtown holiday events, the rich history of John's Grocery, and Doug’s journey from family business to local beer expert. Doug also shares behind-the-scenes stories about a new locally produced film inspired by Iowa City’s historic beer caves. The episode celebrates community spirit, local business, and the unique charm that makes downtown Iowa City a special place to live, shop, and visit.

About Downtown Dish: The hit Iowa City radio show is now a hit Iowa City podcast! Join Anna and Charlie every month as they dish on everything about downtown Iowa City, including interviews with area movers and shakers, news headlines, and even some spicy gossip!

This show is presented in partnership between the Downtown Iowa City District and the Corridor Business Journal, and is produced and distributed by Upload Media Group.

In this episode of Downtown Dish, hosts Anna Moyers Stone and Charlie Nusser chat about Iowa City’s pre-holiday events—like the Kids Market, Hunt for the Elves, and Small Business Saturday—before welcoming Leslie Nolte, founder of Nolte Academy, the Iowa Conservatory (ICON), and the James Theater. Leslie shares her journey as a dancer, entrepreneur, and arts advocate, discussing ICON’s impact as Iowa’s only accredited visual and performing arts high school, her experiences running downtown businesses, and the vibrant arts community she’s helped build. The conversation is full of local stories, laughter, and inspiration for supporting creativity in Iowa City.

About Downtown Dish: The hit Iowa City radio show is now a hit Iowa City podcast! Join Anna and Charlie every month as they dish on everything about downtown Iowa City, including interviews with area movers and shakers, news headlines, and even some spicy gossip!

This show is presented in partnership between the Downtown Iowa City District and the Corridor Business Journal, and is produced and distributed by Upload Media Group.

This episode was recorded live in front of an audience on Wednesday, October 15th, at Lasansky Corp Gallery as part of the October edition of Downtown Iowa City's First Round program.

In this special live episode of "Downtown Dish," hosts Anna Moyers Stone and Charlie Nusser chat with local artist Diego Lasansky about his creative journey and family’s artistic legacy. Diego shares how growing up in a family of artists shaped his passion for printmaking and sculpture, and why he’s chosen to stay rooted in Iowa City. The conversation explores his daily routines, creative process, and the joys and challenges of managing a family gallery downtown, offering listeners an engaging look at the vibrant local arts scene and the people who make it special.

About Downtown Dish: The hit Iowa City radio show is now a hit Iowa City podcast! Join Anna and Charlie every month as they dish on everything about downtown Iowa City, including interviews with area movers and shakers, news headlines, and even some spicy gossip!

This show is presented in partnership between the Downtown Iowa City District and the Corridor Business Journal, and is produced and distributed by Upload Media Group.

In this episode, hosts Anna and Charlie celebrate fall in Iowa City, discussing local events like Taste of Iowa City, Oktoberfest, and the University of Iowa’s homecoming parade. The main feature is an in-depth interview with Kate Dreyer and Jessica Meyer, two of the three owners (along with Kay Boyer) behind The Shop, a unique boutique on South Dubuque Street.

They share the story of how their partnership began, the evolution of their business from a small idea to a thriving downtown destination, and the challenges they’ve faced running a brick-and-mortar store in a changing retail landscape. The conversation delves into topics such as sourcing local and sustainable products, building a loyal customer base, and the importance of adapting to new trends while staying true to their vision. The trio also offers candid advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the value of friendship, authenticity, and community support in building a successful business.

The episode wraps up with the return of Bill Nusser for his segment: "Have You Heard?". Bill shares his perspective on the resilience of the downtown community, the importance of supporting local businesses, and his hopes for the future of the city’s vibrant core.

About Downtown Dish: The hit Iowa City radio show is now a hit Iowa City podcast! Join Anna and Charlie every month as they dish on everything about downtown Iowa City, including interviews with area movers and shakers, news headlines, and even some spicy gossip!

This show is presented in partnership between the Downtown Iowa City District and the Corridor Business Journal, and is produced and distributed by Upload Media Group.