Katherine Perkins
Executive Producer of Talk Shows & Program Director News & TalkExpertise: Management and team building, audio editing, copy editing, interviewing, hosting, journalism ethics and building relationships in underserved communities, all in order to help IPR listeners and readers better understand, appreciate and explore their state
Education: Masters degree from Sangamon State University; Bachelors degree from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
Favorite Iowa Destination: Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
Experience:
Has served as the Executive Producer for Talk Shows since 2013 and the Program Director News/Talk for IPR since 2014
- Served as a producer and the host of Talk of Iowa and Midday on WOI Radio and, later, Iowa Public Radio
- Served as Morning Edition host and program director for KTPR in Ft. Dodge
- Has hosted a talk show live on C-Span
- Led planning and coordination of five community listening sessions across Iowa in 2023
Served as executive producer for live caucus night coverage in 2020, which was carried by multiple stations across the country
- Has led presidential and midterm election night coverage since 2010
- Is a multi-award-winning host and reporter
- Has reported and produced features for Morning Edition
- Led efforts to establish IPR's participation in NPR’s Next Generation Radio in Iowa
- Has taught classes on reporting and journalism at Iowa Central Community College
My Favorite Conversations
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On this special edition of Talk of Iowa, a taste of the storytelling event, Stories to Tell My Daughter -
The history of the Civil Rights Movement can feel far away.
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In her memoir, Lucinda Williams explains how she spent her career making music on her own terms.
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At 42-million strong, many political pundits are watching how Gen-Z, those between the ages of 18 and 27, will vote in this election. This hour, we explore their thoughts going into the election.
My Latest Stories
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How the dissolution of the separation of church and state opens the door to unchecked power. -
How women and men perceive their safety is often very different, as is how we socially condition girls and boys to think about their safety. Experts say reframing the conversation around gender-based violence is key to prevention. -
Men from a variety of different backgrounds with connections to Iowa reflect on what it means to be a man in 2025.
My Latest Podcasts
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Republicans and Democrats aren't the only choices on Iowa ballots. On this episode, we check in with third party and independent candidates. We talk with Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate Thomas Laehn as well as three U.S. House candidates — Libertarian Rick Stewart and independent Dave Bushaw in the 2nd District, and independent Michael Bridgford in the 1st District. We discuss what it means to be running for office against the two-party system and many of the top issues on voters' minds.
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On this episode, a conversation with the Republican nominee for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District Joe Mitchell. Mitchell is facing Democratic candidate Lindsay James in the general election. We discuss affordability, the war in Iran, the trade war, how to restore faith in Congress along with other issues. But first, should it take a legislative supermajority to raise your taxes? This November, Iowans will decide whether it should take two-thirds of the legislature — not a simple majority — to raise the state income tax. We explore that proposal with political scientist Karen Kedrowski and hear from an advocate and an opponent of the proposal. (Part of this episode was originally produced Aug. 27, 2026.)
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On this episode, we talk with Laura Wifler, a bestselling author of books for adults and children. She's hosted a popular podcast and founded Kid Lit Lab to help aspiring authors of children’s books. She writes about womanhood, motherhood, health and her Christian faith. A few years ago, she accidentally became a poet, and her latest book is a poetry collection called 'This Side of the Sky: 101 Poems and Scriptures for the Hungry, Hopeful and Homesick.' Then, a podcast created by an eighth grader in Marion is one of the middle school finalists in the 8th annual NPR Student Podcast Challenge. We talk with Kate Baker about her podcast, 'Dear Kate.' It’s a tribute to her Grandpa Ted and an effort to understand the disease — dementia — that took him from her.