Theresa Knight, Executive Producer

What I Love Most About Iowa Life

I love that our stories are about everyday Iowans who turn out to be extraordinary in ways you might never expect. There are so many interesting people and stories in Iowa, and I feel lucky that this show lets us go looking for them.  

My Role on the Team

My job is a little different from the rest of the team. I don’t produce as many individual stories, but I do help shape all of them into a show, looking for the thread that connects one story to the next and making sure we have a good balance of people, places and ideas in each episode.  

The Best Part of My Job

I work with a pretty remarkable group of storytellers. They notice things I never would and ask questions I wouldn’t think to ask. I’m really proud of the stories they’ve found and the care they bring to telling them.

Emily Kestel, Producer/Director

My Favorite Season 4 Destination

I always love an excuse to get up to northeast Iowa. Videographer Eric Gooden and I spent some time this summer in rural Winneshiek County with a woman who has made it her mission to get people to care about bugs. Her land felt like a postcard of what Iowa used to look like 200 years ago!

A Season 4 Feature I'm Excited to Share

I especially enjoy producing stories that feature Iowans who are making a difference. Central Iowa native Mike Rowley spends his retirement placing official headstones from the VA on unmarked veterans' graves to honor their service. Eric and I got to tag along with him as he marked a grave in Boone, and it was an honor to highlight someone who volunteers their time doing something so simple, yet so meaningful. 

Something Fun From Season 4

I had no idea that Granny Basketball was started here in Iowa! Videographer Kenny Knutson, production intern Carissa Stockel and I had a lot of fun filming at the national tournament in Ankeny and learning about the sport and culture. The oldest player is 94!

Patrick Boberg, Producer/Director

My Favorite Season 4 Destination

I grew up a Star Trek fan. We watched all the movies and watched new episodes of The Next Generation as a family when they premiered. I even went in costume as a "red shirt" to the opening night release of Star Trek: Generations. So when a story dubbed "The State Riff of Iowa" made a stop to perform a song in front of Riverside's Star Trek museum, I turned back into a nine-year-old. For some reason I've never made it to Riverside (the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk), but that didn’t stop me from going full fanboy. Yes, I did walk away with some souvenirs but only after talking for quite a while with the volunteers there about the season one feature on Iowa Life. Live long and prosper!

A Season 4 Feature I'm Excited to Share

Somehow over four seasons, I've produced four stories that revolve around dogs. I had planned to take a break, but then I met Bev and Bing Klingensmith. Bev is a Newton resident with a passion for dog photography and dog training, and she has a long running history of owning show quality Great Danes. Somehow along the way, New York film producers caught wind of her dog Bing, and cast him as the star of a feature film alongside Naomi Watts and Bill Murray. The experience took Bev and Bing across the country and back again. It truly is a one-of-a-kind story this lifelong Bill Murray fan can't get enough of.

Something Fun From Season 4

I produced a story that focuses on speedcubing in the state of Iowa. The key figure in the story is Max McGill, a teenager who is the 12th fastest in the world at solving the "clock" puzzle. Max's skill still confounds me, but something Max shared that I would have never guessed is that the Rubik’s cube is the best selling toy in the world.

Rachel Mummey, Producer/Director

My Favorite Season 4 Destination

One of my favorite hobbies outside of work is riding bikes. So I was especially excited to ride across the state of Iowa with the Dream Team during RAGBRAI as part of my coverage for a story about their organization and what they do to help at-risk and disadvantaged youth. It was really special to see them all grow over their season.

A Season 4 Feature I'm Excited to Share

Iowa City is my hometown, so anytime I can shine a light on people there, it’s a real treat. I attended one of Perla Camacho Jimenez’s ceramics classes at the Senior Center where we spoke to her and her students about the healing power of clay. 

Something Fun From Season 4

I’m always looking for stories off the beaten path. I was really grateful to be able to learn that Dubuque is home to National Champion Hobby Horser Gwen Maiers. Videographer Mark Haugen and I traveled to Swiss Valley Park to see her and other young hobby horsers in action. It was endearing to see the community that has grown around the sport.

Matt Clark, Producer/Director

Wait, Who Are You?

I'm new to the Iowa Life team! I've been at the station for a number of years on the promotions team where I produced testimonials, interviewed producers and created social media content. I’m excited to be working on Iowa Life and sharing stories about Iowans.

A Season 4 Feature I'm Excited to Share

I spent the early part of my career in Sioux City and loved learning about the history of the area including stories surrounding their short-lived elevated rail system. I'm eager to share that story with more Iowans as well as a number of other stories from Northwest Iowa.

The Best Part of My Job

I grew up watching Living In Iowa which let me learn a lot about Iowans and their unique stories. Now I get to do the same for the next generation working on Iowa Life.