News alert: I’m not perfect. Of course, this isn’t news, but it makes the contradiction of receiving criticism an odd struggle. Each of us knows we are works in progress, yet having others point that out can still be a hard pill to swallow. Call it constructive criticism, critique, or “gentle love,” we need to have an outside point of view to help …

Pssst. Listen. Do you want to know a secret? Do you promise not to tell? Then lean in, and I’ll tell you one: for most people, the promise of information that is “hush-hush” is intoxicating. We want to know—almost need to know—details that seem to put us in the know or give us an edge in the world. We all gossip or have been in circles where gossip…

Have you ever looked out on the world (listened to too much news) and wondered, "why can't people just get along?" We all want roughly the same things: a happy life, experience love and family, prosper and live. But we all seem ready to roll over others to achieve these goals, desperate in our feelings of lacking. Indeed, global peace and recognizi…

Even as baby boomers march by the millions into older age, redefining what it means to be old, we still struggle as a culture by limiting beliefs about seniors. And of all the fiction about aging, one devastating falsehood that seems to stick is that elders can't learn new things, including technology. In this episode of #thedeliciousstory, we chat…

Each person has a story to tell, but not everyone believes that – or even wants to tell theirs. However, others have the drive to share their story because of a particular experience, one that perhaps scarred them but left them with an important life lesson as well. If you seek to write your story but don't know where to begin or how to accomplish …

Indulge your senses and feel the splashy effervescence of life in this interview (#thedeliciousstory podcast #63) with chef Terrie Kohl. Based in Des Moines, Iowa’s largest metropolitan area, she is a one-woman culinary powerhouse that dazzles and delights, one great meal at a time! With a career in the food industry that spans decades, you’ll lear…

Something rare awaits you in this episode of The Delicious Story. We visit with aviation and urban historian Dr. Janet Bednarek, professor at the University of Dayton. She takes us on a journey covering the historical highlights of aviation after WWI, including the evolution of the airport system, and the role of barnstormers in igniting the public…

In this episode of #thedeliciousstory, we visit with Ginger Johnson, expert connector, author, and coach, about how the world you live in is filled with the opportunity to connect, an adventure just waiting for you to grasp it. Her goal is nothing short of epic—to ignite your curiosity and help you find the thrill in looking out and seeing the poss…

In this episode of The Delicious Story we chat with Stephanie Hoover, history author and podcaster, who researches and writes about true crime stories and the spiritualism movement of the 19th century. Stephanie digs deep to unearth events and people of intrigue and reveal historical culture and ancestors who often acted upon their belief in the su…

Until recently, the only thing I knew of Peru was that Paddington the Curious Bear (with tattered hat, old suitcase and all) came from there. The beloved character of children’s books was made famous by British author Michael Bond, describing the bear that lived in “darkest Peru” before becoming a stowaway deposited at a railway station in London. …

If you enjoy good food, particularly when it’s accompanied with good wine, then this episode of #thedeliciousstory is for you. This week I talk with Todd White of Dry Farm Wines about the benefits of natural wine, his journey in creating a business that sources the organically-grown varietals, and how nourishing your body with intention can be good…

Food, particularly plant-based produce, is anything cultivated for the purpose of consumption. Or perhaps the real definition is broader. For instance, what about foragable plants that grow randomly in nature? Today on #thedeliciousstory, we chat with wildlife biologist Karen Viste-Sparkman about this more ancient path to food. As a city dweller, I…

If you’ve been inclined to feel a bit jaded about the world (or is just me?) then this episode of #thedeliciousstory will revive your hope in humanity. And how will you get to that happy state of mind? With a little help from the past, of course. For this interview, we visit with history blogger Howard Dorre, an unapologetic history enthusiast who …

There is almost nothing more essential to our existence than food, and nothing as deeply personal for humans in particular. Think about it: we communicate through food, express culture via food, and forge connection when we eat together. Food binds us to the earth and reminds us that we are equals in our need for nutrition to survive. This week on …

The mention of stuff—from the clutter in the basement and the garage to the pictures and items we treasure but have so many of—can, for many of us, elicit stress as well as guilt. We have baggage about what we cart around in life. Teri Ernst and Courtney Work of Preserved LLC understand that burden well, and work with their clients to gently free t…

This is an interview about how to make your food look good—and I mean REALLY good—in photographs. In this episode of The Delicious Story, we talk with accomplished food photographer Jena Carlin about the art and process of producing beautiful images of food and home. But her story serves up inspiration, too reminding each of us that we are the crea…

The world seemed difficult enough back in late April when I interviewed Don Shanahan of Every Movie Has a Lesson for #thedeliciousstory. But now in June things have gotten hotter still, so I offer you a reprieve from the news with this episode. Sit back and enjoy. Don believes that every film—epic or contained, big-budget or small—has lessons to im…

What’s for dinner tonight? If you have NO idea, but you and a few people in your home want to know, then this episode of #thedeliciousstory is what can help. You’ll meet Marie Fiebach of Feed Your Family Tonight who helps people turn this kind of meal-planning angst into delicious and healthy food on the table. You know the drill if you’re in an ac…

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.” And you can appreciate the sentiment, because something does happen when you feel the corners of your mouth lift. It’s as though your “look” were, indeed, finally complete. And while you literally AREN’T dressed without your clothes, what you wear can also affect the wa…

The variety of subjects covered in this week’s episode of The Delicious Story is vast, because we talked about living and investing like a nomad—that’s “21st century-style.” We also talked about the aspects of being a world traveler, an expat and an entrepreneur on a borderless planet, and eating a paleo diet a smidge on the kosher side of things, …

You know those infomercials that keep upping the ante over the course of their pitch? You’ve heard the phrase, “But wait, there’s more!” Interestingly, they do keep adding stuff on in a real way, and the trained watcher will know to wait until the end of the ad to order. The same limerick of “wait, there’s more” easily applies with today’s guest, D…

Interview with Des Moines Art Center’s Curator Laura Burkhalter These days, a bit of Edward Hopper seems to speak volumes. The American painter is best known for depicting stark night scenes with people set apart from each other in solitude. Social distancing aside, take note and take heart for a treat. This week on The Delicious Story, you’ll meet…

By Sherry A Borzo

By Sherry A Borzo

By Sherry A Borzo

By Sherry A Borzo

As someone who can’t serve a meal for two to the table successfully, I’m in constant awe of those who deliver delicious spreads for larger gatherings, especially at catered events. This awe was the first of many lures that made speaking with Cyd Koehn of Cyd’s Catering on #thedeliciousstory especially fine this week. Cyd has a remarkable pedigree o…

Orchestrating an event—including anything from a small gathering to a major catered affair—is similar to writing a novel. You, the organizer, are crafting a story that unfolds with a clear beginning, middle and end…plus some glue in between to help your chapters sing. If you want your event to be a success, there is one decision you must make first…

Right this moment, sit or stand up as straight as you can and reach your arms up to the sky—and then, reach a bit further. Feels good, doesn’t it? Now, as you take a deep breath and exhale, let me explain how Pilates, cats and paella are all connected in this week’s episode of #thedeliciousstory. In this interview we talk with Pilates Coach Rachel …

You want a vacation. No. You need a vacation—a break from your daily routines, and the opportunity to step out and explore beyond the borders of your everyday life. But do you know what it is you seek in your journey? In this week’s episode of #thedeliciousstory, we talk with travel blogger and trip adviser Chris Slack of Wandering Feathers about h…

As a child, Brittney Haskins realized she enjoyed baking. She describes with fondness the time spent with her mother in the kitchen, an experience which became significant to her life. And somehow, between the sugar, flour and eggs, Brittney also found her tenacity—not just to bake but to do so with pure joy. Today on the #thedeliciousstory, you’ll…

It’s a story sure to spark your imagination (and perhaps inspiration), because that’s what Nikki Schneider’s The Whimsical Wine Trailer is all about. This week on #thedeliciousstory, we discover what happens when a visionary entrepreneur turns an idea into the rolling reality of a business. We begin by learning the hoops and logistical issues Nikki…

Most of us don’t get the kitchen of our dreams, but instead, one we’ve inherited. That also goes for some of the stuff that’s housed within it. For example, there’s that fryer you received as a gift, or the rice maker you thought you really needed, and the toaster oven that doesn’t get used enough given the plot of counter space it takes up. This w…

By Sherry A Borzo

What would you do if you opened the fridge and dinner was right there waiting for you? For many busy families, couples on the go, and singles who don’t have the time or inclination to cook a meal for one, this solution would be eagerly welcomed. We have migrated to food on demand from many venues. Ingredients for dishes come mailed to our door, gro…

I admire those who make significant turns in their life and take on new adventures. Case in point: with the gauntlet of “new mind” thrust before them, Tim Diebel and his wife, Lori, made a thrilling and extraordinary pivot after years of service to the community to start in a new field (pun intended). You’ll learn about their experiences and the Ta…

As an NPR addict, I love that Tiffany Mauch’s “eureka” moment was inspired by something she heard on public radio. Of course, her vision for becoming a pet caregiver really began further back, with years of passion for animals along with study and work in the field. The exciting part about the path she later chose is that she realized a need that m…

I opened by asking her if she dreams about matting and framing in her sleep. Angela Williams Jackson of The Great Frame Up in West Des Moines claims her sleep is unencumbered, but admits to an occupational tick that surfaces at events like the Des Moines Art’s Festival. You’ll want to hear Angela explain the phenomenon that takes over in the art bo…

I admit it—I get sucked into Instagram easily. I can scan through images at a dizzying pace and then twenty minutes later wonder where the time has gone. That’s how pictures work. They’re eye candy with bright colors and interesting compositions that draw me in. Plus, I like to ponder the backstory of the photos, too. And though it feels like it is…

This week on #thedeliciousstory, we take a trip back to more robust times in the newspaper industry when The Des Moines Register was considered one of the leading (and Pulitzer Prize-winning) papers of the land. Carol Marlow McGarvey has been at the Register in recent decades and remembers those times well—and the transition to where we are today. …

Steve Noah has a resume with a list of accomplishments stretching across the globe, but he doesn’t place any stock in such a tally. I asked Steve, this week’s guest on #thedeliciousstory, what stages of his impressive work history were part of his “A plan.” This turned out to be a silly question, however, because as he explained some of the highlig…

Shouldn’t eating be a fairly simple activity? These days, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Bring strangers together at the table, and you’ll probably discover that there are just as many dietary requirements as there are people gathered. I might be exaggerating, but not much. We live in a hyperconscious time when it comes to our relationship with …

What’s not to love about a friend you can count on, especially when they feed you delicious food? Long-standing restaurants become a friend in and of themselves, the friendly neighbors appreciated for the tasty comfort made to order. Those eateries remind us of our past, of times we took a hard-earned break to eat favorite dishes, and the familiar …

I admit that I have a romanticized view of the small town attorney. This is an image of someone who is part of the fabric of the community, with a mix of the wisdom of Atticus Finch from To Kill A Mockingbird blended with the worldly jazz-playing coolness of Paul Biegler of Anatomy of a Murder rolled up into one. Such a lawyer as that would require…

Where else can you go into the mists of a tropical deciduous rainforest, emerge into the expansive swath of African grasslands, and then minutes later climb the mountain ranges of Southwest China? If you said the Blank Park Zoo, then you’ve earned points which are good at their commissary, for maybe a piece of squash! This week on #thedeliciousstor…

The Baratta’s commercials of the late 1990s were clever, homey vignettes of something that used to happen in the “olden” days. The scene opens with “us,” the ad viewers, looking toward someone leaning in, perhaps into a car window. And we learn that we’re lost on some side street of the south side of Des Moines, trying desperately to find 2320 S. U…

First, there was the cheese. I remember going to the Des Moines’ Farmers’ Market and sampling Lois Reichert’s cheeses in the summer of 2010. The experience remains a happy memory. It was a lovely Iowa farmer’s market morning as we walked about, aimlessly perusing the wares from one booth to another. We then came upon the Reichert’s Dairy Air booth.…

I remember the “olden” days at family dinners. When the meal was finished, we sat lingering over the remains of a bottle of wine discussing words and their definitions or history topics and the supposed “facts” of some point. Inevitably, a challenge of knowledge would arise, nerds would turn into competitors, and someone would go seek out the dicti…

The ability to make choices and act on them is a wonderful gift. Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski appreciates the flexibility of having options and has made the most of them in each chapter of her life. Professionally, Rebecca’s resume reads like an adventurer’s journal, featuring twists and turns and chronicling exciting opportunities she’s tried and mas…

This week on The Delicious Story, we find ourselves in a van named Brooklyn somewhere in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our experience is a virtual one, but for Martie McNabb this is the real deal—the home where she spends her time while on the road in search of her next place to set up shop. Martie is also on a mission to support franchisees throughout …