Welcome to Reader's Corner, a weekly radio show hosted by Boise State University president emeritus Bob Kustra that features lively conversations with some of the nation's leading authors about issues and ideas that matter today. Support for this podcast comes from Saint Alphonsus Orthopedic and Sports Medicine
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Boise State Public Radio Podcasts
Hosted by Gemma Gaudette on Boise State Public Radio News, this weekday public affairs podcast serves as a gathering place where ideas are shared, stories are told and conversations thrive. Whether you’re curious about local government, inspired by the arts or invested in your community, Idaho Matters is where the voices of Idaho come together to inform, engage and celebrate the people and places that make the Gem State unique. Send us your questions, comments or story ideas by emailing idah ...
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China Desk is a non-partisan podcast to inform policymakers and the public about critical issues in the US-China relationship. We interview thought-provoking authors, subject-matter experts, and current and former government officials to elevate and respond to challenges posed by China. China Desk is hosted by Steve Yates, former president of Radio Free Asia and former White House national security advisor. Steve Yates, host of the China Desk podcast and a Federal Newswire contributor, is a ...
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A disturbing crime, a desperate act, and how one case could change the way prisons treat some transgender inmates. This podcast follows the case of Adree Edmo, a transgender inmate in Idaho who sued the state for gender confirmation surgery. The state appealed, and now the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals must rule.
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Join Ashley Ahearn as she visits working ranches across the West to meet the women who are reimagining the way we raise meat. There are a lot of problems with the industrial meat system in this country. Ahearn saddles up, microphone in hand, to bring us a series of sound-rich portraits of women ranchers – their big dreams and daily challenges – as they work to change the ways we manage land and livestock in the West. Projects like these are made possible by Boise State Public Radio members. ...
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Grouse is a show about the most controversial bird in the West and what it can teach us about hope, compromise and life in rural America.Hosted by Ashley Ahearn, Grouse is an eight-part podcast series produced in partnership with BirdNote Presents and distributed in collaboration with Boise State Public Radio. Make a donation to support the Grouse podcast today.
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Wanna Know Idaho is a listener-generated podcast from Boise State Public Radio that is driven by YOU! No matter how quirky or serious your question might be, we want to know: What sparks your curiosity about the Gem State, Idaho culture or the people who call it home? Click here to join this curious collective by sharing your question. Make a donation to support Wanna Know Idaho today.
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For $125 you can get a wild horse from the Bureau of Land Management and try and train it. That’s what I did this spring. Bua’a (“friend” in Paiute) is a three-year-old mustang from the Beatys Butte wild herd of southeastern Oregon. Boo, as I call him, has a kind, curious eye but he doesn’t trust humans – so far, we’ve brought him mostly pain. No matter how you feel about them, mustangs are a powerful symbol of what it means to be American – and Western. To be “of” the open spaces and big sk ...
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Squirrel Girl has taken down Thanos and Doctor Doom – but now she faces something far more terrifying… living authentically. Empire State University college student, Doreen Green, has recently been outed as a Super Hero – The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl! Hoping to unify her personas in the public eye, Squirrel Girl has created a new student radio show on ESU’s own college station. With the help of her best girl-friend, Nancy Whitehead as producer, and her best squirrel-friend, Tippy-Toe in the ...
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Listen along with us as This American Life's Serial podcast revisits the case of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl of Hailey, Idaho. Bergdahl walked away from his unit in Afghanistan in 2009 and was captured, marking five birthdays in captivity before his release. Now, he faces a full military court-martial. Reporters with the Idaho Statesman and Boise State Public Radio discuss Bergdahl's case, Serial's reporting and what happens when an Idahoan becomes the center of international news.
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An interview with Kostya Kennedy, author of The Ride. The book offers a fresh perspective of Paul Revere’s historic ride, with new research into little-known aspects of the story many Americans have heard since childhood.By Bob Kustra
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Idaho Matters Reporter Roundtable: Sept. 26, 2025
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41:10There was a groundbreaking on the Stibnite Gold Mine last week, the gold mine is also still facing lawsuits from multiple organizations and the Nez Perce tribe, three Idaho Falls schools canceled class after reports and rumors of a gun threat that grew out of a school prank, there is talk a new Nuclear Task Force and a Foster Care Closet in Blackfo…
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Idaho lawmakers face pushback after participating in Israel-sponsored conference
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16:22Five Idaho lawmakers joined more than 200 other leaders from across the country for a "50 States, One Israel" conference hosted and sponsored by Israel and are now facing criticism.By Boise State Public Radio
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As needs rise and funds shrink, Idaho philanthropy is taking a new approach to giving
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8:00Across Idaho, nonprofits have been stretched thin, but they're not the only ones feeling the pressure, so are the philanthropists working to support them.By Boise State Public Radio
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What to Watch: Jimmy Kimmel, a new musical and fall television
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20:22Jimmy Kimmel is back and so is fall television!By Boise State Public Radio
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Idaho Matters Doctor Roundtable: September 24, 2025
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25:21During a televised news conference, the president stated that there was a link between Tylenol use in pregnancy and autism. In the time since that claim many experts have come out saying the evidence simply doesn’t support his theory.By Boise State Public Radio
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'Feel It All:' Athlete Drew Petersen brings mental health story to Idaho amid concerning suicide rates
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13:42Idaho consistently ranks among the states with the highest suicide rates, prompting action from a group of Boise nonprofits with a series of events aimed at sparking change.By Boise State Public Radio
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A behind-the-scenes look at Opera Idaho's production of 'Sweeney Todd'
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10:58Corruption, revenge and meat pies that are hiding a deadly secret! This fall, Opera Idaho is inviting you into the dark world of Sweeny Todd.By Boise State Public Radio
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Experience raptors up close at the World Center for Birds of Prey
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10:21"Fall Flights" has returned to the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise - giving you a chance to experience the avian ambassadors who live at the Center up close.By Boise State Public Radio
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Step back in time at the 16th annual Old Time Farm Day
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9:11Back in the 1860s in Idaho, skills like butter churning and blacksmithing were essential to everyday life. Now the Schick-Ostolasa Farmstead is giving you the chance to step back in time and celebrate the Gem State's past.By Boise State Public Radio
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Former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Cella returns to The China Desk Podcast to expose the growing threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party at home and abroad. From Michigan universities tied to Beijing and smuggling attempts involving dangerous biological materials, to the risks of agro-terrorism against America’s food supply, Cella details how local…
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Nampa mayor will not seek reelection for a third term
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11:12After eight years, the Nampa Mayor has announced that her mayoral time has reached its end.By Boise State Public Radio
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Why the job Idaho superintendent is getting harder to fill
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17:05Over the years, the job of a school superintendent in Idaho had changed drastically, turning a position that was once considered a privilege into one that many no longer want.By Boise State Public Radio
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Casa is asking you to 'lend your voice' to foster youth in Idaho
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8:56Speaking up is hard at any age, but especially if you’re a kid experiencing a scary situation. That's why organizations like CASA of Southwest Idaho are so important. They train volunteers who “lend a voice” to kids in foster care, advocating for their best interests.By Boise State Public Radio
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Boise Bicycle Project works to make Idaho roads safer
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7:36Last week the Idaho Transportation Department announced that almost one person per day was killed in a traffic crash this summer. The Boise Bicycle Project wants to help bring those numbers down, which is why they are hosting a special event this weekend.By Boise State Public Radio
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An interview with Connor Sullivan, author of the new novel, Sleeping Bear. In the book, a former Army veteran seeking solitude in the Alaskan wilderness finds herself a pawn in a deadly game with Russia.By Bob Kustra
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Idaho Matters Reporter Roundtable: September 19, 2025
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43:54It’s Friday, which means it's time for our Reporter Roundtable when Idaho Matters gets you up to date on all the news that made headlines this past week.By Boise State Public Radio
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Two best-selling authors share the inspiration behind their work
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43:42Idaho Matters sits down with two best-selling authors who, put together, have written more than 90 books and sold millions of copies around the world.By Boise State Public Radio
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Idaho Matters Doctor Roundtable: September 17, 2025
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43:29A new joint investigation from NBC News and Stanford University found that childhood vaccination rates across the U.S. are slipping.By Boise State Public Radio
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Special education parents say kids are falling through the cracks of Idaho schools
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19:47“We’re failing our kids.” That’s a quote from a Fruitland mom who says her daughter and other kids who need special education are falling through the cracks in Idaho.By Boise State Public Radio
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New documentary follows the fight for America's public lands
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12:38Public lands are at the heart of the Gem State, but like many other wild spaces across the U.S., they are under threat.By Boise State Public Radio
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On this episode of The China Desk Podcast, host Steve Yates speaks with Andrew Phelan—Australian entrepreneur and writer—about the rise and transformation of China from Deng Xiaoping’s reforms to Xi Jinping’s wolf warrior diplomacy. Phelan shares his personal experiences living and working in China, explains how offshoring hollowed out Western indu…
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How schools in Idaho are working to feed students as meal debt increases
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17:52According to a report from the Education Data Initiative there are more than 75,000 kids in Idaho who are food insecure.By Boise State Public Radio
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Latino Conservation Week returns to the Treasure Valley for its fourth year
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6:49Beyond potatoes, Idaho is best known for its public lands and abundance of outdoor recreation. Which is a big part of Latino Conservation Week every year.By Boise State Public Radio
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Idaho program inspires the next generation of women in aviation
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11:52Across the U.S. there's a pilot shortage, particularly when it comes to women, which is why one Idaho program is working to change that.By Boise State Public Radio
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An interview with Becky Aikman, author of the new book, Spitfires. The book unveils the daring true story of the American women who piloted World War II planes through the treacherous skies of Britain.By Bob Kustra
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Idaho Matters Reporter Roundtable: September 12, 2025
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38:21It’s Friday, which means it's time for our Reporter Roundtable when Idaho Matters gets you up to date on all the news that made headlines this past week.By Boise State Public Radio
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ISU anthropologist, professor and Bigfoot researcher has died
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5:20Dr. Jeff Meldrum was Idaho's preeminent researcher into the cryptoid known as Bigfoot.By Boise State Public Radio
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Charlie Kirk's death highlights the rise of violence in American politics
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16:44Yesterday, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was murdered while speaking on a college campus in Utah.By Boise State Public Radio
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On September 11th, 2001, our nation changed forever. Now, more than 20 years later, it’s important to remember not just the lives we lost but also how our community came together in the aftermath.By Boise State Public Radio
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What to Watch: The Emmys and Downton Abbey returns
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19:21The Emmys are set for this weekend, a beautiful new film is about to open and there's a new Downton Abbey film on the way!By Boise State Public Radio
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Idaho Matters Doctor Roundtable: September 10, 2025
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29:44As some politicians in our country push the message of personal choice on vaccinations, doctors and infectious disease experts are sounding the alarm.By Boise State Public Radio
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Are Idaho's water systems in need of repair? A new report takes a closer look
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14:02In Idaho, there are 450 different systems to take care of wastewater and more than 2,000 systems that bring safe drinking water to homes across the state. Now, a new report has revealed that many of these treatment plants are old and falling apart.By Boise State Public Radio
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Protecting our seniors: Raising awareness of fall prevention
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9:47Falls can happen to anyone, but for older adults, injuries can be more serious, impacting both the health and independence of our seniors.By Boise State Public Radio
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West Nile in Idaho: Why Canyon County is asking for your help
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11:43Every year in Idaho West Nile returns as a threat to the public. Now, the Canyon County District is asking for your help to solve the problem.By Boise State Public Radio
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Campfire Stories: Bringing people together through the art of storytelling
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9:16Everybody has a story to share, and each year writers from all over the state gather around a campfire to do just that.By Boise State Public Radio
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A close look at the first school approved under Idaho's new charter school law
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48:18A new charter school is the first given the green light under a new law designed to create innovative choices in public education.By Boise State Public Radio
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China Desk Weekly: U.S. Military Signals, North Korea, and Beijing’s Calculus
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2:58Stay ahead of the shifting balance between the United States and China with China Desk Weekly. In this episode, host Steve Yates unpacks a striking New York Times story hinting at a covert U.S. special operation on North Korea’s coast. From secret missions in Iran to bomber flyovers during high-stakes summits, America continues to flex its reach. W…
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Take a trip to space with Astronaut Steve Swanson
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17:42What’s it like to hang in the vastness of space and stare down at the Earth? Well, Astronaut Steve Swanson has a pretty good idea.By Boise State Public Radio
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"The Ransomware Hunting Team" by Daniel Golden
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32:50An interview with Daniel Golden, author of The Ransomware Hunting Team. The book is a real-life technological thriller about a band of eccentric misfits taking on the biggest cybersecurity threats of our time. Note: this is an encore edition of Reader's Corner. The episode originally aired in February 2023.…
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Idaho Matters Reporter Roundtable: September 5, 2025
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26:32It’s Friday, which means it's time for our Reporter Roundtable when Idaho Matters gets you up to date on all the news that made headlines this past week.By Boise State Public Radio
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For three decades the City Club has been bringing people together to have conversations about everything from politics to health care to art.By Boise State Public Radio
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'Once Upon a Time in Dollywood:' An author interview with Ashley Jordan
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14:36Author Ashley Jordan has written a book for readers and dreamers alike.By Boise State Public Radio
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Peter Mattis, president of the Jamestown Foundation and former CIA counterintelligence analyst, joins host Steve Yates on The China Desk to unpack the Chinese Communist Party’s strategic intentions, intelligence operations, and United Front influence campaigns. From the roots of his career to lessons from Taiwan, Mattis explains how Beijing wields …
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Idaho Matters Doctor Roundtable: September 3, 2025
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24:02Calls for the resignation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from his position within the Department of Health and Human Services are intensifying as more than 1,000 employees voice concerns over his controversial public health views.By Boise State Public Radio
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Governing America: The rule of law vs. the Trump Administration
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11:47Constitutional scholars are examining a fundamental question facing our democracy: are we governed by the rule of law or by the will of a sitting president?By Boise State Public Radio
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Throughout his life, Ernest Hemingway was inspired by many places, including Ketchum, Idaho, where he lived his final years. So it only seems appropriate that’s where the annual Ernest Hemingway Seminar is held.By Boise State Public Radio
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"The Oligarch's Daughter" by Joseph Finder
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30:10An interview with Joseph Finder, author of the new novel, The Oligarch’s Daughter. The book is a thrilling story of dizzying spycraft following an everyman on the run for his life.By Bob Kustra
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Idaho Matters Reporter Roundtable: August 29, 2025
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43:26It’s Friday, which means it's time for our Reporter Roundtable when Idaho Matters gets you up to date on all the news that made headlines this past week.By Boise State Public Radio
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The hidden influence of gravity on our mind and body
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18:54What if gravity isn’t just holding us down, but shaping our minds and bodies in ways we never imagined?By Boise State Public Radio
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