Radio Stories

Russ Parker and the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network

We were recently together at The Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade event in Mount Pleasant.  Both of us sitting down with the folks who run the event and those nearly 400 riders that took part. Rus Parker is no stranger to broadcasting. He and Ken Root started the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network with the goal of keeping the world of agribusiness top of mind.  Here we talk about the early days of the network, what he enjoys the most and share some memories along the way.  It was a pleasure to spend time with him.  Now you too can meet Russ Parker.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.
 

The Business News Headlines and Russ Parker 24 June 2025

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said rate cuts will have to...wait and the president lashed out, yet again. This is the Business News Headlines for Tuesday the 24th day of June, thanks for being with us again today. In other news, the president says if you don’t speak fluent English…you can’t drive a truck or a school bus. Ready for some good news?  You have picked up on your giving to charities. A cargo ship with vehicles headed to Mexico…sinks. Krispy Kreme donuts…exit McDonald’s and why.  The Wall Street Report and news about Amazon and their new delivery plans.  For the conversation you’ll meet one of the founders of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.  My guest, Russ Parker tells us he is first a sales guy then a radio guy…and over the years he’s done very well.  Russ Parker for the interview but first the news.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade with Matt Kenney

It's a four day event held each year somewhere in Iowa.  This is the Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade hosted by News/Talk 1540 KXEL and somebody has to run it. Meet Matt Kenney a Multi-Media Sales Rep and the Tractorcade Event Manager for NRG Media. Here we talk about what goes into creating something that has become huge over the 26 years it's been around. Also the two reasons we're here talking to tractor lovers about the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association. Good stuff all around.  Meet Matt:
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and Matt Kenney

Welcome to the Monday Edition of the Business News Headlines for this the 9th day of June, we're glad you're here.  Coming up today some sad news from the world of music. In other news, Warner Brothers and Discovery are splitting into two companies.  In other news, Apple held a developers conference and is trying to up its game.  Some sobering news out of Canada came out today and we’ll share. We’ve got the Wall Street Report and canned food is about to get more expensive. For the conversation, we’re on assignment and coming to you today from Fairfield, Iowa. Why? Because of the four day event held each year somewhere in the state.  This is the Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade hosted by News/Talk 1540 KXEL and somebody has to run it. Meet Matt Kenney a Multi-Media Sales Rep and the Tractorcade Event Manager for NRG Media. Here we talk about what goes into creating something that has become huge over the 26 years it's been around. Also the two reasons we're here talking to tractor lovers about the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association. Good stuff all around.  Meet Matt:
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Spoken Word and A TracrorCade with Jeff Stein

For years "experts" have said, "Radio? It's dead!"  They said it at the dawn of television. They said it at the birth of cable TV. They said it when streaming services came about and they said it when podcasts became popular. But know what...radio is still very much alive. In fact the "spoken word" is more popular today than it was ten years ago. Here you'll meet Jeff Stein the Program Director and News Director for News/Talk 1540 KXEL a 50,000 powerhouse based in Waterloo, Iowa with details. And as a bonus he'll talk about the Great Eastern Iowa TractorCade that kicks off on Sunday the 8th in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.  Meet Jeff:
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and More with Jeff Stein 4 June 2025

I'm back after being out for a couple of days as we celebrated the holiday of Shavuot. The giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai some 3,300 years ago.  It was a nice pause to reflect on all that means for, frankly, all of us. Welcome to the Business News Headlines and a conversation later with Jeff Stein from News/Talk 1540 KXEL about a host of things  We kick things off today with a shocking report by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office about the Trump Bill currently resting in the U.S. Senate. Then more news from the CBO about the impact the Trump Tariffs will have on you and your family. Speaking of tariffs there is now a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum. But, there is a but. Interested in inflation data? Less is coming from the Department of Labor. Payroll processer ADP offered some surprising news about job creation last month. We've got the Wall Street Report and Big Lots is back!  For the conversation Jeff Stein is in to talk about the death of radio that has been predicted for decades.  But, it is stronger than ever. We'll also discuss the Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade that kicks off this Sunday.  So much going on...let's go!
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Out to Lunch with Mike Pace

Mike Pace is no ordinary Iowan and here we go Out to Lunch with Mike to prove that point. You see, Mike has been in broadcasting longer than most. He is a writer, producer, television host as well as doing a stint in wholesale and retail. And just recently has released a movie called Outro.  Mike also, with a long time friend Steve Mathews, opened up a first class recording studio, Radio Garage.  In this conversation we also talk about his family and an upcoming milestone birthday. So much to talk about. Known across Iowa and beyond an inside look at Mike Pace. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Out to Lunch with Jeff Stein and Ken Chester

Join us for the latest Out to Lunch segment this time with Jeff Stein the News and Program Director for News/Talk 1540 KXEL and Ken Chester from the nationally syndicated program Tech Mobility.  To be sure I've known these two guys for some time and whenever we get together it's a hoot. However, usually it's just the three of us.  Now you get to join in our conversation over lunch at Gilroy's Kitchen + Pub + Patio in West Des Moines. (You've got to check their new website!)  We kick things off with "Quick Bites". Three questions every guest gets:  Book, Movie and Career other than the current job. Then it's conversation over lunch. Enjoy and thanks for coming by! 
Out to Lunch is part of the award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines 30 May 2024

We're a bit late in getting this out "on the bird" because we spent the greater part of the day in Humeston, Iowa a community of roughly 460 people.  We took the show on the road for another "Out to Lunch" segment and had a great time listening to stories from our guests Jill, Don and Dan (photo). We learned much about the history of the community as well as their business climate and a community owned grocery store The Front Street Market, the Grassroots Cafe and Snyder's a store like no other I've ever been in and today was their 75th Anniversary!  We can't wait to share that segment with you later next week. We'll get to the news in a moment but if you want to reach out to us on Social Media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
The GDP numbers explained;
The Dow has lost about 1,000 points in 3 days...why?
Some positive FAA and Boeing news today;
Fast food pricing and wow...has it gone up;
The Wall Street Report;
Retail news from Best Buy and Kohl's.
Thanks for being here!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines 2 May 2024

Welcome to Thursday and the Business News Headlines for this the 2nd day of May. One other thing before we get into the newscast: Some time ago I sat down with author, community connector and podcaster Ben McDougal. You may know him from 1,000 Cups Des Moines. Anyway here is that conversation we had about the beginnings of Insight on Business and some fun conversation about what it takes to be creative every day the title is Consistency Counts. Meanwhile, you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Jobless Claims and the U.S. Job Market;
Black taxpayers get audited more often and why;
Microsoft and Malaysia made the news;
Peloton is axing 400 workers and its CEO;
Mortgage rates climbed yet again;
The Wall Street Report;
A zinger! Google paid Apple big money for...
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.