Steve Richardson, mayor of Indianola, is the new president of the Iowa League of Cities. He discusses the differences in Iowa's cities and talks about how they interact with each other. And he talks about how each makes Iowa, well, Iowa.
He added that his experience serving in the Iowa state legislature will help him as he leads Iowa's cities this year. And Mayors Brad Cavanaugh and Richardson talk about the relationships you build through the League.
IowaLeague.org (https://iowaleague.org/)
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/IowaLeagueofCities/)
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/IowaLeagueOfCities)
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/iowa-league-of-cities)
Good Government Institute
Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic
22 Sept 2026
The Year of the Small City in Iowa
For the past year Christina Eicher has been focused on Iowa's small cities. As outgoing president of the Iowa League of Cities, representing smaller cities has been her focus. She leaves after a year with a better understanding of smaller cities and says she provided a voice for those cities among Iowa's bigger cities.
Listen to how she managed being League president while also serving as a city clerk and a city councilwoman.
IowaLeague.org (https://iowaleague.org/)
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/IowaLeagueofCities/)
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/IowaLeagueOfCities)
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/iowa-league-of-cities)
Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic
8 Sept 2026
Making a Difference in Decorah and Inwood
Two people I always check in with are together in this episode. Travis Goedken is the city manager of Decorah, and Becca Bixler is the mayor of Inwood. Both agree that having an impact on your city is the best part of the job. Both say there are extras on the job you don't always see coming, like being on different boards, more meetings and talking to more people. Both of them, however, love their jobs and providing the best government they can.
IowaLeague.org (https://iowaleague.org/)
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/IowaLeagueofCities/)
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/IowaLeagueOfCities)
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/iowa-league-of-cities)
Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic
Who has been a guest on Leading Iowa
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Jay Christensen
Gene Gettys
James Bronner
Christopher Miculinich
Teri Goodmann
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25,912
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5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 59 / 100
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68
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YouTube
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Engagement
50
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