Dedicated with love to Rock Island, IL - a podcast that features the voices of local residents, artists, builders, and changemakers. Through candid conversations, it explores the challenges the city faces, the dreams its people hold, and the ideas that can move Rock Island forward. Our very own community think tank — rooted in empathy, driven by dialogue.
Rock Island Line
Claim This Podcastby Annika O'Melia
4.8(21 reviews)
35 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
56
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality93
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement51
Podcast Overview
Dedicated with love to Rock Island, IL - a podcast that features the voices of local residents, artists, builders, and changemakers. Through candid conversations, it explores the challenges the city faces, the dreams its people hold, and the ideas that can move Rock Island forward. Our very own community think tank — rooted in empathy, driven by dialogue.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
5/29/2025
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56
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality93
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement51
7
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2
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10
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excellent
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Every 5 days
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3.0/5
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Recent Episodes
March 31, 2026
Dr. Jane Simonsen: Called to Reckon
<p class="isSelectedEnd">In this episode of Rock Island Line, Annika sits down with Dr. Jane Simonsen, professor of history and gender studies at Augustana College and co-author and editor of Called to Reckon: Replacing History and Reclaiming Mission at a Midwestern College.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Their conversation explores what it means to truly "reckon" with history—both as individuals and as institutions rooted in a specific place. Together, they examine the deep and often overlooked history of the land Augustana calls home, focusing on the Sauk and Meskwaki, the life and legacy of Black Hawk, and the profound transformations that took place in the early 1800s.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Dr. Simonsen brings both scholarly expertise and thoughtful perspective to discussions about how history is remembered, interpreted, and sometimes misrepresented. They also talk about the role of local historian John Hauberg in shaping regional narratives and preserving the legacy of Black Hawk. </p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The conversation expands into broader themes of women's history and women's rights, Native American representation, and the responsibility of institutions to revisit their own pasts with honesty and care. At its core, this episode is about place, power, and the stories we choose to tell—and retell—about where we live.</p> <div contenteditable="false"> <hr /></div> <h2>📚 Episode Resources</h2> <ul data-spread="true"> <li><strong>Black Hawk's Autobiography (1833)</strong><br /> <a href= "https://archive.org/details/autobiographyofm00blaciala/page/158/mode/2up" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Autobiography of Black Hawk</a></li> <li><strong>Called to Reckon: Replacing History and Reclaiming Mission at a Midwestern College</strong><br /> <a href= "https://www.siupress.com/9780809339853/called-to-reckon/">Called To Reckon publisher site</a></li> </ul> <p>These sources provide additional context on Black Hawk, local historical interpretation, and the work of reckoning with institutional history.</p> <p>Check out RockIslandLine.com. </p> <p>Music by Jett Everill from Endemic Sounds. </p>
March 10, 2026
Marisa Cantu: Caring for Community
<p data-start="199" data-end="361">n this episode of <strong data-start="218" data-end="238">Rock Island Line</strong>, Annika sits down with <strong data-start="262" data-end= "278">Marisa Cantu</strong> for a wide-ranging conversation about community, service, and life in Rock Island.</p> <p data-start="363" data-end="686">Marisa reflects on growing up in Rock Island and the powerful influence of her father in shaping her commitment to service and mission-driven work. She shares what it was like growing up—and now raising her own children—on the Half, and how those experiences have shaped her view of neighborhood, belonging, and civic life.</p> <p data-start="688" data-end="1091">The conversation also explores Marisa's work with the <strong data-start="742" data-end= "779">Community Caring Conference (CCC)</strong>, which is entering its 50th year serving the region, as well as her efforts to help reorganize and energize neighborhood block associations across Rock Island. Annika and Marisa also discuss police–community relations and the importance of building trust and connection between residents and local institutions.</p> <p data-start="1093" data-end="1500">Before the conversation begins, Annika shares an update on recent reporting at <strong data-start="1172" data-end="1192">Rock Island Line</strong>, including the first article in a new series examining questions and concerns surrounding the <strong data-start="1287" data-end="1324">Rock Island–Milan School District</strong>. The first piece explores district finances and staffing, investigating a widely repeated claim that administrative spending has grown at the expense of classroom instruction.</p> <p data-start="1502" data-end="1577">You can read the article and explore additional stories and fact sheets at:</p> <p data-start="1579" data-end="1613"><strong data-start="1579" data-end="1613"><a class="decorated-link" href= "https://www.rockislandline.com" target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="1581" data-end= "1611">https://www.rockislandline.com</a></strong></p> <p data-start="1615" data-end="1781">Future articles in the series will examine discipline policies, state-level changes affecting Illinois schools, and how Rock Island compares to neighboring districts.</p> <p data-start="1783" data-end="1924">As always, thank you to the many community members who have reached out with questions, perspectives, and information as this work continues.</p> <p data-start="1926" data-end="1976"><strong data-start="1926" data-end="1936">Music:</strong><br data-start="1936" data-end= "1939" /> "Different Times" by <strong data-start="1960" data-end="1976">Jett Everill</strong></p>
February 19, 2026
Deb Kuntzi on Preserving Hauberg Estate
<p data-start="100" data-end="824">In this episode of Rock Island Line, I sit down with <strong data-start="155" data-end="169">Deb Kuntzi</strong>, the Executive Director of the <span class= "whitespace-normal">Hauberg Estate</span> — a local treasure that has been a cultural and architectural jewel of our community for more than a century. Built between <strong data-start="363" data-end="380">1909 and 1911</strong> in the Prairie style and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Hauberg Estate was once the private home of Susanne Denkmann and John Hauberg and later became a civic center donated to the city by the Hauberg family.</p> <p data-start="100" data-end="824">In recent years, Deb has led the nonprofit <strong data-start="619" data-end="665">Hauberg Estate</strong> in restoring and reimagining this historic mansion and its Jens Jensen–designed gardens for future generations to enjoy.</p> <p data-start="826" data-end="1269">Deb's love of historic preservation, her deep commitment to community, and her own passion for volunteering shine throughout our conversation. We talk about the effort to acquire, save, and restore the Hauberg Estate when it faced potential sale, and how that effort has birthed ongoing restoration, vibrant programming, and community engagement that makes the estate a gathering place for Rock Islanders.</p> <p data-start="1271" data-end="1728">We also dive into what's planned for the future — from garden restoration and carriage house improvements to educational events, tours, and cultural programming that bring history alive and build community bonds. Deb shares insights about why preserving places like the Hauberg matters, how volunteers and donors have been essential, and why historic preservation can be a catalyst for connection and pride in our city.</p> <p data-start="1730" data-end="1886">This is a lively and informative conversation about roots, revitalization, and the joy of watching a community's past become part of its present and future.</p> <p data-start="3058" data-end="3174">You can learn more about Hauberg Estate and support preservation at <a href= "https://www.haubergestate.org">www.haubergestate.org</a> and I hope you'll take the time to check it out.</p> <p data-start="91" data-end="249">Rock Island Line is produced by me, Annika O'Melia.<br data-start="144" data-end="147" /> Theme music is <strong data-start="162" data-end= "203"><span class="whitespace-normal">Different Times</span></strong> by <strong data-start="207" data-end="248"><span class="whitespace-normal">Jett Everill</span></strong>.</p> <p data-start="251" data-end="346">You can find past episodes, writing, and more about the project at<br data-start="317" data-end="320" /> <strong data-start="320" data-end="346"><a class="decorated-link" href="http://www.rockislandline.com/" target="_new" rel="noopener" data-start="322" data-end= "344">www.rockislandline.com</a></strong></p> <p data-start="348" data-end="402">Thanks for listening — and I'll see you down the line.</p>
35 total episodes available
Recent guests on Rock Island Line
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Thurgood Brooks
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Dylan Parker
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Mark Poulos
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Jenni Swanson
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Ashley Harris
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Don Wooten
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Rock Island Line?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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