Maxwell's Iowa CoffeeCast

Iowa Songwriter Robert Deitch Shares the Story of His Nashville Journey and New Single ‘Bullet Holes’

In this episode of Maxwell’s Iowa CoffeeCast, Maxwell sits down with Iowa-based singer-songwriter Robert Deitch [https://www.robertdeitchmusic.com/]—a craftsman of lyrics and emotion whose journey from Nashville to the Midwest is as powerful as his music. Together, they unpack Deitch’s latest release, “Bullet Holes”—a haunting, redemptive song about addiction, empathy, and healing. Featuring backing vocals from Mary Gauthier [https://www.marygauthier.com/], the track has quickly become Deitch’s most impactful work, amassing thousands of views and deeply personal listener responses from those who have faced addiction themselves. Robert opens up about the song’s evolution, revealing that it took years and a moment of raw honesty to find its center. “Mary told me, ‘You know what two lines they are—you’re just not being honest yet.’ Once I found that truth, the song revealed itself.” That lyric—“a hurt as deep as the secrets I’ve never told”—became the heartbeat of the song. Maxwell and Robert trace his remarkable path through Nashville’s songwriting scene, where he wrote with top-tier artists while still living in Iowa, an almost unheard-of arrangement. Deitch describes the hierarchy of the writers’ rooms, the sting of songs “on hold” for stars like Kenny Rogers or Garth Brooks, and the humility that comes from near misses. They also discuss the bittersweet inspiration behind his song “Goodbye Nashville,” a tender farewell to the city he once loved like “the other woman.”

Where Iowa Music Meets Theatre: The Babel Kind Comes Alive with Brandon and Tina Findlay

In this episode of Maxwell’s Iowa CoffeeCast, Maxwell sits down with two Iowa musical powerhouses — Brandon Findlay and Tina Haase Findlay — to talk about their bold new collaborative project, The Babel Kind, a genre-bending original musical that weaves together love, loss, mystery, and music. What began as an MFA thesis at Lindenwood University has evolved into a fully realized stage work, and now, a live soundtrack recording event that will bring together some of Iowa’s finest musicians and actors on October 19th at Tallgrass Theatre Company [https://tallgrasstheatre.org/] in West Des Moines. As Brandon shares, The Babel Kind began as a collection of vignettes and short stories — until Tina suggested shaping it into a jukebox-style musical using the couple’s extensive song catalog. That spark set everything in motion. The resulting story — set in the fictional Iowa town of Bright Chapel — unfolds as what Brandon describes as “a murder mystery wrapped around a love story in the form of a jukebox musical.” Yet at its heart, it’s a deeply human reflection on love, grief, and the choices that define us. Tina and Brandon, celebrating 21 years of music and marriage, open up about how their shared songwriting history became the emotional backbone of this new piece. Many of the songs featured in The Babel Kind were written across decades of life together — tunes of hope, heartbreak, and healing that now find fresh meaning within the play’s dramatic arc. “It’s yours, mine, and ours,” Tina says, describing how the songs seemed destined to live again inside this story. Listeners also get an inside look at the live soundtrack event at Tallgrass Theatre, which blends concert, theatre, and storytelling. The evening will feature live performances of the songs alongside monologues from the play, read by surprise guests from the Des Moines theatre community. Attendees will even become part of the official recording — their presence woven into the album’s live soundscape. The conversation also touches on deeper creative questions: the enduring power of theatre in an age of artificial intelligence, the intersection between Iowa’s music and theatre scenes, and the importance of human expression in storytelling. Brandon reflects on art’s ability to spark self-discovery: “Art should make us better human beings,” he says. “The only way to do that is to ask ourselves: do we like who we are?” It’s a soulful and inspiring conversation about creativity, collaboration, and the Iowa artists daring to bring something wholly original to life. Don’t miss the chance to witness it firsthand — or to hear how a love story, a community, and a collection of songs have become something far greater: The Babel Kind.

From Motel Kid to Hotel Owner: Pritesh Patel

In this episode of Maxwell’s Iowa CoffeeCast, I sit down with Pritesh Patel, the owner of Hotel Pommier [https://hotelpommier.com/] in Indianola and Chariton, Iowa. Pritesh’s journey from growing up in a motel to rebranding and revitalizing independent hotels is as much a story of grit as it is of vision. Pritesh’s family emigrated from the UK to the U.S. in 1999, moving straight into a motel where his parents worked as live-in managers. He recalls helping fold towels and clean rooms on weekends, squeezing in soccer games between laundry runs. His parents later bought their own motels, including the former Apple Tree Inn in Indianola, while instilling in him a relentless work ethic and an appreciation for self-employment. After college, Pritesh spent a decade in the corporate world before returning in 2019 to take over the family business. He made it clear to his parents that if he was going to run the operation, he needed to be the decision-maker. That shift set the stage for bold moves—taking on significant renovation debt, rebranding the hotel to “Pommier” (French for apple tree), and building a brand identity grounded in community connection. The conversation covers how COVID-19 hit mid-renovation, with cancellations pouring in from opera fans, sports teams, and events like the Balloon Classic. One loyal guest even paid for a stay they couldn’t take, a gesture that still moves Pritesh. He explains why rebranding was key—not just for marketing but to escape the drag of old online reviews—and how branding exercises shaped the hotel’s guest promise and values. Pritesh also shares his philosophy on amenities, swapping underused fitness centers for game rooms and patios, and even adding a pickleball court in Chariton that locals can rent. These choices aren’t just about guest experience—they invite the community into the space, creating word-of-mouth ambassadors. We talk about the economics of running independent hotels, the advantages over chains, and why mid-size Iowa towns are ripe for transformation. Pritesh emphasizes the value of hiring the right people, paying competitive wages, and offering benefits like 401(k) matches to compete with big employers. As we wrap up, Pritesh reflects on planting his business roots in Iowa: the friendliness, the pace of life, and the community support that makes ambitious projects possible. His story is a testament to blending entrepreneurial courage with a deep respect for place—a combination that’s breathing new life into local hospitality.

The Song in the Story: A Conversation with Chip Albright

On this episode of Maxwell’s Iowa CoffeeCast, I sit down with Iowa singer-songwriter Chip Albright—an Americana artist whose journey blends heartfelt songwriting, meaningful gigging, and a deep love for storytelling. Over the last 25 years, Chip has written dozens of songs, performed in spaces ranging from cozy patios to historic theaters, and now, he’s compiled 25 of those songs into a brand-new album. What’s more, he’s packaging each song with a personal story as part of his Substack, “Chip Happens. [https://chipalbrightmusic.substack.com/]” Our conversation begins with his reflections on the gigging life—playing once a week everywhere from retirement homes to venues like XBK Live [https://xbklive.com/], Board and Batten [https://www.boardandbatten.net/] in Dallas Center, and even a little country church near Madrid, Iowa. That church, Hopkins Grove, reminded Chip so much of his roots that he walked in unannounced and ended up booking a show. “It was just so Americana and rich,” he says. That spontaneous spirit defines how Chip builds connections—both with venues and with listeners. Chip shares the emotional payoff of performing live: “When someone comes up to you after a show and tells you your song reminded them of their father or helped them remember their spouse, that’s powerful. That’s the stuff that keeps you going.” Whether it’s his song “Chorito Ridge,” inspired by his grandfather and often played around Veterans Day, or “Carry Us Home,” which brought tears to an audience member in a memory care facility, Chip’s songs are empathetic vignettes—snapshots of life through someone else’s eyes. The conversation dives into his entrepreneurial side too. With his wife designing the artwork, Chip is releasing a 25-song CD for $25, connecting it to his Substack, where each track will come with an intimate backstory. He sees it as more than merch—it’s an invitation to connect. “If you’re new to me, this CD is a wide sampling of what I do. And if a song grabs you, you can dig deeper.” We also talk about songwriting craft, handling inattentive audiences, and the bravery it takes to lay your soul bare in noisy environments. “You reward the audience with gratitude,” he says. “People are busy. So when they stop to listen, I’m thankful.” This episode is a reminder of the value of authentic artistry, resilience in music, and the unmatched power of live connection. Chip Albright’s music isn’t about fame—it’s about finding a moment of truth, one song, and one listener at a time. Learn more at ChipAlbrightMusic.com [https://www.albrightspark.com/chipalbrightmusic].

Cardboard Gold: What I Learned From My Sons, Alex and Jon, About the Wild World of Sports Card Collecting

On this episode of Maxwell’s Iowa CoffeeCast, I sit down with my sons, Alex and Jon Schaeffer, for a deep, and surprisingly eye-opening, conversation about the world of modern-day card collecting. What started as a fun pastime has evolved into a booming, multi-billion-dollar global industry, blending hobby, business, and nostalgia into one frenzied subculture. Alex began collecting during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, when he stumbled into the hobby through online “breakers”, enthusiasts who livestream the opening of card packs and sell spots for specific teams. Jon joined in shortly after, intrigued by the opportunity to collect cards of athletes he’s covered through his sports broadcasting career. As I tagged along with them to the Capital City Card Convention, I found myself immersed in a world I never expected: part marketplace, part memorabilia mecca, and part time machine back to my youth. From discussions about the hottest cards like Caitlin Clark’s exclusive Panini autographs, or a one-of-one Shohei Ohtani, to insider tips on PSA grading, we cover it all. We even talk about the growing influence of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals in college sports and how young athletes are now monetizing their signatures before they even go pro. Alex shares the thrill (and anxiety) of pulling a high-value Josh Allen downtown dual card and navigating the complex process of grading and selling it. Jon talks about how collecting connects him to athletes he’s covered, and how his wife has started noticing both the joy—and the expense—of the hobby. It’s not just about money, though. We discuss how the community aspect of collecting—whether trading with other fans, sharing hits on social media, or watching your kids discover it for the first time, keeps the heart of the hobby alive. Along the way, we draw analogies to bourbon hunting, Pokémon scalpers, and even the old-school satisfaction of cardboard and bubble gum. Whether you’re a longtime collector, a casual fan, or someone who once jammed a Joe Rudi card in your bike spokes, this episode pulls back the foil wrap on a world that’s much more than just sports cards. It’s business, nostalgia, strategy, and joy, all in a single pack.