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Artwork for It's Just Politics

It's Just Politics

Michigan Public
Michigan
Gretchen Whitmer
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Donald Trump
Mike Duggan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Economy
Detroit
Lansing
Road Funding
Kamala Harris
2024 Presidential Election
Matt Hall
Michigan State Budget
Detroit News
Michigan Legislature
Michigan Government
Senate Seat
Jocelyn Benson

Politics can be messy. Politics can be confusing. But, that certainly doesn't mean politics can't be a joy-ride. Join It's Just Politics hosts Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta as they drill down on what’s happening in Michigan politics.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsGovernmentNews

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Artwork for It's Just Politics

Latest Episodes

A big union endorsement, millions in outside spending, and a three-way Democratic fight that's only getting tougher. Michigan's open U.S. Senate race is quickly becoming one of the country's most closely watched contests.

by Zoe Clark and Rick Plut... more

Former speechwriter Chai Karve shares how he crafted speeches for Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and why political speeches still matter in the digital age.

by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta

Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your ... more

YouTube

New polling shows Governor Whitmer’s enduring popularity, deep voter frustration with the two-party system, and growing anxiety over inflation, jobs, and the state’s economic future heading into Election 2026.

by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta

Want to ... more

YouTube

As Michigan’s race for governor heats up, candidates are finally taking part in forums, scheduling debates, and sharpening their campaign messages.

by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta

Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Jonathan Osteen
Deputy politics editor at Bridge Michigan
Bridge Michigan
Episode: Inside the Michigan governor’s race
Chad Livengood
Politics editor at the Detroit News
The Detroit News
Episode: Charges in grant scandal
Colin Jackson
Capital reporter
Michigan Public Radio Network
Episode: Dems keep majority
Samantha Schreiber
Reporter
Michigan Information and Research Service
Episode: Dems keep majority
Jason Rowe
Political strategist and former executive director of the Michigan Republican Party
Republican Party / Michigan political consulting
Episode: A campaign roundup
Portia Roberson
CEO of Focus Hope and vice chair of the Michigan Democratic Party
Democratic Party / Focus Hope
Episode: A campaign roundup
Jason Hay
Episode: A campaign roundup
Alabas Farhat
Democratic State Representative from Dearborn, Michigan
Michigan House of Representatives (Democrat)
Episode: Is Lansing functional?
AJ Jones
Reporter for WCMU covering the race
WCMU
Episode: 35th Senate District race

Hosts

Zoe Clark
Host of It's Just Politics
Rick Pluta
Co-host of It's Just Politics

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 24 ratings
  • Great political coverage in Michigan

    I love that these hosts are still elsewhere on Michigan Radio but I miss this show. I loved the snappy pace and tone and how well it caught me up on politics after I moved to Michigan.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    andrew.conkling
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests bring diverse perspectives, boosting the show's value for sponsors and guests alike.
Snappy pace and tone make complex Michigan politics easier to follow.
Strong mix of reporters and experts keeps coverage credible and informative.
Hosts translate policy into practical implications for voters and practitioners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#73
United States/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Michigan mood
Q: What does the data say about the two-party system and the role of independents like Duggan in Michigan politics?
Voters show a preference for compromise and a desire for more competition and options beyond the traditional parties, with independents highlighting structural biases in ballot access and party dominance.
The Michigan mood
Q: So let's start with these numbers. Why does Governor Whitmer have unusually strong approval in her second term?
Whitmer resonates with female voters, communicates in a direct, non-hostile style, and pursues issues important to her while not attacking opponents, which together sustain her broad approval.
Charges in grant scandal
Q: What specific red flags stood out in the Badun grant case as the investigation unfolded?
The discovery of disparate expenditures tied to the grant—such as a $4,500 coffee maker and a $550,000 salary—along with a paper trail showing Badun collaborating with a Republican donor to influence who in the government could access the funds, signaled a systemic misuse of the state program and potential criminal activity.
A campaign roundup
Q: What is a potential solution to these funding dynamics?
A common theme is raising candidate spending limits to reduce dependency on outside groups, thereby giving candidates more control over messaging and reducing the outsized influence of dark money groups.
A campaign roundup
Q: Can you put that kind of money into context?
The guests explain that the massive influx of money signals how critical the race is for both parties, but also warns that it creates an uneven playing field where candidates are pressured to chase dollars rather than directly engage voters.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About It's Just Politics

What is It's Just Politics about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show focuses on Michigan politics, with episodes covering ballot initiatives, election law, budgeting, and the broader dynamics of state government. Guests range from reporters and political analysts to policy experts, academics, and government officials, offering practical context on how Michigan's politics unfold and what it means for voters, businesses, and educators. Noteworthy are the frequent, in-depth roundtables and the mix of on-the-ground reporting with data-driven and policy perspectives, which can help listeners understand complex issues, anticipate political developments, and assess their impact on the state's economy and governance.

A standout aspect is the cadence of informed debate and diverse viewpoints, often anchore... more

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Which podcasts are similar to It's Just Politics?

These podcasts share a similar audience with It's Just Politics:

1. MichMash Politics
2. MIRS Monday Podcast
3. Marketplace
4. On Hand
5. Optimist Economy

How many episodes of It's Just Politics are there?

It's Just Politics launched 13 years ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on It's Just Politics?

Recent guests on It's Just Politics include:

1. Jonathan Osteen
2. Chad Livengood
3. Colin Jackson
4. Samantha Schreiber
5. Jason Rowe
6. Portia Roberson
7. Jason Hay
8. Alabas Farhat

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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