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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
GovernmentNewsPolitics

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Artwork for It's Just Politics

Latest Episodes

Criminal charges tied to a controversial $20 million state grant and renewed battles over petition signatures in Michigan’s governor’s race.

by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta

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In Michigan’s much-watched open 35th Senate district special election, Democrat Chedrick Greene wins the Mid-Michigan race as Dems hold onto their Senate majority.

by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta

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Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin makes headlines with a visit to Iowa, big campaign funds boost Mike Rogers, and what’s up with John James gubernatorial campaign.

by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta

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Calling the state capitol “one of the most dysfunctional places” in America, Democratic State Rep. Alabas Farhat joins the pod for a candid conversation about the challenges facing Lansing

by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Chad Livengood
Politics editor at the Detroit News
The Detroit News
Episode: Charges in grant scandal
Jason Rowe
Political strategist and former executive director of the Michigan Republican Party
Republican Party / Michigan political consulting
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?
Hayley Harding
An expert from VoteBeat discussing voting rights and ballot initiatives
VoteBeat
Episode: State of the state’s budget
Perry Johnson
Businessman and Republican gubernatorial candidate
Independent
Episode: Classroom cellphone ban
Matt Friedman
Co-founder of the PR firm Tanner Friedman, expert in the Michigan media industry
Tanner Friedman
Episode: A Michigan media shakeup and a swing Senate seat
Rick Brewer
News director at WCMU, covering the open 35th Senate District race
WCMU
Episode: A Michigan media shakeup and a swing Senate seat
Matt Hall
Republican Speaker of the House in Michigan
Michigan House of Representatives
Episode: Inside the House: Matt Hall on a high-stakes year

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 23 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
#195
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#217
Germany/Government
Apple Podcasts
#97
Japan/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
35th Senate District race
Q: AJ, remind us of who these three candidates are. Let's start with Chedrick Greene.
AJ outlines that Greene is a 30-year Marine and Saginaw Fire Captain with prior service in the legislature's staff, highlighting his focus on affordability and school funding, with contrasting styles shown at the debate.
Duggan disruption
Q: What are you going to be watching for vis-a-vis Mike Duggan, over the next couple weeks, months?
Henderson notes upcoming campaign opportunities such as the Mackinac Policy Conference, the strength of Duggan's endorsements from business groups, and the ongoing question of who might be his running mate as key indicators of momentum and strategy.

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. The NPR Politics Podcast
3. The Gray Area with Sean Illing
4. On the Media
5. Today, Explained

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. Chad Livengood
2. Jason Rowe
3. Jason Hay
4. Alabas Farhat
5. Hayley Harding
6. Perry Johnson
7. Matt Friedman
8. Rick Brewer

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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