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Artwork for Plain Talk
North Dakota
Republican Party
North Dakota Ethics Commission
Property Taxes
Ethics Complaints
Democratic Party
Donald Trump
Carbon Capture
Kamala Harris
Political Campaigns
Transparency In Government
Joe Biden
Dickinson State University
Politics
Summit Carbon Pipeline
Government Accountability
Voter Engagement
Political Ethics
Doug Burgum
Elections

Plain Talk is a podcast hosted by Rob Port and Chad Oban focusing on political news and current events in North Dakota. Port is a columnist for the Forum News Service published in papers including the Fargo Forum, Grand Forks Herald, Jamestown Sun, and the Dickinson Press. Oban is a long-time political consultant.

PublishesDailyEpisodes843Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsSociety & CulturePolitics

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Artwork for Plain Talk

Latest Episodes

Levi Bachmeier, appointed last year as North Dakota's Superintendent of Public Schools, says that it's bogus to suggest that passing a school meals ballot measure means the state will have to reduce funding for K-12 education.

"That's a totally a f... more

Levi Bachmeier, appointed last year as North Dakota's Superintendent of Public Schools, says that it's bogus to suggest that passing a school meals ballot measure means the state will have to reduce funding for K-12 education.

"That's a totally a f... more

On this episode of Plain Talk, we hosted a debate between the Democratic-NPL's candidates for U.S. House.

Trygve Hammer is a Marine Corps veteran with three previous campaigns under his belt. Vern Thompson is a farmer and truck driver who recorded ... more

On this episode of Plain Talk, we hosted a debate between the Democratic-NPL's candidates for U.S. House.

Trygve Hammer is a Marine Corps veteran with three previous campaigns under his belt. Vern Thompson is a farmer and truck driver who recorded ... more

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Recent Guests

Levi Bachmeier
Superintendent of Public Instructions for North Dakota
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
Episode: 683: 'Going backwards in average teacher pay, that's a problem' (Video)
Reed Johnson
Political candidate for the District 17 seat in the North Dakota legislature, former West Point graduate, consultant, and current employee in the Attorney General's office.
North Dakota Attorney General's Office
Episode: 681: 'The reasonable right needs to stay involved and keep their foot on the gas' (Video)
Zach Raknerud
Democratic candidate for legislature, activist with personal experiences shaping his political views.
Democratic National Committee
Episode: 679: 'We're your friends. We're your neighbors. We're your co-workers.' (Video)
Melissa Klocke
Works for the North Dakota Historical Society
North Dakota Historical Society
Episode: 678: '250 years of our freedom' (Video)
Helene Neville
A traveling nurse, cancer survivor, and candidate for the United States House of Representatives
Episode: 677: 'We don't need any more noise' (Video)
Vern Thompson
Former North Dakota legislator and candidate for Congress.
Democratic Party
Episode: 675: The truck-driving former alcoholic running as a Democrat for the U.S. House in North Dakota (Video)
Ron Ness
President and CEO of the North Dakota Petroleum Council
North Dakota Petroleum Council
Episode: 674: 'Our business climate in North Dakota is eroded'
Mike Lefor
House Majority Leader in North Dakota
North Dakota House of Representatives
Episode: 673: 'Politics is noise'
Dakota Rudesill
Associate professor at Ohio State University with a focus on federal law and authority
Ohio State University
Episode: 672: ICE prioritizing 'maximum lethality' over the 'tepid legality'

Hosts

Rob Port
Host and political commentator with substantial knowledge of North Dakota politics, Rob Port provides insights through discussions and interviews.
Chad Oban
Co-host and political consultant, Chad Oban engages in discussions presenting multiple viewpoints within North Dakota's political climate.

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 123 ratings
  • Recommend!

    A great way to learn about North Dakota government. I learn things every episode and recommend it to my friends regularly.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ND4everandever
    United Statesa year ago
  • The thoughtfulness we need

    I’m so grateful to have found this podcast last fall during election season. I was tired of the presidential news cycle and wanted to hear about candidates and issues that will affect me in my day-to-day life. I find Chad and Rob to be thoughtful with their questions, knowledgeable about how the government works (or should work) and willing to change their minds. I have also appreciated getting to know public figures who are important in my state. Definitely recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Astrukel
    United Statesa year ago
  • 10/10 would recommend

    In a world of civil discourse being almost nonexistent its nice to finally find a podcast where two opposing sides can come together and have a civil discourse about the issues facing not only our country but our state as well. Rob sounds very knowledgeable and keeps the peace very well between two opposing side who normally couldn't talk civilly if their lives depended on it. 10/10 would recommend this podcast to anyone who enjoy politics or simply wants to learn more about the issues we citize... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    truthseekerz69
    United Statesa year ago
  • Appreciate the Discussion

    I enjoy the banter on the program between the hosts, but I most appreciate that they can have a conversation about just about any topic and it doesn’t degenerate into a shouting match about who is right and wrong. I like that there are people of all points of view. Civil discussion is always necessary and important to demonstrate, and I think that is an extremely valuable lesson that the hosts share.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Phantom_FLHS
    United States2 years ago
  • Institutional knowledge of ND politics adds context to today’s moments

    I really have grown to respect the amount of political knowledge Rob and his co-host bring to flavor our current times. Not always agreeing with Rob’s take but usually pretty good at flavoring tthe context of the moment for those of us somewhat new to ND politics. Love that he has co-hosts from the opposite side of his conservative politics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    North Dakota Veterinarian
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some reviews reflect concerns about potential bias, suggesting that the podcast may not fully explore all sides of certain issues, while others praise it for its depth of knowledge regarding North Dakota politics.
Listeners appreciate the informative discussions about local politics and candidates, highlighting the hosts' ability to engage in thoughtful discourse.
Feedback indicates that the podcast provides a good mix of perspectives, often promoting civil discussion even among opposing viewpoints.

Top Politics Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

682: Democratic-NPL candidates for U.S. House debate
Q: How would you address tariffs affecting North Dakota and should there be a consumer rebate?
Vern argues tariffs are harmful and advocates for a market-focused approach with a possible debt reduction using tariff funds, whereas Trygve supports strong congressional oversight and considering broader economic impacts.
682: Democratic-NPL candidates for U.S. House debate
Q: Where do you stand on abortion policy in the context of being pro-life or pro-choice?
Vern emphasizes a nuanced stance that respects both sides and cautions against government overreach, while Trygve suggests consulting medical experts and crafting policy based on evidenced-based ground rules.
682: Democratic-NPL candidates for U.S. House debate (Video)
Q: Where do you stand on abortion policy and government involvement in reproductive rights?
Vern emphasizes that it should be a personal matter, not dictated by government, while Trygve calls for policy informed by medical experts and broad discussion to avoid cruel or sweeping measures.
681: 'The reasonable right needs to stay involved and keep their foot on the gas' (Video)
Q: How do you balance the need to cut taxes while also funding schools adequately?
Johnson acknowledges the need for state assistance to local political subdivisions to avoid severe budget deficits and emphasizes a smart allocation of resources.
681: 'The reasonable right needs to stay involved and keep their foot on the gas' (Video)
Q: What are your priorities if elected?
Johnson outlines priorities such as addressing property taxes, improving budget allocation in government programs, and ensuring a safe regulatory environment for industries.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Plain Talk

What is Plain Talk about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast offers a rich exploration of political news and current events in North Dakota, featuring insightful discussions led by hosts with deep-rooted connections to the state's political landscape. Episodes typically include interviews with political candidates, analysis of legislative priorities, and engaging conversations about various pressing issues, such as education funding, healthcare reform, and property tax debates. This podcast stands out for its focus on fostering civil discourse among differing political perspectives, making it a valuable resource for listeners interested in the dynamics of North Dakota's politics and governance. Additionally, the show often highlights local history and cultural events, showcasing a commit... more

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What are the audience demographics for Plain Talk?

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How many subscribers and views does Plain Talk have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Plain Talk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Plain Talk:

1. News & Views with Joel Heitkamp
2. The Bulwark Podcast
3. Pod Save America
4. The Dispatch Podcast
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of Plain Talk are there?

Plain Talk launched 7 years ago and published 843 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Plain Talk?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Plain Talk?

Recent guests on Plain Talk include:

1. Levi Bachmeier
2. Reed Johnson
3. Zach Raknerud
4. Melissa Klocke
5. Helene Neville
6. Vern Thompson
7. Ron Ness
8. Mike Lefor

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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