Rephonic
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
Political Ethics
Voter Engagement
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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes779Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Plain Talk

Latest Episodes

"Imagine you're someone a family who is working a job or two or even three, and then all of a sudden, with a week before the end of the month, you learn that the money you had been counting on to purchase food for you and your family isn't going to b... more

"Imagine you're someone a family who is working a job or two or even three, and then all of a sudden, with a week before the end of the month, you learn that the money you had been counting on to purchase food for you and your family isn't going to b... more

During their regular session earlier this year, North Dakota lawmakers formed its own version of President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

It's a task force, as opposed to a department, and state Auditor Josh Gallion, w... more

During their regular session earlier this year, North Dakota lawmakers formed its own version of President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

It's a task force, as opposed to a department, and state Auditor Josh Gallion, w... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Val Wagner
Candidate for presidency of North Dakota Farm Bureau with deep agricultural experience.
North Dakota Farm Bureau
Episode: 649: 'The fringe is getting more attention than they are' (Video)
Levi Bachmeier
Newly appointed Superintendent of Public Instruction for North Dakota
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
Episode: 648: 'The politics will take care of itself' (Audio)
Tim Blasl
Representative from the North Dakota Hospital Association
North Dakota Hospital Association
Episode: 647: 'We are not collecting what we charge' (Audio)
Don Morgan
President and CEO of the Bank of North Dakota
Bank of North Dakota
Episode: 646: 'These are North Dakota residents living next to you' (Video)
Chris Jones
Health care policy expert and former commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Episode: 645: 'We're getting precipitously close to having a significant issue with access to healthcare' (Video)
Judy Estenson
Former state senator from North Dakota
North Dakota State Senate
Episode: 643: 'I am deeply frustrated that a judge's decision could undo the will of the voters' (Audio)
Steve Forbes
Editor-in-chief of Forbes Magazine and two-time presidential candidate
Forbes Magazine
Episode: 642: 'Republicans should not be in favor of tax increases' (Video)
Pat Finken
Long-time political operative and former chairman of Brighter Future Alliance
Audney Advertising
Episode: 641: 'You can't drink Diet Coke without the fizz' (Video)
Justin Kringstad
Executive Director of North Dakota Pipeline Authority
North Dakota Pipeline Authority
Episode: 641: 'You can't drink Diet Coke without the fizz' (Audio)

Hosts

Rob Port
Host of Plain Talk, a columnist associated with major North Dakota newspapers, known for his commentary on political issues and local governance.
Chad Oban
Co-host and long-time political consultant, providing insights into North Dakota's political climate and engaging in discourse with various guests.

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 114 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 States9 months 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 States9 months 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

A portion of the audience criticizes perceived biases and echo chamber dynamics, highlighting a need for deeper, more diverse viewpoints.
Many commend the engaging and civil conversations that showcase a range of political views and foster healthy debate.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful discourse and knowledge shared by the hosts, often emphasizing the quality of discussions surrounding local governance.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

649: 'The fringe is getting more attention than they are' (Video)
Q: What are the biggest priorities for the North Dakota Farm Bureau if elected?
Val states that priorities will be determined by the members, focusing on bridging the gap between agriculture and elected officials.
649: 'The fringe is getting more attention than they are' (Video)
Q: How do you handle issues when the president of the United States says things that potentially hurt your industry?
By ensuring communication and making the impact of decisions known to the administration.
649: 'The fringe is getting more attention than they are' (Video)
Q: What's your pitch to North Dakota's farmers and ranchers for your leadership?
Val emphasizes the importance of leadership with agricultural background and the need for better representation of all viewpoints.
649: 'The fringe is getting more attention than they are' (Audio)
Q: How should farmers better communicate where their food comes from?
Having personal conversations and building relationships is essential to help consumers understand the agricultural process.
649: 'The fringe is getting more attention than they are' (Audio)
Q: How do you handle issues when the president makes statements that could hurt your industry?
Communication is key; we need to ensure that our concerns are heard by the administration to address their impact.

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 Plain Talk

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

Conversations center around the political landscape in North Dakota, addressing key issues such as public education, property tax legislation, and the dynamics of local governance. The hosts often invite experts and political figures to discuss current events and their implications, such as the impact of new laws on public participation in government meetings or the ethical concerns surrounding state funding practices. Unique to this series is its open discourse, highlighting various perspectives, often blending serious political analysis with lighter discussions on regional sports, reflecting the hosts' engaging styles. The podcast serves as a notable platform for understanding local governance and political controversies, making it appeal... more

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How many episodes of Plain Talk are there?

Plain Talk launched 7 years ago and published 779 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 Plain Talk?

Recent guests on Plain Talk include:

1. Val Wagner
2. Levi Bachmeier
3. Tim Blasl
4. Don Morgan
5. Chris Jones
6. Judy Estenson
7. Steve Forbes
8. Pat Finken

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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