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North Dakota
North Dakota Legislature
Property Tax Reform
North Dakota Politics
Health Insurance
Affordable Care Act
Artificial Intelligence
Republican Party
Tariffs
Property Taxes
Data Centers
Legislation
Medicaid
Agriculture
Healthcare
Criminal Justice Reform
Government Shutdown
Fargo
Democratic Party
Medicare

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes893Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Plain Talk

Latest Episodes

Public Service Commissioner Jill Kringstad didn't attend the North Dakota Republican Party's state convention, alongside every other statewide Republican incumbent. Thus, she doesn't have the party's endorsement, but neither does her opponent, Chris ... more

Public Service Commissioner Jill Kringstad didn't attend the North Dakota Republican Party's state convention, alongside every other statewide Republican incumbent. Thus, she doesn't have the party's endorsement, but neither does her opponent, Chris ... more

Rep. Dawson Holle, a Republican from District 31, is involved in a four-way race for two House seats. He, along with fellow House incumbent Rep. Karen Rohr, didn't receive the NDGOP's convention endorsement. Many of the NDGOP's incumbents haven't bee... more

Rep. Dawson Holle, a Republican from District 31, is involved in a four-way race for two House seats. He, along with fellow House incumbent Rep. Karen Rohr, didn't receive the NDGOP's convention endorsement. Many of the NDGOP's incumbents haven't bee... more

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Recent Guests

Alison Ritter
Executive Director of the Western Dakota Energy Association
Western Dakota Energy Association
Episode: 706: North Dakota needs 'hundreds of billions of tons' of carbon (Video)
Charles Gorecki
CEO of the Energy and Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota
UND EERC
Episode: 706: North Dakota needs 'hundreds of billions of tons' of carbon (Video)
Justice Tufte
Judge, Cass County Drug Court Coordinator
North Dakota judiciary
Episode: 705: 'We've never transitioned from any fuel source in the world in the history of mankind' (Video)
Kim Hegvik
Cass County State's Attorney
Cass County, North Dakota
Episode: 705: 'We've never transitioned from any fuel source in the world in the history of mankind' (Video)
Kyle Haustveit
Under Secretary, Department of Energy, Office of Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy
U.S. Department of Energy
Episode: 705: 'We've never transitioned from any fuel source in the world in the history of mankind'
Hamida Dakane
Somali American, former North Dakota state legislator (2023-2024)
North Dakota Legislature
Episode: 704: 'Where is our home if America is not our home?' (REPLAY)
Jay Greenwood
Fargo-based criminal defense attorney
Private practice in Fargo, ND
Episode: 703: 'The best case scenario for the Fargo PD is a nightmare' (REPLAY)
Charles Tuttle
Frequent candidate for statewide office; ran for U.S. House in 2018, Superintendent in 2020, and is a candidate again in 2026
Episode: 701: 'We've got a a major decline in our educational system'
Ari Johnson
Attorney practicing in Watford City; candidate for State Supreme Court
Watford City Attorney candidate, running for State Supreme Court
Episode: 700: 'I don't bring my politics to work and I would not bring them to the Supreme Court' (Video)

Hosts

Rob Port
Host with background in political commentary and journalism, partnering on policy-focused discussions.
Chad Oban
Co-host with long-time political consulting background, provides policy and governance perspectives.

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 125 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 States2 years 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.

Great local ND politics coverage and balanced host–guest dialogue.
A mix of guests from legal, political, and public service backgrounds provides diverse viewpoints.
Civil, thoughtful discourse with a clear understanding of ND government.
Audio quality and production are sometimes inconsistent, but the content remains valuable.
Quotes on policy and governance feel informative and accessible to nonexperts.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

706: North Dakota needs 'hundreds of billions of tons' of carbon
Q: What happens if the carbon pipelines etc. don't get built?
Without the carbon capture and transport infrastructure, production and tax revenue from North Dakota's oil sector could decline significantly over the next decade, affecting funding for state services like K-12 and roads.
705: 'We've never transitioned from any fuel source in the world in the history of mankind' (Video)
Q: What about nuclear waste and storage—how is that being addressed?
Nuclear is a high-density, reliable base-load option; the administration is engaging states openly to discuss storage possibilities and solve waste challenges through dialogue and collaborative policy, including next-gen nuclear options like small modular reactors.
705: 'We've never transitioned from any fuel source in the world in the history of mankind' (Video)
Q: How do you view the balance between different energy sources and the role of government in choosing favorites?
The approach is to prioritize the energy source that makes the most financial sense for consumers and to ensure energy forms have a standalone commercial pathway, while encouraging a diverse mix rather than selecting favorites.
705: 'We've never transitioned from any fuel source in the world in the history of mankind' (Video)
Q: What is the difference between an Assistant Secretary and an Under Secretary?
The Under Secretary oversees specific policy categories within the DOE, reporting to the Deputy Secretary (the COO) and managing offices like Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy, among others, which clarifies organization and focus areas.
705: 'We've never transitioned from any fuel source in the world in the history of mankind'
Q: What is the difference between an Assistant Secretary and an Undersecretary?
The Under Secretary role is a broad category under the Deputy Secretary, responsible for specific energy-related portfolios like hydrocarbons and geothermal energy, with multiple offices under a common goal, while the Assistant Secretary sits above them, coordinating and leading those efforts.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Plain Talk

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

A North Dakota–focused political show that centers on state governance, policy, elections, and local public affairs through interviews with lawmakers, attorneys, judges, and public officials. Episodes regularly explore topics like election integrity, judiciary matters, infrastructure and energy policy, taxation, education, and local governance, often contrasting viewpoints with hosts who aim to keep discussions civil and informative. Noteworthy is the show's cultivation of locally relevant guest expertise and its willingness to scrutinize institutions while maintaining accessibility for a broad audience of engaged listeners seeking practical insights on state politics and governance.

Where can I find podcast stats for Plain Talk?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Plain Talk. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Plain Talk and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Plain Talk get?

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How many subscribers and views does Plain Talk have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Plain Talk has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Plain Talk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Plain Talk:

1. News & Views with Joel Heitkamp
2. Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
3. American Power
4. Hacks On Tap
5. A Closer Look with the Monitor

How many episodes of Plain Talk are there?

Plain Talk launched 7 years ago and published 893 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?

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What guests have appeared on Plain Talk?

Recent guests on Plain Talk include:

1. Alison Ritter
2. Charles Gorecki
3. Justice Tufte
4. Kim Hegvik
5. Kyle Haustveit
6. Hamida Dakane
7. Jay Greenwood
8. Charles Tuttle

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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