Rephonic
Artwork for Plain Talk
North Dakota
North Dakota Legislature
North Dakota Politics
Health Insurance
Affordable Care Act
Artificial Intelligence
Republican Party
Property Tax Reform
Tariffs
Data Centers
Medicaid
Fargo
Legislation
Agriculture
Property Taxes
Healthcare
Government Shutdown
Democratic Party
Medicare
Education Funding

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes913Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsSociety & CulturePolitics

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Plain Talk

Latest Episodes

With artificial intelligence issues -- and, specifically, the question of data centers -- set to be a top issue this election season and beyond, lawmakers in Bismarck have created a committee (not, specifically, a task force) to gather information an... more

With artificial intelligence issues -- and, specifically, the question of data centers -- set to be a top issue this election season and beyond, lawmakers in Bismarck have created a committee (not, specifically, a task force) to gather information an... more

Some conservation advocates say political leaders like Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven, and Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak are betraying Theodore Roosevelt's conservation legacy even as they attend the opening of ... more

Some conservation advocates say political leaders like Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven, and Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak are betraying Theodore Roosevelt's conservation legacy even as they attend the opening of ... 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.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Michael Bindas
Senior attorney, Institute for Justice
Institute for Justice
Episode: 714: Capstone Academy challenges North Dakota teacher licensing
Mike Thiesen
Mayor of Surrey, running for North Dakota State Senate (District 3)
City of Surrey
Episode: 713: 'Glutton for punishment' (Video)
John Hoeven
U.S. Senator from North Dakota, former governor
U.S. Senate
Episode: 709: 'We've already declined 400,000 barrels a day' (Video)
Mark Jantzer
Mayor of Minot
City of Minot
Episode: 708: 'We have different views on politics and that's okay'
Jill Kringstad
Public Service Commissioner, appointed by Governor Kelly Armstrong
North Dakota Public Service Commission
Episode: 708: 'We have different views on politics and that's okay'
Josh Askvig
North Dakota State Director, AARP
AARP
Episode: 707: 'Affordability is hurting everyone'
Dawson Holle
State Representative, District 31
North Dakota Legislature
Episode: 707: 'Affordability is hurting everyone'
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)

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.

Top Politics Podcasts

The MeidasTouch Podcast
The MeidasTouch PodcastMeidasTouch Network
Pod Save America
Pod Save AmericaPod Save America
Bulwark Takes
Bulwark TakesThe Bulwark
Candace
CandaceCandace Owens
Letters from an American
Letters from an AmericanHeather Cox Richardson
Verdict with Ted Cruz
Verdict with Ted CruzPremiere Networks
Real Baron Podcast
Real Baron PodcastBaron Coleman

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

712: 'North Dakotans want people who are going to get to work' (Video)
Q: What do you think is ahead for Fargo after your election as mayor?
Boschee emphasizes taking office and addressing immediate challenges like public safety, housing, and budget while continuing to engage with diverse communities to build an inclusive coalition.
712: 'North Dakotans want people who are going to get to work'
Q: What are the big challenges Fargo will face in the new term?
The panel framed the main challenges as public safety, affordable housing, and ensuring equitable city services across neighborhoods, with a focus on practical solutions and maintaining essential services.
708: 'We have different views on politics and that's okay'
Q: Should North Dakota give the PSC more authority to protect ratepayers as projects expand?
There is ongoing discussion and interim studies; the legislature has been active, and the PSC participates in those discussions to determine where more authority might be needed.
708: 'We have different views on politics and that's okay'
Q: Can you walk us through the PSC's role in data centers and energy projects like carbon pipelines and methane infrastructures?
The PSC is a regulator, not a policymaker or legislator, so we evaluate siting and rate impacts, ensure fair costs for ratepayers, and assess whether projects align with existing laws and rules rather than setting broad policy.
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.

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?

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?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Plain Talk, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Plain Talk?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Plain Talk, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. A Closer Look with the Monitor
3. Afternoons Live with Tyler Axness
4. Prairie Beat
5. Listening to America

How many episodes of Plain Talk are there?

Plain Talk launched 7 years ago and published 913 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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Plain Talk?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Plain Talk from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Plain Talk?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Plain Talk. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Plain Talk?

Recent guests on Plain Talk include:

1. Michael Bindas
2. Mike Thiesen
3. John Hoeven
4. Mark Jantzer
5. Jill Kringstad
6. Josh Askvig
7. Dawson Holle
8. Charles Gorecki

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days