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Donald Trump
Rural America
Democratic Party
Tariffs
Rural Communities
Agriculture
Farm Bill
Health Care
Inflation
Rural Progress Summit
US Economy
Republican Party
Rural Healthcare
K-Shaped Economy
Medicaid
Kamala Harris
News Deserts
Local Journalism
Trump Administration Policies
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Former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp and her brother, KFGO radio talk show host Joel Heitkamp, engage in animated discussions with newsmakers, elected leaders, and policymakers who are creating new opportunities for rural Americans and finding practical solutions to their challenges. Punctuated with entertaining conversations and a healthy dose of sibling rivalry, The Hot Dish, from the One Country ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes155Founded10 years ago
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PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for The Hot Dish

Latest Episodes

Rural voters keep hearing about scandal in Washington, but most of it never gets past the surface. Tim Miller, host of the Bulwark Podcast, joins Heidi to dig into what's actually driving political corruption right now, from foreign money shaping U.S... more

YouTube

Trump is fighting to control how states run their own elections, and the fallout could shape the midterms before a vote is cast. Aaron Rupar, an independent journalist who's tracked Trump and the media covering him for years, joins Heidi and Joel to ... more

YouTube

Data centers are showing up in rural counties across the country, and not everyone is happy about it. Isaac Wright, a strategist who's spent two decades working rural campaigns, joins Heidi and Joel to talk about why that is, what tariffs have cost f... more

Farm country has been waiting on a new farm bill for almost two years. Angie Craig, the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee and a Minnesota congresswoman now running for the state's open Senate seat, joins Heidi and Joel to talk about wha... more

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Recent Guests

Aaron Rupar
Journalist covering Trump and politics; writer for Public Notice
Vox (former); Public Notice (current)
Episode: Decoding Trump with Aaron Rupar
Isaac Wright
Co-founder, political and public affairs consultant specializing in strategic communications
Rural Voter Institute (RVI)
Episode: Data Centers, Tariffs, and the Fight for Rural Votes
Angie Craig
Congresswoman, Minnesota's 2nd district
U.S. Congress
Episode: Saving Small Farms, with Rep. Angie Craig
Eric Dibble
Dr. Eric Dibble, former under deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs at USDA; executive director for Americans for the Common Good
Americans for the Common Good · USDA background
Episode: The Truth About Screw Worms
Bob Kendrick
President, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (Kansas City)
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Episode: Baseball’s Hidden History of Segregation and Triumph
Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Historian, political commentator, New York Times bestselling author
Historian/Author
Episode: Trump’s Dictator Playbook, with Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Emily Bender
Co-author of The AI Con
University of Washington/Collaborative Work
Episode: Are AI's Magic Bean Promises Leading Rural America Down a Risky Path?
Alex Hanna
Co-author of The AI Con
Southern University of Illinois? (as referenced)
Episode: Are AI's Magic Bean Promises Leading Rural America Down a Risky Path?
Tami DeCoteau
Trauma-informed care provider and national leader in trauma care
Private practice, rural North Dakota clinics
Episode: The Hidden Power of Trauma-Informed Care in Rural America

Hosts

Heidi Heitkamp
Host of The Hot Dish, former U.S. Senator; focuses on rural policy and practical solutions for farming communities
Joel Heitkamp
Co-host, KFGO radio talk show host; brings practical, regional perspective and conversational energy

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 59 ratings
  • Little League World Series

    A cautionary note! Ron Desantis played in the Little League Series!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Steve in the ND Oil Patch
    United Statesa month ago
  • Real good den dontcha know

    I’ve learned so much about the challenges that farmer families face in rural America, and the rest of folks in the middle of the country. Heidi is wicked smart and funny and so is Joel. I’ve enjoyed Heidi so much on Al Franken’s podcast, it would be so awesome to have him as a guest on Hot Dish!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dameofdismay
    United States5 months ago
  • Nice to have Midwest perspective

    As someone who grew up in the Midwest but now lives on a coast, I appreciate hearing the accents of my home state area!

    I like the fact that this show has guests who may typically appear on other podcasts, and also those that are more Midwest regional

    I generally appreciate the brother-sister vibe, but Joel too often comes across as a pushy interrupter or mansplainer - both with Heidi and with guests, especially female guests

    So Joel, please be more mindful of this - it's just bad manners! ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Qwertiop8
    United States8 months ago
  • Chicken Shibby!

    Breaking down politics and policy for those who are in more rural areas with a midwestern democrat slant to it all.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bigmrg74
    United Statesa year ago
  • Just for me

    When I started listening to Hit Dish I realized I was in my wheel house. I moved from liberal Denver to rural -and I mean RURAL - Wyoming. I lived it. In time. But I had some ‘learning’ to do. That blossoming of my own humanity and expansion of my world is present here. And I love it. Thank you Heidi.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Glacier1975
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests generally fit the rural policy/industry expertise profile, which helps translate national debates to local impact.
Some criticism notes the show can skew family-friendly and state-focused, but overall the host dynamic is engaging for a Midwest audience.
Listeners value the grounded rural policy focus and the hosts' practical take on farm issues.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Data Centers, Tariffs, and the Fight for Rural Votes
Q: If you were advising a candidate in rural states, how often would you mention tariffs and trade policies?
Mention tariffs as a localized issue tied to specific candidates and regions to avoid generic messaging and maximize relevance.
Data Centers, Tariffs, and the Fight for Rural Votes
Q: What role do tariffs play in shaping rural political outcomes, especially when tied to down-ballot races?
Tariffs are a potent frame when linked to specific candidates and regional impacts, helping voters connect national policy to local prices and farm competitiveness.
Data Centers, Tariffs, and the Fight for Rural Votes
Q: Isaac, how do you feel about the midterm outlook for rural America—optimistic or pessimistic?
He's cautiously optimistic about some gains for rural voters but expects them to be single-digit; overall, a long-term realignment is possible if candidates connect rural concerns to broader values.
The Truth About Screw Worms
Q: What role does international collaboration play in preventing reintroduction, and could we return to the older eradication strategy?
International partnerships, especially with Mexico and Central American countries, were essential to maintaining sterile fly releases and borders controls; a breakdown in collaboration complicates eradication and elevates risk of reintroduction.
The Truth About Screw Worms
Q: Could you explain why the New World screw worm is spreading again and what that means for producers?
The worm can affect any warm-blooded animal, including cattle, and it can spread quickly if animals are moved or if surveillance lapses occur; eradication requires rapid detection, movement controls, and ongoing coordination with neighboring countries.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Hot Dish

What is The Hot Dish about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A Midwest-focused political talk show that pairs a former senator with her KFGO radio-host brother to unpack rural policy, farm economics, and regional governance. Episodes frequently feature policymakers, journalists, and agriculture/healthcare experts, with a blend of practical policy critique and personal storytelling from farm families and small towns. Notable is the hosts' sibling banter and a consistent emphasis on durable, actionable solutions for rural America, from farm bills to broadband and healthcare access. The show often foregrounds data-driven rural messaging, bipartisan relevance, and culturally grounded discussions that bridge national policy and everyday life in farming communities.

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How many listeners does The Hot Dish get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Hot Dish?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Hot Dish:

1. Hacks On Tap
2. The Focus Group Podcast
3. Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt
4. #SistersInLaw
5. The Lawfare Podcast

How many episodes of The Hot Dish are there?

The Hot Dish launched 10 years ago and published 155 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 The Hot Dish?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Hot Dish?

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What guests have appeared on The Hot Dish?

Recent guests on The Hot Dish include:

1. Aaron Rupar
2. Isaac Wright
3. Angie Craig
4. Eric Dibble
5. Bob Kendrick
6. Ruth Ben-Ghiat
7. Emily Bender
8. Alex Hanna

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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