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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
Voter Engagement
Government Accountability
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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes827Founded7 years ago
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Society & CultureNewsPolitics

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Artwork for Plain Talk

Latest Episodes

"I used to referee a lot of basketball," Vern Thompson said on this episode of Plain Talk. "The people that would sit on the sidelines hollering at the ref, you know, 50% of them usually didn't like what he was calling because it was against our team... more

"I used to referee a lot of basketball," Vern Thompson said on this episode of Plain Talk. "The people that would sit on the sidelines hollering at the ref, you know, 50% of them usually didn't like what he was calling because it was against our team... more

"I don't see a lot of upside in the market in 2026, frankly."

That was the blunt assessment of Ron Ness, long-time president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council. He wasn't calling for a panic on this episode of Plain Talk, but he is suggesting so... more

"I don't see a lot of upside in the market in 2026, frankly."

That was the blunt assessment of Ron Ness, long-time president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council. He wasn't calling for a panic on this episode of Plain Talk, but he is suggesting so... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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'
Blaine DesLauriers
Candidate for North Dakota's District 3 House of Representatives, long-time businessman and community leader in Minot.
North Dakota's District 3
Episode: 670: 'He needs more allies that think and act like him' (Video)
Tim Mihalick
Candidate for North Dakota's District 3 House of Representatives, background in higher education, and state-level political experience.
North Dakota's District 3
Episode: 670: 'He needs more allies that think and act like him' (Video)
Denise Kolpack
Current member of the Fargo City Commission and candidate for mayor
Fargo City Commission
Episode: 668: The tragedy in Minneapolis, and Fargo's mayoral candidates
Josh Boschee
Current state senator and candidate for mayor of Fargo
North Dakota State Senate
Episode: 668: The tragedy in Minneapolis, and Fargo's mayoral candidates
Glenn Bosch
Representative from Bismarck, part owner of the Bismarck Larks.
North Dakota Legislature
Episode: 664: 'We've just got too many programs' (Audio)
Jonathan Warrey
Representative from Castleton, discussing investment strategies.
North Dakota Legislature
Episode: 664: 'We've just got too many programs' (Audio)
Hamida Dakane
Former member of the North Dakota state legislature and Somali American community leader
Episode: 663: 'Where is our home if America is not our home?' (Video)

Hosts

Rob Port
Host of the political commentary and analysis podcast, with a background in journalism and a focus on delivering insightful political content.
Chad Oban
Co-host and longtime political consultant, providing valuable insights and commentary on local and state-level political issues.

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 121 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.

Overall, the podcast is aimed at listeners who value informed and thought-provoking political dialogue.
Some feedback includes criticism regarding perceived bias in discussions, highlighting the need for diverse viewpoints.
The show is recognized for addressing local issues that resonate with the community.
Many find the hosts knowledgeable and capable of facilitating civil discourse.
Listeners appreciate the podcast for its engaging discussions surrounding North Dakota politics.

Top Politics Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

673: 'Politics is noise'
Q: How do you think Congress should approach a check and balance on the executive branch?
Congress has ceded too much authority to the executive branch and needs to take back that power.
673: 'Politics is noise'
Q: What do you think is different about your campaign this time compared to previous attempts?
I've learned a lot from past electoral experiences and have a more efficient campaign plan this time.
671: Is it time for North Dakotans to panic over oil revenues?
Q: What should North Dakotans be looking out for in terms of oil drilling and market conditions?
Drilling rates and announcements from companies like Continental are critical indicators of the oil industry's health, along with monitoring production numbers and forecasts.
671: Is it time for North Dakotans to panic over oil revenues?
Q: If we enter a new era of the oil industry in North Dakota, what will be the big implications for the budget?
There will be significant budget implications if oil activity levels off, particularly concerning funding for state services that rely heavily on oil revenues.
670: 'He needs more allies that think and act like him' (Video)
Q: Has Governor Armstrong indicated to you that he'll be supporting your campaigns and did he, has he endorsed you guys?
Tim Mihalick confirms that he was encouraged by Governor Armstrong to run and they both hope for his support and endorsement moving forward.

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?

A notable podcast focuses on political news and current events in North Dakota, offering listeners insights into issues that directly impact their daily lives. The content frequently explores critical topics such as healthcare, education reform, economic development, and technology, often featuring discussions with local experts, policymakers, and community leaders. Listeners can expect a blend of thoughtful analysis, civil discourse, and sometimes lively debate, as the hosts navigate varying perspectives on the matters at hand, making it a valuable platform for understanding regional dynamics.

What sets this production apart is its commitment to showcasing diverse viewpoints while tackling complex issues relevant to North Dakotans. Episod... more

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How many listeners does Plain Talk get?

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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. Afternoons Live with Tyler Axness
3. Purple Daily - A Minnesota Vikings Podcast
4. A Closer Look with the Monitor
5. Listening to America

How many episodes of Plain Talk are there?

Plain Talk launched 7 years ago and published 827 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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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Plain Talk from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Plain Talk?

Recent guests on Plain Talk include:

1. Mike Lefor
2. Dakota Rudesill
3. Blaine DesLauriers
4. Tim Mihalick
5. Denise Kolpack
6. Josh Boschee
7. Glenn Bosch
8. Jonathan Warrey

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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