Best Robport Podcasts (2025)

1
661: 'You can't get anybody to come out and want to work on a farm' (Video) 1:01:01

Play Pause

5d ago1:01:01

1:01:01

Farmers are having a tough time of it. Tariffs are driving up costs, and trade wars are driving down crop prices. North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring talked about those things on this episode of Plain Talk, but he also pointed out another problem. Labor shortages, which not only leave positions unfilled, but also drive up wages for …

1
661: 'You can't get anybody to come out and want to work on a farm' (Audio) 1:01:00

5d ago1:01:00

1:01:00

Farmers are having a tough time of it. Tariffs are driving up costs, and trade wars are driving down crop prices. North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring talked about those things on this episode of Plain Talk, but he also pointed out another problem. Labor shortages, which not only leave positions unfilled, but also drive up wages for …

1
660: 'It is like refusing to pay for regular oil changes to save money' (Video) 1:02:43

7d ago1:02:43

1:02:43

Back in August, during an interview on Plain Talk, North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread said that Congress needed to renew subsidies for Obamacare marketplace policies to avoid a "death spiral" in the insurance market brought on by younger, healthier shoppers reacting to price spikes by giving up their policies. Well, it's December now.…

1
660: 'It is like refusing to pay for regular oil changes to save money' (Audio) 1:02:44

7d ago1:02:44

1:02:44

Back in August, during an interview on Plain Talk, North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread said that Congress needed to renew subsidies for Obamacare marketplace policies to avoid a "death spiral" in the insurance market brought on by younger, healthier shoppers reacting to price spikes by giving up their policies. Well, it's December now.…

1
659: Applied Digital CEO talks about Harwood (REPLAY) (Video) 54:50

11d ago54:50

54:50

While the Plain Talk team is taking the holiday off, we're bringing back one of our most-listened-to episodes of the past year — an interview that's become even more relevant as debates over data centers continue across North Dakota. In this replay, Applied Digital CEO Wes Cummins joins the show to discuss the company's rapid expansion in North Dak…

1
659: Applied Digital CEO talks about Harwood (REPLAY) (Audio) 54:50

11d ago54:50

54:50

While the Plain Talk team is taking the holiday off, we're bringing back one of our most-listened-to episodes of the past year — an interview that's become even more relevant as debates over data centers continue across North Dakota. In this replay, Applied Digital CEO Wes Cummins joins the show to discuss the company's rapid expansion in North Dak…

1
658: 'The next logical step was to take it to the voters in an initiated measure' (Video) 1:06:54

14d ago1:06:54

1:06:54

Robin Nelson, a member of the Fargo School Board who is chairing a ballot measure committee aimed at universal school lunches, says her group tried to get their goal accomplished through the legislative process. It didn't work, so now they're taking their case to the voters. "We went through two legislative sessions, and we're thankful. There was s…

1
658: 'The next logical step was to take it to the voters in an initiated measure' (Audio) 1:06:56

14d ago1:06:56

1:06:56

Robin Nelson, a member of the Fargo School Board who is chairing a ballot measure committee aimed at universal school lunches, says her group tried to get their goal accomplished through the legislative process. It didn't work, so now they're taking their case to the voters. "We went through two legislative sessions, and we're thankful. There was s…

1
657: 'My concern is about this conversation becoming so toxic' (Video) 58:02

19d ago58:02

58:02

There is an increasingly intense debate among state lawmakers and leaders in the North Dakota University System about the impact online education is having on the state's public campuses. "My concern is about this conversation becoming so toxic," university system Commissioner Brent Sanford said on this episode of Plain Talk. Sanford -- who is now …

1
657: 'My concern is about this conversation becoming so toxic' (Audio) 58:02

19d ago58:02

58:02

There is an increasingly intense debate among state lawmakers and leaders in the North Dakota University System about the impact online education is having on the state's public campuses. "My concern is about this conversation becoming so toxic," university system Commissioner Brent Sanford said on this episode of Plain Talk. Sanford -- who is now …

1
656: How do we stop AI from taking our jobs? (Video) 1:00:03

21d ago1:00:03

1:00:03

Artificial intelligence is much on the minds of North Dakotans. Well, not just North Dakotans. It's on the minds of Americans, but here in North Dakota we're having debates about the construction of massive, power-hungry data centers that will serve AI companies, not to mention discussions about the appropriate role for AI in academic and business …

1
656: How do we stop AI from taking our jobs? (Audio) 1:00:03

21d ago1:00:03

1:00:03

Artificial intelligence is much on the minds of North Dakotans. Well, not just North Dakotans. It's on the minds of Americans, but here in North Dakota we're having debates about the construction of massive, power-hungry data centers that will serve AI companies, not to mention discussions about the appropriate role for AI in academic and business …

1
655: Do we have any other choices but Medicare for all? (Video) 1:01:53

26d ago1:01:53

1:01:53

Now that the government shutdown is over, Congress will need to figure out what to do about an impending spike in health insurance premiums for Americans (including tens of thousands of North Dakotans) who purchase individual plans through the Affordable Care Act exchanges. Those premiums currently enjoy heavy subsidies that are set to expire at th…

1
655: Do we have any other choices but Medicare for all? 1:01:54

26d ago1:01:54

1:01:54

Now that the government shutdown is over, Congress will need to figure out what to do about an impending spike in health insurance premiums for Americans (including tens of thousands of North Dakotans) who purchase individual plans through the Affordable Care Act exchanges. Those premiums currently enjoy heavy subsidies that are set to expire at th…

1
654: 'We have some challenges coming up' (Video) 58:57

28d ago58:57

58:57

North Dakotans like to get a lot of work out of their public servants. Perhaps, in particularly, those working in the judiciary. The "judicial system has somewhere between 160,000 and 180,000 cases each year," Chief Justice Jon Jensen said on this episode of Plain Talk. Given that the state only has "55 district court judges," this creates "a prett…

1
654: 'We have some challenges coming up' (Audio) 58:58

28d ago58:58

58:58

North Dakotans like to get a lot of work out of their public servants. Perhaps, in particularly, those working in the judiciary. The "judicial system has somewhere between 160,000 and 180,000 cases each year," Chief Justice Jon Jensen said on this episode of Plain Talk. Given that the state only has "55 district court judges," this creates "a prett…

1
653: 'Somebody has to lose, and nobody wants to lose' (Video) 56:45

1M ago56:45

56:45

"I'm optimistic that they're going to do it," North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread said on this episode of Plain Talk, referring to Congress approving an extension to enhanced subsidies for health insurance policies sold on the individual marketplace exchanges. "I'm hopeful that they do it because I think it's the it is the right thing …

1
653: 'Somebody has to lose, and nobody wants to lose' (Audio) 56:44

1M ago56:44

56:44

"I'm optimistic that they're going to do it," North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread said on this episode of Plain Talk, referring to Congress approving an extension to enhanced subsidies for health insurance policies sold on the individual marketplace exchanges. "I'm hopeful that they do it because I think it's the it is the right thing …

1
652: 'He really believes that Americans are mean' (Video) 1:03:39

1M ago1:03:39

1:03:39

This has not been a good week for President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement. Elections in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, California, and beyond seemed to see voters sending a message to Trump and his allies about the government shutdown and more. "Well, the first thing I think the president came out and said, 'Oh, the only reason that …

1
652: 'He really believes that Americans are mean' (Audio) 1:03:38

1M ago1:03:38

1:03:38

This has not been a good week for President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement. Elections in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, California, and beyond seemed to see voters sending a message to Trump and his allies about the government shutdown and more. "Well, the first thing I think the president came out and said, 'Oh, the only reason that …

1
651: 'It's a never-before-seen event that's coming' (Video) 58:08

1M ago58:08

58:08

"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 be there on Saturday, November 1st," Karen Ehrens said on this episode of Plain Talk. "Probably you h…

1
651: 'It's a never-before-seen event that's coming' 58:08

1M ago58:08

58:08

"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 be there on Saturday, November 1st," Karen Ehrens said on this episode of Plain Talk. "Probably you h…

1
650: 'We don't have performance measures' (Video) 58:36

1M ago58:36

58:36

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, who is participating in the meetings, said they've been calling it TOGE to avoid confusion with the fed…

1
650: 'We don't have performance measures' (Audio) 58:35

1M ago58:35

58:35

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, who is participating in the meetings, said they've been calling it TOGE to avoid confusion with the fed…

1
649: 'The fringe is getting more attention than they are' (Video) 1:01:57

2M ago1:01:57

1:01:57

Farmers and ranchers are in a particularly vulnerable spot amid this protracted shutdown of the federal government. President Donald Trump's erratic trade policies have driven up the cost of doing business, and complicated access to international markets, even as crop prices have come in below profitable levels. Trump's push prop up Argentinian Pre…

1
649: 'The fringe is getting more attention than they are' (Audio) 1:01:56

2M ago1:01:56

1:01:56

Farmers and ranchers are in a particularly vulnerable spot amid this protracted shutdown of the federal government. President Donald Trump's erratic trade policies have driven up the cost of doing business, and complicated access to international markets, even as crop prices have come in below profitable levels. Trump's push prop up Argentinian Pre…

1
648: 'The politics will take care of itself' (Video) 54:50

2M ago54:50

54:50

This week Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced his appointment to replace Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, who has been confirmed for a position in President Donald Trump's administration, but it's a somewhat unusual situation. Levi Bachmeier can't take office yet, because Baesler can't officially take her position in the federal government, because the g…

1
648: 'The politics will take care of itself' (Audio) 54:49

2M ago54:49

54:49

This week Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced his appointment to replace Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, who has been confirmed for a position in President Donald Trump's administration, but it's a somewhat unusual situation. Levi Bachmeier can't take office yet, because Baesler can't officially take her position in the federal government, because the g…

1
647: 'We are not collecting what we charge' (Audio) 1:01:38

2M ago1:01:38

1:01:38

On previous episodes of Plain Talk, North Dakota Insurance Commisisoner Jon Godfread and Chris Jones, the former head of the state Department of Health and Human Services who is just wrapping up a stint as an adviser in President Donald Trump's administration, argued that health care pricing is opaque. They said that lack of transparency contribute…

1
647: 'We are not collecting what we charge' (Video) 1:01:39

2M ago1:01:39

1:01:39

On previous episodes of Plain Talk, North Dakota Insurance Commisisoner Jon Godfread and Chris Jones, the former head of the state Department of Health and Human Services who is just wrapping up a stint as an adviser in President Donald Trump's administration, argued that health care pricing is opaque. They said that lack of transparency contribute…

1
646: 'These are North Dakota residents living next to you' (Video) 55:03

2M ago55:03

55:03

"Banking has been on payment rails that are old and traditional," Don Morgan said on this episode of Plain Talk. "They were built in 1970. They're antiquated." Morgan is the president of the Bank of North Dakota, which recently announced a new blockchain currency called the Roughrider Coin — a "stablecoin," in the parlance of the industry. He came …

1
646: 'These are North Dakota residents living next to you' (Audio) 55:03

2M ago55:03

55:03

"Banking has been on payment rails that are old and traditional," Don Morgan said on this episode of Plain Talk. "They were built in 1970. They're antiquated." Morgan is the president of the Bank of North Dakota, which recently announced a new blockchain currency called the Roughrider Coin — a "stablecoin," in the parlance of the industry. He came …

1
645: 'We're getting precipitously close to having a significant issue with access to healthcare' (Video) 57:54

2M ago57:54

57:54

"We've just made it so complex that the average consumer will never understand it." That's what Chris Jones said on this episode of Plain Talk, referring to the way Americans access and pay for health care. Jones is the former head of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, having served in that role under Gov. Doug Burgum, and he…

1
645: 'We're getting precipitously close to having a significant issue with access to healthcare' (Audio) 57:54

2M ago57:54

57:54

"We've just made it so complex that the average consumer will never understand it." That's what Chris Jones said on this episode of Plain Talk, referring to the way Americans access and pay for health care. Jones is the former head of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, having served in that role under Gov. Doug Burgum, and he…

1
644: 'I think he needs to follow the courts' (Video) 58:06

2M ago58:06

58:06

President Donald Trump's deployment of the military domestically over the objections of local leaders has become a flashpoint in our national debate. The Trump has justified these deployments by citing lawlessness in places like Portland and Chicago, but at least one federal judge has found these claims to be "untethered in reality." North Dakota R…

1
644: 'I think he needs to follow the courts' (Audio) 58:05

2M ago58:05

58:05

President Donald Trump's deployment of the military domestically over the objections of local leaders has become a flashpoint in our national debate. The Trump has justified these deployments by citing lawlessness in places like Portland and Chicago, but at least one federal judge has found these claims to be "untethered in reality." North Dakota R…

1
643: 'I am deeply frustrated that a judge's decision could undo the will of the voters' (Video) 1:02:30

2M ago1:02:30

1:02:30

After a federal judge imposed a new district map on the State of North Dakota, former Sen. Judy Estenson lost her seat in the state legislature. That's unfair, she argued in a recent letter to the editor of the Minot Daily News, and on this episode of Plain Talk. "I am deeply frustrated that a judge's decision could undo the will of the voters who …

1
643: 'I am deeply frustrated that a judge's decision could undo the will of the voters' (Audio) 1:02:30

2M ago1:02:30

1:02:30

After a federal judge imposed a new district map on the State of North Dakota, former Sen. Judy Estenson lost her seat in the state legislature. That's unfair, she argued in a recent letter to the editor of the Minot Daily News, and on this episode of Plain Talk. "I am deeply frustrated that a judge's decision could undo the will of the voters who …

1
642: 'Republicans should not be in favor of tax increases' (Video) 57:22

2M ago57:22

57:22

Steve Forbes, the editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, the host of the "What's Ahead" podcast, and a two-time U.S. Presidential candidate is speaking at North Dakota State University later this month as part of the Challey Institute's Menard Family Distinguished Speaker Series. He dropped by Plain Talk ahead of that speech to talk about some of the eco…

1
642: 'Republicans should not be in favor of tax increases' (Audio) 57:22

2M ago57:22

57:22

Steve Forbes, the editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, the host of the "What's Ahead" podcast, and a two-time U.S. Presidential candidate is speaking at North Dakota State University later this month as part of the Challey Institute's Menard Family Distinguished Speaker Series. He dropped by Plain Talk ahead of that speech to talk about some of the eco…

1
641: 'You can't drink Diet Coke without the fizz' (Video) 52:23

2M ago52:23

52:23

With Rob out for his daughter's wedding, Chad Oban hosts alongside longtime ad man and GOP strategist Pat Finken for a discussion on the state's transformation from a competitive two-party era to a durable GOP majority, what that's meant for business, and the way national fights over climate and immigration filter down to North Dakota. Then Justin …

1
641: 'You can't drink Diet Coke without the fizz' (Audio) 52:22

2M ago52:22

52:22

With Rob out for his daughter's wedding, Chad Oban hosts alongside longtime ad man and GOP strategist Pat Finken for a discussion on the state's transformation from a competitive two-party era to a durable GOP majority, what that's meant for business, and the way national fights over climate and immigration filter down to North Dakota. Then Justin …

1
640: 'Whoever's in power is going to censor the opposing viewpoint' (Video) 1:05:59

3M ago1:05:59

1:05:59

Guest host Chad Oban and guest co-host Pat Finken sit down with Governor Kelly Armstrong for a wide-ranging conversation on politics, policy, and free speech. Governor Armstrong explains why the cure for bad speech is always more speech, why government crackdowns are dangerous no matter who's in charge, and how the real fight over information today…

1
640: 'Whoever's in power is going to censor the opposing viewpoint' (Audio) 1:05:59

3M ago1:05:59

1:05:59

Guest host Chad Oban and co-host Pat Finken sit down with Governor Kelly Armstrong for a wide-ranging conversation on politics, policy, and free speech. Governor Armstrong explains why the cure for bad speech is always more speech, why government crackdowns are dangerous no matter who's in charge, and how the real fight over information today doesn…

1
639: A 'clown show' and a 'disaster' (Video) 1:00:10

3M ago1:00:10

1:00:10

Dustin McNally was chosen by Republicans in District 42 to replace former state Rep. Emily O'Brien, who resigned her seat to take a position in Gov. Kelly Armstrong's administration. But despite emerging from that process the winner, he called it a "clown show" and a "bad faith effort all around" on this episode of Plain Talk, describe it as someth…

1
639: A 'clown show' and a 'disaster' 1:00:10

3M ago1:00:10

1:00:10

Dustin McNally was chosen by Republicans in District 42 to replace former state Rep. Emily O'Brien, who resigned her seat to take a position in Gov. Kelly Armstrong's administration. But despite emerging from that process the winner, he called it a "clown show" and a "bad faith effort all around" on this episode of Plain Talk, describe it as someth…

1
638: 'We have to be concerned about people not even liking or wanting to read' 58:42

3M ago58:42

58:42

It's no secret that the rise of the internet and social media has upended the news business. We've been talking about it for decades. But the industry isn't dying, as many like to say, so much as changing. People still want their news. They just want it in different ways, and the news industry is rising to meet that challenge. That's what Cecile We…

1
638: 'We have to be concerned about people not even liking or wanting to read' (Audio) 58:42

3M ago58:42

58:42

It's no secret that the rise of the internet and social media has upended the news business. We've been talking about it for decades. But the industry isn't dying, as many like to say, so much as changing. People still want their news. They just want it in different ways, and the news industry is rising to meet that challenge. That's what Cecile We…

1
637: 'Do they know there's ways to influence a president beyond kissing his ass all the time?' (Video) 59:44

3M ago59:44

59:44

In late June, terrible storms destroyed millions of dollars worth of property, and took lives in parts of the state around Enderlin, Spiritwood, and beyond. In late July, Gov. Kelly Armstrong issued a disaster declaration, asking President Donald Trump administration to release aid to the state. Weeks and weeks went by, until North Dakota's Federal…

1
637: 'Do they know there's ways to influence a president beyond kissing his ass all the time?' (Audio) 59:44

3M ago59:44

59:44

In late June, terrible storms destroyed millions of dollars worth of property, and took lives in parts of the state around Enderlin, Spiritwood, and beyond. In late July, Gov. Kelly Armstrong issued a disaster declaration, asking President Donald Trump administration to release aid to the state. Weeks and weeks went by, until North Dakota's Federal…