Best Prairie Publics Broadcast Podcasts (2025)

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What's behind Bottineau's curious 'quicksand’ sign 2:32

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3h ago2:32

2:32

A couple miles east of Bottineau, North Dakota, on the curve of Highway 5, there’s a sign in the ditch that says “quicksand.” It has been there for decades. I assume it’s a warning not to put your car in the ditch there. But if you do, particularly if you have been watching some old westerns on TV, don’t wait for the Lone Ranger to save you from qu…

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September 26: The Farmers Crisis and Jessica Lange 3:00

1h ago3:00

3:00

Friendship with a lawyer from Bismarck led to famed actor Jessica Lange receiving an Oscar nomination in 1985. While she did not win, Lange went on to testify before Congress about the plight of farmers. How did a Bismarck lawyer inspire such a chain of events? It all began when Sarah Vogel of Mandan was roommates with Jessica Lange’s older sister …

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Can Happiness Be Taught—or Shared—Across Cultures? 23:39

3h ago23:39

23:39

UND's Dr. Jack Russell Weinstein asks: Is happiness about less suffering, more joy, or wealth—and can Finland’s model of well-being be shared across cultures?

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Happiness Across Cultures, Harvest Insights, and Science at Home 50:16

2h ago50:16

50:16

Explore Finland’s happiness lessons, hear harvest insights from ND farmers, and discover simple, hands-on science activities to try at home this fall.

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September 25: Teachings of Our Elders - Catherine Froelich on Traditional Ways 2:55

2d ago2:55

2:55

In this episode of Dakota Datebook, we'll listen to Catherine Froelich, enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation talk about traditional ways and values.

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Baseball Behind the Scenes, Norsk Høstfest, and School Phone Ban 50:11

1d ago50:11

50:11

Go inside baseball with Christopher Krick, preview Norsk Høstfest with Searle Swedlund, and hear how North Dakota’s new school cell phone ban is changing classrooms.

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September 24: John F. Briggs, The Uncle Sam of North Dakota 2:38

8h ago2:38

2:38

On this date in 1904, John F. Briggs of Wahpeton was known around the country as “Uncle Sam.” He was a popular enactor in Grand Army of the Republic parades and 4th of July celebrations. A veteran of the Civil War, he attended every national G.A.R. convention but two.By Lise Erdrich

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Essentia Health’s Economic Impact; Past Prairie Rabies Scares Run Wild 50:04

14h ago50:04

50:04

Essentia Health drives significant economic regional impact, while prairie communities of the past faced rabies scares, rumors, and “mad dog” panics.

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September 23: From Sudan to Fargo 3:00

1d ago3:00

3:00

Since 1946, Fargo has been a place of new beginnings for refugees from around the world. On this day in 2000, The Fargo Forum announced that a group of Sudan’s “Lost Boys” would soon be arriving in the city.By Trista Raezer-Stursa

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Political Violence & Free Speech; Retracing a Model T Honeymoon 50:23

1d ago50:23

50:23

Dr. Cullinane unpacks political violence and free speech, then journalists Kitty and Marie Felde retrace their grandparents’ 1925 Model T honeymoon.

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September 22: Mustered Out 2:43

2d ago2:43

2:43

On January 27, 1862, Captain Nelson Miner was assigned to command the first unit of the Dakota Territorial Militia in the territorial capital of Yankton.By Carole Butcher

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Why fall is prime time for bird watching in North Dakota 2:39

6d ago2:39

2:39

The autumnal equinox is on September 21 this year. Of course, when fall rolls around in North Dakota, the thoughts of birds migrating — particularly waterfowl — often come to mind.By Chuck Lura

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A Mad Dog Scare 4:40

4d ago4:40

4:40

In late nineteenth century, rabies scares animated communities all over the northern plains. Most were brief, and published reports lacked analytic detail. Certain episodes, however, attracted attention and produced documentation that gives us some insight into prairie community dynamics.By Tom Isern

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September 19: Viktor Belenko, MiG Pilot and Defector 2:50

5d ago2:50

2:50

On this date in 1976, American officials were finally getting a chance to inspect the mysterious MiG-25.By Scott Nelson

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Home on the Range, Alzheimer’s Walk, Hagerty Remembered 49:45

6d ago49:45

49:45

Youth healing at Home on the Range, Fargo’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Dave Thompson’s news review, and a heartfelt tribute to columnist Marilyn Hagerty.

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September 18: Little Misery 3:00

6d ago3:00

3:00

In November 1879, the Army established a military post on the west bank of the Little Missouri River. The post became a welcome bit of civilization for hunters and trappers. Civilians added a saloon, a general store, a boarding house, and the Pyramid Park Hotel which was nowhere near as grand as its name.…

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Beyond Limits, Remembering Redford, Moonrise and Media Stress 50:00

7d ago50:00

50:00

From workforce growth at the Fusion Conference to Robert Redford’s legacy, the impact of heavy news on well-being, and Fargo’s Moonrise Café community hub.

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Sept 17: The Spirit Behind Fall Festivals 1935 2:57

7d ago2:57

2:57

The barren fall of 1934 had left many areas with no produce to exhibit and, as a result, no fall festivals. But the 1935 harvest was bountiful for all crops except wheat. North Dakota was getting “its chin back up,” prompting fall festival planning across the state on this date. More than just community gatherings, these festivals reflected “a revi…

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Osterholm & Olshaker on Vaccines, Rabies Fears, Bad Water, Jumping Mice & Fire 49:16

8d ago49:16

49:16

Michael Osterholm & Mark Olshaker on vaccine policy, rabies fears on the prairie, toxic water in Illinois, North Dakota’s jumping mice, and the Karuk Tribe’s cultural burning.

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September 16: Fryburg, North Dakota 2:44

8d ago2:44

2:44

As the Northern Pacific Railway made its way across Dakota Territory, it eventually reached what is now known as Billings County. The first siding there was called Fogarty, named for a railroad contractor. In 1883, it was renamed Summit, a fitting name, as the railroad was at its highest point before descending into the Badlands.…

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Tornado Warnings, Norwegian Migration, and Minneapolis Mysteries 49:52

9d ago49:52

49:52

Severe storms brought several tornado warnings to central ND, we mark 200 years since Norwegian migration, and author Larry Millett shares mysteries of old Minneapolis.

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September 15: Strong Words from Senator McCumber 2:44

9d ago2:44

2:44

Most of Europe was engaged in World War I from 1914 to 1919. The United States entered the war in the spring of 1917. The conflict claimed the lives of sixteen million people. Buildings and agricultural land were devastated. The world was shocked by the use of powerful new weapons, including submarines, machine guns, poison gas, tanks, and airplane…

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What is indigenous philosophy? 1:16:23

10d ago1:16:23

1:16:23

Jack sits down with Brian Burkhart, Indigenous philosopher and scholar, to explore a radical and timely idea: What if Indigenous thought isn’t just tradition or spirituality, but a powerful philosophical framework—one that challenges Western systems and offers a deeply relational way of understanding nature and community in our time?…

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Jumping mice in North Dakota 2:44

12d ago2:44

2:44

“What was that?!” That was my first thought many years ago when, walking through some low prairie, something that I could only describe as a mouse-sized kangaroo took three big leaps out of the grass in front of me. I was to learn later that it was a jumping mouse!By Chuck Lura

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Mad Dogs Running Wild 3:46

12d ago3:46

3:46

At the community level on the prairies, people of the late nineteenth century took threats of hydrophobia, or rabies, seriously. Authorities and editors knew news when they heard it, but did not want to incite reactionary panic, the phobia of the phobia.By Tom Isern

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September 12: Honoring Kermit and Wesley Sloulin 2:49

12d ago2:49

2:49

On this day in 1912, Kermit Sloulin was born in Wildrose, North Dakota. After completing his schooling in Williston, Kermit joined the 164th Infantry Regiment of the North Dakota National Guard.By Scott Nelson

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Domestic Violence, News Review, Gateway to Science & The Tell 49:35

12d ago49:35

49:35

October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, plus Dave Thompson’s news review, Gateway to Science’s new outdoor exhibits, and Fargo’s live storytelling event The Tell.

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September 11: Visions of the American West 2:53

16d ago2:53

2:53

During the first half of the 19th century, the United States government sent out expeditions to explore the western portion of the country. Government officials wanted to understand what the nation had acquired in the Louisiana Purchase.By Carole Butcher

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Suicide Prevention, Drekkerfest 11, and Opioid Awareness 51:54

14d ago51:54

51:54

A deep look at suicide prevention with Essentia's Dr. Kohlhase, a preview of Fargo’s Drekkerfest 11, and Prairie Beat on opioids and the life-saving role of Narcan.

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September 10: What’s in a Brand? 2:27

15d ago2:27

2:27

Cattle flourished on the excellent grazing lands of western Dakota Territory in the 19th century. Massive herds roamed freely across the plains. Ranches began springing up in the Badlands before North Dakota was even a state. The most famous was Teddy Roosevelt’s Maltese Cross Ranch but there were many more. Some folded after just a few years, whil…

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Welk Biography, Clell Gannon, Beef Prices, and Alaska Walrus Traditions 49:59

15d ago49:59

49:59

Dr. Lance Richey on a new Lawrence Welk biography, Tom Isern on Clell Gannon, experts on beef prices, and Alaska’s walrus hunters adapting to climate change.

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September 9: The Battleship North Dakota 2:54

18d ago2:54

2:54

On this date in 1910, newspapers reported that the battleship USS North Dakota had suffered an oil tank explosion and fire at sea. Six crewmen received the Congressional Medal of Honor for “extraordinary heroism in the line of their profession.”By Lise Erdrich

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Ellendale’s Growth and Dessa’s Creative Journey 50:58

16d ago50:58

50:58

Ellendale Mayor Don Flaherty on rural growth and housing, plus artist Dessa on music, creativity, and life as she heads to Minot State’s NOTSTOCK festival this week.

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The Phobia of Hydrophobia 4:21

17d ago4:21

4:21

In May 1886 a physician in Watertown, Dakota Territory, was bitten by what press reports said was a “mad dog.” The doctor immediately booked steamship passage, “gone to Paris,” the papers said, “to consult Pasteur.” Just the year previous, 1885, Louis Pasteur had announced discovery of his somewhat tortuous vaccination procedure for rabies.…

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September 8: Chickens Crossing The Road 2:38

17d ago2:38

2:38

“Why did the chicken cross the road?” The answer has always been considered humorous in an odd sort of way: “To get to the other side.” This old joke has been amusing folks for nearly 200 years, especially little kids, though maybe not so much for grownups.By Dr. Steve Hoffbeck

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Flocks of red-winged blackbirds mark the transition to fall in North Dakota 2:43

19d ago2:43

2:43

One of the more conspicuous signs of late summer into fall are the large flocks of red-winged blackbirds wheeling around area marshes and croplands. If you haven’t noticed them yet, you should soon.By Chuck Lura

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September 5: Fargo Ends Support of Tourist Park 2:57

20d ago2:57

2:57

Travelers to Fargo ninety years ago were about to lose an amenity they may have taken for granted: the tourist park. Citing costs, city officials chose to end support for the park. The Bismarck Tribune quoted the park board as saying, “Tourists these days are too finicky.”By Daniel Sauerwein

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Sports Psychology, Gateway to Science, Caring Transitions, News 50:24

20d ago50:24

50:24

Dr. Erin Haugen on athlete anxiety, Annie Beck on ND Gateway to Science events, and Becky Perdaems on helping seniors navigate life’s transitions in North Dakota.

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September 4: The Long X 2:43

21d ago2:43

2:43

Cattle drives were a major economic activity during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Cattle were driven from Texas to railheads in Kansas and Nebraska to be shipped to eastern stockyards. When big Texas ranchers took note of the good grazing in Dakota Territory, cattle began arriving in 1876.By Carole Butcher

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Why We Revolt, Food & Culture at Tee’s Tacos, and Harwood’s AI Future 49:55

21d ago49:55

49:55

Dr. Victor Montori calls for kind care, Prairie Plates spotlights Tee’s Tacos’ Indigenous roots, and Harwood plans a $3B AI data center campus.

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September 3: Whitestone Hill 3:06

22d ago3:06

3:06

Following the Dakota Conflict of 1862 in Minnesota, the U.S. military launched a punitive campaign known as the Sibley and Sully Expeditions. By mid-1863, troops had entered present-day North Dakota in a two-pronged effort to crush the Sioux between the two generals’ forces.By Lise Erdrich

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Becoming Thurgood, Plains Folk, Local Produce Costs, and Photo Camp 49:50

24d ago49:50

49:50

PBS’s "Becoming Thurgood," Plains Folk on Z’dena Trinka, why local produce costs more, and a National Geographic photo camp on the Wind River Reservation.

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September 2: William Zahn 2:59

23d ago2:59

2:59

On this date in 1936, the Bismarck Tribune reported the passing of William Zahn at Fort Yates. Zahn was a colorful character in North Dakota history, a Native trader, interpreter, and former Army scout who accompanied Custer's expedition to the Black Hills in 1874. After returning, he quit the Army to marry Pretty Woman, sister of Chief John Grass.…

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The Jingle Dance and Spanish Flu Pandemic 3:05

24d ago3:05

3:05

On this date in 1918, the Spanish Flu had reached North Dakota. The state’s first confirmed case was a U.S. Marine on leave in New Rockford. Within a week, 100 local cases were reported, along with two deaths.By Lise Erdrich

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The Smell of Paint 4:24

26d ago4:24

4:24

There is a word out of fashion in this era of specialization, referring to a notable type of individual, the “polymath.” A polymath is a person of multifarious talents and expertise who walks in several intellectual or artistic worlds and blends them with imaginative results.By Tom Isern

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Identifying curly dock in North Dakota’s landscape 2:34

26d ago2:34

2:34

I used to occasionally hear one of my college professors call out the names of some plants as he drove down the highway at 60 miles per hour. “That is a 60 mile-an-hour plant,” he would declare. One of those plants was curly dock, also known as curled dock, sour dock, or yellow dock.By Chuck Lura

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Holly Pedersen, Katherine Terras, & Kohlrabi Soup 49:34

27d ago49:34

49:34

Craig Blumenshine speaks with Holly Pedersen and Katherine Terras about Project Pipeline, an initiative focused on addressing educator shortages. Later in the show, Erik Deatherage sits down with the bluegrass band Kohlrabi Soup for a lively interview and the band treats us to a few live performances.…

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Hope Burdolski & Nichole Hensen 52:56

28d ago52:56

52:56

Back-to-school season is here and whether you're a parent juggling drop-offs or just feeling the shift in the air, Main Street has something to brighten your day. Host Eric Deatherage kicks things off with a fresh look at STEM, not just for kids, but for curious adults too. Then, get inspired by Fargo’s own Nicole Henson, whose sweet treats have ea…

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Office ergonomics, Tom Isern essay, and a spotlight on musician Chris Whitley 52:52

29d ago52:52

52:52

Craig Blumenshine dives into office ergonomics with Fargo Ergonomics founder Crystal Nelson, and Tom Isern's latest essay tells the story of Zdema Irma Trinka, who penned a book about the Marquis de Mores and his wife, Medora. Plus, a spotlight blues folk artist Chris Whitley.

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Paula Almgren & Peyton Haug 50:47

1M ago50:47

50:47

Main Street host Craig Blumenshine speaks with elder care attorney Paula Almgren about the legal steps families should expect and take after the death of a loved one.Later in the show, Erik Deatherage talks with Fargo Forum writer Peyton Haug about the predominantly Indigenous missing children and teens in North Dakota. Her article spotlighted a re…