Best Robport Podcasts (2025)

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

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2h 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 …

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

23h 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 …

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

3d 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 …

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

20h 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 …

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

6d 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…

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

6d 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…

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

9d 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…

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

9d 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…

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

16d 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…

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

16d 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…

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

17d 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…

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

18d 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…

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

23d 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…

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

23d 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…

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

22d 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 …

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

25d 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 …

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

30d 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…

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

1M 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…

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

1M 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…

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

1M 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…

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

1M 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 …

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

1M 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 …

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

1M 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…

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

1M 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…

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

1M 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 …

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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 …

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

2M 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…

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

2M 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…

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

2M 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…

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

2M 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…

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

2M 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…

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

2M 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…

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

2M 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…

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

2M 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…

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636: 'Constant distractive state' (Video) 57:40

2M ago57:40

57:40

When Pat Traynor, Gov. Kelly Armstrong's interim Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, said that excessive use of cell phones and other digital devices is "probably the biggest public health threat that we have," I wrote that he was wrong, and accused him of stoking a moral panic. Traynor came on today's episode of the Plain …

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636: 'Constant distractive state' (Audio) 57:39

2M ago57:39

57:39

When Pat Traynor, Gov. Kelly Armstrong's interim Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, said that excessive use of cell phones and other digital devices is "probably the biggest public health threat that we have," I wrote that he was wrong, and accused him of stoking a moral panic. Traynor came on today's episode of the Plain …

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635: 'Definitely calmed down since the pandemic' (Video) 1:04:23

2M ago1:04:23

1:04:23

A new North Dakota law which went into effect on August 1 states that "every regular meeting of a governing body of a city, county, township, school district, district park district, water resource district must include an opportunity for an individual to provide public comment." Over the last five years or so, school board meetings have become a f…

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635: 'Definitely calmed down since the pandemic' (Audio) 1:04:23

2M ago1:04:23

1:04:23

A new North Dakota law which went into effect on August 1 states that "every regular meeting of a governing body of a city, county, township, school district, district park district, water resource district must include an opportunity for an individual to provide public comment." Over the last five years or so, school board meetings have become a f…

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634: Applied Digital CEO talks about Harwood, AI, jobs, and nondisclosure agreements (Video) 53:19

2M ago53:19

53:19

"It's by far the most important race we've been in in the world." That's what Applied Digital CEO Wes Cummins told us on this episode of Plain Talk. "In my opinion, there's two countries that are racing forward to advance AI, to reach super intelligence, to reach AGI [artificial general intelligence], and it's the United States and it's China." Cum…

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634: Applied Digital CEO talks about Harwood, AI, jobs, and nondisclosure agreements (Audio) 53:19

2M ago53:19

53:19

"It's by far the most important race we've been in in the world." That's what Applied Digital CEO Wes Cummins told us on this episode of Plain Talk. "In my opinion, there's two countries that are racing forward to advance AI, to reach super intelligence, to reach AGI [artificial general intelligence], and it's the United States and it's China." Cum…

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633: 'Why not? We have it.' (Video) 53:39

2M ago53:39

53:39

This is the video version of Episode 633 of the Plain Talk podcast. North Dakota has become a destination for investment in building out America's artificial intelligence infrastructure. Specifically, the massive, power-hungry data centers that enable the sort of cloud computing necessary to make AI work. Public Service Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Ho…

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633: 'Why not? We have it.' 53:39

2M ago53:39

53:39

North Dakota has become a destination for investment in building out America's artificial intelligence infrastructure. Specifically, the massive, power-hungry data centers that enable the sort of cloud computing necessary to make AI work. Public Service Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Hoffart, who serves on the triumvirate that oversees things like utili…

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632: 'A little bit closer to perfect' (Video) 56:59

3M ago56:59

56:59

This full video interview with Erin Oban from North Dakotans for Public Schools is from Episode 632 of the Plain Talk Podcast.

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632: 'A little bit closer to perfect' 57:12

3M ago57:12

57:12

North Dakota's public schools are not perfect, but they are very, very good. Sadly, often thanks to national narratives that have little to do with what's happening in our school districts, that's not always the popular perception the public has. People are left with the impression that kids are being indoctrinated, or in extreme cases even groomed…

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631: Back-to-school tax, Trump's Fedorchak endorsement, and cheerleader culture wars 51:02

3M ago51:02

51:02

Should the voters take their case for covering school lunches for all students to the ballot box with an initiated measure? We discussed the issue on this episode of Plain Talk, and co-host Chad Oban made the case for some populism on this issue. "The legislature has had ample opportunity to pass something that over 70% of North Dakotans support," …

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ND Insurance Commissioner John Godfread from Episode 630 (Video Interview) 34:54

3M ago34:54

34:54

This is the full video version of our August 20, 2025, interview with North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread. The interview is from Episode 630.

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630: One Big Beautiful Bill Act could lead to 'death spiral' in health insurance 55:06

3M ago55:06

55:06

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread says North Dakota -- and America, really, since our state is hardly an independent nation -- is on an unsustainable trajectory when it comes to the cost of insurance and health care. On this Plain Talk, Godfread, who is also the current president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners…

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F5 Project Founder Adam Martin from Episode 629 (Video Interview) 29:56

3M ago29:56

29:56

This exclusive interview with F5 Project founder Adam Martin is from Plain Talk episode 629.

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629: 'I think it should be wiped across the board' 1:06:23

3M ago1:06:23

1:06:23

A new law that just took effect here in North Dakota seals court records in concluded cases that don't result in a conviction. That would mean instances where the defendant was acquitted, or when the charges were dismissed, or any other outcome that's not a guilty plea or verdict. The argument in favor of the law is that it's not fair to the defend…

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628: 'I pay people the courtesy of candor' 53:51

3M ago53:51

53:51

"There are currently three ethics complaints against my office," Attorney General Drew Wrigley said on this episode of Plain Talk. It's a startling admission, but Wrigley says the complaints are spurious, and that the state Ethics Commission, which he has been outspokenly critical of, is hording complaints like those, instead of clearing them, for …