Talk North Podcast Network

What Talk North Podcast Network does

Talk North Podcast Network is a privately held, Minnesota-based regional podcast network that produces and distributes roughly 20 audio shows organized into three verticals: Talk North Sports (covering the Vikings, Wild, Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, prep sports, and fantasy football), Talk North Outdoors (hunting, fishing, and waterfowl content), and Talk North Lifestyle (weather, music, and nostalgia programming). The network's core competitive asset is its talent roster — recognized Minnesota sports media personalities including Jim Souhan, Michael Russo, Jon Krawczynski, Alec Lewis, Roy Smalley, Anthony LaPanta, Kevin Gorg, Randy Shaver, Belinda Jensen, and former Vikings GM Jeff Diamond host flagship shows. Content is produced from a studio hosted by Aquarius Home Services and distributed through Apple Podcasts, ART19, and Podbean, with talknorth.com serving as the central web hub and home of assets like the Fantasy Huddle Cheat Sheet PDF. The network also operates live and annual event IP such as the Hank Hunt series and ICAST trade show coverage. The company is privately held with no disclosed funding, ownership structure, or revenue figures; commercial operations are run lean with sponsorship sales handled directly by Rob Berrell ([email protected]).

Talk North's business model is sponsorship-driven podcast advertising. Revenue is generated through host-read ads, presenting sponsorships, studio sponsorships, and promo-code integrations embedded in episodes, sold on a show-by-show or campaign basis to a roster of regional brands including First Resource Bank, OnX Maps, Aquarius Home Services, Star Bank, Kinetico, Great Clips, Lexus of Wayzata/Maplewood, MN DNR Boat Safety, North Dakota Tourism, and others. The network also monetizes beyond pure audio through downloadable owned content (Fantasy Huddle Cheat Sheet), live event sponsorships, and annual event coverage. There is no publicly disclosed pricing, no programmatic exchange integration, and no enterprise-tier offering — every sponsor relationship appears to be negotiated directly. The customer base skews entirely regional, with sponsors concentrated in Minnesota small businesses, community banks, dealerships, home services, hunting/outdoors retailers, and nonprofit institutions; there are no national brand-anchor advertisers with disclosed long-term commitments.

The underlying technology is intentionally thin: Talk North does not operate proprietary hosting, recommendation, or ad-tech infrastructure, relying instead on third-party platforms ART19 and Podbean for hosting and distribution, and Apple Podcasts for audience access. The company has no disclosed patents, AI/ML capabilities, data assets, API surface, mobile app, or enterprise software product. Growth has been organic, built on adding shows and verticals, expanding into event coverage, and deepening sponsor integrations within the Minnesota market; there are no signals of geographic expansion, M&A, institutional funding, or leadership change in the input data.

Name

Talk North Podcast Network

Legal name

Talk North Podcast Network

Website

https://talknorth.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Talk North Podcast Network is a privately held, Minnesota-based regional podcast network producing roughly 20 shows across Minnesota sports, outdoors, and lifestyle verticals, monetized primarily through host-read sponsorships with regional brands and distributed via Apple Podcasts, ART19, and Podbean.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Podcast Network

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Other Sound Recording Industries (51229)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Podcast Networks & Multi-Show Publishers (MPACADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Audio Production & Podcasting (BPAFAIAE), Live Podcast Recordings (MPAGACAJ)

Keywords

• Regional podcast network
• Sports podcast advertising
• Outdoor podcast content
• Podcast sponsorship
• Minnesota media network

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Podcast Advertising and Sponsorship: The network generates revenue through embedded sponsorships and advertising within podcasts. Multiple sponsors are featured across different shows including First Resource Bank, Aquarius Home Services, Minnesota Masonic Charities, LUCY, Citizens Independent Bank, and various other regional businesses. Sponsorship opportunities are managed through Rob Berrell at [email protected].

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Talk North Podcast Network produces and distributes a portfolio of regional Minnesota-focused podcasts organized into three categories: Sports (Vikings, Wild, Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, prep sports, fantasy football), Outdoors (hunting, fishing), and Lifestyle (weather, music). Content is distributed free on-demand via ART19, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean, with revenue generated through embedded podcast advertising and sponsorships managed by Rob Berrell.

Product overview

Talk North Podcast Network is a podcast network organized into three main categories: Talk North Sports (featuring 15 sports podcasts covering Minnesota Vikings, Wild, Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, prep sports, and fantasy football), Talk North Outdoors (featuring 3 podcasts on fishing and hunting), and Talk North Lifestyle (featuring 2 podcasts on weather and music). The network distributes content through ART19, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean platforms, with live shows and sponsorship opportunities managed through contact with Rob Berrell.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Talk North Sports: Sports-focused podcast category featuring Minnesota Vikings, Wild, Twins, Timberwolves, and Gopher sports content.
• Talk North Outdoors
• Talk North Lifestyle

Products and services

• Rosen's Sports Monday

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• First Resource BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst Resource Bank serves as presenting sponsor for The Alec Lewis Show podcast episodes. The bank focuses on serving small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas.
• Aquarius Home ServicescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAquarius Home Services provides studio space and sponsorship for multiple Talk North shows. Their studio is referenced as the recording location for various podcasts including 'From Aquarius Home Services Studio' branding.
• UNRLminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUNRL is an NFL collection brand that sponsors the Alec Lewis Show, with their products promoted during podcast episodes.
• OnX MapscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOnX Maps appears as a recurring sponsor across multiple Talk North shows, promoting their mapping and fish tracking applications to the outdoor enthusiast audience.
• Chu Vision InstituteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChu Vision Institute sponsors various Talk North shows including the Jon Krawczynski Show, promoting their eye care services to the Minnesota audience.
• Tony Hoaglund State FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState Farm agent Tony Hoaglund sponsors the Worst Seats in the House show and live events.
• Pro MN AthleticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPro MN Athletics sponsors Alec Lewis Show episodes as a local Minnesota athletics organization.
• Shepherd Goods & Lamb ChopsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShepherd Goods & Lamb Chops sponsors the Jon Krawczynski Show, offering promo code JonK20 for 20% off purchases.
• TSR Injury LawminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTSR Injury Law sponsors the Jon Krawczynski Show, promoting their injury law services.
• Lexus of Wayzata and Lexus of MaplewoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLexus dealerships in the Twin Cities area sponsor the Jon Krawczynski Show.
• Great ClipsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGreat Clips franchises in the area sponsor multiple Talk North shows.
• MN DNR Boat SafetyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMinnesota Department of Natural Resources Boat Safety program sponsors the Minnesota's Wildfires episode.
• Continental DiamondminorGTM or Marketing PartnerContinental Diamond, a jewelry retailer, sponsors the Weathering Life show.
• By the Yard Outdoor FurnitureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor furniture retailer sponsors the Weathering Life show.
• Walton'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWalton's, a hunting/outdoor retailer, sponsors Hank Hunt podcast episodes.
• OnX MapscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOnX Maps sponsors Hank Hunt #6 episode, promoting their mapping solutions for outdoor enthusiasts.
• GAIM Hunting & Shooting SimulatorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGAIM Hunting & Shooting Simulator sponsors the Hank Hunt podcast.
• Black Gold Explorer Dog FoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Gold pet food brand sponsors the Hank Hunt podcast for bird dog owners.
• North Dakota TourismminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNorth Dakota Tourism sponsors the Hank Hunt podcast to promote tourism.
• Federal Premium AmmunitionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal Premium Ammunition sponsors the Hank Hunt podcast for hunting enthusiasts.
• Lucky Duck Premium KennelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLucky Duck Premium Kennels sponsors the Hank Hunt podcast for bird dog owners.
• Strike MasterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStrike Master (Rapala brand) presents the 2026 ICAST episode, promoting ice fishing products.
• 13 FishingminorGTM or Marketing Partner13 Fishing (Rapala brand) sponsors the 2026 ICAST fishing trade show coverage.
• Arnesen's Rocky Point LodgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArnesen's Rocky Point Lodge sponsors the 2026 ICAST episode coverage.
• Star BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStar Bank is a presenting sponsor for the Minnesota's Wildfires episode.
• KineticominorGTM or Marketing PartnerKinetico (water treatment systems) is a presenting sponsor for the Minnesota's Wildfires episode.
• Star BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStar Bank appears as a sponsor for the My First Concert podcast.
• Aquarius Home ServicescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAquarius Home Services sponsors the My First Concert podcast and provides studio space for Dave Lee's podcast.
• Propane.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPropane.com sponsors the My First Concert podcast.
• Minnesota TwinsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Minnesota Twins MLB team is referenced as a sponsor for the 'Will Twins add or subtract?' episode, directing listeners to tickets page.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Blue Wire Podcasts: Network of sports-focused podcasts built around established local sports journalists and commentators — directly comparable model to Talk North's host-led regional sports network approach, just at greater scale across multiple markets.
• Locked On Podcast Network: Largest daily team-specific sports podcast network, monetized through advertising; most directly comparable scaled version of Talk North's model of team-by-team Minnesota coverage.
• Bleav Podcast Network: Sports podcast network featuring former athletes and insiders as hosts covering teams and leagues; shares Talk North's reliance on credentialed hosts, ad-supported monetization, and team-specific show format.
• SKOR North: Minnesota-based sports media outlet producing podcasts and video content around Vikings, Wolves, Twins, and Wild; competes head-to-head with Talk North for the same Minnesota sports audience and local advertiser dollars.

Broad incumbents

• Audacy (Cadence13): Major audio broadcaster and podcast publisher (parent of Cadence13) with significant sports content; competes for both host talent and national/regional podcast advertising budgets.
• Barstool Sports: Large, well-funded sports and pop-culture media brand with extensive podcast portfolio and significant local-market sponsor relationships; represents the scaled incumbent competing for regional ad budgets.
• PodcastOne: Established multi-genre podcast network monetized primarily through advertising and host-read sponsorships; comparable advertising-led business model and host-network structure.
• The Ringer: Spotify-owned sports and pop-culture podcast network with deep talent bench; comparable in the sports-podcast-network category but operating at national scale with vastly larger production resources.

Emerging players

• Zone Coverage: Minnesota-focused independent sports media site producing written and audio content on Vikings, Wolves, Twins, and Gophers; competes for the same niche Minnesota sports audience.

Regional players

• KFAN (KFXN-FM): Twin Cities sports radio station and the dominant legacy sports talk outlet in Minnesota; represents the incumbent format Talk North's on-demand podcasts compete with for local advertiser attention and listener share.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TalkNorthPod
• Facebookfacebook.com/TalkNorth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/talk-north-podcast-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Talk North Podcast Network