Do Politics Better Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Eternal Optimism of Sen. Bobby Hanig, a Lifelong Underdog Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

Sen. Bobby Hanig fights for the underdog, because he is one. Whether it's growing up in poverty in the projects of Philadelphia, fighting county government on a regulation impeding his business, challenging a House incumbent, or just recently, winning a Democratic leaning Senate district.

The Outer Banks Republican opens up to Brian about his life, small business, and his impressive political career. He also talks about his love of surfing, a pastime he's hoping to resume now that campaign season is over.

Also, the House announces committee assignments with bipartisan chairs, Attorney General Josh Stein kicks off his 2024 gubernatorial campaign, time runs out for TikTok on state devices, Auditor Beth Wood charged with hit-and-run, Dr. Michael Bitzer's 2024 Candidate List, Tweet-of-the-Week, and more.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

Opening Day of Session! And a Conversation with the ACLU of NC’s Ann Webb Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

The NC General Assembly opened its 2023-2024 biennium on Wednesday with a day of celebration, optimism, and bipartisanship (for the most part). This podcast covers the ceremonial day, including a new rule in the House that will allow for easier veto overrides in that chamber, the news that an abortion bill is being negotiated between the House and Senate, and a list of unfinished business from 2021-22 likely to get action this session.

Skye and Brian also talk to ACLU of NC Senior Policy Counsel Ann Webb about her positive approach to the General Assembly on offensive and defensive issues.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

John Locke’s Donald Bryson is Ready for the 2023 General Assembly Jan 06, 2023

Show notes

One might assume the conservative John Locke Foundation gets everything it asks for from a Republican General Assembly. Well, the think-tank gets a lot, but the organization has differences over big legislative issues, including Medicaid expansion.

JLF President/Chief Strategy Officer Donald Bryson talks with Skye and Brian about Locke's approach to the General Assembly, his life and career, and how JLF prepares for the 2023 General Assembly session.

Skye has a few questions for Brian about the opening ceremonial session on January 11, including the tumultuous 2003 session that required days of roll call votes and back-room deals to produce Co-Speakers of the House.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

Wrapping Up 2022 with Senators Danny Britt & Mike Woodard Dec 23, 2022

Show notes

Republican Senator Danny Britt and Democratic Senator Mike Woodard look back at the year in North Carolina politics, including their top stories and surprises of 2022. They also look ahead to the 2023 General Assembly session and share their views on the 2024 elections. Sen. Britt also gives his take on the race for attorney general.

Skye and Brian also unpack the latest NC Supreme Court rulings, a 2024 gubernatorial poll, and Governor Cooper has a new lobbying team. Plus, Unsubstantiated Rumors, Tweet-of-the-Week, New Year's Resolutions, and more.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

Senator-elect Mary Wills Bode: ’I Really Want to Put in the Work’ Dec 16, 2022

Show notes

Senator-elect Mary Wills Bode was elected to the NC Senate on November 8 after a grueling race that was watched closely by NC political observers. The Granville County Democrat (who also represents part of Wake County) sits down with Skye and Brian to talk about her high profile election, her goals in the General Assembly as a freshman senator serving in the minority, and her life path to elected office.

The podcast also unpacks the Sine Die session that wasn't, Republican leadership previews the 2023 legislative session, Hurricane Matthew Oversight turns into a storm, a NC Labor Commissioner candidate steps up, Tweet-of-the-Week, and more.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

WUNC Capitol Reporter Jeff Tiberii: ’This is Your State Government’ Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

Jeff Tiberii is the Capitol Bureau Chief covering the General Assembly and he hosts WUNC's biweekly Politics Podcast, roles he continues through the end of 2022. In the New Year, he'll co-host a daily radio show on WUNC that will focus on North Carolina news, politics and culture.

Before he makes this transition, Jeff sat down with Skye and Brian to talk about his life, family, career, love of sports, and North Carolina politics. He also waves a magic wand and makes an improvement for all who work in the General Assembly.

Plus, we discuss the power grid attack in Moore County, Moore v Harper, 2022 election turnout data, more legislative leadership announcements, Commissioner Josh Dobson's announcement, Unsubstantiated Rumors, Tweet of the Week, Skye's "icks", and more.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

Live from Asheville! Western NC Politics with Professor Chris Cooper Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a live recording of the Do Politics Better Podcast in front of an audience of over 120 people on November 30. Skye and Brian were joined by Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper.

The discussion was focused on western North Carolina politics, including Buncombe County's delegation turnover, the region's need for bipartisanship in a partisan environment, and the continuing drama in the state's 11th Congressional District.

In addition to a recap of North Carolina political news and the Tweet of the Week, Dr. Cooper waves a magic wand that could fix our politics.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

Great Expectations with Senator-elect Benton Sawrey Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

Senator-elect Benton Sawrey was elected to the NC Senate on November 8. The Johnston County Republican sits down with Skye and Brian to talk about his election, his goals in the General Assembly as a freshman senator, and his path to elected office.

The podcast also dives into the longterm challenges facing the Republican and Democratic parties and the resignation of LT McCrimmon as Governor Roy Cooper's liaison to the General Assembly.

We also feature a Tweet of the Week, the podcast visits Asheville, and Thanksgiving plans.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

Mid-Term Election Results & a ’Working Supermajority’ with Sen. Kirk deViere Nov 11, 2022

Show notes

Sen. Kirk deViere joins Skye and Brian for this special edition of the podcast to unpack the mid-term elections in North Carolina, including the races for U.S. Senate, Congress, the Courts, and the NC General Assembly.

The Democrat from Fayetteville, who was ousted in a Democratic primary this past spring for his moderate voting record, also talks about the need for both political parties to welcome middle-of-the-road legislators in their ranks.

Plus, Skye and Brian spent Election Day in Robeson County with Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Tweet of the Week, and more.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

Board of Elections Chair Damon Circosta Stoked About Voting, Surfing, & North Carolina Nov 04, 2022

Show notes

State Board of Elections Chair Damon Circosta talks about his early career in election reform advocacy, including a stint working for the late Sen. John McCain, and his work now to ensure North Carolina elections are secure and accessible.

The Arizona native also talks about how the state's diverse politics and coastal surfing vibe were determining factors in his family's decision to locate to North Carolina.

In this 2022 mid-term election edition of the podcast, Skye and Brian discuss a Meredith College Poll, make predictions for the U.S. Senate race and General Assembly supermajorities, Tweet of the Week, and a tribute to the late Sen. Stan Bingham.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.