Do Politics Better Podcast

As 2025 comes to a close, the podcast takes a wide-angle look back at the year in North Carolina politics.  Skye and Brian are joined by Lucille Sherman, founder of Birdseye Strategies (and former Axios reporter), and Bryan Anderson, politics reporter at The Assembly, for a no-nonsense conversation about the biggest developments that shaped NC this year. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.

The storied Army–Navy Football Game is Saturday afternoon and Sens. Warren Daniel and Bob Brinson, both West Point graduates, and Rep. Eric Ager, a proud Naval Academy alum, are featured guests on this week's pod.   Together, they talk about the traditions of the game, what makes the rivalry and the military academies so special, and they manage to talk a little friendly trash ahead of the big game. It’s a fun, insightful, and surprisingly heartfelt conversation about football, camaraderie that transcends politics, and a college football rivalry like no other. Skye and Brian also break down the growing list of primaries piling up midway through candidate filing, Sen. Berger’s Trump endorsement, Governor Stein backs away from Medicaid cuts, the latest High Point University poll, and the passing of D.G. Martin at age 85. Plus, Skye recaps the gossip from her neighborhood Christmas party. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association  

In this latest installment of the pod's #MeetTheFreshman series, Skye and Brian sit down with Sen. Chris Measmer, who was appointed to the Senate following former Majority Leader Paul Newton’s resignation earlier this year. A multi-generation Cabarrus County native, Sen. Measmer talks about growing up in a community with deep family roots, the path that took him to George Washington University, and his early political experience working for Congressman Robin Hayes on Capitol Hill. At just 22 years old, the young Republican returned home, won a seat on the Cabarrus County Commission, and served there for more than a decade before joining the NC Senate. The podcast also unpacks the first few days of candidate filing, take a look at some new laws now in effect, #TOTW, and an update on the unexpected and increasingly bold world of Skye’s foot-fetish fans. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association

Hannah Preston is using her voice and platform at Influence NC to inspire young voters to get involved in the political process.  Hannah talks about what motivated her to found Influence NC, what she's doing to reach young voters through social media, and how she wants to include conservative voices in her work.     Skye and Brian also unpack the week in NC politics, including the non-session, a new legislator appointed, ICE in the state, a legislative retirement, a death, TOTW, and more. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.

With candidate filing for the 2026 elections just weeks away, Andy Jackson of the John Locke Foundation joins us to unpack the newly updated Civitas Partisan Index — a key measure of how North Carolina’s legislative and congressional districts lean politically. Andy explains how the CPI works, what makes a district “toss-up,” “lean,” “likely,” or “safe,” and what the numbers suggest about which party could hold power after 2026. We talk about past election surprises, how candidate quality and wave elections can flip districts, and why 2026 could be a bumpy ride for #NCPOL with Republicans on defense and Democrats seeing opportunity. Plus, Skye and Brian break down a busy week in North Carolina politics — from Governor Stein calling for a special session, to Republican legislators visiting the White House, to new polls, political rumors, and more. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.  

With Rep. Cecil Brockman’s recent resignation amid questions of possible expulsion, attention has turned to what that process actually looks like in the NC House, and how rare it is for legislators to remove one of their own. In 2008, the NC House took an extraordinary and historic step — voting 109-5 to expel Rep. Thomas Wright of New Hanover County for ethical misconduct. It was the first time in more than a century that lawmakers had removed one of their own. In this episode, former Reps. Rick Glazier (D-Cumberland) and Skip Stam (R-Wake) — who chaired and vice-chaired the House Select Ethics Committee that investigated Wright — join us to reflect on that solemn moment in legislative history. They walk us through the bipartisan process that led to Wright’s expulsion, the “super due process” afforded to him, and the difficult moral and political questions facing the House as it balanced fairness, accountability, and public trust. It’s a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how North Carolina’s legislature handles its gravest internal matter — the removal of one of its own members. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.  

Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell's political career has taken her from Raleigh City Council, to the North Carolina Senate, to serving as State Treasurer, and now back to leading the Capital City. Janet reflects on her time in the Senate — including her decision to hold out on the state lottery vote as one of the “Lottery Five,” a group of Democrats who initially opposed the measure — and how that experience shaped her independence and leadership style. She also discusses her vision for Raleigh’s future, from sustainable growth and smart financial management to the ambitious effort to attract a Major League Baseball team to the City of Oaks. Plus, Skye and Brian break down an extraordinary week in #ncpol: a sharp Senate press release aimed at House leadership, a school system facing scrutiny, the latest congressional maps lawsuit, how the federal government shutdown is affecting the state, and the political community mourning two recent deaths in North Carolina politics. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Lisa Stifler is the Chief of Staff to Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch — who also happens to be her friend since they were 15. Lisa shares how their lifelong friendship shapes their work at the General Assembly and how she helps navigate the challenges of leading the Senate Democratic caucus.   Plus, Skye and Brian break down the week in #ncpol: new congressional redistricting developments, the mini-budget, a Cecil Brockman update, Skye’s exciting family news, and more. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.

We’re on location at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds for a special Do Politics Better episode with NC Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. From the smell of fried food to the sound of ferris wheels spinning, Commissioner Troxler shares what makes the State Fair one of North Carolina’s most beloved traditions — and why it’s a powerful showcase for the state’s $100 billion agriculture industry. We talk about the state of farming in North Carolina, his concerns about the loss of farmland, and that memorable moment when he was asked to run for Governor. Plus, Skye and Brian unpack a busy week in North Carolina politics — including the announcement that the General Assembly is redrawing congressional maps, the latest on Rep. Cecil Brockman’s criminal allegations, a split-decision court ruling, candidate news, and much more. It’s a fun, fairground conversation that blends policy, politics, and fried food. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Rep. Donnie Loftis shares his story — from his years as a career Army serviceman and elite athlete to managing CVS drug stores and serving on the Gaston County Commission. In this candid conversation, Loftis reflects on his path to the General Assembly and the controversy surrounding his presence in Washington, D.C. on January 6. He sets the record straight about what happened that day and how it continues to shape his public life and political perspective.  Plus, Skye and Brian unpack a full week of NC political news, including Rep. Cecil Brockman facing serious sexual assault charges, Iryna’s Law signed into law, new political candidates emerging, a major rumor being substantiated, and Taylor’s new album reviewed. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.