Do Politics Better Podcast

The Hunt name still carries weight in North Carolina politics two decades after Governor Jim Hunt left office.  Sen. Rachel Hunt, the daughter of the "Education Governor," started her political career in 2018 when she successfully defeated a powerful House incumbent and four years later she now serves in the Senate.  Now the Democrat from Mecklenburg County is eyeing the Lieutenant Governor position, a seat her father held from 1973-77.   Sen. Hunt talks about her decision to run for office, growing up in the Executive Mansion, working on the family farm in the summers, and how she seems to be following a similar political path of her father.   Skye and Brian also unpack a busy week in the General Assembly, including a controversial women's sports bill, House GOP caucus finds consensus on abortion, executive versus legislative branch legislation, budget update, more statewide candidates, TOTW, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Rep. Dennis Riddell is known in the General Assembly as legislator for his effectiveness, persistence, and his Christian faith.  However, the Alamance County Republican was on a far different path before he was brought to his knees at age 21 and was transformed forever.  Rep. Riddell also talks about how he met his wife Polly, a family tragedy they endured, and his career as a social studies teacher, a merchant marine, and as a state legislator.   Skye and Brian also unpack a relatively quiet spring break week in North Carolina politics, including the continuing Rep. Tricia Cotham news, a lawsuit filed, a high profile political endorsement, TOTW, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council.   

Rep. Caleb Rudow is a former lead singer in a David Bowie cover band, a trilingual Peace Corp volunteer in Africa, and he’s as energetic and optimistic as a legislator can be.  The second term Asheville Democrat talks about his life and work, his efforts to get to know his legislative colleagues and their districts, and how he hopes it results in bipartisan policy partnerships.  Skye and Brian also break down all aspects of Rep. Tricia Cotham’s announcement this week that she left the Democratic Party and joined the House Republican Caucus, which gives them a 72-member supermajority.   All the while a House budget is forwarded to the Senate, #TOTW, a new #ncpol rumor, and the General Assembly breaks for Easter.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council.   

Rep. Tim Reeder is one of two medical doctors serving in the NC House (the other is Rep. Kristin Baker).  The Greenville Republican talks about his career in emergency medicine, teaching at ECU, his work at a homeless shelter and the connection to public policy, and his decision to get into the hottest House legislative race in 2022.   Skye and Brian also break down an epic week at the General Assembly as Medicaid expansion is signed into law by Governor Cooper, the sports wagering gets over a major hurdle in the House, and a veto override gets House members on edge.   Plus, a House budget is unveiled, an announcement for governor, #TOTW, participation trophies, and more in #ncpol.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council.   

Billy Lassiter is the Deputy Secretary for Juvenile Justice at the Department of Public Safety.  If you've seen Billy at the General Assembly advocating for more resources and better policies, he stands out.  That's because he has albinism, which means he has white hair, pale skin and his vision isn't very good.   Billy talks about growing up as albino and a bullying incident in middle school that changed his life forever.  Billy also talks about his work on behalf of children in the juvenile justice system and his requests (on behalf of Governor Roy Cooper) for the children he is treating, educating, and returning to North Carolina communities.   Skye and Brian also unpack an epic week in NC politics, including the final passage of Medicaid expansion, sports wagering, two new announcements for Governor, an internship rap battle, and more.    The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council.     

NC Supreme Court Justice Phil Berger, Jr. is the son of NC's most powerful politician, Senator Phil Berger.  He talks about his father's sacrifice to make a better life for his family, his own political career, and how sports continues to play an integral part of his life, work, and community service.   Listeners also learn about his inter-party friendships on the court, his future in North Carolina politics, and how he would improve the criminal justice system.   Skye and Brian also talk sports wagering, Medicaid expansion, a pair of opioid bills advance, tension in the House, the Governor's budget, a House member declares for statewide office in 2024, TOTW, and more.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Rep. Ed Goodwin is part northeastern NC farmer and part James Bond.  He's protected Presidents of the United States, fought crime in cities, been in hostile foreign lands, and held victims of sexual assault. The Chowan County Republican talks to Skye and Brian about his incredible life, his career, and what led him to run for political office, including the General Assembly.  Plus they cover Governor Roy Cooper's last State of the State Address and the GOP response from Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, Medicaid expansion bill moves in the Senate, legislative leaders announce budget cap, two controversial bills goes to Governor Cooper's desk, Tweet of the Week, NC Supreme Court news, staffing news, NC Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler eyeing a run for NC governor, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Usually, a legislator's first floor speech is something easy.  Maybe it's a point-of-personal-privilege after the business of the Senate has concluded or they rise in support of an innocuous bill.  However, Sen. Lisa Graftstein's first floor speech was personal as she talked about her childhood and coming to terms with her sexuality.   The Wake County Democrat talks about her first speech as well as her life, legal career, and how she is attempting to build relationships across the political aisle to advocate for her community and the issues important to her.   Skye and Brian also unpack the Medicaid expansion compromise, medical marijuana passing the Senate, a House abortion bill push stalls, a declared and not-yet-declared candidates for statewide office, #TOTW, kickball, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council.   

NC Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson announced in December 2022 he was not running for re-election to the post in 2024 nor would he seek any other elected office.   In this exclusive interview, Commissioner Dobson talks to Skye and Brian on how he came to this heartfelt decision and why he is at peace with it.  He also talks about his plans for the next two years, the work he would like to do in the next phase of his career, and how he feels about the TikToks about him that are circulating.  Plus, the State of the State address scheduled as House shifts into a higher budget gear, bills (marijuana, guns, immigration, and school calendar) moving through the General Assembly, a parliamentary procedure explained, TOTW, and Brian transitions from belts to suspenders.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Sen. Julie Mayfield began her political career on the Asheville City Council in 2015 and five years later was elected to the General Assembly as a Democrat.  The environmental attorney talks about her transition from local to state government and how she works to get work done for her district by partnering with Republicans. While Sen. Mayfield enjoys working with all of her colleagues from both sides of the aisle, she opens up about a confrontation recorded on video in 2021 that included her and the current Lieutenant Governor.   In this 100th episode of the podcast, Skye and Brian also unpack a week of news, including the NC Democratic Party upset, guns, Medicaid expansion, marijuana, House Rules, positive economic forecast, lots of rumors, Tweet of the Week, and more.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council.