Do Politics Better Podcast

WRAL State Government Reporter Travis Fain covers the General Assembly.  The Georgia native talks about his career in journalism and his thoughts on the state of journalism and North Carolina politics.    Skye and Brian also talk about the criminal investigation into Attorney General Josh Stein's 2020 campaign, the General Assembly asks the courts to implement a 20-week abortion ban, and a redistricting case is slated for a NC Supreme Court hearing this fall.   Plus, Brian's inspiration found in Tim McGraw, Skye is going on vacation, and this podcast is a hit in Azerbaijan.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.  

Brent Woodcox is Senior Policy Counsel to Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger and Donald Bryson is President of the John Locke Foundation.  Both are conservatives, active in North Carolina politics, and open to share their political opinions.   The two got tangled in a Twitter discussion about a General Assembly line-item in the closing days of session that got the attention of many.   Brent and Donald discuss their Twitter "dust-up", the General Assembly budget process, the role of think tanks, and the perils of social media debates. Plus, Skye and Brian unpack the week in North Carolina politics, including an upcoming skeleton session, rumors, election finance reports, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

Neal Inman, age 32, started his political career as an intern in 2012 for Rep. Julia Howard.  A decade later he is the Chief of Staff to House Speaker Tim Moore.   The Wilmington, NC native walks listeners through his career path, his day-to-day work, and talks about his 2 1/2 day stint working for Governor Roy Cooper.   Former President George W. Bush also stops by at the end of the podcast and shares his thoughts about Inman, who he refers to as "Boy Wonder".  The podcast also unpacks a full week in NC politics, including a busy Monday for bill signings and vetoes, NC's top ranking for business, a check-in on the US Senate race, a Senate resignation, 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.

Before Senator Sarah Crawford arrived in the General Assembly in 2020, she was already a star.  She was a guest on Late Night with David Letterman in 1989 as she helped showcase a new dog sport called Fly Ball.   The freshman Democrat also talks about her early life, her work for Congressman David Price, and how a kickball game (and Fly Ball) introduced her to her husband Dan.   Skye and Brian also run down the very last day of session, how the adjournment resolution has the General Assembly returning monthly, and a gubernatorial executive order on abortion.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

The last days of the 2022 NC legislative short session, including bills moving, dying, and legislative maneuvering, from the viewpoint of lobbyists Skye David and Brian Lewis.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.  

Before arriving in the General Assembly in 2021, Sen. DeAndrea Salvador was already a star.  The TED Talk fellow's 2018 TED Talk on energy policy has over 1.5 million views.   The Mecklenburg County Democrat talks (13:37) about her life's journey, including being born to a teenage mother and having a father who was incarcerated when she was young.    Skye and Brian also cover a wild week at the General Assembly, including a dramatic loss for sports gambling, medical marijuana goes up in smoke, Medicaid expansion in the House, budget talks, a US Supreme Court decision, and more. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

Sen. Jim Perry has a beautiful family, is a successful businessman, and is a powerful state senator.   However, his childhood is a different story.   On this Father's Day edition of the podcast, the Lenoir County Republican opens up about growing up without a father, in economic hardship, and how both motivated him to want more in life.   Sen. Perry also talks about rumors circulating about him in the General Assembly, gives insight into what drives him, and explains how his challenging childhood shapes his conservative politics today.   Skye and Brian also wrap up another busy week at the General Assembly, including a budget update, an announcement by Speaker Moore about a controversial bill, a staffing announcement, and so much more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

Rep. Grier Martin announced last week he was resigning his legislative seat in July to take a job at the Pentagon.  The Raleigh Democrat, who is a Afghanistan War veteran, talks about his life, reflects on his service in the General Assembly since 2005, and makes a bold announcement about his future in North Carolina politics.   Skye and Brian also talk about another busy week at the General Assembly, including the latest on the budget, a fun idea on future lobby days, seersucker suit season, and lessons learned from a 'gut and replace' legislative maneuver.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.  

Sen. Warren Daniel was one of the young guns in the General Assembly in 2011.  His freshman class of Republicans had just ushered in GOP control of the Senate, a chamber controlled by Democrats for over a century.   The Burke County Republican talks about his legislative work over the last decade as well as his childhood in western North Carolina, his decision to attend the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and even talks about what his political future may, or may not, hold.   Skye and Brian also talk about two hemp bills moving in the General Assembly, an expansive Medicaid expansion bill, a controversial Parents Bill of Rights bill on the move, a House resignation, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

Kody Kinsley serves as Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services, a position that puts the 36-year old in the middle of North Carolina politics' most high profile policy debates between Governor Roy Cooper and the General Assembly.   Secretary Kinsley talks about his job, his public service to the Obama and Trump administrations, and his life, which began in Wilmington, NC.   Skye and Brian also talk about a week full of action in the General Assembly, including a divisive bill with possible election consequences, a Medicaid expansion bill in the Senate, a fast-track budget process, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.