Do Politics Better Podcast

NC Department of Military & Veterans Affairs Secretary Grier Martin sits down with Skye and Brian for a conversation as we head into the Memorial Day weekend.   The Afghanistan War veteran recently returned to North Carolina after working at the Pentagon and now leads North Carolina's work advocating for the state's military installations, the active military serving, and veterans living in North Carolina.  The former NC House member also talks candidly about the challenges the Department faces.   Plus, the bipartisan mask bill debate, controversial healthcare bill, budget talks stall, NC tourism now ranked #5, staffing news, Race of the Week, Tweet of the Week, and whatever happened to Brian's friend Jake?  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.  

Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr. discusses policy and politics in NC, analyzing 2024 candidates and the dynamics of Senate District 24, while exploring legislative processes like the mask-wearing bill and law enforcement cooperation. The conversation touches on immigration, education barriers, and unique regional phrases, with a casual banter about language, dialects, and historical theories.

The $400 million budget surplus predicted for this fiscal year ending on June 30 and the $1 billion surplus penciled in for next year isn't going to happen, at least not at those levels.   Skye and Brian also talk about an anti-semitism bill, a dense bill, new polling, voter ID lawsuit, Race of the Week, #TOTW, and more.   Plus a conversation with Rep. Mark Brody about his early life in Milwaukee, his move to NC, the construction industry, and his 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.  

Bryan Anderson is a freelance journalist who founded Anderson Alerts, a substack on all things #ncpol.  The California native talks about his stints at the News & Observer, Sacremento Bee, WRAL, and The Assembly.  While Bryan loves his work as a NC politics reporter, he has concerns about his profession and he opens up about them in this podcast.   Skye and Brian also unpack the second week of the short session, which began with tragedy in Charlotte, a pair of controversial bills, a technical corrections bill emerges, budget news, Race of the Week, #TOTW, protests at UNC, 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.  

Nathan Babcock plays two crucial roles in #ncpol.  Half of his work is inside the General Assembly working as a policy advisor to Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger.  During campaign season he's a Republican political consultant who takes lead on some of the most high profile, battleground districts.   Nathan talks about his two jobs, including some behind-the-scenes accounts of the abortion bill and Medicaid expansion, both enacted in 2023. He also takes listeners back to his first campaign in 2010, one of the most transformational times in #ncpol.   Skye and Brian also unpack the first day of short session, Governor's budget, new polling, ACC politics, #TOTW, and breaking down Taylor Swift's new albums.   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.  

There's a lot of unfinished issues for legislators to tackle in the General Assembly short session set to begin on April 24: Medical marijuana, gambling, social issues, opportunity scholarships, immigration, and more.     Then there's the rumors.   House Majority Leader John Bell and Senate Democratic Whip Jay Chaudhuri join Skye and Brian for a comprehensive preview of the short session ahead.  They also talk primary and general election politics, planned and unplanned legislator departures, length of session, #TOTW, and Mr. Beast.   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. Charles Smith was a three-sport athlete (basketball, baseball, and soccer) in high school.  The power forward/centerfielder/sweeper would go on to play college basketball at Emory & Henry College before heading to UNC Law.   The newly minted lawyer would return to his native Fayetteville as a prosecutor and entered private practice.  Along this journey, the freshman Democrat developed a friendship with the late Sen. Tony Rand, who introduced him to the world of North Carolina politics.   Skye and Brian also talk about former Rep. Jon Hardister's replacement, the race to keep that GOP seat, the rape kit announcement explained, a runoff in the 13th congressional district heats up, #TOTW, and Skye and Brian discuss their quirks.   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.  

Campaign consultant Jim Burton works everyday to get Republicans elected up and down the ballot.  Burton takes listeners behind the scenes of his 2022 work to get Sen. Bobby Hanig elected in a Democratic leaning district.  Burton also talks about his craft, including how polling informs a political message, the targeting of voters, working directly with candidates, and what he's looking for in the 2024 election.   Democrats announce election targets, Rep. Jon Hardister resigns, former Rep. Grier Martin now a NC Cabinet Secretary, Senate maps approved, ballot signatures, Race of the Week, #TOTW, NC State basketball, 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.  

As Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan, Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed talks about his faith and its linkage to Christianity and Judaism, the importance of fasting during this Islamic Holy Month, and how it informs his politics. Skye and Brian also unpack the Rep. Michael Wray concession, Rep. Kevin Crutchfield still fighting, a new presidential poll in NC, sports wagering a good bet for NC, Gov. Cooper calls for a school voucher moratorium, Race of the Week, #TOTW, and the Sweet 16 this Easter weekend.   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.  

Veteran lobbyist Andy Ellen went for a morning run in the summer of 2023, returned home to catch up on news before heading to the General Assembly, and he collapsed.  He had a heart attack.   The President/General Counsel of the NC Retail Merchants Association opens up about that day, his family's history with heart disease, and why he wants you to see a doctor today.   Skye and Brian also unpack a week of news, including a WRAL gambling poll, Rep. Michael Wray is running out of options, Sen. Thom Tillis running in 2026, Race of the Week, #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.