Do Politics Better Podcast

Politics, Party Labels, & Performance (Audits) with Auditor Dave Boliek

Over the last 90 days, the State Auditor position has transformed from a state agency that released audits for various NC departments, agencies, local governments, and non-profits to a department that is working proactively in concert with the General Assembly to hold the entire NC executive branch accountable.  

At the helm, is Auditor Dave Boliek, who won the position in November after surviving a bruising primary that resulted in a summer runoff.   The Republican Auditor opens up about his political party affiliation (he was once a Democrat), his vision for the department, and his take on Tarheel politics.  

Skye and Brian also break down the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee's inaugural meeting, House Rules approved, a new Senate Majority Leader, a Senate budget update, #TOTW, pollen, and mens' fashion choices inside the General Assembly.  

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. Phil Rubin: "I Was a 'West Wing' Kid"

Earlier this session, the General Assembly lost Rep. Joe John to cancer at 85.  Rep. John would be proud of his Democratic replacement, who is an attorney, policy wonk, and one to debate the intricacies of the law without making it personal.  

Meet the newly appointed freshman legislator from Wake County:  Rep. Phil Rubin, who was a federal prosecutor, a Special NC Deputy Attorney General, and a policy director for Meta.  

Skye and Brian also talk about an epic week at the General Assembly:  Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton resigns, hundreds of Senate bills filed, #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.

Reps. Charlie Miller & Reece Pyrtle on Policing, Politics, & Friendship

Reps. Charlie Miller (R-Brunswick) and Reece Pyrtle (R-Rockingham) share a legislative office suite, many committee assignments, and a bond built around their former careers as law enforcement officers in their communities.  

The former chief deputy (Miller) and police chief (Pyrtle) talk about their first encounter, their friendship, and how their relationship to their respective Senate colleagues gives them a unique insight into the state's bicameral system of government.  

Skye and Brian discuss Governor Josh Stein's budget proposal to the General Assembly, a bipartisan Helene package agreement is reached, a pair of controversial gun bills on the move, tobacco and vaping bills filed, NC State has a new chancellor, #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.

Old School Politics + New Tech Tools Won Rep. Bryan Cohn a House Seat

When Rep. Bryan Cohn decided to challenge an incumbent in 2024, he executed a plan that was based on old school politics combined with new tech tools.  By the time election night rolled in, he knew he was in an excellent position to win the seat. 

The Oxford Democrat also talks about the uniqueness of his swing district, including a violent civil rights history documented in the book/movie Blood Done Sign My Name.   

Skye and Brian also break down Governor Stein’s State of the State Address, the Speaker’s response, action on key bills in the General Assembly, #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.

Rep. Jonathan Almond on Anguish, Transformation, & Purpose

As a financial controller, Rep. Jonathan Almond is familiar with sifting through data, studies, and spreadsheets to look for answers.  It's what he did when COVID shut down the world, when his twin boys were diagnosed with autism, and it's what he plans to do as a Cabarrus County legislator.  

However, the 38-year old Republican is not just about the numbers.  He's felt anguish for his twin boys, he's grieved, and he's been broken.  Rep. Almond talks candidly about the transformation he continues to make through faith, family, and friends, and how that journey led him to the General Assembly.  

Plus, Skye and Brian talk about the Senate Helene package, an alphabet soup of bills (ICE, DEI and AG) on the move, a parliamentary question, #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.

Rep. Dante Pittman: A Young, Old School Democrat from Wilson

Spend enough time with Rep. Dante Pittman, the 28-year old legislator representing Wilson and part of Nash Counties, and it's evident the freshman legislator is a throwback Democrat.  

The National Guard captain describes himself as pro business, pro public education, and pro health care.  He also believes in the power of family, including a single mother who raised him and his brother, and loving grandparents who played a pivotal role in his life.  

Plus, Skye and I talk about the House Helene bill, a DMV resignation, pair of controversial Senate bills, competing mobile phone bills, #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.

Rep. Heather Rhyne, a Pharmacist, Has a Prescription for Better Politics

Rep. Heather Rhyne started her official freshman term this year after getting a head start in the House last summer when former Rep. Jason Saine resigned his seat to enter the private sector.  

The Lincoln County Republican started her political career on her county's local school board and brings a focus to the General Assembly that is focused on supporting all facets of education and health care.  As a pharmacist, she's got ideas based on her career experience.  

Plus, winter weather is hitting much of the state, an announced primary challenger to the state's most powerful political leader, North Carolina's preliminary fiscal forecast released, limited action in the General Assembly this week, #TOTW, and DOGE suggestions for NC.  

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. Tracy Clark's Search for the Middle on Divisive Issues

Rep. Tracy Clark has a list "whys" on her decision to serve in the General Assembly.  Two of the three issues that motivated the Guilford County freshman Democrat are the most divisive in politics, but she's optimistic that she can find middle ground, especially with those in her freshman class.  

Also, the House drops a Helene package a week after Governor Stein proposes his. Next up is the Senate and hopefully Congress.  An unsubstantiated rumor circulates, celebrating a NC Supreme Court decision, #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.

Rep. Wyatt Gable: A New Generation in NC Politics

There's a good chance you wore a garment of clothing this week that is older than the 22-year old freshman legislator from Onslow County.   Rep. Wyatt Gable visits with Skye and Brian to talk about his improbable political journey to the General Assembly that began in a college economics class a couple years back.

Now the eastern NC Republican is a senior in college and stepping into the 2025-2026 biennium ready to get to work for his constituents while serving as an inspiration to a new generation of voters and future office holders.  

Plus, former Lt. Governor withdraws lawsuit, Helene spending plans, a Senate gun bill, Cooper v Tillis news drip, #TOTW, class photos, Super Bowl, 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.

 

Sen. Woodson Bradley's Story of Survival, Healing, & Uplifting Others

Sen. Woodson Bradley is a sexual assault survivor and in this powerful podcast conversation with Skye and Brian she talks about a dark and painful time in her life that led her to this moment as a freshman state senator advocating for change.  

The Mecklenburg County Democrat also self-describes as a moderate who campaigned on a pro-law enforcement, pro-business, and pro-public education platform.  

The General Assembly gets to work as a House schedule and full committee assignments are released, bill filing begins, a new House member seated, an unsubstantiated rumor surrounding Sen. Danny Earl Britt, a pair of disaster relief hearings, #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.