Do Politics Better Podcast

GOP Supermajorities are Official! And a Conversation with Rep Caleb Rudow

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, an ER Doctor Who Makes (NCGA) House Calls on Policy

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: Growing Up As Albino, Bullied, & Now a Fierce Advocate for Juvenile Justice

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.’s Life, Career, and Growing Up Berger

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: Farmer, Gun Carrying Federal Agent, & NC Legislator

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. 

Medicaid Expansion Deal! And Sen. Lisa Grafstein’s First Floor Speech was Personal

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. 

 

Labor Commish Josh Dobson Exits in 2024: ’My Brand Don’t Fit the Times’

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. 

100th Episode! And Sen Julie Mayfield, a Member of the Get (Stuff) Done Club

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. 

Rep. Ben Moss, a Blue Collar Railroad Worker and Republican Red

Rep. Ben Moss spent over 20 years working on the railroad and knows about hard (and dangerous) work.  So while running for county commission in Democratic controlled Richmond County was a tall order, he knew that his blue collar work ethic and persistence would eventually win him a seat in 2010 after two unsuccessful attempts.  A decade later he would win a seat in the NC House.  

Skye and Brian talk to Rep. Moss about his life, his politics, and his pride in being a card carrying union member, a fact that often turns heads in Republican circles. He also talks about his plans to run statewide in 2024 for Labor Commissioner.

Plus, it was a packed week in NC politics, including a NC Supreme Court ruling, Parents Bill of Rights, a pair of possible NC Constitutional amendments, the death of Sen. Jerry Tillman, the Speaker's riot bill, a pair of substantiated rumors, Medicaid expansion, Tweet-of-the-Week, Attorney General Josh Stein's reprieve, an unfortunate Twitter fight, 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. Garland Pierce: ’Some Issues I’m Willing to Vote with the Party in Power’

Rep. Garland Pierce is one of the longest serving members in the General Assembly.  As a Democrat who was first elected in 2005, he knows what it's like to serve in the majority and he knows the challenges of serving the minority since 2011.  

The Scotland and Hoke County legislator talks to Skye and Brian about his politically changing district and how he is positioning himself to get work done in the 2023 session.

Plus, the Parents Bill of Rights bill moves in the Senate, all Democrats sign on to an abortion rights bill, Sen. Berger endorses a NC Constitutional change, Unsubstantiated Rumors, TOTW, and more.  

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.