Do Politics Better Podcast

The Assembly’s Kyle Villemain on ”Creating that ’Assembly’ for the State”

Kyle Villemain founded The Assembly, a digital magazine about North Carolina and its complex politics, in 2021.  Skye and Brian sits down with Kyle to talk about the online magazine, his life and career, and his vision for a publication that is digging deeper in our politics at a time when much of journalism is contracting. 

Skye and Brian also talk about the week in politics, including an October 7 US Senate debate between Ted Budd and Cheri Beasley, negative ads, unsubstantiated rumors, Tweet(s) 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. 

 

 

Judge Jefferson Griffin: From Fisherman to NC’s Highest Court?

Judge Jefferson Griffin has served on the NC State Court of Appeals since 2021.  The Nash County native talks about his service in the state's court system, his active military career, and his work after college as a charter fisherman.  

Judge Griffin, a Republican, also announces his intentions in the 2024 election.  

Skye and Brian also kickoff the post Labor Day election season with new polling, attack ads launched, unsubstantiated prefers, the final NCSBE decision on Hanig v Jordan, 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. 

Rep. John Autry’s Life, Travels, Careers, & Politics

Just about everyone knows about the infamous "bathroom bill" of 2016, however many don't know that Rep. John Autry was then a Charlotte City Councilman who successfully pushed for the city's non-discrimination ordinance that prompted HB2 that year.  

The Mecklenburg County Democrat talks about why pushing for the ordinance was so important to him.  He also takes listeners on a life journey that began in Fayetteville and took him across the country through multiple military posts, careers, and experiences.  

Skye and Brian also discuss the effect SCOTUS's Dobb's decision is having on political messaging in North Carolina, the latest on the Leandro lawsuit, an expected decision on a NC Senate candidate's residency status, 2024 rumors, 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. Steve Jarvis: Builder, Foster Care Champion, & Nice Guy

Sen. Steve Jarvis is a builder by trade and is recognized as a legislative leader on homebuilding and construction issues.  However, he is also just as passionate about improving foster care and the adoption process in North Carolina.  

The Davidson County Republican talks about his life and family, a nearly tragic construction accident that still negatively affects him today, and he explains how a nice guy can succeed in North Carolina politics.  

Skye and Brian unpack a full week of news, including a confounding NC Supreme Court decision, Attorney General Josh Stein strikes back, Lt. Governor Mark Robinson pens a book, GOP leaders disagree on abortion policy, and more.  

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

Cross-Party Friendship & Learning at the NC Institute of Political Leadership

Sen. Amy Galey is an Alamance County Republican and Leonardo Williams is a Durham City Council Democrat.  However, the two found friendship and leadership growth from the NC Institute of Political Leadership.  

They are joined by NC IOPL Executive Director Brad Young to talk about the political training program, its preparation for candidates for elected office, and why it's designed to throw all political philosophies into one cohort to produce NC's future political leaders.  Applications for the fall NC IOPL cohort are open until August 24.  

Plus, Skye and Brian are reunited after two weeks of staggered vacations and they cover the latest in NC polling, a complaint about where a senatorial candidate lives, the latest on the state's abortion law, and more.  

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

 

Lobbyist Brian Lewis: ’Doing Politics the Way I Want to Do It’

Sen. Jim Perry returns as the podcast interview host for a second week to talk with lobbyist Brian Lewis about his transient mobile home life in eastern North Carolina, his start in NC politics in 1994, and how a lobbying mistake in 2011 led him down a path to #DoPoliticsBetter.  

House Majority Leader John Bell also returns to the podcast as Skye David's guest co-host this week.  They cover the latest from the Attorney General Josh Stein criminal investigation, Medicaid expansion talks, and the 2022 mid-term elections.  They also talk a little Tiger King, Joe Exotic, and more.  

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

 

Turning the Microphone Around: Sen. Jim Perry Interviews Skye David

Lobbyist and podcast co-host Skye David is interviewed by Sen. Jim Perry, and she talks about her life, education, career, and work in North Carolina as a lobbyist.  

And while Skye is on vacation, Sen. Mike Woodard steps into the co-host role of the podcast with Brian and breaks down this week's news, including the latest on Medicaid expansion, Kansas and abortion politics, the Green Party's recognition, and the rise of unaffiliated voters in the state.  

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

 

Newspaper Reporter Turned TV Journalist Travis Fain

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 & Donald Bryson Settle a Twitter Dust-Up

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.

House Chief of Staff Neal Inman is in the Room Where It Happens

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.