Do Politics Better Podcast

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.

Late Night with Sen. Sarah Crawford: From David Letterman to the General Assembly

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 (and Hours) of the Short Session

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.

 

Sen. DeAndrea Salvador: ’I Can Be a Little Puzzling to Folks’

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 on Life Without a Father & Life as a Father

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.