Do Politics Better Podcast

Inside Lucille Sherman’s Reporter’s Notebook

Axios Raleigh reporter Lucille Sherman has broken some blockbuster stories that in many ways have defined the 2023 legislative session:  Auditor Beth Wood’s car accident, Rep. Tricia Cotham’s party switch, and the Medicaid expansion deal.  

Lucille talks about her career as a journalist, her path to North Carolina, and her approach to covering North Carolina politics.  

Skye and Brian also discuss Governor Cooper’s State of Emergency speech, pair of House Republicans resign leadership positions, sports wagering moves in the Senate, medical marijuana scheduled for House committee, and John Locke Foundation’s gubernatorial head-to-head poll.  

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. Jennifer Balkcom on the Importance of Family & Farming

Rep. Jennifer Balkcom is an 8th generation Henderson County native whose life was shaped by family, farming, and profound loss.  

The freshman Republican legislator talks about the heartbreak she experienced as child, helping her family make ends meet to keep their family farm, finding love, and her journey to the General Assembly, where she has been on the forefront of the leadership's legislative priorities this session.  

Skye and Brian also talk about the abortion bill veto override, the Senate budget, tension in the House and the apology that followed, sports wagering in the Senate, more statewide candidates, #TOTW, nostalgia, 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. 

Cory Bryson’s Inspiring Journey from Growing Up Poor to Senior Advisor to the Speaker

Cory Bryson is a Senior Policy Advisor to the Speaker Tim Moore.  However, the Gaston County native wasn't always so fortunate.  Cory was raised by his maternal grandparents, grew up eating food from a local church pantry, and struggling in school.  

In this heartfelt conversation, Cory takes listeners through his incredible life, including his enlistment in the U.S. Marines, how a decision to volunteer at the Gaston County Republican Party elevated him to one of the highest offices in North Carolina politics, and how met his wife Britt. 

Skye and Brian also talk about the aftermath of the abortion bill, 2024 governor's race polling and updates, the Growler, #TOTW, brunch, and the Coronation.  

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. 

Crossover Week Upstaged by a 12-Week Abortion Bill

This week was supposed to be about the crossover deadline on May 4, the day policy bills had to pass either the House or Senate in order to be eligible for consideration by the General Assembly in the biennium.  However, a 12-week abortion bill was rolled out late Tuesday night and legislators took to their partisan battle stations.  

Skye and Brian also talk about the three major NC Supreme Court decisions announced last Friday, a divisive obscenity bill isn't so divisive after all, #TOTW, Paul Coble punishes protestors by denying them couches, 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. Jeffrey Elmore: Classroom Teacher, Artist, & Big Budget Chair

Rep. Jeffrey Elmore is the go-to legislator in the House, maybe even in the General Assembly, on all things K-12 related.  That's because he's spent 23 years as an active teacher in Wilkes County, a job he still holds.  

The 6-term Republican talks to Skye and Brian about how he balances his career with his service in the General Assembly where he has risen to the 'Big Chair' ranks of House budget writers.  They also talk education policy, his art, family, and how teaching keeps him grounded in the needs of public education.  

It's also the week before the crossover deadline, a controversial education bill is on the move, the internal politics of Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson's gubernatorial announcement, Congressman Dan Bishop running for Attorney General (?), #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. 

Sen. Rachel Hunt on Growing Up in NC Politics & in the Governor’s Mansion

The Hunt name still carries weight in North Carolina politics two decades after Governor Jim Hunt left office.  Sen. Rachel Hunt, the daughter of the "Education Governor," started her political career in 2018 when she successfully defeated a powerful House incumbent and four years later she now serves in the Senate.  Now the Democrat from Mecklenburg County is eyeing the Lieutenant Governor position, a seat her father held from 1973-77.  

Sen. Hunt talks about her decision to run for office, growing up in the Executive Mansion, working on the family farm in the summers, and how she seems to be following a similar political path of her father.  

Skye and Brian also unpack a busy week in the General Assembly, including a controversial women's sports bill, House GOP caucus finds consensus on abortion, executive versus legislative branch legislation, budget update, more statewide candidates, 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. Dennis Riddell’s One-Time Road to Perdition is Now Paved by Redemption

Rep. Dennis Riddell is known in the General Assembly as legislator for his effectiveness, persistence, and his Christian faith.  However, the Alamance County Republican was on a far different path before he was brought to his knees at age 21 and was transformed forever.  Rep. Riddell also talks about how he met his wife Polly, a family tragedy they endured, and his career as a social studies teacher, a merchant marine, and as a state legislator.  

Skye and Brian also unpack a relatively quiet spring break week in North Carolina politics, including the continuing Rep. Tricia Cotham news, a lawsuit filed, a high profile political endorsement, 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. 

 

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.