Do Politics Better Podcast

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. 

 

A Car Crash Case Study in Crisis Communications

The hit-and-run charges against NC Auditor Beth Wood has become a daily news story for the last two weeks.  Much of the talk in NC political circles is how the actions and communications surrounding the incident could have been handled better.  

Skye and Brian have a conversation with veteran communications professional Seth Palmer, who has advised elected and appointed officials across North Carolina, as well as trade associations, businesses, and nonprofits. 

Plus, the General Assembly asks the NC Supreme Court to revisit a redistricting and voter ID case, two polls are released, another House Democrat gets a gavel, contentious bills filed, 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. 

 

 

 

The Eternal Optimism of Sen. Bobby Hanig, a Lifelong Underdog

Sen. Bobby Hanig fights for the underdog, because he is one.  Whether it's growing up in poverty in the projects of Philadelphia, fighting county government on a regulation impeding his business, challenging a House incumbent, or just recently, winning a Democratic leaning Senate district.  

The Outer Banks Republican opens up to Brian about his life, small business, and his impressive political career.  He also talks about his love of surfing, a pastime he's hoping to resume now that campaign season is over. 

Also, the House announces committee assignments with bipartisan chairs, Attorney General Josh Stein kicks off his 2024 gubernatorial campaign, time runs out for TikTok on state devices, Auditor Beth Wood charged with hit-and-run, Dr. Michael Bitzer's 2024 Candidate List, 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.  

 

Opening Day of Session! And a Conversation with the ACLU of NC’s Ann Webb

The NC General Assembly opened its 2023-2024 biennium on Wednesday with a day of celebration, optimism, and bipartisanship (for the most part).  This podcast covers the ceremonial day, including a new rule in the House that will allow for easier veto overrides in that chamber, the news that an abortion bill is being negotiated between the House and Senate, and a list of unfinished business from 2021-22 likely to get action this session.  

Skye and Brian also talk to ACLU of NC Senior Policy Counsel Ann Webb about her positive approach to the General Assembly on offensive and defensive issues.

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