Do Politics Better Podcast

Rep. Ashton Clemmons, from the School House to the NC House

Rep. Ashton Wheeler Clemmons is a bridge-builder at the General Assembly.  The Greensboro Democrat is often in the negotiating room on some of the state's most high profile education debates, works in partnership with her Republican colleagues on meaningful legislation, and is energized about getting more bipartisan work done in the future. 

Skye and Brian break down the final election maps approved by the state courts on Wednesday night and the decisions a few candidates are facing in the aftermath.  Brian also recalls a scary surfing session from a couple weeks ago that may have included a shark.

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

John Hood is the Conservative Movement’s Renaissance Man in NC

John Hood is an early pioneer in North Carolina’s conservative movement. He helped found found three major conservative institutions — the John Locke Foundation, Carolina Journal, and the Civitas Institute — at a time when NC's politics was dominated by Democrats. 

John takes us back to 1989 when he was fresh out of UNC and Art Pope had an idea on building a conservative infrastructure in NC.  We also learn about John's life growing up in Mecklenburg County, his love of books and tap-dancing, and how in 2012 a media firestorm put him on the opposite side of many conservatives in the state.  

Skye and Brian also update listeners on legislative map-drawing 2.0, give insightful analysis on deals and no-deals on maps, and recount a past intern at New Frame and a practical joke played on him.  

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

 

 

Turning the Microphones Around on News Anchor Tim Boyum

Veteran NC political reporter/anchor/podcaster Tim Boyum spends his days (and nights) covering state politics and interviewing political leaders for Spectrum News.  

In this podcast, Tim is the interview subject and reveals how he goes about gathering news everyday, how he balances work and family, and gives his thoughts on the state of journalism and state politics.  

Skye and Brian also unpack the NC Supreme Court's redistricting decision and lays out the General Assembly's timeline in the coming days, gubernatorial campaign fundraising numbers, General Assembly Bingo, 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. Deanna Ballard, from the White House to the NC Senate

Sen. Deanna Ballard started her political career working for President George W. Bush.  By the age of 30, she had an office in the East Wing of the White House, was advising the President and the First Lady on important policy matters, and traveling the world on Air Force One.  

In 2009, the Watauga County Republican returned to North Carolina to work for Samaritan's Purse, and in 2016 she became a North Carolina Senator and now co-chairs the powerful Senate Education Committee.

Brian and Skye break down the redistricting hearing in front of the NC Supreme Court this past week, a new legislator is seated, another gubernatorial rumor, and the latest news about Congressman Madison Cawthorn.  

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

 

 

Rep. Marcia Morey: Olympic Swimmer, Judge, & Legislator

Rep. Marcia Morey was ranked #2 in the world in 1976 in swimming (breaststroke), the year she represented the USA in the Montreal Olympics.  However, systematic doping by the East German swim team denied the future state legislator the opportunity to win an Olympic medal.  

The Durham Democrat opens up about how the scandal negatively affected her in the aftermath and how it continues to guide her policy work in North Carolina.  

Brian and Skye also talk about a low-key week at the General Assembly, an independent expenditure ad campaign aimed at the NC Supreme Court, and rumors (and rumors of rumors) in North Carolina politics.  

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

Senate Policy Advisor André Béliveau on Finding a Home, a ’Log Cabin’, Inside the GOP

André Béliveau is Senate Policy Advisor to Senator Paul Newton, one of the most powerful legislators in the General Assembly.  In this role, André is involved in some of the most high profile conservative legislation moving in state politics, including a landmark energy bill enacted last session.  

While André is decidedly conservative, earlier in his formative years he wasn't always convinced he had a home in the Republican Party.  André talks about his political journey and how he found a home in the GOP.  He also discusses his work inside the General Assembly and his leadership outside of the building in the Log Cabin Republicans of NC.    

Brian and Skye also break down the one vote this week in the General Assembly, discuss the importance of legislative oversight committees, and there's talk of snow in Raleigh.

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

The Centrist Politics of Rep. Gale Adcock: ’My Job is to Find Common Ground’

Rep. Gale Adcock has served in the NC House since 2015, but she was no stranger to the General Assembly when she took office.  As a Family Nurse Practitioner, she walked the legislative halls for decades advocating for the NC nursing profession.  

The centrist Democrat from Cary talks about her early life in southwestern Virginia, how she put herself through college and graduate school, her work as the Chief Health Officer at SAS Institute, and her centrist politics that puts her in the middle of many high profile debates.  

Brian and Skye also discuss the Superior Court decision on the redistricting case and what it could mean, an American Idol jumps in a NC congressional race, a U.S. Senate poll, a new legislator is coming to Raleigh, 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. Amy Scott Galey, a Republican with Democratic Family Ties

Sen. Amy Scott Galey is a Republican from Alamance County, the home-place of the storied Scott Family, the very family that produced two North Carolina Governors, an Agriculture Commissioner, and a President Pro Tem of the Senate.  However, they were are all Democrats.   

Sen. Galey talks about her upbringing, her decision to register as a Republican, and her impressive political career as a county commissioner and state senator.  She even talks about Tomato Sandwich Day at the General Assembly, and how she continued the tradition this past legislative session.  

Brian and Skye also unpack the week in North Carolina politics, including the redistricting court hearing, Medicaid expansion news, retirements and staff transitions announced, and more.   

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

Special Holiday Edition: Wrapping Up 2021 with Senators Jim Perry & Kirk deViere

Republican Senator Jim Perry and Democratic Senator Kirk deViere look back at the 2021 General Assembly session, including budget maneuvers, behind-the-scenes bipartisanship, the art of compromise, and insight on how trust is built with legislators when political and policy disagreements surface.  

Sen. Perry and Sen. deViere also talk candidly about how the very long legislative session took a toll on their family lives, careers, and waistline.  

In this special holiday episode, Brian and Skye are joined by their New Frame colleague Christy Jones as they look back at 2021, look ahead to 2022, and share their family holiday traditions.  

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

New Frame and the Do Politics Better podcast wishes all of our listeners a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  Thank you for making this podcast such a success in 2021.  The podcast returns on January 7, 2022.  

Behind the Scenes with Senate Policy Advisor Brent Woodcox

Brent Woodcox is Senior Policy Counsel to Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, a position in which he helps the Senate majority enact conservative policies for North Carolina.  However, Brent's ideas on growing a conservative movement are at odds with some in his Republican Party.

Brent sits down with Brian and Skye to talk about his work in the Senate, his proclivity to tweet, his brand of optimistic conservatism, and his openness to run for political office in the future.  

Plus, a Democrat drops out of the 2022 US Senate race and is reportedly eyeing a run for NC Attorney General, rumors of a Governor Roy Cooper POTUS run, and are we headed for an impeachment trial in the General Assembly after the holidays?

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