Do Politics Better Podcast

Auditor Beth Wood, from Dental Hygienist to CPA to the Taxpayers‘ Watchdog

Auditor Beth Wood is unlike any modern day politician in North Carolina.  She's soft-spoken yet very direct, a CPA with vast knowledge of arcane accounting regulations but just as comfortable talking about priming tobacco, and a proud Democrat who will take on anyone at any level of government, including members of her own party. 

The Craven County native chats with Brian and Skye about her humble childhood working and living on a farm, her early career as a dental hygienist, and the decision she made at age 29 to go to college to be a CPA.  

The 4-term State Auditor also talks about a troubling audit in Rocky Mount, her advocacy for legislation to prevent future improprieties by municipal leaders, and a recent confrontation in a House committee with a Democratic legislator. 

Plus, the start-stop-start-stop of campaign filing this week that eventually delayed the March primaries to May, more retirement announcements, and Brian and Skye get stranded in Akron, Ohio on Wednesday.   

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

 

Rep. John Bradford: Energy, Optimism, & Effectiveness

Rep. John Bradford is all energy, all optimism, all the time.  It's how he runs two businesses he founded, prioritizes time with his family, chairs the powerful House Finance Committee, and sponsors an impressive number of successful bills each session to help small businesses in North Carolina as well as the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) community.  

However, the Mecklenburg County Republican has faced adversity.  He discusses the hurt of his 2018 re-election loss and an alarming health care challenge his family faced that same year.  

Brian and Skye also discuss the unique end of the 2021 legislative session, including a combative House Rules committee, more political shake-ups, a confrontation outside the Senate chamber recorded on video, 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: Stephen Kent & How the Force Can Fix the World (& Our Politics)

Author, podcaster, and media pro Stephen Kent sits down with Brian to talk about his newly released book, How the Force Can Fix the World.  In these divisive times, the North Carolina native (who now lives outside of Washington, DC) uses Star Wars as a framework for how we can improve civility, understanding, and our political discourse.  

Stephen also discusses his connection to North Carolina politics, the role religion and spirituality plays in his life, and his evolving conservative political philosophy.  

Brian and Skye also explain the implementation of a state budget, list more political moves in the aftermath of redistricting, and have fun talking about Thanksgiving weekend plans, Hallmark Christmas movies, and gratitude this holiday season.  

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

We Have a State Budget! Plus a Conversation with Rep. Matthew Winslow

Rep. Matthew Winslow wasn't just raised by a teenage mom, he grew up with her, and they even attended college together.  The freshman Republican also talks about the importance of his faith and how it's led his family, career, politics, and how he sees those who do not share his values.  

Brian and Skye also celebrate a state budget and review the ongoing shakeup in NC's congressional delegation and General Assembly as moves are made in the aftermath of redistricting.  Brian also shares his thoughts on a former state senator who is looking at the race for Governor in 2024 and a current state senator who might be considering a run for Attorney General.  

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

 

 

Here Comes the Judge: A Conversation with Rep. Joe John

Rep. Joe John is a rare legislator with high level experience in all three branches of government.  Before his election to the NC House in 2016, Rep. John presided over court rooms as a judge, including service on the NC Court of Appeals from 1992-2000. The Wake County Democrat also worked as the director of the NC State Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab.  

Brian and Skye also review a non-voting week that was full of political drama, including plans for a final budget vote next week, Congressman Madison Cawhthorn's plans to run in a new congressional district many thought was for Speaker Tim Moore, the ongoing Leandro lawsuit, 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. Michael Lazzara‘s Life in Politics & Love of Pizza

Sen. Michael Lazzara talks about his career in politics, his early life in Sicily and Chicago, and how enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps led him to Camp Lejeune and a life in North Carolina.  

The freshman Republican also discusses his love of pizza and how it led to his creation of successful pizzerias in coastal communities in North Carolina.  Sen. Lazzara also explains how pizza could fix what's ailing divisive politics today.  

Brian and Skye also unpack an action-packed week, including a veto, a protest in the House, Virginia's election results effect on NC politics, sports betting, redistricting, and a budget finale tentatively scheduled for the week of Nov. 15.  

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

Rep Ricky Hurtado‘s Message to Both Political Parties

Rep. Ricky Hurtado talks about his family’s immigration story from El Salvador, growing up in Sanford, and the journey to Alamance County, where he won a NC House seat in 2020.  

The freshman Democrat also talks about the national and state notoriety he attracted on the campaign trail, and he even reveals his winning “playbook”.  However, Rep. Hurtado wants more than just winning an election.  He wants to be a bridge-builder, both in his community and across the political aisle in the General Assembly.  

Brian and Skye also share their optimism about a final budget agreement between Governor Roy Cooper and the General Assembly, they discuss the one bill that was to be voted on this past week and why it was pulled off the calendar, and explain what happens when the Governor does’t appoint a party-selected legislator to a seat.

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

Rep. Tim Moffitt is Back in the General Assembly & Busier Than Ever

Rep. Tim Moffitt returned to the General Assembly in 2020 after losing a tough re-election campaign in 2014.  The Henderson County Republican talks about his six years out of the legislature, lessons learned, and how it gave him a different perspective on leadership.  

Rep. Moffitt also discusses chairing the House Alcohol Beverage Control Committee at a challenging time for the state's liquor distribution system.  

Brian and Skye also update listeners on budget talks, report on a bill limiting the Governor's emergency powers, rundown the list of legislators vying to replace a retiring congressman, recap a fun kickball game played at the General Assembly, and much more.  

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

 

Rep. Billy Richardson on Dyslexia, Dealmaking, & His Democratic Party

Rep. Billy Richardson is an accomplished lawyer and legislator, but he was unlikely to be either until he confided in his high school English teacher that he could not read.  The Fayetteville Democrat discusses how a teacher and a novel she gave him changed his life forever.

Rep. Richardson also talks about his legislative service in 1992-96 and 2015-present, including his pragmatic political philosophy that makes him one of the most effective and courted Democrats in a Republican General Assembly.    

Brian and Skye unpack a volatile week in North Carolina politics after a controversial video featuring Lt. Governor Mark Robinson surfaces, Governor Cooper signs the energy bill, budget talks continue, the NC State Fair begins, the Tweet of the Week, and a second #DoPoliticsBetter Kickball game is announced.  

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

Rep. Jimmy Dixon, the General Assembly Agriculture Ambassador

Rep. Jimmy Dixon was raised by his grandmother on a farm before he went on to play football at Wake Forest on a scholarship and returned to Duplin County to build a farm that processed over 700,000 turkeys a year.  

The Duplin County Republican talks of why he got into politics and why he is on a mission to educate his legislative colleagues on where their food comes from.  

Brian and Skye also report on the ups and downs of final budget negotiations between General Assembly leaders and Governor Roy Cooper, review of a red-hot political ad, a possible gubernatorial candidacy by a NC congressman, a bipartisan energy bill that is sitting on Governor Cooper's desk, and the death of Rep. Dana Bumbardner.  

There's also a recap of the inaugural Do Politics Better Kickball game played on October 5 outside the General Assembly.

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