Do Politics Better Podcast

Health & Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley’s NC Homecoming

Kody Kinsley serves as Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services, a position that puts the 36-year old in the middle of North Carolina politics' most high profile policy debates between Governor Roy Cooper and the General Assembly.  

Secretary Kinsley talks about his job, his public service to the Obama and Trump administrations, and his life, which began in Wilmington, NC.  

Skye and Brian also talk about a week full of action in the General Assembly, including a divisive bill with possible election consequences, a Medicaid expansion bill in the Senate, a fast-track budget process, 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 GOP Caucus Director Stephen B. Wiley Wraps Up Primary Night

Stephen B. Wiley knows what it takes to win legislative races.  As the NC House Republican Caucus Director, he's the campaign manager for 120 House races in the general election.  

Stephen shares his take on a surprising primary election night and what it portends for NC legislative candidates in the fall. 

Skye and Brian also talk about the start of the legislative short session, recount a blown tire incident on Tuesday driving through Harnett County, 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. 

 

Short Session Preview with Rep. John Bell & Sen. Jay Chaudhuri

The General Assembly short session begins Wednesday, May 18 and House Majority Leader John Bell and Senate Democratic Whip Jay Chaudhuri preview what we can expect to be accomplished and not accomplished in the next two months by lawmakers.  

Skye and Brian also talk about the optimistic revenue forecast, a budget proposal by Governor Roy Cooper, what General Assembly races they are watching on Tuesday night, and The Growler returns on May 24.  

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

Mother’s Day is Doubly Special for Rep. Jimmy Dixon

Rep. Jimmy Dixon's mother was unmarried in 1944 when she was living and working in Wilmington, NC.  She was also pregnant.  In 1945, Rep. Dixon was born and an arrangement was made for him to live and grow up with his "Granny" in  Friendship, NC.  While his mother would visit him frequently, Rep. Dixon has never known who his father is.  

This is an endearing Mother's Day story of a powerful legislator whose start in life was unlike many of those he grew up with in the middle of the 20th century in Duplin County.  It's also a story of love, sacrifice, and the power of family, no matter what it looks like.   

Plus, Skye and Brian unpack the week in North Carolina politics, including the latest from Madison Cawthorn, a Meredith University poll, and the General Assembly session this week that was not.  

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

 

The Life & Humor of Joe Stewart

Joe Stewart is a fixture in NC politics who is parts lobbyist, politico, historian, and stand-up-comic.  The 35-year political veteran, who wears suspenders and bowties sans coat, talks about his life, his many jobs in politics and policy, and how lobbying is a lot like bowling.  

Skye and Brian also discuss the latest debacle from Congressman Madison Cawthorn, a Leandro update, and a debrief on Skye's camping trip to McDowell County last weekend.  

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

 

Sen. Lisa Stone Barnes Talks Faith, Family, & Farming

If you eat sweet potatoes, there's a good chance that the delicious bounty came from the Nash County farm of Sen. Lisa Stone Barnes and her husband Johnny.  

The two-term legislator (one term in both the House and Senate) sat down with Skye and Brian to talk about her love of agriculture, her extensive family, politics, and her work in her community inspired by her Christian faith.  

Plus, we are inside a month before the primary election and the opening day of the short session.  Skye and Brian update listeners on the latest from the US Senate race, the race to replace Congressman David Price gets ugly, another presidential-run mention for Governor Cooper, and more.  

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

 

 

LT McCrimmon, the Governor’s Lobbyist in the General Assembly

L.T. (La'Tanta) McCrimmon has one of the most challenging jobs in North Carolina politics:  She serves as the Legislative Director for Governor Roy Cooper at the General Assembly. 

L.T. talks about her life growing up in rural Scotland County, the influence of her mother and great-grandmother, her political work for Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, and how she goes about her work as the chief lobbyist for a Democratic governor who doesn't always see eye-to-eye with a Republican-controlled General Assembly.

Skye and Brian also celebrate the Halifax Resolves, unpack a new WRAL issue/candidate poll, and former President Donald Trump visits Johnston County.  

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

 

Superintendent Catherine Truitt, from the Classroom to NC’s Top Education Leader

Superintendent Catherine Truitt taught ten years in the classroom before rising to the highest position in education governance in North Carolina.  The veteran English teacher talks of her career journey as well as her personal and professional challenges leading education policy in North Carolina.  

Skye and Brian also report on US Senate poll numbers, an upcoming visit to NC by President Donald Trump, and we answer the question, “what do lobbyists do out of session?”

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

 

The History Making Political Career of Sen. Dan Blue

Senate Democratic Leader Dan Blue was arguably the most powerful political leader in North Carolina from 1991 to 1994 when he served as NC Speaker of the House, the first black leader of either chamber in the General Assembly.  

The Wake County attorney talks about growing up on a farm in Robeson County, his college years as a math major, his decision to pursue a law degree, and how his storied political career began.  

Skye and Brian also rundown another news filled week, including Congressman Madison Cawthorn's latest blunder, a car manufacturing company selects North Carolina, a legislative committee meeting featuring nurses versus doctors, and Skye has big personal news to share. 

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

 

 

 

Sen. Michael Lee on Life, Loss, & Legislating

Sen. Michael Lee is a powerful Senate Education Committee Chair, a committee he leads with determination and humility.  The New Hanover County Republican talks about his early life in Dunn, NC, his four election losses, and what his son's health challenges have taught him about the education system in North Carolina.  

Skye explains what's going on with the voter ID and Leandro cases before the NC Supreme Court and Brian talks about Lt. Governor Mark Robinson’s latest controversy, its timing, and more.

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