Do Politics Better Podcast

Rep. Brian Farkas: ‘Be Kind and Be Respectful‘

Rep. Brian Farkas is a moderate Democrat who thrives in a coin-toss Pitt County district that gives him the freedom to work across the political aisle.  The freshman legislator also talks about being one of the younger members in the General Assembly. 

This week's podcast also welcomes guest-host Dylan Reel, counsel to House Rules Chairman Destin Hall, who is standing in for Brian Lewis as he takes his daughter to college.    

Skye David and Dylan unpack a two-veto week at the General Assembly that includes gun legislation and a hotel bill, which mysteriously caught the disapproval of Governor Roy Cooper.  Other topics covered: the riot bill, a primer on what a concurrence vote is, the responsibilities of committee conferrees, critical race theory, a budget update, and redistricting. 

And if that's not enough, legislative staffer Carl Gilmore (of Skye’s kickball team) makes a cameo appearance.
 

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.

Rep. Chris Humphrey, a Republican Winning in a Democratic District

Rep. Chris Humphrey is a Republican who knows how to win in a Democratic district, something he's been doing since he was elected as a La Grange town councilman and county commissioner in Lenoir County.

The self-described moderate talks of how a Democratic activist convinced him to join the Republican Party in 1990. The former UNC classmate of Speaker Tim Moore also reveals what a failed 2010 primary loss to a now prominent NC state senator taught him about politics.   

Brian and Skye also unpack another full week at the General Assembly, including a tense Senate committee meeting debate on critical race theory, budget negotiations, the child marriage bill, anti-riot legislation, high school athletics, the Tweet of the Week, and more. 

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.

Sen. Don Davis on Legislating from the Center: 'I'm Getting it from the Left, I'm Getting it from the Right'

Senator Don Davis is known for working across the political aisle at the General Assembly which, as he explains, is not easy in these polarizing times.  

The eastern North Carolina Democrat also shares his story of being raised by his grandmother as his teenage mother defied the odds by continuing her education and was eventually reunited with her son.  A young Don Davis would go on to enter the Air Force Academy and later launch a successful political career at age 29.  

Brian and Skye also break down a General Assembly week that includes criminal justice reform legislation, medicinal marijuana, sports wagering, a budget status update, redistricting, the Tweet of the Week, and so much more.  

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.

 

 

Sen. Paul Newton: 'I Am Here to Solve Problems'

Sen. Paul Newton likes to say "good policy makes for good politics".   Learn more about the Republican Senate Finance Chair, his career at Duke Energy, and his life now as a "gentleman farmer" who runs a wedding venue with his wife (and dogs) in Cabarrus County.

Brian and Skye also review a rollercoaster House budget week, what's next in the budget process, and share the latest on the riot bill, the child marriage bill, a gun bill, election redistricting, the Tweet of the Week and more. 

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.

Rep. Zack Hawkins: 'If You Get to Know Me, You'll Like Me'

Rep. Zack Hawkins, in his second term at the General Assembly, has already contributed to the passage of two major bills addressing elections and autism.  Learn how the Durham Democrat learned the importance of House rules, seeks opportunities to work across the political aisle, and finds inspiration from his two younger sons who are living with autism.  

Brian and Skye also talk about the House budget, a Senate bill that legalizes sports gambling, the ongoing politics of COVID-19, and somber news that hit the Senate and House this week.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.  

 

 

 

Rep. Jamie Boles Puts the 'Fun' in Funeral & Legislating

House Justice & Public Safety Appropriations Chair Jamie Boles, who has represented Moore County since 2008, recalls the General Assembly transition from Democratic-control to Republican-control after the 2010 election, relates the funeral business to NC politics, discusses his side career as a fire truck driver and EMT, and shares how humor has served him in the General Assembly.

Brian also reflects on how a day with Rep. Boles in 2013 helped him through a career crisis and how it led to New Frame and #DoPoliticsBetter.  

Brian and Skye talk about ALEC, the politics of COVID-19, a closed-door meeting between legislative leaders and the leadership of the NC High School Athletic Association, the Tweet-of-the-Week, and more.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.

House Democratic Leader Robert Reives & How His Parents Inspired Him to Enter Politics; and House GOP Leader John Bell Guest-Hosts the Podcast

House Democratic Leader Robert Reives talks about how his late mother impressed upon him the responsibility to serve his community with these words: "If it’s not you, who is it going to be?"

Rep. Reives also talks about his role as the chief negotiator for House Democrats and his relationship with the House GOP Leadership, including House Majority Leader John Bell, who is co-hosting the podcast this week with Brian.  

Rep. Bell and Brian also review the week at the General Assembly, including the latest on the House budget, the Senate's frustration with the NC High School Athletic Association, a Senate Finance Committee vote on medicinal marijuana, a tribute to Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin, and a look at the U.S. Senate race in North Carolina.  

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.  

Sen. Vickie Sawyer: Once an Underdog Senate Candidate Who Now Fights for Underdogs as a Senator

Senator Vickie Sawyer shares her journey growing up in a trailer with a mother and father struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues to her service in the North Carolina Senate fighting for those who need a voice.  

The Iredell County Republican also shares what it was like to face one of the most powerful North Carolina politicians in a 2018 primary, which against all odds she prevailed.  

In this 20th edition of the podcast, Brian and Skye also walk listeners through a midnight session vote on the House's energy bill, the Senate's criminal justice bill in a House judiciary committee, and they preview an upcoming Senate committee hearing on the medicinal marijuana bill.  

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.  

Special Recess Edition Includes an Interview with Rep. Vernetta Alston and a Vacationing Former President

With the General Assembly on a holiday break this week, the podcast records from Carolina Beach and includes a visit from fellow beach vacationer President George W. Bush.

The week before recess, Brian and Skye recorded a conversation with Rep. Vernetta Alston, a Durham Democrat, who talks about her transition from local government service to serving in the General Assembly, her work as a death penalty lawyer, balancing family as a legislator, and how she would improve North Carolina politics.  

The podcast also reviews Governor Cooper's veto of the unemployment bill, his signature of the Farm Act, and tells the story of how Tomato Sandwich Day at the General Assembly began.  

 

 

House Rules Chairman Destin Hall: "But for My Grandparents and the Grace of God"

Rep. Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) opens up about his childhood and the role his grandparents played in raising him and shaping his life.  The powerful House Rules Chairman also talks about his leadership position and an unwritten rule he wants more House members to follow. 

Brian and Skye also talk about the Senate Judiciary Committee's approval of a medicinal marijuana bill, Governor Cooper's veto of an abortion bill, the General Assembly's response to the NC State baseball debacle, and a venomous snake on the lam in Raleigh.  

All that and more in a shortened week at the General Assembly as the July 1-12 recess begins.