Do Politics Better Podcast

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.  

 

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.