Do Politics Better Podcast

Senate Senior Policy Counsel Brent Woodcox: 'I'm a Man of Peace'

Brent Woodcox serves as the Senior Policy Counsel to Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger and Senate Republicans.  Brent also has a presence on X (formerly Twitter) where he weighs in on policy and politics.  

Recently, Brent came under fire from a Republican activist who questioned the lifelong Republican's political loyalty.  Brent talks about his social media, his work in the Senate, his faith, and more.   

Skye and Brian also unpack the drama in the General Assembly today about a compromise mask/campaign finance bill, Stein launches negative ad, medical marijuana bill up in smoke, pair of state constitutional amendments, Race of the Week, #TOTW, and more. 

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

Why Sen. Mary Wills Bode is Not on the Ballot in 2024

Sen. Mary Wills Bode was Democrats' new hope after the 2022 election in which she won a competitive Senate seat and put up solid numbers in rural part of her Wake-Granville counties district.  However, within a year Sen. Bode announced she was not seeking re-election, was rumored to run statewide, but after the candidate filing in December she was undeclared for any elective office.  

Sen. Bode talks about her decision, she gives a run-down of the short session, and she responds to a recent appearance on the podcast by a Senate Republican.  

Plus, Skye and Brian send condolences to Speaker Tim Moore, Stein-Robinson polling, a budget update, Race of the Week, Tweet of the Week, a recent pilates class, and more.  

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

Secretary Grier Martin's Mission at the NC Department of Military & Veterans Affairs

NC Department of Military & Veterans Affairs Secretary Grier Martin sits down with Skye and Brian for a conversation as we head into the Memorial Day weekend.  

The Afghanistan War veteran recently returned to North Carolina after working at the Pentagon and now leads North Carolina's work advocating for the state's military installations, the active military serving, and veterans living in North Carolina.  The former NC House member also talks candidly about the challenges the Department faces.  

Plus, the bipartisan mask bill debate, controversial healthcare bill, budget talks stall, NC tourism now ranked #5, staffing news, Race of the Week, Tweet of the Week, and whatever happened to Brian's friend Jake? 

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

Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr.'s Unfiltered Take on Policy, Politics, & Politicians

Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr. guest hosts the podcast this week with Skye and Brian as they tick through the latest policy, budget, and process developments inside the General Assembly.  

The Robeson County Republican also gives a candid take on many 2024 candidates on both sides of aisle, including his swing Senate district.

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

Budget Surplus a Bust? The Return of Blust? And Talking Shop with Rep. Mark Brody

The $400 million budget surplus predicted for this fiscal year ending on June 30 and the $1 billion surplus penciled in for next year isn't going to happen, at least not at those levels.  

Skye and Brian also talk about an anti-semitism bill, a dense bill, new polling, voter ID lawsuit, Race of the Week, #TOTW, and more.  

Plus a conversation with Rep. Mark Brody about his early life in Milwaukee, his move to NC, the construction industry, and his politics. 

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

Political Reporter Bryan Anderson on Politics in the Newsroom

Bryan Anderson is a freelance journalist who founded Anderson Alerts, a substack on all things #ncpol.  The California native talks about his stints at the News & Observer, Sacremento Bee, WRAL, and The Assembly.  While Bryan loves his work as a NC politics reporter, he has concerns about his profession and he opens up about them in this podcast.  

Skye and Brian also unpack the second week of the short session, which began with tragedy in Charlotte, a pair of controversial bills, a technical corrections bill emerges, budget news, Race of the Week, #TOTW, protests at UNC, and more.  

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

#NCPOL Operative Nathan Babcock: 'I Went from Missionary to Mercenary'

Nathan Babcock plays two crucial roles in #ncpol.  Half of his work is inside the General Assembly working as a policy advisor to Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger.  During campaign season he's a Republican political consultant who takes lead on some of the most high profile, battleground districts.  

Nathan talks about his two jobs, including some behind-the-scenes accounts of the abortion bill and Medicaid expansion, both enacted in 2023. He also takes listeners back to his first campaign in 2010, one of the most transformational times in #ncpol.  

Skye and Brian also unpack the first day of short session, Governor's budget, new polling, ACC politics, #TOTW, and breaking down Taylor Swift's new albums.  

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

Majority Leader John Bell & Sen. Jay Chaudhuri Preview Short Session

There's a lot of unfinished issues for legislators to tackle in the General Assembly short session set to begin on April 24: Medical marijuana, gambling, social issues, opportunity scholarships, immigration, and more.    

Then there's the rumors.  

House Majority Leader John Bell and Senate Democratic Whip Jay Chaudhuri join Skye and Brian for a comprehensive preview of the short session ahead. 

They also talk primary and general election politics, planned and unplanned legislator departures, length of session, #TOTW, and Mr. Beast.  

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

Rep. Charles Smith Holds Court as College Hoopster, Lawyer, & Legislator

Rep. Charles Smith was a three-sport athlete (basketball, baseball, and soccer) in high school.  The power forward/centerfielder/sweeper would go on to play college basketball at Emory & Henry College before heading to UNC Law.  

The newly minted lawyer would return to his native Fayetteville as a prosecutor and entered private practice.  Along this journey, the freshman Democrat developed a friendship with the late Sen. Tony Rand, who introduced him to the world of North Carolina politics.  

Skye and Brian also talk about former Rep. Jon Hardister's replacement, the race to keep that GOP seat, the rape kit announcement explained, a runoff in the 13th congressional district heats up, #TOTW, and Skye and Brian discuss their quirks.  

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

GOP Campaign Consultant Jim Burton's One Goal is to Win

Campaign consultant Jim Burton works everyday to get Republicans elected up and down the ballot.  Burton takes listeners behind the scenes of his 2022 work to get Sen. Bobby Hanig elected in a Democratic leaning district.  Burton also talks about his craft, including how polling informs a political message, the targeting of voters, working directly with candidates, and what he's looking for in the 2024 election.  

Democrats announce election targets, Rep. Jon Hardister resigns, former Rep. Grier Martin now a NC Cabinet Secretary, Senate maps approved, ballot signatures, Race of the Week, #TOTW, NC State basketball, and more.  

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