Do Politics Better Podcast

Wrapping Up 2024 with Senators Todd Johnson & Jay Chaudhuri

Senators Todd Johnson and Jay Chaudhuri join Skye and Brian to wrap up 2024, including key legislation, twists and turns, and a topsy-turvy election as a backdrop. The Republican and Democratic lawmakers also talk about their family Christmas traditions. 

The podcast also runs down the news from this past week, #TOTW, holiday gifts, 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.

Brad Crone on When Conservative Democrats Ran NC Politics

There was a time before 2010 in which conservative Democrats ran NC politics, including the General Assembly and much of its leadership team.  And behind the campaign curtain of the 'Crone Caucus' was campaign consultant Brad Crone. 

The Johnston County native talks about his career in politics, the partisan realignment in NC, and an assessment of where Democrats are today in the aftermath of the 2024 election.   

Skye and Brian also break down the House veto session, constitutional amendments, the NC State Board of Election hearing, Dan Bishop's nomination, #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.

Remembering Tim Kent: A Conversation with Stephen Kent

Tim Kent was a journalist, lobbyist, association leader, and a friend to all who knew him, worked with him, and even opposed him on legislation at the General Assembly.  But many have no idea that Tim's legendary kindness and charity towards others was the byproduct of a man who was broken in 2010.  

Stephen Kent (DPB guest in 2021) was Tim's oldest son and he sits down with Skye and Brian to talk about his father's life, the "wilderness" Tim found himself in 15 years ago, and how it changed the way Tim lived his life, loved those around him, and was always one to reach out when people needed a kind word.  

The podcast also unpacks the Senate session on Monday, Senate Democrats elect a new leader, a House rumor, the election that will not end, #TOTW, cults, 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.

New House Majority Leader Brenden Jones Talks New Leadership Team

Rep. Brenden Jones is the new House Majority Leader in 2025-2026 and ascends to the role as Rep. Destin Hall, Jones' friend and roommate, will be Speaker of the House.  

The four-term veteran lawmaker from Columbus County opens up about the House's new leadership team, their plans for the biennium, including building bridges with the Senate leadership and House Democrats.  

Skye and Brian also break down a volatile special session this week, Republicans elect leadership teams in House and Senate, #TOTW, Thanksgiving, and remembering Tim Kent.  

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.

Dr. Jeff Warren on Science, Politics, & Religion for Hyper-Partisan Times

Most of the NC politics world knows Dr. Jeff Warren as Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger's first science advisor starting in 2011 before he began work at the NC Collaboratory in 2017.  

Dr. Warren talks about is policy work for Sen. Berger, his career at what is now the NC Department of Environmental Quality before working in the Senate, the creation of the NC Collaboratory in 2016, teaching science policy at UNC, and how he squares politics, science, and religion.  

Plus, Skye and Brian talk about a pair of outstanding Senate and Supreme Court races still counting ballots, big campaign donors, the General Assembly's lame-duck session, House leadership elections, former Labor Commish Josh Dobson's new gig, gubernatorial transition team, #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.

Breaking Down NC's 2024 Election Results

Skye and Brian go through the 2024 election results, including the race for NC's 16 Electoral College votes, U.S. Congress, Governor and Council of State, the General Assembly, the NC courts, and more.  

They also talk about the possible power dynamic between a new Democratic governor and his former colleagues in the General Assembly.  

Plus #TOTW, holiday decorations, and what to do now that the election is over.  

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.

Congressman Patrick McHenry Reflects on His Career Start at the NC General Assembly

Congressman Patrick McHenry is wrapping up a storied 20-year career in the U.S. Congress this December.  The Republican from the 10th District talks to Brian about his time in Congress, including the nearly three weeks in 2023 he spent as the Speaker of the House, as well as his first elected position as a state legislator in the General Assembly in 2003-2004.  

Skye and Brian also talk about strong early voting numbers, campaign finance reports, final polling, #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.

License to Legislate: Rep. Jake Johnson Talks Helene, Politics, & 007 Fandom

Rep. Jake Johnson is Western North Carolina to his core.  Born and raised in rural Polk County, he knows just about everyone in his close-knit district spanning over Rutherford, McDowell, Henderson, and his home county. The 30-year old Republican talks about his public service, including his important position as co-chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, also called Gov-Ops for short.  

However, the conversation isn't all business as Skye and Brian discover Rep. Johnson has a love for (almost) all things James Bond, and he has family ties to moonshine, racing, and coon dogs.  

Plus, NC is inside two weeks of Election Day, early voting numbers are coming in strong, Mark Robinson amends his lawsuit, #TOTW, Skye's appearance on State Lines gets unwanted attention to her feet, 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.

Consultants Nathan Babcock (GOP) & Kimberly Reynolds (Dem) Preview the Election

Political consultants Nathan Babcock, a Republican, and Kimberly Reynolds, a Democrat, preview the 2024 General Election.  The veteran operatives discuss #ncpol races from U.S. President to Council of State to the General Assembly, including the disruptive effect of the Mark Robinson scandal on all races.  

Skye and Brian also talk early voting, the Lt. Governor's press conference, the latest Carolina Journal Poll, Rep. Jimmy Dixon is running for House Majority Leader, #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.

Chris Cooper's 'Anatomy of a Purple State' & Helene's Election Effect

Professor Chris Cooper's 'Anatomy of a Purple State' hit bookstores this week and the Western Carolina University political scientist stops by the podcast to discuss it with Skye and Brian.  

While in Raleigh, Dr. Cooper also talks about Hurricane Helene's impact on his part of the state and the effect he thinks the aftermath of the storm will have on the November 5th election.  And speaking of unprecedented storms, Cooper also talks about Mark Robinson's possible effect on down ballot races.  

Plus, the General Assembly returns to Raleigh to begin addressing the Helene recovery process, three new House members seated, swing state POTUS polling, an #ncpol reporter moves up and out, former Rep. Phil Haire dies, #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.