Do Politics Better Podcast

Dylan Watts: The Man Behind the Senate Caucus Curtain

The Senate Republican Caucus is well known as a well-oiled, disciplined machine known for recruiting top-shelf candidates, methodically executing campaign plans, and winning majorities (sometimes supermajorities) since 2010.  

Political operative Dylan Watts runs that machine and he sits down to talk about his life and work, which sometimes is a blur except when he's playing golf.  The Cary native also discusses candidate recruiting, ideological diversity in districts, polling, and his thoughts about the 2024 election.  

Skye and Brian also unpack a trio of legal issues, campaign fundraising, Race of the Week, #TOTW, and the problem with YMCA locker rooms.  

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.   

Sens. Warren Daniel & Julie Mayfield Live from Asheville!

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a live recording of the Do Politics Better Podcast in front of an audience of over 100 people on the campus of UNC Asheville on January 19.  

Skye and Brian were joined by Senators Warren Daniel and Julie Mayfield to review the 2023 General Assembly session, issues they partnered on, and bills they were on opposite sides of.  

The Senate duo representing Buncombe County also look to the upcoming short session and provide a scan of issues facing western NC and Asheville, including tourism, crime, and the region getting its fair share of the budget pie.

Plus, Tweet of the Week, Brian trying to kick a 40-year addiction, 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.   

Tim Kent: The Life & Stories of an Ultimate Political Insider

Tim Kent, the executive director of the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, traces his North Carolina political roots back to 1981, the year he arrived in the state and started covering its politics as an on-air TV reporter.  

Kent talks about covering the Hunt-Helms race in 1984, a bipartisan overthrow of a Democratic Speaker of the House in 1989, and how it led to his transition from journalism to be one of the most high profile and successful association leaders in North Carolina.  

Skye and Brian also unpack a week of news, including court cases, a candidate challenge, POTUS visit, Race of the Week, #TOTW, college 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. 

Meet Kian Sadjadi, NC Democratic Party Executive Director

The NC Democratic Party announced last fall it hired Kian Sadjadi as its new executive director.  The 36-year old veteran political operative will lead Democrats in 2024 as they try to turn their Election Day fortunes around.  

Skye and Brian also talk endorsement announcements, a fledgling redistricting lawsuit, Race of the Week, Tweet of the Week, 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. 

Sen. Vickie Sawyer on Dealing with Social Media Trolls in the New Year

Sen. Vickie Sawyer kicks off the first podcast episode of 2024, and the conversation centers around social media trolls and how to deal with them.  The Iredell County Republican also reads some mean tweets she received from trolls when she announced on X she was running for re-election.

Skye and Brian also discuss how they let each other down in 2023 and their plans to improve in the New Year.  Plus, the Tweet of the Year.

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. Thom Tillis: From Trailer Parks to NC Speaker to US Senator

In this year-end podcast, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis sits down with Skye and Brian on Capitol Hill to talk about his early life growing up in trailer parks, his first foray into politics, the historic 2010 Republican takeover of the General Assembly, and his approach to representing NC in the U.S. Senate.  

Also, Senator Jim Perry (R-Lenoir/Beaufort/Craven) stands in for Skye as guest co-host and runs through the news of the week, including an NAACP election maps lawsuit, the final slate of NC candidates for 2024, and his own blockbuster news that Sen. Perry is not running for re-election.  Plus, #TOTW, holiday traditions, simpler times during the holidays.  

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. 

Journalist Billy Ball Talks NC Politics, Culture, & Coping with Tragedy

Billy Ball writes about North Carolina politics and culture as Senior Editor at Cardinal & Pine, a left-leaning, online newspaper.  Whether Ball is covering water quality in rural North Carolina, school funding disparities, or writing about the sounds of the cicada during summer time, his writing is steeped in authenticity.  

Billy talks about growing up in eastern North Carolina, his early love of journalism, and his approach to covering complex issues in a way readers can understand and relate to.  He also talks about the tragic loss of his son earlier this year, the attacks he endured afterwards, and the challenges of the holidays.  

Skye and Brian also unpack week 2 of candidate filing, a Trump endorsement, no GOP gubernatorial debates, a 2026 candidate for U.S. Senate, #TOTW, Christmas cards, and a trip to Capitol Hill.  

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. David Willis’ Journey from Eastern NC to China to the General Assembly

Rep. David Willis was raised by a single mom in Wilson, NC and eventually made his way to Union County, where he became an early childhood education provider.  In between, he had stops in Greensboro, Boone, New York City, and China, where he met his wife at a Christmas party.  

The second term Republican talks to Skye and Brian about his life journey, the importance of his family, his decision to run for office, and his political future.  

It's also the first week of campaign filing season and Congressman Patrick McHenry's surprise announcement on Tuesday created a ripple effect in many NC races, including campaigns for the General Assembly.  

Plus, a legal challenge to the congressional maps, Super Bowl bets are off, an ECU political poll, a prayer for political retribution, #TOTW, a new word is approved for the Oxford Dictionary, and a #DoPoliticsBetter Holiday Cocktail Hour.  

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. Maria Cervania: ’Here’s a Story I’ve Never Shared’

Rep. Maria Cervania is serving in her first term in the General Assembly after serving her Cary and Morrisville communities on the Wake County Board of Commissioners.  The progressive Democrat talks about growing up in a Republican household with deep military ties and an inspiring and heart-wrenching immigration story from the Philippines.  

Plus, Senate maps stand (for now), no congressional maps lawsuit (for now), no votes this week, a curious Senate poll in Rockingham County, more campaign announcements, an unsubstantiated rumor, #TOTW, and Skye and Brian share their list of lies told.  

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. Michael Bitzer: ’2024 is Going to be Off the Charts’

Dr. Michael Bitzer is often quoted in the media on all things #ncpol in addition to contributing to political discussions with his engaging and informational social media posts.  The political scientist at Catawba College sits down with Skye and Brian to talk about his career, scholarly work, the 2024 election, and his fascination with North Carolina's ever-changing political landscape.  

Plus, more campaign announcements were announced this week, Auditor Beth Wood's resignation, Meredith College polling, Taylor and Travis, #TOTW, Thanksgiving, 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.