Do Politics Better Podcast

Rep. Ken Fontenot: A New Look for the Grand Old Party

Rep. Ken Fontenot is known for his fiery floor speeches, dramatic committee presentations, and his constant reminder to his legislative colleagues that he was elected to bring resources and change to his majority Black district in Wilson.  

The first term Black Republican talks about his dynamic legislative and political style, his life and careers, and his decision to run for office in an area of the state with strong Democratic Party ties.  

Skye and Brian also discuss the UNC tragedy, Rep. Marvin Lucas recovering, a NC Supreme Court justice files a lawsuit, Hurricane Idalia, two more congressional candidates emerge, DGA ad, Governor Cooper endorses, #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. 

 

Rep. Cecil Brockman’s Balancing Act as a Swing Vote

Rep. Cecil Brockman is one of a handful of Democrats who is considered a swing vote in the General Assembly.  The 5-term legislator talks about how he balances getting needed resources for his High Point district in the budget while holding to his values as a self-described progressive.  

Rep. Brockman also talks about his transition from serving as a legislative assistant to serving as a Representative, his evolving views on school choice, and his enduring friendship with Rep. Tricia Cotham.  

Skye and Brian also unpack the week of news including Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of the election bill, a Democratic legislator complains to Wake DA about Speaker Moore, GOP Lt. Governor’s race gets another candidate, Freedom Park opens, NC Supreme Court Justice to step down, new polling from John Locke Foundation, an Unsubstantiated Rumor circulating, #TOTW, and the politics of college football.  

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

 

Intern to Influence: Sen. Brad Overcash’s Story

Sen. Brad Overcash started his political journey as Congressional page for the late Rep. Howard Coble before interning in the NC Senate.  He would later go on to serve as an officer in the NC Republican Party.  

In 2022, Senate Majority Leader Kathy Harrington announced her retirement and the the Gaston County attorney stepped in to succeed her.  Sen. Overcash talks about his first term in the Senate as well as the admiration from his colleagues because of his perfectly coiffed hair, height, and speaking style.  

Skye and Brian also cover a news filled week at the General Assembly, including six veto overrides, a controversial elections bill, a new House Republican Whip elected, a new political party approved for 2024, Dan Bishop's AG fundraising, #TOTW, Tomato Sandwich Day, and Brian makes a friend.  

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

Rep. Ya Liu’s Journey from Immigrant to NC Legislator

Rep. Ya Liu immigrated to the United States from China two decades ago to pursue higher education and better opportunities.  She had little money, spoke very little English, but went on to earn two doctoral degrees, started a thriving law practice, and is raising three children with her husband in Cary, which she now represents in the House.  

The western Wake County Democrat talks about her decision to run for office, her work in the Asian American community, and how she works across the aisle to get policy enacted.  

Skye and Brian also unpack the week in #ncpol, including budget and casino news, more 2024 announcements and rumors, #TOTW, and more.  

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

 

The Adventurous Life & Career of Reporter Rose Hoban

If you work on health care policy at the General Assembly, whether as a legislator or lobbyist, there's a good chance you've spoken to health care reporter Rose Hoban, the founder of NC Health News.  

However, you probably didn't know she started her career in architecture, and lived and worked in Micronesia, where she was inspired to pursue a career in health care.  Rose talks about her adventurous "origin story", including her decision to become a journalist and how it led her to North Carolina in 2005.  

Plus, Skye and Brian cover the budget progress made by the House and Senate leadership, casinos update, campaign finance reports released, a big endorsement, Dan Bishop is in for AG, #NCGA schedule next 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, and the NC Pork Council. 

Rep. Jeff Zenger on Surviving Childhood & Thriving Today

Rep. Jeff Zenger is by all accounts a success:  A beautiful family, a thriving business, and a productive political career.  However, life wasn't always so charmed for the two-term legislator.  

The Forsyth County Republican talks about a troubled childhood in the outskirts of Baltimore, a toxic family dynamic, and how he continues to take his childhood experience to the General Assembly.  

Skye and Brian also talk about the politics of casinos, another veto, Speaker's race news, Medicaid movement, GOP Lt. Governor's race, #TOTW, and more.  

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

 

 

The Hurt of Rep. Allison Dahle

Rep. Allison Dahle is at the top, or near the top, of everyone's list of favorite legislators.  That goes for Republicans, Democrats, staff, and lobbyists.  And the Raleigh Democrat has worked hard to cultivate meaningful relations with everyone, including the most conservative legislators in the General Assembly.  

However, a recent debate in the House left Rep. Dahle in tears as she pleaded for legislators to choose her over partisanship.  She talks about the vote, the strain it put on legislative friendships, and how she plans to move on.  

Skye and Brian also cover Speaker Tim Moore's announcement, the legislative schedule, new candidates emerge, tornado hits the state, #TOTW, and more.  

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

Rep. Allen Chesser: Combat Veteran, Cop, & Policy Problem Solver

Rep. Allen Chesser was not likely to earn the high school superlative of "Most Likely to Serve in the General Assembly".  It was also unlikely he would go on to marry his wife Jessica, who he met in high school, but was far from ever catching her fancy at the time.  

However, the Nash County Republican has lived a life of overachievement, and it started with a conversation with a high school guidance counselor, was fortified by the attack on September 11, 2001, and forged into steel as a U.S. combat soldier in Iraq.  

The freshman legislator talks about his incredible life, the tragedy he and his family has endured, and his desire to make life better for North Carolinians by solving problems.  

Skye and Brian also welcome a special guest host to the podcast this week as they discuss North Carolina's repeat as CNBC's Top State for Business in 2023, the budget impasse, Stein v Robinson fundraising, Sen. Mike Woodard's mayoral bid, medicinal marijuana up in smoke, vetoes, #TOTW, and more. 

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

 

 

 

The Atonement of Rep. Jeff McNeely

Rep. Jeff McNeely asked Rep. Abe Jones a question with racial overtones during a heated House floor debate in May that landed both legislators in national and state news stories.  While the Iredell County Republican immediately apologized and Rep. Jones accepted, Rep. McNeely continues to feel regret for hurting his friend and others.  

Rep. McNeely opens up about what he was trying to convey that day, the consequences of his actions, and his views about race, poverty, and access to education.  He also talks about his life growing up in Iredell County, his fondness for colorful suits and bowties, and his political journey.  

Skye and Brian also discuss the Moore v Harper SCOTUS decision, a rare Monday night Senate session, abortion law clarifications, veto overrides, two more LGBTQ+ bills advance to Governor Cooper, former Rep. Dewey Hill dies, 2024 campaign news, #TOTW, and more. 

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

Sen. Paul Lowe: ’My Style of Politics is Relational’

Sen. Paul Lowe has served in the Senate since 2015.  However, his political work and public service started in the fall of 1991 when he was named as pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church.  Sen. Lowe reflects on his abiding faith and political beliefs and the intersection of both in policymaking.  

The Winston-Salem Democrat talks about how important relationships with his Republican colleagues produce better outcomes in legislation and gets him the room where it happens.  

Skye and Brian discuss the lawsuit that rocked the #ncpol world on Sunday night, the Governor's latest vetoes overridden in the Senate, controversial bills continuing to move, session timeline update, legislator's reaction to abortion lawsuit, #TOTW, and more. 

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