Politics For Happy People

What happens when a detransitioner takes the doctors and counselors who treated her to court? In this episode, Joseph Backholm sits down with Prisha Mosley and her attorney, Josh Payne, following oral arguments before the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Prisha shares her experience of transitioning as a teenager, the lasting impact she says those medical decisions have had on her life, and why sh...

In this special episode of Politics For Happy People, Joseph Backholm shares Steve Deace’s keynote address from the 2026 Celebration of Carolina Values. Steve challenges Christian men to recognize the cultural moment they are living in, reject passivity, and show up for their families, communities, and country. From learning to say “no” to cultural pressures to modeling faithful leadership for the...

What could the 2026 midterm elections mean for North Carolina—and for the balance of power in Washington? In this episode of Politics For Happy People, we break down why the midterms matter and how control of Congress could shape the next two years. The conversation explores congressional oversight and investigative powers, the possibility of impeachment proceedings, and the role redistricting and...

Tami Fitzgerald, founder of the NC Values Coalition, joins Joseph Backholm to share the story behind the organization and the experiences that shaped her work in North Carolina politics. Tami reflects on her journey from practicing law and raising a family to leading efforts focused on life, family, religious freedom, and other issues at the state legislature. She also discusses lessons learned fr...

When should Christians obey the government—and when is civil disobedience justified? In this episode, Joseph Backholm is joined by Dr. David Closson, Director of the Center for Biblical Worldview at the Family Research Council, to examine what Scripture teaches about government authority, obedience, and resistance. David offers a three-part framework for thinking through civil disobedience, includ...

A recent case in Durham, North Carolina, involving an 18-year-old woman who allegedly obtained abortion pills from Virginia has raised new questions about the safety and accessibility of chemical abortion drugs. In this episode of Politics For Happy People, Joseph Backholm sits down with Dr. Susan Bane of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists to discuss mail-order ab...

What happens when the technology designed to connect us begins shaping our children’s behavior instead? In this episode of Politics For Happy People, Joseph Backholm sits down with Michael Toscano, director of the Family First Technology Initiative at the Institute for Family Studies, to discuss the fight for child safety in the digital age and what a major Meta settlement could mean for families....

What would you do if your five-year-old came home from school and told you their male teacher wanted to be called “Miss”? That’s the situation Aaron Driver and other parents at Middle Creek Elementary School in Apex, North Carolina, say they found themselves facing at the beginning of the school year. Aaron joins Joseph Backholm to share how the controversy led him to organize a group of concerned...

In this episode of Politics for Happy People , Joseph Backholm sits down with author and nationally syndicated radio host Steve Deace for a conversation about the cultural and spiritual challenges facing America. Steve explains why he believes the country is in “revival or bust” territory and why the growing interest in theology and biblical worldview may signal an important shift. They discuss th...

Pornography is often defended as private entertainment, but its effects reach far beyond the individual. In this episode, Joseph Backholm speaks with Caleb Pirc, general counsel and director of the Idaho Family Policy Center’s Legal Center, about how pornography damages families, discourages human flourishing, and erodes society. Caleb traces America’s obscenity laws from the founding era to the p...

Can a pastor faithfully preach the gospel on Sunday and serve in the state legislature during the week? North Carolina Representative and pastor Neil Jackson joins Joseph Backholm to discuss why he believes Christians shouldn’t retreat from politics, but instead bring grace, truth, and biblical conviction into the public square. They discuss legislating morality, the criticism of “Christian nation...

What exactly is “wokeness”—and is it really disappearing? Joseph Backholm sits down with author Neil Shenvi to unpack the critical theory behind modern identity politics and how its ideas have shaped conversations about race, gender, sexuality, oppression, and justice. They also explore a growing response on the political right: an identity politics that may reject the conclusions of the woke left...

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released a new report examining the medical, political, and financial forces behind so-called “gender medicine.” Joseph Backholm sits down with Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue and a contributor to the report, to discuss its allegations of financial incentives, medical billing fraud, and institutional failures surrounding...

North Carolina State Representative Brian Echevarria joins Joseph Backholm to share what he’s learned during his first two years inside the state legislature. Echevarria reflects on entering politics as a small business owner, father, and Christian—and how his faith shapes his approach to public service. The conversation explores frustration with political institutions, the pursuit of equal justic...

Joseph Backholm sits down with Walt Heyer, who shares his personal story of undergoing gender reassignment surgery, living as a woman for eight years, and eventually returning to living as a man. Heyer explains why he believes trauma and adverse childhood experiences are often overlooked in conversations about gender identity and challenges the language surrounding transition and detransition. The...

The culture keeps asking people to ignore uncomfortable truths—but what happens when someone refuses? Joseph and Ashley discuss the growing number of female athletes speaking out against men competing in women’s sports and the backlash that can follow. They also unpack a troubling surrogacy case in Florida that raises serious questions about the commercialization of children and whether adult desi...

This week on Politics for Happy People, Joseph and Ashley unpack the controversy surrounding a Wake County elementary school's hiring decision that has sparked outrage among parents and drawn national attention. They also examine what a Democratic Socialist victory in Michigan's U.S. Senate primary could signal about the future direction of the Democratic Party—and whether those politics...

This week on Politics for Happy People , Joseph Backholm and Ashley Vaughan unpack two stories they believe reveal where America's political future may be headed. First, they discuss why Planned Parenthood is once again receiving Medicaid funding, what happened to the one-year defunding provision, and why many pro-life advocates are frustrated with Republican leadership. Then they examine the...

A Wake County elementary school's hiring of a biological male living as a woman has reignited debate over parental rights, the role of teachers, and whether young children should be exposed to gender identity issues in the classroom. Joseph and Ashley also unpack criminal charges filed against several North Carolina lobbyists over an alleged scheme involving luxury trips for lawmakers, raisin...

North Carolina ranked 42nd in the nation for protecting religious freedom—but why? Joseph and Ashley unpack a surprising new report, explain the legal protections the state is missing, and discuss what lawmakers could do to better safeguard religious liberty. Plus, they debate whether America should finally eliminate daylight saving time and examine reports that the Department of Energy approved $...

Ashley and Joseph break down the latest debate surrounding the SAVE Act, asking whether requiring proof of citizenship and voter ID is simply common sense or an unnecessary burden. They also dive into North Carolina's razor-thin election margins and discuss why they believe election integrity matters, even when fraud is difficult to prove. Then they unpack State Auditor Dave Boliek's inv...

Joseph Backholm and Ashley Vaughan unpack two stories raising serious questions about power, accountability, and political ethics. First, they examine the allegations surrounding an energy company accused of a billion-dollar fraud scheme and its connections to a North Carolina state senator. Then they turn to the federal case against former FBI Director James Comey, asking whether his controversia...

Is Roy Cooper really the moderate his campaign portrays him to be? This week, Joseph Backholm and Ashley Vaughan examine the former governor's new U.S. Senate campaign, comparing his "football, church, and common sense" messaging with his record on public safety, parental rights, abortion, women's sports, and gender ideology. They also discuss the growing problem of youth sport...

In this episode, we delve into the true meaning of freedom, its biblical and American foundations, and how misunderstandings are fueling societal issues like violence, political unrest, and cultural conflicts. Join us for a thoughtful conversation on how virtue, self-control, and family are essential to preserving freedom.

 Ashley Vaughan and Joseph Backholm unpack North Carolina's newly signed state budget and explore what it reveals about the state's priorities. From funding pregnancy resource centers and teacher pay raises to tax cuts, AI in education, religious instruction, and parental rights in schools, they examine some of the budget's biggest highlights through a biblical lens. Along the way,...