Do Politics Better Podcast

Rep. Allen Buansi started his elected political career as a Chapel Hill Town Council member and worked as an attorney with the NC Department of Justice before being elected to represent one of the most progressive communities in NC in the General Assembly.   The Dartmouth College graduate talks about navigating partisan divides, staying grounded in Chapel Hill values, and the challenges of pushing...

Long before he was elected to the Senate, young Buck Newton from Wilson walked the halls of the Legislative Building as a House Page in the 1980s—an experience that not only sparked his interest in politics but also led to meeting his future wife. Sen. Newton reflects on his early exposure to public service, his return to Raleigh decades later as a successful candidate in 2010, and his role in hel...

Sen. Sydney Batch is six months into her new role as Senate Democratic Leader, and it's obvious that her caucus is following a different strategy compared to past sessions.   The western Wake Democrat returns to the pod ( first appearance was in 2021 ) to about this new strategy and message, her approach to bipartisan negotiations, how she thinks the budget showdown will play out, and her plans fo...

In this special recess episode, Skye and Brian sit down with Jimmy Broughton , former Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, for a rare and candid conversation about his time working for one of the most important and controversial political figures in North Carolina and American politics. Broughton shares behind-the-scenes stories from Capitol Hill, offers personal insights into Helms' style...

In this special Memorial Day episode, Skye and Brian sit down with Rep. Grant Campbell , a former wartime trauma surgeon, to talk about the solemn holiday from his perspective.   The Cabarrus County Republican talks about the chaos of combat medicine to the quiet moments of remembrance, and the haunting questions that still linger.   Whether you’ve served in uniform, know someone who has, or simpl...

Rep. Ray Jeffers talks about the deep roots that ground his politics and public service, including stories from his upbringing on his family’s 106-year-old farm by his mother and grandparents.   The Person County Democrat reflects on the lessons they passed down, his early love of training dogs, and how those rural experiences continue to shape his perspective in the General Assembly.  Skye and Br...

Congressman Addison McDowell takes listeners behind the scenes of his 2023 decision to jump in the 2024 race for Congress in the 6th district, the bruising 2024 primary that came with it, and how he won the early endorsement of President Trump.   Skye and Brian also break down a hectic crossover week at the NC General Assembly , major news in the NC Supreme Court race , NC State Board of Election...

Rep. Beth Helfrich shares her deep roots in Davidson as a third-generation resident, a former teacher, and owner of a successful coffee shop with her husband Tim and family.   The freshman Mecklenburg County Democrat also talks about raising five kids, what led her to run for the House in 2024 in a swing district, and her commute to Raleigh on the train.  Plus, Skye and Brian are joined by New Fra...

In this special episode, Skye and Brian sit down with Reagan Perry, daughter of former North Carolina State Senator Jim Perry , for a heartfelt conversation. Reagan opens up about the life-altering experience of losing her leg, the physical and emotional challenges she’s faced, and how she turned her pain into purpose through Reagan’s Law (HB906) , a bipartisan effort to improve care and support f...

Rep. Jimmy Dixon makes his third podcast appearance ( his last one was 2023 ) to reflect on Easter and his Mormon faith, which includes membership and local leadership roles in the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .   The 8-term Duplin County Republican opens up about his conversion to LDS in 1976, the differences from the Methodist church he grew up in, and what Easter means to him...

Sen. Caleb Theodros began his life in Eritrea, a country in East Africa torn apart by civil conflict in the 1990s.  At age five, his family brought him to the United States in search of a better life.  After a brief stay in Las Vegas, the Theodros family relocated to Charlotte where they created a life for themselves.   20 years later, Sen Theodros earned a degree from UNC Charlotte, worked in ban...

Over the last 90 days, the State Auditor position has transformed from a state agency that released audits for various NC departments, agencies, local governments, and non-profits to a department that is working proactively in concert with the General Assembly to hold the entire NC executive branch accountable .   At the helm, is Auditor Dave Boliek, who won the position in November after survivin...

Earlier this session, the General Assembly lost Rep. Joe John to cancer at 85 .  Rep. John would be proud of his Democratic replacement, who is an attorney, policy wonk, and one to debate the intricacies of the law without making it personal.   Meet the newly appointed freshman legislator from Wake County:   Rep. Phil Rubin , who was a federal prosecutor, a Special NC Deputy Attorney General, and...

Reps. Charlie Miller (R-Brunswick) and Reece Pyrtle (R-Rockingham) share a legislative office suite, many committee assignments, and a bond built around their former careers as law enforcement officers in their communities.   The former chief deputy (Miller) and police chief (Pyrtle) talk about their first encounter, their friendship, and how their relationship to their respective Senate colleague...

When Rep. Bryan Cohn decided to challenge an incumbent in 2024, he executed a plan that was based on old school politics combined with new tech tools.  By the time election night rolled in, he knew he was in an excellent position to win the seat.  The Oxford Democrat also talks about the uniqueness of his swing district, including a violent civil rights history documented in the book/movie Blood D...

As a financial controller, Rep. Jonathan Almond is familiar with sifting through data, studies, and spreadsheets to look for answers.  It's what he did when COVID shut down the world, when his twin boys were diagnosed with autism, and it's what he plans to do as a Cabarrus County legislator.   However, the 38-year old Republican is not just about the numbers.  He's felt anguish for his twin boys,...

Spend enough time with Rep. Dante Pittman , the 28-year old legislator representing Wilson and part of Nash Counties, and it's evident the freshman legislator is a throwback Democrat.   The National Guard captain describes himself as pro business, pro public education, and pro health care.  He also believes in the power of family, including a single mother who raised him and his brother, and lovin...

Rep. Heather Rhyne started her official freshman term this year after getting a head start in the House last summer when former Rep. Jason Saine resigned his seat to enter the private sector.   The Lincoln County Republican started her political career on her county's local school board and brings a focus to the General Assembly that is focused on supporting all facets of education and health care...

Rep. Tracy Clark has a list "whys" on her decision to serve in the General Assembly.  Two of the three issues that motivated the Guilford County freshman Democrat are the most divisive in politics, but she's optimistic that she can find middle ground, especially with those in her freshman class.   Also, the House drops a Helene package a week after Governor Stein proposes his . Next up is the Sena...

There's a good chance you wore a garment of clothing this week that is older than the 22-year old freshman legislator from Onslow County.   Rep. Wyatt Gable visits with Skye and Brian to talk about his improbable political journey to the General Assembly that began in a college economics class a couple years back. Now the eastern NC Republican is a senior in college and stepping into the 2025-2026...

Sen. Woodson Bradley is a sexual assault survivor and in this powerful podcast conversation with Skye and Brian she talks about a dark and painful time in her life that led her to this moment as a freshman state senator advocating for change.   The Mecklenburg County Democrat also self-describes as a moderate who campaigned on a pro-law enforcement, pro-business, and pro-public education platform....

Rep. Grant Campbell was raised by a single mother under very challenging circumstances in rural Lee and Harnett Counties.  The experience shaped every aspect of his life, including his decision to attend UNC (undergrad and medical school), become an OB/GYN , join the military, pen a novel , and serve in the General Assembly .   The freshman Republican representing part of Cabarrus County opens up...

In part 2 of the podcast's Meet the Freshmen series, Skye and Brian sit down with Rep. Mike Schietzelt , who won a hard-fought swing election in November.   The Wake County Republican talks about growing up without means, his love of music and the law, and ultimately his faith-based decision to run for the House.   Plus, Senate committee assignments , staff announcements, a veteran TV journalist t...

Rep. Monika Johnson-Hostler is a freshman legislator, but she's no stranger to the General Assembly as she's been working in and around the building since 1999, when she started her career at the NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault , which is represented by New Frame.   The Wake County Democrat talks about her advocacy work, her service on the Wake County School Board, and her decision to run for...

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...