Do Politics Better Podcast

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a live recording of the Do Politics Better Podcast in front of an audience of over 120 people on November 30 .  Skye and Brian were joined by Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper .   The discussion was focused on western North Carolina politics, including Buncombe County's delegation turnover, the region's need for bipar...

Senator-elect Benton Sawrey was elected to the NC Senate on November 8.  The Johnston County Republican sits down with Skye and Brian to talk about his election, his goals in the General Assembly as a freshman senator, and his path to elected office.   The podcast also dives into the longterm challenges facing the Republican and Democratic parties and the resignation of LT McCrimmon as Governor Ro...

Sen. Kirk deViere joins Skye and Brian for this special edition of the podcast to unpack the mid-term elections in North Carolina, including the races for U.S. Senate , Congress , the Courts , and the NC General Assembly .   The Democrat from Fayetteville, who was ousted in a Democratic primary this past spring for his moderate voting record , also talks about the need for both political parties t...

State Board of Elections Chair Damon Circosta talks about his early career in election reform advocacy, including a stint working for the late Sen. John McCain, and his work now to ensure North Carolina elections are secure and accessible. The Arizona native also talks about how the state's diverse politics and coastal surfing vibe were determining factors in his family's decision to locate to Nor...

Demi Dowdy is the Communications Director for House Speaker Tim Moore , a job that often has her in the room where it happens and working with journalists in the  NC Capitol Press Corps to get the story told to the public.   The first generation Cuban-American also talks about her career advocating for conservative causes, including her work for the Civitas Institute (now merged with the John Lock...

NC political operatives have access to a voter file that indexes every voter on a scale from 0-100.  Your Facebook likes, Instagram shares, iTunes purchases, grocery store purchases, and more, constantly update your file and informs political candidates and PACs on what kind of messages will get you to the polls.   Dan Crawford leads the political work for the NC League of Conservation Voters and...

Opposition (or "oppo") research is the most secretive and underground facet of North Carolina politics, but it's the foundation of most successful political campaigns.  NC-based GOP political operative Darren Eustance at Malleus Political Strategies talks about his misunderstood, required, and often maligned industry. Skye and Brian also break down the Beasley/Budd U.S. Senate debate , discuss cri...

Nathan Babcock is a political consultant for Republican state Senate candidates and part of Morgan Jackson's job is to direct Governor Roy Cooper's political investments in key General Assembly races.   Both veteran political operatives are guests on the podcast this week and help Skye and Brian understand the state of play in key NC House and Senate races one month from Election Day.   As to legi...

Wayne Goodwin grew up poor and with a father with debilitating mental health challenges.  These two experiences shaped the Hamlet native and his politics. In 1996, Wayne was 28-years old when he was elected to represent Richmond County in the NC House, a seat he held for 8 years before running for statewide office.     Wayne's life has been marked by incredible success and heart-wrenching loss, in...

Sen. Jim Burgin is a leader in the General Assembly on health care and mental health policy.  The Harnett County Republican talks about his passion for the issue, especially mental health, as well as his friendship and partnership with NC Health & Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley , a Democrat, in making the state healthier.   A press gaggle this week at the General Assembly included news from...

Kyle Villemain founded The Assembly , a digital magazine about North Carolina and its complex politics, in 2021.  Skye and Brian sits down with Kyle to talk about the online magazine, his life and career, and his vision for a publication that is digging deeper in our politics at a time when much of journalism is contracting.  Skye and Brian also talk about the week in politics, including an Octobe...

Judge Jefferson Griffin has served on the NC State Court of Appeals since 2021.  The Nash County native talks about his service in the state's court system, his active military career, and his work after college as a charter fisherman.   Judge Griffin, a Republican, also announces his intentions in the 2024 election.   Skye and Brian also kickoff the post Labor Day election season with new polling...

Just about everyone knows about the infamous "bathroom bill" of 2016 , however many don't know that Rep. John Autry was then a Charlotte City Councilman who successfully pushed for the city's non-discrimination ordinance that prompted HB2 that year.   The Mecklenburg County Democrat talks about why pushing for the ordinance was so important to him.  He also takes listeners on a life journey that b...

Sen. Steve Jarvis is a builder by trade and is recognized as a legislative leader on homebuilding and construction issues.  However, he is also just as passionate about improving foster care and the adoption process in North Carolina .   The Davidson County Republican talks about his life and family, a nearly tragic construction accident that still negatively affects him today, and he explains how...

Sen. Amy Galey is an Alamance County Republican and Leonardo Williams is a Durham City Council Democrat.  However, the two found friendship and leadership growth from the NC Institute of Political Leadership .   They are joined by NC IOPL Executive Director Brad Young to talk about the political training program, its preparation for candidates for elected office, and why it's designed to throw all...

Sen. Jim Perry returns as the podcast interview host for a second week to talk with lobbyist Brian Lewis about his transient mobile home life in eastern North Carolina, his start in NC politics in 1994, and how a lobbying mistake in 2011 led him down a path to #DoPoliticsBetter .   House Majority Leader John Bell also returns to the podcast as Skye David's guest co-host this week.  They cover the...

Lobbyist and podcast co-host Skye David is interviewed by Sen. Jim Perry , and she talks about her life, education, career, and work in North Carolina as a lobbyist.   And while Skye is on vacation, Sen. Mike Woodard steps into the co-host role of the podcast with Brian and breaks down this week's news, including the latest on Medicaid expansion , Kansas and abortion politics , the Green Party's r...

WRAL State Government Reporter Travis Fain covers the General Assembly.  The Georgia native talks about his career in journalism and his thoughts on the state of journalism and North Carolina politics.    Skye and Brian also talk about the criminal investigation into Attorney General Josh Stein's 2020 campaign , the General Assembly asks the courts to implement a 20-week abortion ban , and a redis...

Brent Woodcox is Senior Policy Counsel to Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger and Donald Bryson is President of the John Locke Foundation .  Both are conservatives, active in North Carolina politics, and open to share their political opinions.   The two got tangled in a T witter discussion about a General Assembly line-item in the closing days of session that got the attention of many.   Brent an...

Neal Inman , age 32, started his political career as an intern in 2012 for Rep. Julia Howard .  A decade later he is the Chief of Staff to House Speaker Tim Moore .   The Wilmington, NC native walks listeners through his career path, his day-to-day work, and talks about his 2 1/2 day stint working for Governor Roy Cooper.   Former President George W. Bush also stops by at the end of the podcast an...

Before Senator Sarah Crawford arrived in the General Assembly in 2020, she was already a star.   She was a guest on Late Night with David Letterman in 1989 as she helped showcase a new dog sport called Fly Ball.   The freshman Democrat also talks about her early life, her work for Congressman David Price, and how a kickball game (and Fly Ball ) introduced her to her husband Dan.   Skye and Brian a...

The last days of the 2022 NC legislative short session, including bills moving, dying, and legislative maneuvering, from the viewpoint of lobbyists Skye David and Brian Lewis.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame , the NC Travel Industry Association , and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association .  

Before arriving in the General Assembly in 2021, Sen. DeAndrea Salvador was already a star.  The TED Talk fellow's 2018 TED Talk on energy policy has over 1.5 million views.   The Mecklenburg County Democrat talks (13:37) about her life's journey, including being born to a teenage mother and having a father who was incarcerated when she was young.    Skye and Brian also cover a wild week at the Ge...

Sen. Jim Perry has a beautiful family, is a successful businessman, and is a powerful state senator.   However, his childhood is a different story.   On this Father's Day edition of the podcast, the Lenoir County Republican opens up about growing up without a father, in economic hardship, and how both motivated him to want more in life.   Sen. Perry also talks about rumors circulating about him in...

Rep. Grier Martin announced last week he was resigning his legislative seat in July to take a job at the Pentagon.  The Raleigh Democrat, who is a Afghanistan War veteran, talks about his life, reflects on his service in the General Assembly since 2005, and makes a bold announcement about his future in North Carolina politics.   Skye and Brian also talk about another busy week at the General Assem...