The Foxfire Dispatch

Host Liz Purvis returns to The Foxfire Dispatch after a couple months away, explaining she needed the break while starting a new job and moving into a new home. In this minisode, she skips a full news breakdown and leans into an “Even Art Is Political” segment, reading Ada Limón’s “A New National Anthem” and reflecting on its tension of critique and belonging, then sharing her own poem of the same...

Host Liz Purvis discusses what it means to run outside the two-party system with Jason Brown, an independent progressive candidate for Congress in Virginia’s 4th District, a Democratic-leaning seat spanning urban/suburban areas like Richmond and rural communities farther south. Brown argues reform within a capitalist two-party framework can’t deliver systemic change and says the system prioritizes...

Host Liz Purvis welcomes guest host Coach LeVon Barnes of Alamance County, a 23-year educator and working-class father running for a North Carolina General Assembly House district 64, to discuss why he entered politics and what he learned from past campaigns. We break down key North Carolina primary results and dynamics, including Alamance county commissioner and sheriff races, Durham’s Congressio...

Host Liz Purvis welcomes Kyah Creekmore, a 24-year-old Democratic candidate running in North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District primary to take on 20-year Republican incumbent Virginia Foxx. Creekmore describes the gerrymandered, sprawling 10-county district—largely rural and Appalachian but containing major student populations across campuses like UNC Greensboro, NC A&T, and App State—and...

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis interviews Kate Compton Barr, the first Republican candidate to be featured on the show. Barr, a behavioral scientist and advocate for democracy, is running in the March Republican Primary for North Carolina's 14th Congressional District. Known for her radical transparency and previous 'can't win' campaign against gerrymandering, Barr discus...

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, Liz Purvis is joined by Rebekah Whilden, who returns as a co-host to discuss their political wishlist for 2026, focusing on North Carolina's future. They delve into topics such as fair representation, access to opportunities, and significant upcoming elections, including Roy Cooper's Senate race and Anita Earls' Supreme Court re-election. The conversation a...

In this special New Year episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis offers a reflective and insightful look into 2026 through the lens of numerology and tarot. Liz explores the symbolism of the Wheel of Fortune, the Magician, and the Fool cards, considering their relevance to our political and social landscape. Emphasizing the importance of agency, courage, and responsibility, she encourages...

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis welcomes Rebekah Whilden, the Executive Director of Carolina Forward, for an insightful and candid conversation. Rebekah discusses her journey and the instrumental role Carolina Forward has played in advancing pro-democracy values and policies that serve all North Carolinians. The episode also delves into the significance of storytelling in...

In this eye-opening episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis and guest-host Sydnie Hutchinson, the second vice chair of the Gaston Dems and a candidate for the NC House, dive deep into a shocking story of political corruption in Stanley, a small town in Gaston County, NC. They discuss how former mayor Steven Denton manipulated the system, securing a highly paid town manager position for hi...

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz welcomes Paul Barringer, a Democratic candidate for North Carolina's 13th Congressional District. Barringer, a lawyer and public servant, discusses his decision to run for office, shaped by a desire to bring grounded, ethical leadership to a district dealing with rapid urbanization and rural roots. He further elaborates on his career in health law...

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis chats with Sydnie Hutchinson, a paralegal turned political candidate running for the North Carolina House of Representatives in District 108. Sydnie shares her motivation for entering politics, rooted in her extensive experience in the legal field, and discusses her community-focused platform which emphasizes affordable housing, strong publi...

In this special bonus episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis from The Foxfire Dispatch and CJ Robinson and Adrian Brakeley from The Left of Old North reflect on the outcomes of the recent North Carolina municipal elections. We celebrate significant Democratic wins in various races, discuss the strategies that led to increased voter turnout, and share personal experiences and setups durin...

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis interviews James Whalen, a Democratic candidate running in the March '26 primary for the North Carolina Court of Appeals. We discuss Whalen's background as a former state DOJ attorney and his motivation for reforming the state’s appellate courts. Whalen shares his experiences defending voter rights, his perspectives on education funding, and...

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis and CJ Robinson, host of Left of Old North, delve into the national implications of recent races, focusing on Supreme Court races in New York and Pennsylvania, and Virginia's gubernatorial win by Abigail Spanberger. They celebrate the election of Ghazala Hashmi, the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in Virginia. The discussion t...

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis chats with Hannah Preston from Influence NC. They delve into Hannah's work with Influence NC, a recently launched initiative aimed at engaging legislators with social media, and engaging Gen-Z North Carolinians in politics through social media. They discuss the importance of making voting accessible and exciting, the generational perspective...

In this special Halloween episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis takes listeners on a tour through North Carolina's most haunted locations. From the glamorous Grove Park Inn's resident ghost, the Pink Lady, to the eerie Brown Mountain Lights, Liz explores both well-known and obscure spooky spots across the state. Listeners will journey to the Henry River Mill Village, the mysterious Devi...

Welcome to the first mini episode of The Foxfire Dispatch hosted by Gina Baxter, a local elected official from Western North Carolina, and Liz Purvis, a progressive organizer in Granville County, North Carolina. In this episode, they delve into the Hatch Act, discussing its origins, significance, and recent relevance concerning government shutdowns and allegations of its violation. The hosts also...

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, hosts Liz and Gina kick off with a light-hearted discussion on Taylor Swift’s new album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl’, sharing their personal connections to her music. As the conversation shifts, they delve into the current turmoil within North Carolina, highlighting the complications of the state’s budget crisis, the impact on Medicaid funding, and the ongoing...

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, co-host Liz Purvis welcomes Durham County Commission Chair Nida Allam. As the first Muslim woman elected to office in North Carolina, Nida shares her journey from her STEM education background to her current political role. She discusses her commitment to equity and justice, her experience getting into politics following an Islamophobic hate crime that left...

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, hosted by Gina Baxter and Liz Purvis, the discussion kicks off with a recap of the Democratic Municipal Official Summit and a the biggest Democratic fundraiser in Durham, Bourbon and Bowties. The hosts dive into the politics of local candidate endorsement processes. They also analyze recent controversies about COVID-19 vaccination accessibility in North Car...

This week on The Foxfire Dispatch , Gina is joined by another trailblazing young leader from Western North Carolina: Preston Blakely, the youngest mayor in the state. Together, they dig into their personal journeys into public service, the realities of leading through Hurricane Helene, and why local government is the heartbeat of community resilience. Along the way, we keep it grounded with some l...

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, hosts Liz Purvis and Gina Baxter delve into the political and social landscape of North Carolina. The discussion opens with personal highlights from their week, including local events like the Apple Festival and a poetry meet-up in Durham. They then tackle the stalled budget negotiations in the North Carolina General Assembly, emphasizing the impacts on tea...

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, hosts Gina Baxter and Liz Purvis dive into the history and meaning of Labor Day in North Carolina, exploring how the state’s relationship with workers’ rights has evolved—and how it still shapes our communities today. The conversation covers Senator Mark Kelly’s recent visit to Western North Carolina, his engagement with local firefighters, and the ongoing...

In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, co-host Liz Purvis sits down with Anderson Breeze Clayton, the North Carolina Democratic Party Chair. We delve into Clayton's efforts to reshape organizing in North Carolina, particularly in the fight against MAGA politics. Clayton discusses the significance of the Rural Tour, voter registration challenges, and the critical role of local county parties. Add...

Join cohosts Liz and Gina on this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch as they dive into Bernie Sanders' Fight the Oligarchy tour in North Carolina, featuring uplifting speeches and union organizing. Plus, discover the North Carolina Hot Sauce Festival, Elizabeth McCorvey's new album Songs I Sent You, and a moving poem by former US Poet Laureate Ada Limón. Don't miss this episode packed with political...