Do Politics Better Podcast

Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr. guest hosts the podcast this week with Skye and Brian as they tick through the latest policy, budget, and process developments inside the General Assembly. The Robeson County Republican also gives a candid take on many 2024 candidates on both sides of aisle, including his swing Senate district. 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.

The $400 million budget surplus predicted for this fiscal year ending on June 30 and the $1 billion surplus penciled in for next year isn't going to happen, at least not at those levels. Skye and Brian also talk about an anti-semitism bill, a dense bill, new polling, voter ID lawsuit, Race of the Week, #TOTW, and more. Plus a conversation with Rep. Mark Brody about his early life in Milwaukee, his move to NC, the construction industry, and his politics. 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.

Bryan Anderson is a freelance journalist who founded Anderson Alerts, a substack on all things #ncpol. The California native talks about his stints at the News & Observer, Sacremento Bee, WRAL, and The Assembly. While Bryan loves his work as a NC politics reporter, he has concerns about his profession and he opens up about them in this podcast. Skye and Brian also unpack the second week of the short session, which began with tragedy in Charlotte, a pair of controversial bills, a technical corrections bill emerges, budget news, Race of the Week, #TOTW, protests at UNC, 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.

Nathan Babcock plays two crucial roles in #ncpol. Half of his work is inside the General Assembly working as a policy advisor to Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger. During campaign season he's a Republican political consultant who takes lead on some of the most high profile, battleground districts. Nathan talks about his two jobs, including some behind-the-scenes accounts of the abortion bill and Medicaid expansion, both enacted in 2023. He also takes listeners back to his first campaign in 2010, one of the most transformational times in #ncpol. Skye and Brian also unpack the first day of short session, Governor's budget, new polling, ACC politics, #TOTW, and breaking down Taylor Swift's new albums. 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.

There's a lot of unfinished issues for legislators to tackle in the General Assembly short session set to begin on April 24: Medical marijuana, gambling, social issues, opportunity scholarships, immigration, and more. Then there's the rumors. House Majority Leader John Bell and Senate Democratic Whip Jay Chaudhuri join Skye and Brian for a comprehensive preview of the short session ahead. They also talk primary and general election politics, planned and unplanned legislator departures, length of session, #TOTW, and Mr. Beast. 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. Charles Smith was a three-sport athlete (basketball, baseball, and soccer) in high school. The power forward/centerfielder/sweeper would go on to play college basketball at Emory & Henry College before heading to UNC Law. The newly minted lawyer would return to his native Fayetteville as a prosecutor and entered private practice. Along this journey, the freshman Democrat developed a friendship with the late Sen. Tony Rand, who introduced him to the world of North Carolina politics. Skye and Brian also talk about former Rep. Jon Hardister's replacement, the race to keep that GOP seat, the rape kit announcement explained, a runoff in the 13th congressional district heats up, #TOTW, and Skye and Brian discuss their quirks. 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.

Campaign consultant Jim Burton works everyday to get Republicans elected up and down the ballot. Burton takes listeners behind the scenes of his 2022 work to get Sen. Bobby Hanig elected in a Democratic leaning district. Burton also talks about his craft, including how polling informs a political message, the targeting of voters, working directly with candidates, and what he's looking for in the 2024 election. Democrats announce election targets, Rep. Jon Hardister resigns, former Rep. Grier Martin now a NC Cabinet Secretary, Senate maps approved, ballot signatures, Race of the Week, #TOTW, NC State basketball, 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.

As Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan, Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed talks about his faith and its linkage to Christianity and Judaism, the importance of fasting during this Islamic Holy Month, and how it informs his politics. Skye and Brian also unpack the Rep. Michael Wray concession, Rep. Kevin Crutchfield still fighting, a new presidential poll in NC, sports wagering a good bet for NC, Gov. Cooper calls for a school voucher moratorium, Race of the Week, #TOTW, and the Sweet 16 this Easter weekend. 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.

Veteran lobbyist Andy Ellen went for a morning run in the summer of 2023, returned home to catch up on news before heading to the General Assembly, and he collapsed. He had a heart attack. The President/General Counsel of the NC Retail Merchants Association opens up about that day, his family's history with heart disease, and why he wants you to see a doctor today. Skye and Brian also unpack a week of news, including a WRAL gambling poll, Rep. Michael Wray is running out of options, Sen. Thom Tillis running in 2026, Race of the 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, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Rep. Brian Biggs is in his first term representing Randolph County, however his path to victory included a primary race in 2022 against a veteran GOP legislator. The Freshman GOP Whip talks about his life, family and political career, including that intra-party race and his prior service on the Randolph County School Board. Skye and Brian unpack the week's news, including Congressman-elect Addison McDowell, a pair of polls, John Locke Foundation's 2024 Civitas Partisan Index, Gov. Cooper's court win, Speaker outlines short session priorities, #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.

It was a North Carolina primary election for the ages, one that was incorrectly described in the days leading up to it as a "sleeper." Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir/Craven/Beaufort) guest hosts the podcast with Skye and Brian as they try to make sense of a primary election that defied the political odds and protocols. 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.

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 5, the day many races across North Carolina will be ultimately decided. However, some of the more crowded races are likely heading to runoffs. Political science professors Michael Bitzer (Catawba College) and Chris Cooper (Western Carolina University) join Skye and Brian for the entire podcast to talk early voting trends, races to watch, political party realignment, purity tests, and what surprises could be in store on election night. Dr. Bitzer and Dr. Cooper also discuss #TOTW and give listeners an update on the modern political science classroom in the age of smart phones, lap tops, and a world of information at their fingertips. 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.

Kimberly Reynolds is a Democratic political consultant at Maven Strategies, a firm she founded with Maggie Barlow. Kimberly talks about her career dating back to 1999, including her past work for the NC Senate Caucus program and #ncpol campaigns she's managed. Skye and Brian also share Republican polling from Capen Consulting, which includes the standings for the crowded race for Lt. Governor, Governor, and President. Plus, campaign endorsements, conservative groups backing Democrats, update on a pair of lawsuits, Race of the Week, #TOTW, and have we unlocked a new level with the mysterious Hendersonville stingray pregnancy? 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.

Sen. Eddie Settle is a no-nonsense, unpretentious, and accessible legislator whose style of legislating has won him admiration and respect from his colleagues, including Democrats. The Wilkes County native talks with Skye and Brian about his politics, life, family, work, and faith. Plus, early voting is underway, a voter identification lawsuit scheduled, Governor Cooper's executive order, RNC Chair news, casino legislation in short session a bad bet, possible changes to election law, Race of the 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, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Rep. Caleb Rudow is currently sitting in one of the safest House seats in the General Assembly. The Asheville Democrat could sit back in 2024, put a few yard signs up, and coast to re-election victory. So why is he trading it in to challenge GOP freshman Congressman Chuck Edwards in the ruby-red leaning 11th District? Skye and Brian also break down a pair of polls from Meredith University and High Point University, legislator death threat leads to arrest, Race of the Week, #TOTW, the Super Bowl, and Taylor Swift. 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.

The Senate Republican Caucus is well known as a well-oiled, disciplined machine known for recruiting top-shelf candidates, methodically executing campaign plans, and winning majorities (sometimes supermajorities) since 2010. Political operative Dylan Watts runs that machine and he sits down to talk about his life and work, which sometimes is a blur except when he's playing golf. The Cary native also discusses candidate recruiting, ideological diversity in districts, polling, and his thoughts about the 2024 election. Skye and Brian also unpack a trio of legal issues, campaign fundraising, Race of the Week, #TOTW, and the problem with YMCA locker rooms. 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.

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a live recording of the Do Politics Better Podcast in front of an audience of over 100 people on the campus of UNC Asheville on January 19. Skye and Brian were joined by Senators Warren Daniel and Julie Mayfield to review the 2023 General Assembly session, issues they partnered on, and bills they were on opposite sides of. The Senate duo representing Buncombe County also look to the upcoming short session and provide a scan of issues facing western NC and Asheville, including tourism, crime, and the region getting its fair share of the budget pie. Plus, Tweet of the Week, Brian trying to kick a 40-year addiction, 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.

Tim Kent, the executive director of the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, traces his North Carolina political roots back to 1981, the year he arrived in the state and started covering its politics as an on-air TV reporter. Kent talks about covering the Hunt-Helms race in 1984, a bipartisan overthrow of a Democratic Speaker of the House in 1989, and how it led to his transition from journalism to be one of the most high profile and successful association leaders in North Carolina. Skye and Brian also unpack a week of news, including court cases, a candidate challenge, POTUS visit, Race of the Week, #TOTW, college basketball, 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.

The NC Democratic Party announced last fall it hired Kian Sadjadi as its new executive director. The 36-year old veteran political operative will lead Democrats in 2024 as they try to turn their Election Day fortunes around. Skye and Brian also talk endorsement announcements, a fledgling redistricting lawsuit, Race of the Week, Tweet of the Week, 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.

Sen. Vickie Sawyer kicks off the first podcast episode of 2024, and the conversation centers around social media trolls and how to deal with them. The Iredell County Republican also reads some mean tweets she received from trolls when she announced on X she was running for re-election. Skye and Brian also discuss how they let each other down in 2023 and their plans to improve in the New Year. Plus, the Tweet of the Year. 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.