Rep. Cecil Brockman is one of a handful of Democrats who is considered a swing vote in the General Assembly. The 5-term legislator talks about how he balances getting needed resources for his High Point district in the budget while holding to his values as a self-described progressive. Rep. Brockman also talks about his transition from serving as a legislative assistant to serving as a Representative, his evolving views on school choice, and his enduring friendship with Rep. Tricia Cotham. Skye ...
Aug 25, 2023•55 min•Ep. 126
Sen. Brad Overcash started his political journey as Congressional page for the late Rep. Howard Coble before interning in the NC Senate. He would later go on to serve as an officer in the NC Republican Party. In 2022, Senate Majority Leader Kathy Harrington announced her retirement and the the Gaston County attorney stepped in to succeed her. Sen. Overcash talks about his first term in the Senate as well as the admiration from his colleagues because of his perfectly coiffed hair, height, and spe...
Aug 17, 2023•53 min•Ep. 125
Rep. Ya Liu immigrated to the United States from China two decades ago to pursue higher education and better opportunities. She had little money, spoke very little English, but went on to earn two doctoral degrees, started a thriving law practice, and is raising three children with her husband in Cary, which she now represents in the House. The western Wake County Democrat talks about her decision to run for office, her work in the Asian American community, and how she works across the aisle to ...
Aug 10, 2023•52 min•Ep. 124
If you work on health care policy at the General Assembly, whether as a legislator or lobbyist, there's a good chance you've spoken to health care reporter Rose Hoban , the founder of NC Health News . However, you probably didn't know she started her career in architecture, and lived and worked in Micronesia, where she was inspired to pursue a career in health care. Rose talks about her adventurous "origin story", including her decision to become a journalist and how it led her to North Carolina...
Aug 03, 2023•57 min•Ep. 123
Rep. Jeff Zenger is by all accounts a success: A beautiful family, a thriving business, and a productive political career. However, life wasn't always so charmed for the two-term legislator. The Forsyth County Republican talks about a troubled childhood in the outskirts of Baltimore, a toxic family dynamic, and how he continues to take his childhood experience to the General Assembly. Skye and Brian also talk about the politics of casinos , another veto , Speaker's race news , Medicaid movement ...
Jul 27, 2023•55 min•Ep. 122
Rep. Allison Dahle is at the top, or near the top, of everyone's list of favorite legislators. That goes for Republicans, Democrats, staff, and lobbyists. And the Raleigh Democrat has worked hard to cultivate meaningful relations with everyone, including the most conservative legislators in the General Assembly. However, a recent debate in the House left Rep. Dahle in tears as she pleaded for legislators to choose her over partisanship . She talks about the vote, the strain it put on legislative...
Jul 20, 2023•52 min•Ep. 121
Rep. Allen Chesser was not likely to earn the high school superlative of "Most Likely to Serve in the General Assembly". It was also unlikely he would go on to marry his wife Jessica, who he met in high school, but was far from ever catching her fancy at the time. However, the Nash County Republican has lived a life of overachievement, and it started with a conversation with a high school guidance counselor, was fortified by the attack on September 11, 2001, and forged into steel as a U.S. comba...
Jul 13, 2023•57 min•Ep. 120
Rep. Jeff McNeely asked Rep. Abe Jones a question with racial overtones during a heated House floor debate in May that landed both legislators in national and state news stories. While the Iredell County Republican immediately apologized and Rep. Jones accepted, Rep. McNeely continues to feel regret for hurting his friend and others. Rep. McNeely opens up about what he was trying to convey that day, the consequences of his actions, and his views about race, poverty, and access to education. He a...
Jun 29, 2023•57 min•Ep. 119
Sen. Paul Lowe has served in the Senate since 2015. However, his political work and public service started in the fall of 1991 when he was named as pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church. Sen. Lowe reflects on his abiding faith and political beliefs and the intersection of both in policymaking. The Winston-Salem Democrat talks about how important relationships with his Republican colleagues produce better outcomes in legislation and gets him the room where it happens. Skye and Brian discuss the lawsuit...
Jun 23, 2023•47 min•Ep. 118
NC State Treasurer Dale Folwell is known as a fix-what's-broken political leader going back to his days serving in local government in Winston-Salem, his tenure in the General Assembly, and recent service in the executive branch. Folwell is now focused on the Governor's Mansion in 2024, but he's in a three-person GOP primary with a herculean front-runner known for his fiery speeches and record breaking fundraising. Can a proven problem solver win the Republican nomination? Folwell says he's done...
Jun 15, 2023•51 min•Ep. 117
Rep. Abe Jones is a man of many accomplishments: student leader in high school, a standout runner, double Harvard graduate, attorney, and Superior Court judge. That's why a question from a House colleague a couple weeks back questioning his achievements was so hurtful . But, it was not the first time the Wake County Democrat, who is black, has been asked such a question. Skye and Brian also discuss part two of Governor Cooper's bully pulpit campaign , a party switch elections bill , the Farm Act...
Jun 08, 2023•52 min•Ep. 116
Senators Benton Sawrey and Mary Wills Bode were guests on the podcast in the weeks following the 2022 election. They return to the podcast this week to talk about their freshman terms, the ups and downs, and their perspectives on crossover week when they were on opposing sides of the abortion debate . Skye and Brian also cover Sen. Bill Rabon's committee testimony about his cancer journey and use of medical marijuana , sports gambling's winning hand , Governor's ad buy , budget update , tragedy ...
Jun 01, 2023•56 min•Ep. 115
Axios Raleigh reporter Lucille Sherman has broken some blockbuster stories that in many ways have defined the 2023 legislative session: Auditor Beth Wood’s car accident , Rep. Tricia Cotham’s party switch , and the Medicaid expansion deal . Lucille talks about her career as a journalist, her path to North Carolina, and her approach to covering North Carolina politics. Skye and Brian also discuss Governor Cooper’s State of Emergency speech , pair of House Republicans resign leadership positions ,...
May 25, 2023•57 min•Ep. 114
Rep. Jennifer Balkcom is an 8th generation Henderson County native whose life was shaped by family, farming, and profound loss. The freshman Republican legislator talks about the heartbreak she experienced as child, helping her family make ends meet to keep their family farm, finding love, and her journey to the General Assembly, where she has been on the forefront of the leadership's legislative priorities this session. Skye and Brian also talk about the abortion bill veto override , the Senate...
May 19, 2023•58 min•Ep. 113
Cory Bryson is a Senior Policy Advisor to the Speaker Tim Moore . However, the Gaston County native wasn't always so fortunate. Cory was raised by his maternal grandparents, grew up eating food from a local church pantry, and struggling in school. In this heartfelt conversation, Cory takes listeners through his incredible life, including his enlistment in the U.S. Marines, how a decision to volunteer at the Gaston County Republican Party elevated him to one of the highest offices in North Caroli...
May 11, 2023•53 min•Ep. 112
This week was supposed to be about the crossover deadline on May 4, the day policy bills had to pass either the House or Senate in order to be eligible for consideration by the General Assembly in the biennium. However, a 12-week abortion bill was rolled out late Tuesday night and legislators took to their partisan battle stations. Skye and Brian also talk about the three major NC Supreme Court decisions announced last Friday, a divisive obscenity bill isn't so divisive after all , # TOTW , Paul...
May 05, 2023•45 min•Ep. 111
Rep. Jeffrey Elmore is the go-to legislator in the House, maybe even in the General Assembly, on all things K-12 related. That's because he's spent 23 years as an active teacher in Wilkes County, a job he still holds. The 6-term Republican talks to Skye and Brian about how he balances his career with his service in the General Assembly where he has risen to the 'Big Chair' ranks of House budget writers. They also talk education policy, his art, family, and how teaching keeps him grounded in the ...
Apr 27, 2023•52 min•Ep. 110
The Hunt name still carries weight in North Carolina politics two decades after Governor Jim Hunt left office. Sen. Rachel Hunt , the daughter of the "Education Governor," started her political career in 2018 when she successfully defeated a powerful House incumbent and four years later she now serves in the Senate. Now the Democrat from Mecklenburg County is eyeing the Lieutenant Governor position, a seat her father held from 1973-77. Sen. Hunt talks about her decision to run for office, growin...
Apr 21, 2023•46 min•Ep. 109
Rep. Dennis Riddell is known in the General Assembly as legislator for his effectiveness, persistence, and his Christian faith. However, the Alamance County Republican was on a far different path before he was brought to his knees at age 21 and was transformed forever. Rep. Riddell also talks about how he met his wife Polly, a family tragedy they endured, and his career as a social studies teacher, a merchant marine, and as a state legislator. Skye and Brian also unpack a relatively quiet spring...
Apr 14, 2023•43 min•Ep. 108
Rep. Caleb Rudow is a former lead singer in a David Bowie cover band, a trilingual Peace Corp volunteer in Africa, and he’s as energetic and optimistic as a legislator can be. The second term Asheville Democrat talks about his life and work, his efforts to get to know his legislative colleagues and their districts, and how he hopes it results in bipartisan policy partnerships. Skye and Brian also break down all aspects of Rep. Tricia Cotham’s announcement this week that she left the Democratic P...
Apr 06, 2023•55 min•Ep. 107
Rep. Tim Reeder is one of two medical doctors serving in the NC House (the other is Rep. Kristin Baker ). The Greenville Republican talks about his career in emergency medicine, teaching at ECU, his work at a homeless shelter and the connection to public policy, and his decision to get into the hottest House legislative race in 2022 . Skye and Brian also break down an epic week at the General Assembly as Medicaid expansion is signed into law by Governor Cooper , the sports wagering gets over a m...
Mar 31, 2023•49 min•Ep. 106
Billy Lassiter is the Deputy Secretary for Juvenile Justice at the Department of Public Safety. If you've seen Billy at the General Assembly advocating for more resources and better policies, he stands out. That's because he has albinism, which means he has white hair, pale skin and his vision isn't very good. Billy talks about growing up as albino and a bullying incident in middle school that changed his life forever. Billy also talks about his work on behalf of children in the juvenile justice...
Mar 24, 2023•51 min•Ep. 105
NC Supreme Court Justice Phil Berger, Jr. is the son of NC's most powerful politician, Senator Phil Berger . He talks about his father's sacrifice to make a better life for his family, his own political career, and how sports continues to play an integral part of his life, work, and community service. Listeners also learn about his inter-party friendships on the court, his future in North Carolina politics, and how he would improve the criminal justice system. Skye and Brian also talk sports wag...
Mar 17, 2023•56 min•Ep. 104
Rep. Ed Goodwin is part northeastern NC farmer and part James Bond. He's protected Presidents of the United States, fought crime in cities, been in hostile foreign lands, and held victims of sexual assault. The Chowan County Republican talks to Skye and Brian about his incredible life, his career, and what led him to run for political office, including the General Assembly. Plus they cover Governor Roy Cooper's last State of the State Address and the GOP response from Lieutenant Governor Mark Ro...
Mar 10, 2023•51 min•Ep. 103
Usually, a legislator's first floor speech is something easy. Maybe it's a point-of-personal-privilege after the business of the Senate has concluded or they rise in support of an innocuous bill. However, Sen. Lisa Graftstein's first floor speech was personal as she talked about her childhood and coming to terms with her sexuality . The Wake County Democrat talks about her first speech as well as her life, legal career, and how she is attempting to build relationships across the political aisle ...
Mar 03, 2023•57 min•Ep. 102
NC Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson announced in December 2022 he was not running for re-election to the post in 2024 nor would he seek any other elected office . In this exclusive interview, Commissioner Dobson talks to Skye and Brian on how he came to this heartfelt decision and why he is at peace with it. He also talks about his plans for the next two years, the work he would like to do in the next phase of his career, and how he feels about the TikToks about him that are circulating . Plus, th...
Feb 23, 2023•47 min•Ep. 101
Sen. Julie Mayfield began her political career on the Asheville City Council in 2015 and five years later was elected to the General Assembly as a Democrat. The environmental attorney talks about her transition from local to state government and how she works to get work done for her district by partnering with Republicans. While Sen. Mayfield enjoys working with all of her colleagues from both sides of the aisle, she opens up about a confrontation recorded on video in 2021 that included her and...
Feb 17, 2023•50 min•Ep. 100
Rep. Ben Moss spent over 20 years working on the railroad and knows about hard (and dangerous) work. So while running for county commission in Democratic controlled Richmond County was a tall order, he knew that his blue collar work ethic and persistence would eventually win him a seat in 2010 after two unsuccessful attempts. A decade later he would win a seat in the NC House. Skye and Brian talk to Rep. Moss about his life, his politics, and his pride in being a card carrying union member, a fa...
Feb 10, 2023•55 min•Ep. 99
Rep. Garland Pierce is one of the longest serving members in the General Assembly. As a Democrat who was first elected in 2005, he knows what it's like to serve in the majority and he knows the challenges of serving the minority since 2011. The Scotland and Hoke County legislator talks to Skye and Brian about his politically changing district and how he is positioning himself to get work done in the 2023 session. Plus, the Parents Bill of Rights bill moves in the Senate , all Democrats sign on t...
Feb 02, 2023•47 min•Ep. 98
The hit-and-run charges against NC Auditor Beth Wood has become a daily news story for the last two weeks . Much of the talk in NC political circles is how the actions and communications surrounding the incident could have been handled better. Skye and Brian have a conversation with veteran communications professional Seth Palmer , who has advised elected and appointed officials across North Carolina, as well as trade associations, businesses, and nonprofits. Plus, the General Assembly asks the ...
Jan 27, 2023•38 min•Ep. 97
