On this week’s episode of Tying It Together with Tim Boyum, Tim goes back to school, visiting with Duke University professor Phillip Napoli about the challenges regulating artificial intelligence and the election. Even if regulations are put in place to stop the spread of misinformation, would they be effective? Napoli is the James R. Shepley Professor of Public Policy, Director of the DeWitt Wallace Center for Media & Democracy, and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Research for the San...
Jun 19, 2024•32 min
In an era where newspapers are shutting down and capitol press corps are shrinking, Kyle Villemain is doubling down his business venture, The Assembly. It’s a magazine-style digital publication racking up a number of fascinating stories with a unique business model. Host Tim Boyum and Kyle talk about its origins, the future of political reporting, and whether The Assembly can make it in the long run in today’s business and political climate.
Jun 12, 2024•36 min
Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt joined host Tim Boyum for an exclusive interview this week. Truitt is addressing her loss in the primary election for the first time. She talks frankly about her opponent and her concerns about politics infiltrating education and the potential impact on students and our communities. Later in the discussion, we cover the topic of expanding opportunity scholarships (vouchers) for private schools.
Jun 05, 2024•41 min
On this last episode of our three-part series, “United in Grief, Divided on Solutions”, the Maine legislature wraps up its work and a final decision is made on potential new gun laws after the Lewiston mass shootings last October. Find out how this community and state will try to move forward and what it means for the future. This story takes place in Maine, but it will remind you of conversations happening in diners, barber shops and kitchen tables across America.
May 29, 2024•21 min
In part two of “United in Grief, Divided on Solutions”, we hear how the Lewiston, Maine mass shooting, inspired a victim’s father to push for change. Host Tim Boyum also takes you inside the passionate gun debate playing out in Maine this winter and spring after the October incident. Tim also talks with Maine’s top gun rights group, Maine’s former attorney general, a gun collector and a state lawmaker. This story takes place in Maine but it will remind you of conversations happening in diners, b...
May 22, 2024•32 min
In part one of a three-part series on guns in America, “United in Grief, Divided on Solutions”, host Tim Boyum takes us to Maine, where we meet the father of a man killed in the October Lewiston mass shootings. His heart-wrenching story will leave you in tears as he details that night and the days that followed. Later, we meet a gun collector and sportsman who takes Tim to his personal gun range to talk about his hobby and game that’s attracting attention around the world. In episodes two and th...
May 15, 2024•22 min
Exploring the aftermath of the mass shooting in Lewiston last October, host Tim Boyum takes on the issue of gun violence and the subsequent debate over gun laws in Maine in this special three-part series. Though it may take place in Maine, the debate and emotion mirrors conversations occurring around kitchen tables, in barbershops and communities all across the country. The first episode drops on Wednesday, May 15 and continues for three weeks.
May 08, 2024•2 min
In this special bonus episode, Tim sits down for an exclusive with North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger to discuss his recent trip to Israel. The trip took an unexpected turn when the night before he was flying back home, Iran attacked Israel. Berger recounts the moments he had to take shelter, his thoughts on our country’s role in the war and how the trip affects what he has seen in terms of protests on college campuses, including UNC Chapel Hill.
May 02, 2024•38 min
This week, the two Republican candidates for State Auditor, Jack Clark and Dave Boliek, join host Tim Boyum. The two aim share their backgrounds with voters, what they hope to bring to this elected position and their focus if elected. Neither got the 30%+ necessary to avoid a runoff and face the current state auditor, Democrat Jessica Holmes, in the fall. The candidates will face off in the second primary on May 14.
May 01, 2024•32 min
Just weeks after No Labels announced it would not have a presidential ticket, one of the original leaders of the third party joins host Tim Boyum to talk about why. Former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory discusses the failed effort and whether a third party ever has a chance of success in our country. Later, the two talk about the North Carolina governor’s race and McCrory’s new job as a TV host.
Apr 24, 2024•35 min
This week’s episode takes a break from politics to talk dogs! North Carolina based journalist and author Tommy Tomlinson joins host Tim Boyum to talk about his new book called Dogland. It’s an inside look at the world of the Westminster Dog Show. The book takes us inside the world through the eyes of a dog and his handler. Tomlinson also explores the relationship between humankind and dog. Tomlinson is a Pulitzer finalist, author and former Charlotte Observer reporter and columnist.
Apr 17, 2024•38 min
Yes, it’s a little early, but this week we are talking about Memorial Day. The year 2024 marks the centennial of Raleigh’s observance of national Memorial Day. Oakwood Cemetery hosts the event every year and is the final resting place for seven former governors, five U.S. Senators, eight state Supreme Court Justices, and four Civil War generals. This week, the authors of a new book on the topic join host Tim Boyum. The group shares a fascinating talk about the cemetery’s history and the incredib...
Apr 10, 2024•38 min
While there are still months until the general election, the situation in Gaza, along the Mexican border, and even statewide candidates are already causing shifts in support. In this week's podcast, host Tim Boyum speaks with North Carolina native and well-known republican Doug Heye and Public Policy Polling (PPP) pollster Tom Jensen about those impacts. What will stick and what won't? Depends on who you ask.
Apr 03, 2024•39 min
As March Madness rages on, this week host Tim Boyum considers the chaos with college athletics from conference realignment to Name, Image and Likeness, or NIL, to lawsuits by athletes. It’s a turbulent but fascinating time and politics has a big role in it too as Congress contemplates intervening. Former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr and UNC law professor Barbara Osborne join Tim for the discussion. Having represented multiple athletes, Orr is a frequent opponent of the NCAA. In his researc...
Mar 27, 2024•38 min
On this week’s episode, host Tim Boyum sits down with two of the North Carolina’s top political minds to talk North Carolina’s primary election, and what it might mean for the rest of 2024. From a huge upset to surprising responses, Democrat Morgan Jackson and Republican Jonathan Felts break down everything we need to know.
Mar 20, 2024•43 min
In the past few years, a progressive group in North Carolina has seemed to have popped up out of nowhere. This year the nonprofit, Carolina Forward succeeded in getting two of their Democrat picks through the primaries. Their Executive Director, Blair Reeves, joins host Tim Boyum this week to understand the origins of the all-volunteer group. They also discuss the criticism of going after Democrats who vote with Republicans. The two then widen the lens to talk about Carolina Forward’s outlook th...
Mar 13, 2024•39 min
Former Democratic candidate for president Andrew Yang joins host Tim Boyum this week to talk about his efforts to create a successful third party in this country. The former presidential and NYC mayoral candidate launched Forward Party in 2021 and has candidates on the ballot in North Carolina this year. Yang discusses those efforts, why his presidential run led to leaving the Democratic party and how he thinks a third party could be influential in the years to come. He later reflects on some fu...
Mar 06, 2024•34 min
In our ongoing Decision 2024 coverage, host Tim Boyum will sit down with the frontrunners vying to become the next governor of North Carolina. Last week, attention was on the Democrats. This week, the microphone is being passed to the Republicans. State Treasurer Dale Folwell and attorney Bill Graham join Tim to discuss their priorities, education, immigration, abortion and more. Lt. Governor Mark Robinson has chosen not to engage with our interview, a stance he has maintained throughout the cam...
Feb 28, 2024•39 min
With the primary election just around the corner, host Tim Boyum is engaging with the two leading Democratic candidates for governor in North Carolina. Attorney General Josh Stein and recently retired Supreme Court Justice Mike Morgan delve into a discussion on their respective agendas and various subjects, including education, abortion, the economy and the Democrats' top priorities. Tim will receive updates from the top Republican contenders next week.
Feb 21, 2024•36 min
As March Madness arrives, this week host Tim Boyum takes a slight detour from politics to talk tobacco and basketball. The North Carolina rivalries developed on “Tobacco Road” are in peril as conference realignment threatens to dramatically change college sports. Raleigh News & Observer’s Andrew Carter recently wrote a piece exploring the actual history of the real tobacco road and the sports version as well. It inspired a lot of powerful stories and reminded Tim about the sense of community...
Feb 14, 2024•43 min
As the election season ramps up, Democratic Senate leader Dan Blue joins host Tim Boyum to talk about his plans to break up the Republican’s current supermajority in the general assembly. It will be a tall task with new maps written by Republicans, but Sen. Blue mentions he believes hard work and a focus on the right issues could give Democrats a chance. Sen. Blue goes into a lot of detail about growing up in a cramped four-room house, his math degree (because of the space race), and his son-in-...
Feb 07, 2024•36 min
As the issues surrounding college sports continue to explode, the intersection of sports, law and politics has created no shortage of controversial conversations. This week, longtime sports journalist and lawyer David Glenn joins host Tim Boyum to consider the legal battle to save the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The two also look at what happens if politicians get involved in any N.C. school leaving the ACC, and the implications on the entire state. Tim delves into Glenn's impressive career...
Jan 31, 2024•39 min
Homeowners recently got some major sticker shock in Wake County. Officials are underway with the home revaluation process. Revaluation determines your home value. County commissioners then change the tax rate and that affects how much you pay each year. With significant growth in the past half decade, nearly everyone’s rates will go up and some argue too much. This process, required by law, happens in every county across the state at least every eight years, but typically every four years. Real ...
Jan 24, 2024•35 min
Nine years ago, Charlotte City Councilman Malcolm Graham’s sister, Cynthia Hurd, was murdered as part of a mass shooting at AME Emanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Last week, President Biden visited the church and met with families, including Councilman Graham. Graham recently met with host Tim Boyum to discuss her death now nearly a decade later, meeting with President Biden. They also talk about how Charlotte’s city council is responding after a Charlotte mass shooting on New Year’s ...
Jan 17, 2024•36 min
Last fall, the journalism and political world was shocked when longtime journalist Travis Fain said he was not only leaving his job, but political journalism behind. In this episode, host Tim Boyum talks to Fain about his decision, the challenges for journalism in today’s age, North Carolina politics and what he hopes to in his next chapter.
Jan 10, 2024•36 min
As a new year begins, host Tim Boyum continues a tradition with two of the state’s premiere economists. The group tries to answer some big questions facing the state’s economy in the upcoming year. What will North Carolina’s economy look like? How will the economy impact next year’s elections? UNC Charlotte’s Dr. John Connaughton and NC State’s Dr. Mike Walden help break it down.
Jan 03, 2024•34 min
An annual Tying It Together tradition, Billy Warden and Brian Lewis join Tim to break down the biggest stories of the year, what we can expect in 2024, and their own holiday traditions and resolutions. We’ll tackle political party changes, Medicaid expansion, casinos, retirements and so much more!
Dec 27, 2023•40 min
As 2023 wraps up, host Tim Boyum sits down with North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. Gov. Cooper gives us behind-the-scenes insight on finally getting Medicaid expansion past the finish line. He also talks about his push next year to get past school vouchers, his plans for 2024 without having his own campaign for the first time in decades, and his future after 2024. They also discuss the recent death of UNC legend Eric Montross, and Gov. Cooper gives a glimpse of how he finds ways to unwind from the ...
Dec 22, 2023•26 min
With 2024 just days away, this week host Tim Boyum takes a look at the state of polling in this country, and how pollsters are tackling what will be a wild and consequential year in elections. The group will look at how polling works, accuracy and their biggest pet peeves. Finally, they look at the current state of affairs in the presidential race, and how North Carolina’s are shaping up, as well.
Dec 20, 2023•35 min
North Carolinian Josh Lawson joins host Tim Boyum this week to talk about the 2024 election and how much misinformation will play compared to our last. Lawson is a former Chief Elections Counsel, and was the head of Electoral and Emerging Risk at Meta in recent years. The two go in depth on the strategies adversaries are using to drive misinformation on social media and attempt to influence our elections. He’ll also consider the rise of artificial intelligence and the impact it will have on misi...
Dec 13, 2023•35 min
