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Speaker Destin Hall previews the short session now underway and breaks down the path forward on the state budget after last year’s budget stalemate.  The Speaker walks listeners through his priorities, what’s changed since last year, and whether there’s a realistic path to breaking the impasse. He also reflects on his first year holding the gavel:  what he’s learned, his leadership style, and he talks about "the Schedule". Plus, Skye and Brian run through a packed week: first-day-of-session vibes, the latest on Medicaid rebasing, where budget negotiations stand, and Governor Josh Stein rolling out his proposed budget.  We also hit the formation of a new investigative committee, the swearing-in of three new legislators, a few early session predictions, how AI is creeping into policymaking conversations, and plenty more from around Jones Street. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the American Heart Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Governor Josh Stein talks about how his time in the NC Senate (2009-2016) shaped the way he leads today. Having served under both Democratic and Republican leadership, Gov. Stein reflects on the lessons he learned working across the aisle, building relationships, and navigating the realities of divided government.  It's experience he now leans on as he works with the General Assembly. He also offers a preview of his budget priorities, outlining where he wants to invest, what challenges lie ahead, and how he plans to find common ground with lawmakers. From economic growth to key funding decisions, Gov. Stein shares his approach to governing in a closely divided political environment. Plus, Skye and Brian break down recommendations coming out of two interim committees, take a look at the latest fundraising numbers, and discuss emerging Democratic target districts. They also touch on the selection of a new legislator and what it means for the political landscape moving forward. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the American Heart Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Brett Keeter began his political career managing a campaign for a 26-year-old up-and-comer named Patrick McHenry, who won a seat in the General Assembly in 2002, the biennium of co-Speakers.  Brett would serve as Rep. McHenry's legislative assistant.   Two years later, the college friends mount a successful campaign for Congress, with Brett going on to lead Congressman McHenry's district offices. In this conversation, Brett reflects on it all, including watching his boss evolve from a political bomb-thrower to a unifier, and from back-bencher to Speaker of the House for 23 days.  Brett shares candid insights on the good times, the fun times, the challenging January 6 vote, and the moments that defined a career behind the scenes on Capitol Hill. Plus, Skye and Brian break down a new issue poll, the selection of a new North Carolina senator, the latest developments in the Leandro case, a visit from Secretary Mullin, and the transition from basketball to baseball season. 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, the NC Realtors, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Politics NC's Thomas Mills, a Democrat, knows about winning in rural areas because he was the consultant for many successful political campaigns, including former Senator and Lt. Governor Walter Dalton from Rutherford County.   Thomas breaks down how Democrats once built durable voting blocs as moderates, what changed over time, and what it would take to rebuild that connection today. Plus, Skye and Brian unpack the House’s messaging on the budget, take a look at new polling out of Catawba College, and talk Final Four, 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, the NC Realtors, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

NC State Board of Election Sam Hayes joins the podcast for an inside look at how elections work, including his role leading and he offers a candid assessment of how the primaries went, what lessons were learned, and what it takes to run secure, accurate, and efficient elections at scale. We also look ahead to November, as Hayes discusses how his team is preparing for the high-stakes midterm elections and the continued effort to build voter confidence across the state. Plus, Brian and Skye talk about the political earthquake and aftershock of Sen. Phil Berger conceding a primary, an optimistic economic report, a new Carolina Journal poll, and mounting basketball troubles at UNC and NC State. 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, the NC Realtors, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

North Carolina’s government structure can be…complicated. And sometimes, that complexity shows up in ways that raise more questions than answers. UNC Law School Professor Rick Su is a leading expert on local government and he breaks down a curious exchange between a state House member and Sheriff Garry McFadden that exposed a surprising level of confusion about a basic question: what branch of government do sheriffs actually belong to? The conversation highlights a bigger issue about North Carolina’s uniquely structured executive branch, where power is fragmented, roles can blur, and even experienced officials can get tripped up. If you’ve ever wondered who’s really in charge in North Carolina government, this episode is your crash course in the state’s “funky” separation of powers and why it matters more than you think. Skye and Brian also break down the latest in Berger v. Page, a constitutional amendment on property taxes, Mark Robinson is back, Rep. Mike Clampitt dies, a Senate Pro Tem rumor is unsubstantiated, TOTW, and welcome to March Madness.   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, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Before the primary election, the News & Observer's Danielle Battaglia stopped by to talk about her move back from Washington DC to Raleigh while remaining on the congressional beat.   What does this shift mean for political coverage in the state? How might reporting from Raleigh — rather than Washington — change the way stories about North Carolina’s members of Congress are told? And what does it say about how news organizations are approaching state and federal political coverage heading into the next election cycle? Skye and Brian also update listeners on Berger v Page, Governor Stein's proposed spending plan, agreement on teachers, Trump endorses in CD1, and a webinar open to all.  Plus, #TOTW, protein bars, and basketball.   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, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.  

Note:  The Do Politics Better podcast was recorded and distributed on March 5, but mysteriously was not uploaded to Apple Podcasts.  We are resending this podcast.   Primary night delivered clarity in most contested races in North Carolina, but not for the most important #ncpol race most of us were watching:  Senator Phil Berger v Sheriff Sam Page in Rockingham and Guilford Counties. In this episode, Skye and Brian break down the key results from across the state, what they tell us about the mood of the electorate, and which surprises matter heading into November. But we start with the main event: Berger v. Page, a contest that isn’t finished and may be headed for a prolonged overtime.  What does the margin look like? Where are the outstanding votes? And what happens next — legally, politically, and strategically? 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, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Primary night delivered clarity in most contested races in North Carolina, but not for the most important #ncpol race most of us were watching:  Senator Phil Berger v Sheriff Sam Page in Rockingham and Guilford Counties. In this episode, Skye and Brian break down the key results from across the state, what they tell us about the mood of the electorate, and which surprises matter heading into November. But we start with the main event: Berger v. Page, a contest that isn’t finished and may be headed for a prolonged overtime.  What does the margin look like? Where are the outstanding votes? And what happens next — legally, politically, and strategically? 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, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Alex Baltzegar, Executive Director of NC FreeEnterprise Foundation, talks with Skye and Brian about Tuesday's #NCPOL primary elections. From US Senate race to key legislative battlegrounds, we break down the races as Toss-Up, Lean, or Safe and explain what the data, fundraising, and political environment are telling us. If you want a clear-eyed, numbers-driven look at what to watch, who has momentum, and where the surprises could come from, this is your primary primer. 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, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.

In this episode of Do Politics Better, Brian sits down with John Hood for a candid conversation about the growing divide within conservatism — and what it could mean for the future of American elections. They explore the tension between traditional free-market conservatism and the rise of populist, nationalist currents on the right. Is this a temporary fracture, or a lasting realignment? And how will these competing visions shape candidate recruitment, voter turnout, and party strategy in the cycles ahead? It’s a thoughtful, forward-looking discussion about ideology, coalition building, and whether the Republican Party can hold together a movement that increasingly disagrees on what it stands for. Then Skye and Brian unpack a busy week in North Carolina politics — diving into early voting numbers, an impressive fundraising haul by Speaker Hall, the latest Catawba College poll, key endorsements, the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, our “Tweet of the Week,” and plenty 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, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Sen. Todd Johnson and his wife Amanda join the podcast for a special conversation about love, partnership, and public service. From meeting in high school band to navigating college courtship, a proposal, marriage, and raising two boys, the Johnsons share the story of building a life together — including one that now includes North Carolina politics.  Plus, Rep. Grant Campbell returns to the podcast as a guest host as helps Skye and Brian break down a busy week at the General Assembly. They unpack an oversight clash, a civics lesson, State Board of Elections dustups, the Berger v. Page fundraising battle and New York Times coverage, a new poll in the 1st Congressional District, and, of course, Valentine’s Day. Love and politics — all in one episode.

Rep. Zack Hawkins is back and a lot has changed since his last visit. The Durham Democrat joins us to catch up on what he’s been working on at the General Assembly, including the pivotal role he played in getting sports gambling over the finish line.   Rep. Hawkins also opens up about the devastating personal loss of his oldest son and how that grief has been transformed into a "sole" purpose. Listeners can be part of that mission by supporting the Zachari Hawkins Memorial Fund. Plus, Skye and Brian dig into the latest campaign finance numbers, talk about an expedited lawsuit involving the State Board of Elections, and has anyone ever seen a Doppler Radar that is supposed to predict weather?  (The answer is no.)  And, as always, a little 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, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Guest host Sen. Benton Sawrey, a Johnston Co Republican, and co-host Brian Lewis team up to break down a wintry week in #ncpol. From icy politics to the Governor making yet another budget pitch, the latest John Locke Foundation poll, fresh primary chatter, a heartbreaking tragedy in Cabarrus County, House oversight fireworks, #TOTW, and more. The episode also features a conversation with Rep. Tim Longest, a Raleigh Democrat with possibly the shortest commute to the General Assembly. Longest talks about his unique path to being appointed to the House, the lasting influence of former Governors Jim Hunt and Terry Sanford, and why he believes getting more young people involved is essential to the future of politics in North Carolina. 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, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Political science professors Chris Cooper (Western Carolina University) and Michael Bitzer (Catawba College) break down the emerging landscape of 2026, from the Trump factor and how it’s still rearranging political gravity, to affordability as a defining issue for voters.   The professors connect national dynamics to North Carolina’s uniquely complicated terrain, including the U.S. Senate race, Congressional Districts 1 and 11, and legislative primaries (Page v Berger, Hager v Johnson, Sadler v Cunningham, and Wray v Pierce).      Skye and Brian also unpack a social media dustup over the children’s hospital, new polling, Buckout fundraising, and the epic winter storm prediction for North Carolina. 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, the NC Realtors, and the NC Healthcare Association.