Do Politics Better Podcast

North Carolina voters delivered a stunning result in Tuesday’s midterm election, reshaping the political landscape in Raleigh and raising new questions about the future of the General Assembly. Dr. Chris Cooper, author of Anatomy of a Purple State and a political science professor at Western Carolina University, joins Brian and Skye to break down the election and what it tells us about the state’s changing political dynamics.   And, looking ahead, what does it mean for the balance of power heading into the 2028 presidential/senatorial/gubernatorial election in NC?  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Skye and Brian look back on a whirlwind 24 hours in North Carolina politics, breaking down where things stand in the battle for control of the General Assembly after the 2026 midterm elections. With some races called and others still being counted, the balance of power remains the big question. What do the results mean for Republicans, Democrats, and all those unaffiliated voters who swung power to Democrats, at least in one chamber?   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Pork Council, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Dr. Andy Jackson is Director of the Civitas Center for Public Integrity at the John Locke Foundation.   Andy focuses on government compliance with the law and best practices, particularly regarding election policy and law. He researches and writes on public and election integrity, conducts election analysis, and presents election-related data. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Pork Council, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Dr. Robert Taber is a History professor at Fayetteville State University and the Chair of the UNC System Faculty Taskforce on Civil Discourse, which just released a report addressing challenges of fostering respectful political dialogue on college campuses. How can universities encourage students and faculty to engage across ideological differences, disagree constructively, and make room for difficult conversations? It’s a discussion about higher education, viewpoint diversity, and what it means to do politics better on college campuses.   Plus, Skye and Brian talk money, polls, a court case, the election underway, and yes, even basketball.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Pork Council, NC REALTORS®, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Before he became one half of The Differentiators, political operative Ray Martin was a journalist with a knack for covering the people and institutions that shape our local communities in NC. Ray got his start as a high school sports stringer for his hometown newspaper in Oklahoma. After college, he won a fellowship that gave him the opportunity to work in a newsroom, choosing The News & Observer, where he covered local government and developed an inside look at how decisions get made. In 2011, Ray made the jump from journalism to politics, going to work for Jim Blaine inside the General Assembly, who would become his business partner at The Differentiators. Ray reflects on the path from small-town sports reporting to North Carolina political consulting, the lessons he carried from journalism into politics, and the partnership behind one of the state's premiere political consulting firms. Often the more understated half of The Differentiators alongside the more publicly visible Blaine, Ray shares his own story and perspective on the business of politics and his passion for golf.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Pork Council, NC REALTORS®, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Election Day is less than four weeks away, and the balance of power in the North Carolina General Assembly is on the ballot. Skye and Brian talk with Alex Baltzegar of NCFREE, whose new 2026 General Election Report takes a district-by-district look at the legislative races most likely to determine control of the General Assembly. Which races are truly up for grabs? Can Democrats break the Republican supermajority? And what would it take for either party to actually win control of the House or Senate? Alex breaks down the numbers, the key districts and what to watch on Election Night. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Pork Council, NC REALTORS®, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

John Drescher has spent a career telling the stories of North Carolina and American politics through journalism, with stops along the way at The Daily Tar Heel, The News & Observer, The Charlotte Observer, The Washington Post and more. As he prepares to retire from The Assembly on October 2, John looks back on a remarkable career in newspapers, the changes he’s witnessed, and what he believes the profession still gets right. John also talks about his role in helping usher The News & Observer into the digital age, the challenges and opportunities that came with transforming a traditional newspaper, and why good journalism still matters. And with retirement finally here, what comes next? Maybe more time for baseball, cycling and, most importantly, his grandchildren.  Or maybe John will write another book about NC politics.  (He wrote a book in 2000 about the Democratic primary for governor 40 years prior.).  Skye and Brian also unpack a week of news, including two great ads in the 11th district, polling, and more.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Pork Council, NC REALTORS®, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Steven Webb is Director of Legislative Affairs at the NC Home Builders Association, and Kimberly Reynolds is a Partner at Maven Strategies, a Democratic political consulting firm. Both have been around North Carolina politics for decades, and while they certainly have their political disagreements and agreements, they’re also very close friends. With Skye David on vacation, Brian brings Steven and Kim together to talk about this week’s political news and the three settle into a fun and expansive conversation about all things #NCPOL, including the days when conservative Democrats dominated the General Assembly to the 2026 election and plenty in between. And while you may come for the political talk, we hope you stay for the friendship. It’s evident throughout this conversation.  It’s a reminder that political disagreements don’t have to mean personal disagreements. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Pork Council, NC REALTORS®, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Neal Inman, Chief of Staff to House Speaker Destin Hall, rejoins Do Politics Better for an inside look at the session, including a look back at the major issues that shaped the General Assembly and gives an insider’s perspective on the negotiations that ultimately produced a budget agreement with the Senate.  (Click to listen to Neal's first interview with DPB in 2022.) Inman also discusses the transition from the legislative side to the political side of the job as November’s elections approach, offering a firsthand perspective on the changing dynamics of North Carolina politics. Plus, Skye and Brian break down the latest news, including old social media posts from a candidate, a major NC Supreme Court decision, a pair of polls, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.  

Dr. Tim Reeder is finishing up his second term representing Pitt County in the NC House, and a lot has changed since his first podcast appearance right after he took office in 2023.  Not only does he co-chair the House Health Committee, but he's authored major legislation that is now law.   But the emergency medicine doctor wants more of his bills implemented and we talk about those ideas.  We also talk about HBO's The Pitt, ER, and MASH, and college football.   Plus, Skye and Brian break down the latest news, including Justice Phil Berger, Jr.'s surprise announcement, a congressman is censured, a new state senator appointed, a betting ban, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.