As General Assembly returns, what about state budget and Berger's future?

On this week's episode, fellow podcasters and lobbyists Brian Lewis and Skye David join Tim to talk about big leadership changes at the legislature, the pros and cons of the lobbying profession and its vital role, plus how their podcasting adventure has changed it all.

As the North Carolina legislature returns, major questions remain as the state remains the only one without a new budget.  In addition, the state's most powerful politician, Phil Berger, lost his primary.  What will happen?  What will get done?  Political reporters Dawn Vaughan and Bryan Anderson join Tim to break it all down as lawmakers return to Raleigh this week.

On this week's episode, longtime aides to former governor and current U.S. Senate candidate Roy Cooper join Tim to talk about all things North Carolina politics. Sadie Weiner and Ford Porter shaped Cooper's messaging for a decade. Now, as they start their own firm, they join Tim to dish some behind-the-scenes stories, what it was like to message as COVID-19 hit and through multiple destructive hurricanes.

On this week's show, Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell joins Tim to talk about all things Raleigh. From a food icon complimenting the food scene to potential problems with property taxes, they talk about the past, present and future. Cowell was elected in 2024 after serving in the state Senate, as state treasurer and leading the city's "Central Park of the South," Dix Park.

On this week's show, Rockingham Sheriff Sam Page joins Tim just hours after he being Senate leader Phil Berger in a state senate primary and arguably the biggest political upset in modern North Carolina political history.  Page answers why he thinks he won, his phone call with Berger, how he hopes to fit in in the legislature, the story behind his signature cowboy hat, and what his mother thought of all the attack ads against him.

On this week's show, longtime and top North Carolina Republican consultant Paul Shumaker joins Tim to talk about why North Carolina's most powerful politician, Phil Berger, has likely lost his primary race and what it means for the future of the party.  They also talk about the impact of Iran and prices on the midterm elections, especially in the nation's most closely U.S. Senate race here in North Carolina.  Finally, Shumaker discusses Senator Thom Tillis' newfound independence in Washington, D.C. as his final year in office winds down. Shumaker has been a top consultant for over four decades, prominently representing U.S. Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr, among others.

After a decade in public office, Sen. Graig Meyer (D-Orange) is leaving the General Assembly to head up the state's leading progressive think tank, the North Carolina Justice Center.  Meyer joins Tim to talk about leaving office, the current status of progressives and Democrats in North Carolina, and the shocking news of the state's most powerful politician, Phil Berger, on the verge of losing his seat in the legislature.

On this week's episode of tying it together, host Tim Boyum talks with N.C. Health News founder Rose Hoban.  Rose shares her story how she went from a nurse and hospice administrator to journalist to entrepreneur as she started her own journalism organization focused on health.  Rose also shares impactful stories about her time as a hospice administrator.

What happens when a Republican operative bucks his party in a very public manner?  On this week's episode of Tying it Together, Carlton Huffman joins host Tim Boyum to talk about the moment he began criticizing Donald Trump and his supporters and the consequences.  In recent months, he's also been critical of ICE arrests in places like Minnesota.

The Grammy nominated Avett Brothers are well known for their folk rock music around the world. The bassist, Bob Crawford, is also a historian, however.  This week the North Carolinian joins host Tim Boyum to talk about his love for history and his new book "John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick".