In this special episode, Pitt County Chief District Court Judge Galen Braddy shares his deep-rooted passion for turkey hunting and turkey calling, and how the discipline, patience, and focus it requires mirror the skills he brings to the courtroom.

Judge Braddy, who has served on the bench for over 25 years, offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at his life outside the courtroom, and treats us to a demonstration of a variety of turkey calls. In addition, he shares how turkey hunting and calling trains him for his work in the courtroom, and allows him to recharge to do his best at the job he loves.   

“No matter what's going on, like if you've heard a terrible domestic case where a family is in conflict, you can reboot in the outdoors,” said Braddy on the podcast. “Sometimes it doesn't matter if the turkey gobbles or not, you're just out there. That really brings me back to peace and helps me get away.”

All Things Judicial: Beyond the Bench is part of an ongoing effort to humanize the judiciary and foster public understanding of the people who serve in North Carolina’s court system.

See pictures of Judge Braddy's prize turkeys and the turkey calls he uses.

In this episode,  we feature a wide-ranging conversation with Amanda Lamb, a veteran journalist, true crime author, and podcast host with more than 30 years of experience covering courts and criminal justice in North Carolina.

Best known for her long tenure as a crime reporter for WRAL-TV in Raleigh, Lamb has built a career around telling powerful stories from inside the courtroom. Her reporting has covered some of the state's most high-profile and complex criminal trials. In the episode, she reflects on what it means to witness justice unfold firsthand and the responsibilities that come with bringing those stories to the public.

In the interview, Lamb discusses the challenges of accurately reporting legal proceedings for a general audience, the ethical decisions reporters face inside the courtroom, and how access to judicial proceedings has changed with the rise of digital media and livestreaming. She also shares reflections on particularly memorable cases she covered and her transition from daily reporting to writing and podcasting.

Outside of television, Lamb is the author of several acclaimed true crime books and the host of the investigative podcasts Follow the Truth, What Remains, and The Killing Month August 1978. In addition, she shares about her current podcast, AGELESS: Opening Doors with Amanda Lamb.

In this episode, we spotlight the civil wedding ceremonies conducted by North Carolina magistrates. We offer both a behind-the-scenes look at the process of getting married at a courthouse and a touching glimpse into a real wedding held at the Wake County Justice Center.

In the first segment, host Chris Mears interviews Wake County Chief Magistrate Christopher Graves, who shares insight into the role magistrates play in officiating weddings. Magistrate Graves walks listeners through a general understanding of the process that couples can expect, and shares his personal experience officiating weddings at the courthouse.

"Wedding ceremonies present an excellent opportunity for magistrates to show-off their public service skills," said Graves on the podcast. "In Wake County, we take pride in doing everything possible to give the couple the very best experience on their special day."

The episode's second segment transports listeners to the Wake County Justice Center, where the podcast team captures audio from a real wedding between Javier and Marielis, a couple who are native Spanish speakers. With assistance from an interpreter, the couple exchanged vows in a ceremony that reflected both the dignity of the occasion and the importance of cultural and linguistic inclusion in the courts. Host Chris Mears also had the privilege of serving as a legal witness to the ceremony.

All Things Judicial is the official podcast of the North Carolina Judicial Branch and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode provides an in-depth look at significant developments in the North Carolina Judicial Branch for the month of June. This episode covers:

• Judicial Appointments
• Chief Justice Newby Declared Employee Appreciation Week
• eCourts Expansion Update
• eCourts Guide & File Milestone
• Kiosk Expansion
• Preview of next episode of Beyond the Bench

This episode features a compelling conversation with Kendall Kendrick, Executive Director of the Charlotte Trail of History and the Charlotte Liberty Walk, as well as remarks from Chief Justice Paul Newby delivered at the May 20th anniversary ceremony in Charlotte.

In the episode, Kendrick offers unique historical insight into the events of May 1775 and her personal connection as a descendant of the Alexander family—key figures associated with the original declaration. She discusses the ongoing legacy of the Mecklenburg Declaration, its place in Revolutionary War history, and the continued efforts to tell Charlotte’s foundational stories through public history initiatives.

Listeners will also hear highlights from Chief Justice Paul Newby’s speech at the 250th commemoration ceremony, where he reflects on the Declaration’s importance to North Carolina’s identity, civic heritage, and the broader American story of liberty.

"We do hereby declare ourselves a free and independent people, that we are and of right ought to be a sovereign and self-governing people under the power of God," said Newby, quoting the Mecklenburg Declaration, on the podcast. "Today, what do we celebrate when we celebrate the Meck Dec? We celebrate self government under the power of God."

All Things Judicial: Beyond the Bench is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen. For more information and to listen to the episode, visit NCcourts.gov.

This episode provides an in-depth look at significant developments in the North Carolina Judicial Branch for the month of May. This episode covers:

• May is Recovery Court Month in North Carolina
• Expansion of remote interpreting services
• Judicial appointments
• Chief Justice Commission on Professionalism awards
• eCourts expansion update
• Human Trafficking Commission update
• Preview of next episode of Beyond the Bench

April is recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of safe, supportive environments for all children. In this episode, we spotlight the NC Guardian ad Litem Program and its vital role in advocating for children involved in the state’s foster care system.

The episode features conversations with three leaders from the Guardian ad Litem Program:

• Carolyn Green, Regional Administrator
• Brittany McKinney, Staff Attorney
• Matthew Wunsche, Appellate Counsel

Together, they discuss the urgent need for volunteer child advocates, volunteer attorney advocates, and interns to support the growing need of abused and neglected children in North Carolina’s court system.

"When I came over to Guardian ad Litem I learned that so many children are under the radar while in the court system," said Green on the podcast. "I hope that people will give of their time and make a difference in a life. When you commit until a child gets back to a safe, permanent home, you can't beat that feeling." 

The episode serves as both a call to action and an informative look into how volunteers can support the best interests of children experiencing abuse, neglect, or abandonment.

To learn more about becoming a Guardian ad Litem volunteer or intern, visit volunteerforgal.org.

This episode provides an in-depth look at significant developments in the North Carolina Judicial Branch for the month of April. This episode covers:

• The 2023-2024 Judicial Branch Annual Report
• Chief Justice Paul Newby visits Columbus County
• eCourts Track 8 goes live on April 28
• Most recent judicial appointments
• NC Human Trafficking Commission is accepting grant applications
• Preview of the next All Things Judicial–Beyond the Bench episode which features the North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program.

In this episode, we celebrate a major milestone: the 30th anniversary of the Mecklenburg County Recovery Court.

Since its founding, the Recovery Court has been a beacon of hope for individuals struggling with addiction, providing an alternative path that blends accountability with support. This episode highlights the program’s lasting impact through the perspectives of Jessica Modra, Program Manager for the Supportive Treatment and Engagement Program, and John Barber, a Recovery Court graduate who shares his powerful personal journey from addiction to recovery.

"The people we serve are our neighbors, coworkers, and our friends who are looking to start a new chapter in their lives," Modra said on the podcast. "Recovery court is committed to helping these individuals and that's why we are able to celebrate 30 years of recovery court here in Mecklenburg County."

The conversation delves into the evolution of the program, the challenges and triumphs of its participants, and the crucial role of community support in the recovery process. As Mecklenburg County marks this significant anniversary, Beyond the Bench invites listeners to reflect on the power of second chances and the role the judicial system can play in fostering change.

News items covered in this episode of In Focus include:

• Attorney training for eCourts Track 8 and eCourts expansion
• Task Force on ACE's Courts Plans More Progress in 2025 
• Case Statistics Dashboard is available to the public at data.nccourts.gov 
• March is Severe Weather Preparedness Month 
• DWI grant from Governor's Highway Safety Commission to expand case capacity
• Preview of the next episode of Beyond the Bench focusing on Mecklenburg County Recovery Court's 30th Anniversary