Built By Us

By Democracy North Carolina

Built By Us Media spotlights movement makers and shakers across North Carolina. Hosts Kai and Joselle sit down with organizers, activists, and working-class people who are fighting for justice, bui

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4.7

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FAQs about Built By Us:

How many episodes does Built By Us have?

The podcast currently has 127 episodes available.

Built By Us episodes:

November 07, 2025 Plugged In Pissed Off: Local Wins & Working Power
In this episode of 'Plugged In & Pissed Off', Beatrice and Joselle bask in the post-election vibes of the 2025 municipal elections and dig into various races that happened across the country and in North Carolina.
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26min
November 05, 2025 GOTV: Beyond the Ballot
You voted awesome! But what happens next? Host Kai McNeil teams up with JP Grillet (Election Protection Research Manager) and Marques Thompson (Organizing Director) to demystify the post-election process. Learn how your vote gets counted, what county boards do to ensure accuracy, how to track the issues and candidates you supported, and most importantly—how to stay engaged long after election day ends.
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20min
October 27, 2025 Plugged In & Pissed Off: Racial Gerrymandering in NC
In this episode of 'Plugged In and Pissed Off', Beatrice and Joselle discuss the mid-cycle redistricting war that has taken over the country. They dig into the historical context of partisan and racial gerrymandering in North Carolina and the implications it has for Black communities in Congressional District 1.
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29min
October 15, 2025 GOTV: Your Ballot Blueprint
You know you want to vote—but do you have a plan? Host Kai McNeil and Desmera Gatewood, Program Manager of Non-profit & Direct Service Engagement, walk you through creating your personalized voting strategy. Learn when and where to vote, how to find your polling place, what resources are available to help, and get a step-by-step guide to crush election day with zero stress.
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10min
October 10, 2025 Pass The Mic: The Impact of SB 153 & HB 318 on North Carolina's Immigrant Communities
In this special Spanish-language episode, we partner with El Pueblo to examine how Senate Bill 153 and House Bill 318 impact immigrant communities across North Carolina.
Hosted by Eloy Tupachi (El Pueblo's Digital Strategy lead), featuring Helen Geleas (Policy Organizer at El Pueblo). We explore what SB 153 and HB 318 will actually do, how these bills moved through the legislature, their real-world impact on immigrant communities, how advocacy organizations are fighting back, and resources to stay informed and take action.
Democracy works best when we create space for unheard voices. Big change happens when many people take small actions.
Guests: Eloy Tupachi & Helen Geleas (El Pueblo)
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17min
October 01, 2025 GOTV: Why Local Votes Hit Different
Think local elections don't matter? Think again. Host Kai McNeil and Election Protection Research Manager JP Grillet break down why your mayor and city council have more impact on your daily life than you might realize. Learn what's actually on your municipal ballot, how these positions affect your community, and get the essential info on voter registration and deadlines in North Carolina.
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19min
September 22, 2025 State of Democracy: Rigged Maps, Stolen Voices in North Carolina
When politicians get to choose their voters instead of voters choosing their politicians, we all lose. In this episode, we continue our in-depth examination of racial gerrymandering in North Carolina. Host Kai McNeil sits down with Tyler Daye, Policy and Civic Engagement Manager at Common Cause NC, to explore how the fight for fair representation fits into a broader strategy to weaken democracy across the South. Building on our previous conversation with Dr. Jovita Lee about the Winston-Salem federal trial, Tyler breaks down Common Cause's role in the legal challenges, what makes this current round of maps particularly concerning, and how North Carolina's fight compares to similar battles in Texas. From the status of ongoing cases to what real redistricting reform could look like, this conversation explains why fair representation matters for all North Carolinians
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52min
September 17, 2025 State of Democracy: How SB 153 & HB 318 Weaken Democracy for All North Carolinians
Happy Latine Heritage Month! This week we're talking about North Carolina's SB 153 & HB 318; bills that weaken our communities for everyone.
Host Kai McNeil explores how these policies moved through the legislature and examines their far reaching effects beyond the immigrant community. Guests Helen Geleas from El Pueblo breaks down the legislative process, Bekah Brown from Education Justice Alliance discusses impacts on schools and public services, and America from Carolina Migrant Network shares what families are experiencing on the ground.
This episode reveals how exclusionary policies don't just harm targeted communities they undermine democracy itself and affect all North Carolinians. Stay tuned for our upcoming spanish podcast episode with El Pueblo... COMING SOON!
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Instagram: @democracync
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Facebook: @DemocracyNorthCarolina
Youtube: @DemocracyNorthCarolina

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1h
August 15, 2025 State of Democracy: Who Really Holds Power in North Carolina?
In this episode, we tackle two urgent threats to democracy in North Carolina. First, Dawn Blagrove of Emancipate NC unpacks the NCGA’s latest power grab, a move that could weaken local control and shift the balance of power for years to come. Then, Dr. Jovita Lee of the NC Black Alliance joins us to break down the racial gerrymandering case unfolding in Winston-Salem, explaining how it could strip Black voters of political influence and reshape the state’s electoral future.
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Instagram: @democracync
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Threads: @democracync
Bluesky: @democracync
Facebook: @DemocracyNorthCarolina
Youtube: @DemocracyNorthCarolina

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53min
March 24, 2025 A Women’s History Month Conversation with Julia Hawes
In this special Women’s History Month episode of Built By Us, we sat down with Julia Hawes, Communications Director at Democracy North Carolina, for a candid conversation on Women's History Month.
Hear from Julia directly as she reflects on the women who inspire her, the role of Women's History Month in the fight for social justice, and the nuances of what being a woman means to her.
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Instagram: @democracync
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Bluesky: @democracync
Facebook: @DemocracyNorthCarolina
Youtube: @DemocracyNorthCarolina

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18min

FAQs about Built By Us:

How many episodes does Built By Us have?

The podcast currently has 127 episodes available.

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