House Democratic Leader Robert Reives talks about how his late mother impressed upon him the responsibility to serve his community with these words: "If it’s not you, who is it going to be?"

Rep. Reives also talks about his role as the chief negotiator for House Democrats and his relationship with the House GOP Leadership, including House Majority Leader John Bell, who is co-hosting the podcast this week with Brian.  

Rep. Bell and Brian also review the week at the General Assembly, including the latest on the House budget, the Senate's frustration with the NC High School Athletic Association, a Senate Finance Committee vote on medicinal marijuana, a tribute to Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin, and a look at the U.S. Senate race in North Carolina.  

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.  

Senator Vickie Sawyer shares her journey growing up in a trailer with a mother and father struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues to her service in the North Carolina Senate fighting for those who need a voice.  

The Iredell County Republican also shares what it was like to face one of the most powerful North Carolina politicians in a 2018 primary, which against all odds she prevailed.  

In this 20th edition of the podcast, Brian and Skye also walk listeners through a midnight session vote on the House's energy bill, the Senate's criminal justice bill in a House judiciary committee, and they preview an upcoming Senate committee hearing on the medicinal marijuana bill.  

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.  

With the General Assembly on a holiday break this week, the podcast records from Carolina Beach and includes a visit from fellow beach vacationer President George W. Bush.

The week before recess, Brian and Skye recorded a conversation with Rep. Vernetta Alston, a Durham Democrat, who talks about her transition from local government service to serving in the General Assembly, her work as a death penalty lawyer, balancing family as a legislator, and how she would improve North Carolina politics.  

The podcast also reviews Governor Cooper's veto of the unemployment bill, his signature of the Farm Act, and tells the story of how Tomato Sandwich Day at the General Assembly began.  

Rep. Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) opens up about his childhood and the role his grandparents played in raising him and shaping his life.  The powerful House Rules Chairman also talks about his leadership position and an unwritten rule he wants more House members to follow. 

Brian and Skye also talk about the Senate Judiciary Committee's approval of a medicinal marijuana bill, Governor Cooper's veto of an abortion bill, the General Assembly's response to the NC State baseball debacle, and a venomous snake on the lam in Raleigh.  

All that and more in a shortened week at the General Assembly as the July 1-12 recess begins. 

Senator Bill Rabon talks about his powerful position within the North Carolina Senate as the Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, his old-school conservatism, his career has a veterinarian, and how his inability to hear affects the way he leads and legislates.  

Brian and Skye also discuss the Senate budget, the process as it moves to the House, and the options for interest groups with a stake in the spending plan.  

The podcast also introduces the Tweet of the Week, which includes video of a state senator catching a snooze during a medicinal marijuana bill hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee.  

As the Senate prepares to propose its version of a spending and tax reform plan for the state, Brian and Skye talk with Senator Kirk deViere about his unique brand of politics, how growing up poor shaped him, and, of course, his pocket squares.  

As a budget spending cap deal is announced by Senate and House leaders, Brian and Skye sit down with Senator Todd Johnson, who talks about his practical, problem solving style of legislating.  

Plus, the latest on the U.S. Senate race in North Carolina, why members of Congress are visiting state legislators, the need for better pay for legislators, the reason we have skeletal sessions, and more.  

As battle lines are drawn between the House, Senate, and Governor Roy Cooper over a budget cap and a troubled nominee for a cabinet secretary, Brian and Skye talk to Sen. Jay Chaudhuri about his role as the Democratic Whip in the Senate.   

Brian and Skye also discuss two unemployment bills pending in the House and Senate and what's in store (or not in store) in the coming week. 

Rep. John Bell talks about his role leading the House Republican Caucus, negotiating with the Senate, and the joy he's found in working with Rep. Robert Reives, his Democratic counterpart.  

Brian and Skye discuss the latest in budget talks, what a major Senate press conference this week may indicate for spending negotiations, and how an inside-the-General Assembly protest means we may be getting back to normal post COVID-19.  

Rep. Brian Turner talks zipper merging, his early career at MTV, his legislative accomplishments, and why he likes camping when he's in Raleigh.  

Brian and Skye also talk about a Senate oversight hearing, explain a campaign finance law specific to NC lobbyists, and shares their thinking on when to testify, and when not to tesify, in a General Assembly committee hearing.