Stormie Daie—drag queen, science educator, and LGBTQ+ activist—returns to the Holler to talk about growing up queer in the South, the intersection of drag and education, and using art as activism.

A founding member of the legendary House of Coxx in Durham, NC, Stormie shares how drag became her armor—both a celebration of self and a shield in the fight for visibility and equality. We cover everything from femmephobia and trans rights to drag bans, bomb threats, and Pride parades. Whether she’s performing at Drag Story Hour or organizing for liberation, Stormie Daie brings beauty, brilliance, and bold truth to communities across North Carolina.

If you’ve ever wondered “What is drag?” or “Why is drag under attack?”—this conversation is a must-listen.

🎧 Topics Covered:

• Drag as political protest

• The difference between drag and being transgender

• Femmephobia and gender norms

• Queer representation in the South

• Safety threats against drag performers

• Pride parades and LGBTQ+ community building

• How to support your local Pride

  
  

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In this episode of The Hometown Holler, we sit down with former North Carolina State Representative, Attorney Chaz Beasley, to talk about the state of politics — in North Carolina and across the country. From the future of democracy to the challenges of public service, Chaz offers deep insights, honest reflections, and thoughtful takes on what it means to lead in today’s America.If you're interested in North Carolina politics, Democracy, or how real change happens on the ground, this episode is for you.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode of Hometown Holler — your front-row seat to the voices shaping our state and country.👉 ⁠Support the Holler by Donating to our PayPal⁠: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...📲 Follow The Hometown Holler on Social Media:🌟 Patreon: / thehometownholler 🌟 Instagram: / thehometownholler 🌟 TikTok: / hometownholler 🌟 Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/thehometownh...🌟 Twitter: https://www.x.com/hometown_holler🌟 Facebook: / thehometownholler #ChazBeasley #NorthCarolinaPolitics #DemocracyInCrisis #HometownHoller #NCPolitics #StatePolitics #LocalLeaders #PoliticalPodcast #NCNews #ProgressiveVoices

Kenny Wortman ain’t your typical politician. He’s a mohawk-wearing, neck-tattoo-showing, no-time-for-BS father, veteran firefighter, and funeral director. He’s also a lifelong Republican. Wortman joins the Holler to reveal what happens when you stop preaching the party gospel and start asking real questions. From small-town power grabs to backroom deals, this episode unpacks how local corruption can quietly sabotage public education, affordable housing, and economic development anywhere. Wortman pulls back the curtain on the political machine—and makes a powerful case for thinking for yourself, standing your ground, and refusing to play along just to stay in power.👉 ⁠Support the Holler by Donating to our PayPal⁠📲 Follow The Hometown Holler on Social Media:🌟 Patreon🌟 Instagram🌟 TikTok🌟 Blue Sky🌟 Twitter🌟 Facebook

In this episode of The Hometown Holler, we sit down with award-winning North Carolina photographer and storyteller Cornell Watson. Hailing from Weldon, NC, Cornell uses his camera to capture the heart, history, and humanity of black communities across the South, blending artistry with unapologetic truth-telling.From intimate family portraits to bold confrontations with systemic injustice, Cornell’s images don’t just tell stories—they challenge us to see, to reflect, and to act. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, ESPN and more. In this conversation, Cornell opens up about his journey, the inspiration behind his most powerful projects, and why he believes photography can be a potent tool for change—even if it doesn’t always shift policy.We also talk about the emotional weight of stories like that of Julio Zambrano’s disappearance, and how Cornell’s lens brings visibility to lives and experiences too often erased. This is a raw, honest, and inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss.👉 ⁠Support the Holler by Donating to our PayPal⁠: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...📲 Follow The Hometown Holler on Social Media:🌟 Instagram: / thehometownholler 🌟 TikTok: / hometownholler 🌟 Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/thehometownh...🌟 Twitter: https://www.x.com/hometown_holler🌟 Facebook: / thehometownholler 🌟 Patreon: / thehometownholler #CornellWatson #TarredHealing #BehindTheMask #BlackPhotographers #ArtAsActivism #JulioZambrano #PhotographyPodcast #HometownHoller #NorthCarolinaStories #SocialJusticeArt

Stephen Prince is a patriotic millionaire—and he wants you to know the game is rigged. In this episode, the vice-chair of the Patriotic Millionaires breaks down why wealth hoarding isn’t just unfair—it’s un-American. From his humble beginnings in small-town South Georgia to building a multimillion-dollar business, Prince shares how he came to believe that raising taxes on the rich is the most patriotic thing we can do. Along the way, he digs into the need for a living wage, the myth of meritocracy, and why systemic change—not charity—is the only real solution.

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Jacob Brooks of National Director of the Great Economy Project joins the Holler for a whiskey-fueled conversation about the soul of the American economy—and why it's time to rethink everything we thought we knew about taxes, patriotism, and working-class power.

Jacob breaks down how the ultra-wealthy are hiding their money in plain sight, why living wages are key to saving rural America, and how the Left can reclaim economic patriotism without apology. We also dive into North Carolina politics, Confederate cosplay, wrestling legends, crypto scams, and why the Rock might actually be our next president.

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In this episode, we sit down with Winston-Salem native Sam Grote—entrepreneur, economist, and founder of the NC Business Impact Forum. Sam shares his journey from hedge funds to launching startups and why he believes better business policy can unite a divided democracy. We talk about the power of investing in kids, what government efficiency really means, and why data needs a human story to matter.👉 ⁠Support the Holler by Donating to our PayPal⁠: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=69TJJY9ASUBGG📲 Follow The Hometown Holler on Social Media:🌟 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehometownholler🌟 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hometownholler🌟 Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/thehometownholler.bsky.social🌟 Twitter: https://www.x.com/hometown_holler🌟 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehometownholler🌟 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheHometownHoller

Chapel Hill Town Councilor Theo Nollert returns to the Holler to perform open-heart surgery on Democratic messaging and show why it’s time to rethink how we talk about patriotism, identity politics, and the issues that matter most to voters.

Theo breaks down why the Left needs to embrace patriotism without fear and the dangers of overthinking political correctness. They also chat about the role of big ideas and compelling stories in politics, the challenges of balancing moral vision with pragmatic politics, and how kindness and effective communication can cut through the noise.

From Kamala Harris’s campaign to the need for candidates with sauce, Theo’s got the straight talk we need to hear if we’re serious about moving the Democratic Party forward.

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In a world of political grandstanders and culture war crusaders, Woodson Bradley is the real deal—grounded, gutsy, and getting things done. She joins The Hometown Holler to talk about what it really means to be a “moderate” Democrat in today’s political climate, and why making politics fun and accessible is key to building power in her community. Woodson dives into the NCGOP’s wildly reckless Un-Concealed Carry Bill, the deeper issue of why some lawmakers continue siding with domestic abusers, and how her lived experience as a domestic violence survivor shapes her legislative work. They also chat about the delicious General Assembly cafeteria, her journey to becoming "Senator Sneakers," the challenges of starting out as a senator, the zen of walking, and Jason Isaac’s "Durham" accent in the White Lotus. 👉 ⁠Support the Holler by Donating to our PayPal⁠

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Justice Allison Riggs joins The Holler for an in-depth conversation on her landmark 2024 election case and the ongoing fight to protect voting rights in North Carolina. As a NC Supreme Court Justice and longtime voting rights advocate, Riggs shares powerful insights on defending election integrity, the challenges of combating voter suppression, and the broader implications for democracy.In this episode, Justice Riggs breaks down:✅ The key legal strategies behind her 2024 election case✅ The growing threats to voting access in NC and beyond✅ The importance of civic engagement in protecting democracy✅ How her career as a voting rights attorney impacts her work as a Supreme Court Justice👉 Support the Holler by Donating to our PayPal

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