The Hometown Holler

This week, the Holler sits down with Reed Galen—veteran GOP strategist turned democracy defender, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, founder of The Union, and host of The Home Front podcast.

Reed opens up about his decades inside Republican politics—from running campaigns for John McCain, George W. Bush, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, to walking away from the party when Trumpism took hold. He talks war stories from the campaign trail, what really happened inside the McCain–Palin operation, and why he believes both parties helped create today’s political crisis.

We dig into the collapse of trust in democracy, why working-class voters are abandoning the left, and how Democrats keep losing the messaging war. Reed doesn’t hold back on the failures of the establishment, the rise of MAGA, and what it’ll take to rebuild a politics rooted in belief, honesty, and results—not purity tests or platitudes.

Connect with Reed at https://substack.com/@reedgalen

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A ghost cat, a lost hand, and a haunted mill — welcome to The Hometown Holler Halloween Special! Every Tar Heel town has a story. Liz Z. Pardue just happens to know all the ones that’ll keep you up at night. Liz joins The Holler to share the folklore behind our state's haunted past, why storytelling still matters in the digital age, and what local history can teach us about ourselves. From ghost cats to Blackbeard, this episode's got plenty of tricks and treats!

Connect with Liz on social media @liz.z.pardue

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We thank them for their service — but do we understand their lives?Maria Donnelly and Katy Stevick join The Hometown Holler for a conversation about service, sacrifice, and the unseen struggles of America’s military families.As co-founders of the Military Family Foundation, Maria and Katy open up about life as Army spouses — from constant moves and financial strain to the resilience and community that hold it all together. They share how their personal experiences turned into a mission to reform how our nation supports the families who serve, revealing why so many military spouses face unemployment, food insecurity, and systemic barriers that could be fixed with simple policy changes.They also reflect on friendship, finding home wherever you land, and why community might just be the most powerful form of national defense we have.

Connect with Katy and Maria at https://www.militaryfamilyfoundation.com/Help keep North Carolina hollerin’ — become a Friend of the Holler on Patreon today.

She’s running again — and this time, it’s personal. Beth Kennett joins The Holler to talk about why she’s stepping up once more to run for mayor of Burlington, North Carolina — and what it means to lead, listen, and fight for the community you love.Beth opens up about her journey from minister to mayoral candidate, the lessons she’s learned from losing by just 170 votes, and how she’s channeling that experience into a campaign built on listening, inclusion, and change.She also reflects on what it means to be a woman in politics, the ripple effects of local leadership, and why Burlington’s pickleball controversy says so much about who gets heard — and who doesn’t — in local government.For more Tar Heel deep dives and quick hits, subscribe to The Hometown Holler and follow us on social media:Follow us on Instagram & help us keep the lights on by becoming a Friend of the Holler

She’s back! One of our most requested guests — NYT columnist Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom — returns to The Hometown Holler for a conversation about belonging, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves about America. Tressie takes us inside Winston-Salem’s Black Panthers, unpacks the rise of disaster nationalism, and explains the difference between nostalgia and memory — and why that difference matters more than ever. She also breaks down why calling Trump an “idiot” completely misses the point, what the Left gets wrong about understanding his appeal, and what it really takes to build a sense of belonging in modern America. For more Tar Heel deep dives and quick hits, subscribe to follow us on social media:

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One year after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers joins The Hometown Holler for a powerful conversation about crisis, community, and the fight to keep small towns alive. Zeb relives Helene — from the death and destruction, to the misinformation and political spin, to the everyday acts of heroism that show why small towns still matter. He also recounts the paper mill shutdown known as “Black Monday” and shares what these experiences taught him about resilience, humanity, and the meaning of home. Along the way, he reveals what Washington gets wrong about rural America — and even weighs in on pro wrestling.For more Tar Heel deep dives and quick hits, subscribe to The Hometown Holler and follow us on social media:Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehometownhollerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hometownhollerBlue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/thehometownholler.bsky.socialTwitter/X: https://x.com/hometown_hollerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehometownhollerPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheHometownHoller

North Carolina’s culture wars are heating up, and we’re going to the front lines. Freshman Rep. Jordan Lopez (@lopez4nc) and Former Rep. Ricky Hurtado (@rickyhurtadonc) join us for an unfiltered conversation on race, power, and the future of NC.

Listen now to learn:
👉 Why lawmakers are stuck in culture wars while schools fall behind
👉 Who really gets blamed when immigrant neighbors are scapegoated
👉 Whether it’s still possible to unite people across race and class

One of our most candid, eye-opening conversations yet — don’t miss it.

With the 2026 midterms approaching, DNC Vice Chair Reyna Walters-Morgan joins The Holler to break down the role and powers of the DNC (it’s not just press conferences and conventions), how Democrats are rebuilding trust and enthusiasm, the challenge of balancing energizing the base with reaching moderates and swing voters, and how the party should respond to a potential government shutdown.

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As North Carolina’s chief election official, Karen Brinson Bell oversaw every Tar Heel election from 2019–2025 — from record-breaking voter turnout to the challenges of COVID-19, natural disasters, and legal battles like the infamous Griffin case.

In this exclusive Hometown Holler interview, Bell shares:
• The biggest myths about voting and how elections actually work
• Why North Carolina’s system is safe and secure
• Her shocking removal from office after a partisan power grab
• What these changes mean for voters heading into future elections

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North Carolina Governor Josh Stein takes us from his days as a high school soccer star to the frontlines of our state's biggest challenges. He explains why NC governors often have to lead with one hand tied behind their back, how unregulated THC products pose a growing public health risk, and why Western North Carolina might just be the most unforgettable place on Earth. Josh makes his case for a fairer, more functional state government while dishing on bipartisan wins, ‘80s soft rock, and his go-to Jersey Mike’s order.👉 ⁠Support the Hometown Holler by becoming a Patron or by leaving a tip on PayPal⁠