The Room Where It Happens

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Justice Anita Earls, Associate Justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court, who is up for reelection this November. Justice Earls shares her journey from civil rights attorney to state Supreme Court justice, explaining why judicial races matter just as much as the political races that dominate headlines. This conversation breaks down how the court system actually works, what the Supreme Court decides, and why these decisions impact everything from your electricity bill to your right to vote.

Key Topics Covered:

Why judicial races are often called the most important races nobody talks about

The difference between electing judges versus politicians and what voters should look for

How the NC Supreme Court impacts your daily life, from electricity rates to education funding

Justice Earls' 30 year career as a voting rights attorney before joining the bench

Understanding the court system: trial courts, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court

How cases are selected and what happens during deliberations

The unprecedented reversal of cases after the court's political makeup changed

Partisan versus nonpartisan judicial elections and what that means in practice

The Duke Energy rate increase case and how it affects consumer electricity bills

The Leandro education case and the fight for adequately funded public schools

Voting rights cases and how districts are drawn in North Carolina

The 2024 military and overseas voter ballot controversy

Why courts serve as guardrails for democracy

How young people can get involved beyond just voting

Advice for students interested in legal careers and public service

00:00:00 Introduction: The Most Important Race Nobody's Talking About
00:01:43 Meet Justice Anita Earls: NC Supreme Court Associate Justice
00:02:15 Why Judicial Races Matter for Democracy
00:04:21 What Does the Supreme Court Actually Do?
00:06:48 From Voting Rights Attorney to Supreme Court Justice
00:09:35 Understanding North Carolina's Court System
00:12:40 How Cases Are Selected and Decided
00:15:22 What Happens When Judges Disagree
00:17:08 The Unprecedented Rehearings of Major Cases
00:19:45 How Long Does It Take to Decide a Case?
00:21:30 The Challenge of Interpreting Law
00:23:54 Running for Judge vs Running for Office
00:26:19 What Voters Should Look for in Judicial Candidates
00:29:12 Partisan vs Nonpartisan Judicial Elections
00:32:40 What Keeps Justice Earls Going
00:35:15 Advice for Students Interested in Legal Careers
00:38:20 How Young People Can Get Involved
00:40:05 Why Courts Are the Guardrails of Democracy
00:42:30 Early Voting Information and Resources

Justice Earls makes clear that judicial races aren't just about abstract legal principles. They're about who decides how much you pay for electricity, whether your vote counts, and if public schools get adequate funding. With three Republican seats on the court up for election in two years, this race is part of a larger conversation about the future of North Carolina's judiciary and the protection of constitutional rights.

Early voting runs through October 31st. You can register and vote at the same time during early voting. Bring your ID and proof of address.

💬 Did you know judicial races could impact so many aspects of daily life?

Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

Learn more at earlsforjustice.com

Voter assistance hotline: 1-833-VOTE-4-NC

#NCSupremeCourt #JudicialElections #NorthCarolina #VotingRights #notjustheadlines #NCpol

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Hannah Preston, founder and executive director of Influence NC, a nonpartisan organization revolutionizing how young people engage with politics in North Carolina through social media. Hannah shares her journey from working in public health policy to quitting her job and starting a nonprofit that has grown from 6 creators to nearly 100 in less than a year. This conversation explores how social media is fundamentally changing the power dynamics in politics and why young people have a unique advantage in shaping the future of civic engagement.

Key Topics Covered:

How Hannah went from Health Policy Princess to founding Influence NC

The decision to quit her job and work at a bridal store while launching a nonprofit

Growing the creator program from 6 to 100 creators across North Carolina

Why North Carolina needs sustainable political infrastructure beyond election cycles

Training elected officials in their 70s, 80s, and 90s to use social media effectively

The future of political communication for reaching young voters

Organizing 14 early voting parties across North Carolina counties

Making voting fun and reframing civic engagement as joyful resistance

Why local and state elections matter more than DC politics for your daily life

Advice for young people organizing in rural areas without large communities

Navigating pushback from the Board of Elections and other established institutions

How social media flips traditional power dynamics in politics

The need for more young voices building organizations in North Carolina

Balancing personal political opinions with nonpartisan nonprofit work

00:00:00 Introduction: The Power of Social Media in Politics
00:01:05 Meet Hannah Preston: Founder of Influence NC
00:02:06 From Health Policy Princess to Influence NC
00:03:43 How Public Policy Work Translates to Social Media Impact
00:05:54 Taking the Leap: Quitting Her Job to Start a Nonprofit
00:07:53 Building the Creator Program: From 6 to 100 Creators
00:11:21 Why North Carolina? Building Sustainable Infrastructure
00:14:11 Training Elected Officials to Use Social Media
00:18:07 The Future of Political Communication for Young Voters
00:21:13 Early Voting Parties and Campus Organizing
00:23:52 Making Voting Fun: Reframing Civic Engagement
00:25:07 Local Elections Matter: Shifting Focus from DC to State Government
00:26:49 Advice for Young People in Rural Areas
00:29:36 Navigating Pushback: The Board of Elections Story
00:34:03 Flipping the Power Dynamic with Social Media
00:35:20 The Need for More Young Voices in North Carolina Politics
00:36:50 Balancing Personal Opinions with Nonpartisan Work
00:39:16 Connect with Influence NC and Health Policy Princess

Hannah's story demonstrates that young people don't have to wait their turn to make an impact in politics. By leveraging social media and building community driven infrastructure, she's proving that authentic engagement and digital organizing can create real change at the state level. Whether you're interested in becoming a creator yourself, running for office, or simply understanding how to make your voice heard in North Carolina politics, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical pathways forward.

💬 How do you think social media is changing politics?

Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

Follow Influence NC on all platforms

Follow Health Policy Princess for more unfiltered political commentary

#InfluenceNC #NorthCarolina #YoungVoters #SocialMediaPolitics #CivicEngagement #NCpol #notjustheadlines

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Kyah Creekmore, who at just 23 years old, launched a congressional campaign in North Carolina's 5th District. Kyah shares his unconventional journey into politics, running a grassroots campaign with minimal resources that ultimately captured over 43% of the primary vote against an opponent who raised 33 times more money. This conversation explores why young people face such significant barriers to elected office and what it takes to break through them.

Key Topics Covered:

What inspired a 23 year old to run for Congress after the 2024 presidential election

Why Kyah chose a congressional race over local office despite having no political experience

The mental and emotional toll of running for office as a young candidate

Raising $7,500 versus an opponent's $250,000 and still winning 43% of the vote

The reality of facing entrenched politicians who have been in office for decades

Why traditional campaign strategies like TV ads are becoming obsolete

How to reach rural and Appalachian communities as a young progressive candidate

The power of personal storytelling versus facts and numbers in political campaigns

Building community through third places and grassroots organizing

Why transparency and rejecting corporate money matters for maintaining voter trust

The importance of midterm elections and down ballot races for real change

00:00 Introduction: Why a 23-Year-Old Decided to Run for Congress
01:32 The Presidential Election That Changed Everything
02:52 Why Congress Over Local Office?
04:31 Running Without Political Mentors
06:32 Conquering Anxiety and Stage Fright on the Campaign Trail
08:34 Building Your Support System as a Young Candidate
13:08 Policy Platform
15:07 Conversations with Voters
17:01 Staying Accountable: People-Powered Campaigns
19:07 Building Community Beyond Politics
19:56 Running From the Bottom With All Passion
21:12 43 Percent with 7,500 Dollars: The Primary Results
24:20 Taking On Virginia Foxx: Challenging a Political Powerhouse
29:34 Overcoming Corporate Influence
32:58 Beyond TV Ads: Reaching Voters in the Digital Age
35:32 Mobilizing Young Voters Through Representation
36:42 Should You Run for Office? Honest Advice for Young Activists
39:34 The Midterm Election
42:12 Closing Thoughts

Kyah's story challenges the conventional wisdom that you need decades of experience, corporate backing, or a legal career to run for office. He demonstrates that with passion, authenticity, and a willingness to meet voters where they are, young candidates can compete even in the most unlikely races. Whether you're considering running for office yourself or simply want to understand why our political system seems designed to keep young voices out, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical insights.

💬 Do you think more young people should run for office?

Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

#YoungPoliticians #GrassrootsCampaign #NorthCarolina #CongressionalRace #PoliticalChange #notjustheadlinesmeadia #NCpol

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Sally and Moriah from the North Carolina Budget & Tax Center to break down everything you need to know about North Carolina's state budget. They explain the budget process from start to finish, why North Carolina has been operating without a new budget for multiple years, and what that means for everyday North Carolinians.

Key Topics Covered:

How the NC state budget process works and where it gets funding

Why North Carolina missed the budget deadline and operated on old spending levels

The impact of scheduled tax cuts on state revenue and public services

Teacher pay raises and what they really mean for educators

How federal, state, and local budgets are connected

The upcoming constitutional amendments on the November ballot

What happens to programs like SNAP when funding shifts between government levels

Whether you're a first time voter or just want to understand how your tax dollars are being spent, this conversation makes state budget policy accessible and relevant to your everyday life. Sally and Mariah help connect the dots between tax policy decisions in Raleigh and the real pressures families face with rising costs for housing, child care, groceries, and more.

00:00 Introduction: The State of NC's Budget Crisis
00:59 Meet the Experts from NC Budget & Tax Center
01:42 Understanding This Year's Budget Conversation
03:11 How NC's Two-Year Budget System Works
05:44 The Purpose and Impact of State Budgets
07:13 Where Does Budget Money Come From?
10:10 The Eight-Step Budget Creation Process
12:45 Flaws in the Current Budget Process
20:11 The Revenue Crisis: Are We Growing Too Fast?
22:06 Tax Policy at the Heart of Budget Disagreements
25:01 The New Budget Compromise and Constitutional Amendments
29:01 Alternative Revenue Sources and Their Limitations
30:48 Teacher Pay and the Educator Exodus
34:48 Budget Wins: Child Care, Health Programs, and Helene Recovery
39:01 Federal, State, and Local Budget Connections
43:19 What Happens Next and How to Get Involved

💬 What questions do you have about North Carolina's budget?

Drop them in the comments below!

Learn more at ncbudget.org

#NCBudget #NorthCarolina #StateBudget #TaxPolicy #PublicEducation #notjustheadlines

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Irving Allen. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices.

Election Dates:

Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1

Election Day: Nov. 4

💬 What questions do you have for local candidates?

Drop them in the comments below!#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council Mayoral Candidate Robbie Perkins. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices.Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1Election Day: Nov. 4💬 What questions do you have for local candidates? Drop them in the comments below!#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Marikay Abuzuaiter. She shares her priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices.

Election Dates:

Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1

Election Day: Nov. 4

💬 What questions do you have for local candidates? Drop them in the comments below!

#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Irving Allen. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices.

Election Dates:

Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1

Election Day: Nov. 4

💬 What questions do you have for local candidates?

Drop them in the comments below!#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Richard Beard. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices.

Election Dates:

Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1

Election Day: Nov. 4

💬 What questions do you have for local candidates? Drop them in the comments below!

#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Hugh Holston. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices.Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1Election Day: Nov. 4💬 What questions do you have for local candidates? Drop them in the comments below!#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026