As the Israel-Hamas war continues, many people are still left with questions and confusion over the region and what’s behind the war. To help explain, on this week's episode we are talking with someone who has actually tried to negotiate peace in the Middle East.

Dr. Bruce Jentleson is a professor at Duke University, but he’s had two stints in the U.S. State Department under former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. During our discussion, we'll focus on the backstory, why Americans should care and where it might go from here.

This week, Tim talks to two of North Carolina’s sharpest political minds, as state lawmakers vote on the final congressional and state maps for 2024 and beyond. The controversial map drawing will certainly draw more lawsuits as North Carolina continues its trend in the spotlight as one of the most controversial redistricting states in the country.  Joining us this week, Democratic Strategist Morgan Jackson who has clients including Gov. Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein. Jim Blaine, with the Differentiators, is a former chief of staff for Senate leader Phil Berger.

In this week’s episode, Tim talks with North Carolina GOP chairman Michael Whatley about the U.S. House Speaker race in Washington, the political nature of courts and the 2024 election.

Host Tim Boyum and Whatley also discuss his incredible background that includes ramping up Donald Trump’s first run in North Carolina, chief of staff for former Senator Elizabeth Dole, and as a George W. Bush attorney who was in the room analyzing ballots in Florida in 2000.

In a special bonus episode, House Speaker Tim Moore joins the podcast just days after the state budget was passed.

Host Tim Boyum and the House Speaker discuss the budget, casinos, school vouchers, public records and a bill that will completely change the makeup of election boards just months before the election. 

Later, they talk about Speaker Moore moving a Democrat’s office to an old closet, and if he plans to be on the ballot in 2024.

The state budget is now nearly three months late, a Supreme Court Justice quits to run for governor, proposals to expand casinos stir up controversy, a man who called for a new election in 2018 after someone on his campaign allegedly committed election fraud is running again in 2024. 

Phew, what a time in North Carolina politics. 

This week, strategists Morgan Jackson and Jonathan Felts help sort it out in the bluntest of terms. Jackson works for Gov. Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein. Felts was George W. Bush’s political director and helped Ted Budd win his U.S. Senate race in 2022.