Best Mark Wiley Podcasts (2025)

1
Reagan Perry, Daughter of Former Sen Jim Perry, & the Bill That Bears Her Name 29:05

5d ago29:05

29:05

In this special episode, Skye and Brian sit down with Reagan Perry, daughter of former North Carolina State Senator Jim Perry, for a heartfelt conversation. Reagan opens up about the life-altering experience of losing her leg, the physical and emotional challenges she’s faced, and how she turned her pain into purpose through Reagan’s Law (HB906), a…

1
Rep. Jimmy Dixon Reflects on Easter & His Mormon (LDS) Faith 59:52

12d ago59:52

59:52

Rep. Jimmy Dixon makes his third podcast appearance (his last one was 2023) to reflect on Easter and his Mormon faith, which includes membership and local leadership roles in the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The 8-term Duplin County Republican opens up about his conversion to LDS in 1976, the differences from the Methodist churc…

1
Sen. Caleb Theodros' American Story Began in East Africa 58:56

19d ago58:56

58:56

Sen. Caleb Theodros began his life in Eritrea, a country in East Africa torn apart by civil conflict in the 1990s. At age five, his family brought him to the United States in search of a better life. After a brief stay in Las Vegas, the Theodros family relocated to Charlotte where they created a life for themselves. 20 years later, Sen Theodros ear…

1
Politics, Party Labels, & Performance (Audits) with Auditor Dave Boliek 58:28

26d ago58:28

58:28

Over the last 90 days, the State Auditor position has transformed from a state agency that released audits for various NC departments, agencies, local governments, and non-profits to a department that is working proactively in concert with the General Assembly to hold the entire NC executive branch accountable. At the helm, is Auditor Dave Boliek, …

1
Rep. Phil Rubin: "I Was a 'West Wing' Kid" 1:05:44

1M ago1:05:44

1:05:44

Earlier this session, the General Assembly lost Rep. Joe John to cancer at 85. Rep. John would be proud of his Democratic replacement, who is an attorney, policy wonk, and one to debate the intricacies of the law without making it personal. Meet the newly appointed freshman legislator from Wake County: Rep. Phil Rubin, who was a federal prosecutor,…

1
Reps. Charlie Miller & Reece Pyrtle on Policing, Politics, & Friendship 59:40

1M ago59:40

59:40

Reps. Charlie Miller (R-Brunswick) and Reece Pyrtle (R-Rockingham) share a legislative office suite, many committee assignments, and a bond built around their former careers as law enforcement officers in their communities. The former chief deputy (Miller) and police chief (Pyrtle) talk about their first encounter, their friendship, and how their r…

1
Old School Politics + New Tech Tools Won Rep. Bryan Cohn a House Seat 1:00:18

2M ago1:00:18

1:00:18

When Rep. Bryan Cohn decided to challenge an incumbent in 2024, he executed a plan that was based on old school politics combined with new tech tools. By the time election night rolled in, he knew he was in an excellent position to win the seat. The Oxford Democrat also talks about the uniqueness of his swing district, including a violent civil rig…

1
Rep. Jonathan Almond on Anguish, Transformation, & Purpose 58:01

2M ago58:01

58:01

As a financial controller, Rep. Jonathan Almond is familiar with sifting through data, studies, and spreadsheets to look for answers. It's what he did when COVID shut down the world, when his twin boys were diagnosed with autism, and it's what he plans to do as a Cabarrus County legislator. However, the 38-year old Republican is not just about the …

1
Rep. Dante Pittman: A Young, Old School Democrat from Wilson 48:25

2M ago48:25

48:25

Spend enough time with Rep. Dante Pittman, the 28-year old legislator representing Wilson and part of Nash Counties, and it's evident the freshman legislator is a throwback Democrat. The National Guard captain describes himself as pro business, pro public education, and pro health care. He also believes in the power of family, including a single mo…

1
Rep. Heather Rhyne, a Pharmacist, Has a Prescription for Better Politics 48:31

2M ago48:31

48:31

Rep. Heather Rhyne started her official freshman term this year after getting a head start in the House last summer when former Rep. Jason Saine resigned his seat to enter the private sector. The Lincoln County Republican started her political career on her county's local school board and brings a focus to the General Assembly that is focused on su…

1
Rep. Tracy Clark's Search for the Middle on Divisive Issues 53:09

2M ago53:09

53:09

Rep. Tracy Clark has a list "whys" on her decision to serve in the General Assembly. Two of the three issues that motivated the Guilford County freshman Democrat are the most divisive in politics, but she's optimistic that she can find middle ground, especially with those in her freshman class. Also, the House drops a Helene package a week after Go…

1
Rep. Wyatt Gable: A New Generation in NC Politics 47:34

3M ago47:34

47:34

There's a good chance you wore a garment of clothing this week that is older than the 22-year old freshman legislator from Onslow County. Rep. Wyatt Gable visits with Skye and Brian to talk about his improbable political journey to the General Assembly that began in a college economics class a couple years back. Now the eastern NC Republican is a s…

1
Sen. Woodson Bradley's Story of Survival, Healing, & Uplifting Others 52:40

3M ago52:40

52:40

Sen. Woodson Bradley is a sexual assault survivor and in this powerful podcast conversation with Skye and Brian she talks about a dark and painful time in her life that led her to this moment as a freshman state senator advocating for change. The Mecklenburg County Democrat also self-describes as a moderate who campaigned on a pro-law enforcement, …

1
Rep. Grant Campbell, an OB/GYN, Wants to Deliver for His District 1:03:22

3M ago1:03:22

1:03:22

Rep. Grant Campbell was raised by a single mother under very challenging circumstances in rural Lee and Harnett Counties. The experience shaped every aspect of his life, including his decision to attend UNC (undergrad and medical school), become an OB/GYN, join the military, pen a novel, and serve in the General Assembly. The freshman Republican re…

1
Meet Rep. Mike Schietzelt, a Marine, Musician, Attorney, & Legislator 58:11

3M ago58:11

58:11

In part 2 of the podcast's Meet the Freshmen series, Skye and Brian sit down with Rep. Mike Schietzelt, who won a hard-fought swing election in November. The Wake County Republican talks about growing up without means, his love of music and the law, and ultimately his faith-based decision to run for the House. Plus, Senate committee assignments, st…

1
'Meet the Freshmen' Series Kicks Off with Rep. Monika Johnson-Hostler 1:08:53

4M ago1:08:53

1:08:53

Rep. Monika Johnson-Hostler is a freshman legislator, but she's no stranger to the General Assembly as she's been working in and around the building since 1999, when she started her career at the NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault, which is represented by New Frame. The Wake County Democrat talks about her advocacy work, her service on the Wake Co…

1
Wrapping Up 2024 with Senators Todd Johnson & Jay Chaudhuri 1:18:51

4M ago1:18:51

1:18:51

Senators Todd Johnson and Jay Chaudhuri join Skye and Brian to wrap up 2024, including key legislation, twists and turns, and a topsy-turvy election as a backdrop. The Republican and Democratic lawmakers also talk about their family Christmas traditions. The podcast also runs down the news from this past week, #TOTW, holiday gifts, and more. The Do…

1
Brad Crone on When Conservative Democrats Ran NC Politics 59:21

5M ago59:21

59:21

There was a time before 2010 in which conservative Democrats ran NC politics, including the General Assembly and much of its leadership team. And behind the campaign curtain of the 'Crone Caucus' was campaign consultant Brad Crone. The Johnston County native talks about his career in politics, the partisan realignment in NC, and an assessment of wh…

1
Remembering Tim Kent: A Conversation with Stephen Kent 1:06:06

5M ago1:06:06

1:06:06

Tim Kent was a journalist, lobbyist, association leader, and a friend to all who knew him, worked with him, and even opposed him on legislation at the General Assembly. But many have no idea that Tim's legendary kindness and charity towards others was the byproduct of a man who was broken in 2010. Stephen Kent (DPB guest in 2021) was Tim's oldest s…

1
New House Majority Leader Brenden Jones Talks New Leadership Team 59:59

5M ago59:59

59:59

Rep. Brenden Jones is the new House Majority Leader in 2025-2026 and ascends to the role as Rep. Destin Hall, Jones' friend and roommate, will be Speaker of the House. The four-term veteran lawmaker from Columbus County opens up about the House's new leadership team, their plans for the biennium, including building bridges with the Senate leadershi…

1
Dr. Jeff Warren on Science, Politics, & Religion for Hyper-Partisan Times 1:07:44

6M ago1:07:44

1:07:44

Most of the NC politics world knows Dr. Jeff Warren as Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger's first science advisor starting in 2011 before he began work at the NC Collaboratory in 2017. Dr. Warren talks about is policy work for Sen. Berger, his career at what is now the NC Department of Environmental Quality before working in the Senate, the creat…

1
Breaking Down NC's 2024 Election Results 34:53

6M ago34:53

34:53

Skye and Brian go through the 2024 election results, including the race for NC's 16 Electoral College votes, U.S. Congress, Governor and Council of State, the General Assembly, the NC courts, and more. They also talk about the possible power dynamic between a new Democratic governor and his former colleagues in the General Assembly. Plus #TOTW, hol…

1
Congressman Patrick McHenry Reflects on His Career Start at the NC General Assembly 1:04:15

6M ago1:04:15

1:04:15

Congressman Patrick McHenry is wrapping up a storied 20-year career in the U.S. Congress this December. The Republican from the 10th District talks to Brian about his time in Congress, including the nearly three weeks in 2023 he spent as the Speaker of the House, as well as his first elected position as a state legislator in the General Assembly in…

1
License to Legislate: Rep. Jake Johnson Talks Helene, Politics, & 007 Fandom 59:34

6M ago59:34

59:34

Rep. Jake Johnson is Western North Carolina to his core. Born and raised in rural Polk County, he knows just about everyone in his close-knit district spanning over Rutherford, McDowell, Henderson, and his home county. The 30-year old Republican talks about his public service, including his important position as co-chair of the House Oversight and …

1
Consultants Nathan Babcock (GOP) & Kimberly Reynolds (Dem) Preview the Election 55:24

6M ago55:24

55:24

Political consultants Nathan Babcock, a Republican, and Kimberly Reynolds, a Democrat, preview the 2024 General Election. The veteran operatives discuss #ncpol races from U.S. President to Council of State to the General Assembly, including the disruptive effect of the Mark Robinson scandal on all races. Skye and Brian also talk early voting, the L…

1
Chris Cooper's 'Anatomy of a Purple State' & Helene's Election Effect 1:03:35

7M ago1:03:35

1:03:35

Professor Chris Cooper's 'Anatomy of a Purple State' hit bookstores this week and the Western Carolina University political scientist stops by the podcast to discuss it with Skye and Brian. While in Raleigh, Dr. Cooper also talks about Hurricane Helene's impact on his part of the state and the effect he thinks the aftermath of the storm will have o…

1
Kelly McCullen on the Ever Shifting 'State Lines' of NC Politics 55:49

7M ago55:49

55:49

Kelly McCullen is the host of State Lines, a weekly roundtable public affairs show that features political analysts, journalists and elected officials. Kelly also serves as executive producer to several PBS-NC public affairs shows, including Side by Side with Nido Qubein and The NC Listening Project. The Clinton native also talks about his start in…

1
Mike Carpenter Built a Powerhouse Lobbying Program, Career, & Legacy 57:44

7M ago57:44

57:44

Lobbyist Mike Carpenter is a fixture at the General Assembly in his role as General Counsel at the NC Home Builders Association. However, many don't realize that it was Mike who started the government relations program at NCHBA in 1989 after a career prosecuting drug dealers in the NC Attorney General's Office. Mike takes listeners all the way to 1…

1
Sen. Bob Brinson's Life of Public Service Continues in the NC Senate 1:13:56

7M ago1:13:56

1:13:56

Note from DPB: This podcast was recorded the day before CNN broke the news about Lt. Governor Mark Robinson's alleged online pornography posts. Skye and Brian record a brief intro before the podcast starts to give listeners a heads up to this fact and to comment about the gravity of the news. The podcast will talk more about the controversy next we…

1
GOP Political Operative Jonathan Felts: 'I'm Not One to Back Down from the Press' 1:06:16

8M ago1:06:16

1:06:16

If you're a Republican embroiled in a media dust-up, Jonathan Felts is the guy to call. Whether reporters are inquiring about a Kentucky Bourbon Trail or an election complaint has been filed, Felts is the guy who likes to take problems head on. Felts talks to Skye and Brian about growing up in Davie County, his conservative upbringing, life in Wash…

1
Meet Braxton Winston, the Democratic Candidate for Labor Commissioner 1:02:39

8M ago1:02:39

1:02:39

A fatal 2016 police shooting in Charlotte thrusted Braxton Winston onto the political/advocacy scene and eventually led him to make a successful bid for the Charlotte City Council a year later. Now, the Onslow County native is running statewide for Labor Commissioner as a Democrat. Braxton discusses the race and why he feels his experience as a Uni…

1
Meet Luke Farley, the GOP Candidate for Labor Commissioner 59:29

8M ago59:29

59:29

Luke Farley is new to politics. Yet, the Onslow County native surprised the NC political world when he won a heated Republican primary race for Labor Commissioner against a candidate with more name recognition and high profile endorsements from around the state. Luke discusses the primary campaign and the general election, including his experience …

1
Tim Kent's Time Machine Travels to When the Lt Governor Ran the Senate 57:03

8M ago57:03

57:03

There was a time when the Lieutenant Governor ran the NC Senate and had powers equal to the NC Speaker of the House. Some would argue that from 1973-1988, the so-called second-in-command had more powers than even the Governor. Tim Kent is the Executive Director of the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association and he was a reporter at WRAL when the LG …

1
NC GOP Chair Jason Simmons Wants to Keep the Conservative Party Going in '24 57:21

9M ago57:21

57:21

NC Republican Party Chairman Jason Simmons stops by the podcast to talk about the RNC Convention in Milwaukee, the Republican case against Vice President Kamala Harris, and his professional transition from Executive Director to Chairman of the NC GOP. The California native talks about growing up an Army kid, his move to South Carolina, managing cam…

1
Rep. Garland Pierce, a Rural Democrat Who Keeps Winning 38:56

9M ago38:56

38:56

In his last visit to the podcast in February 2023, Rep. Garland Pierce had just won his 10th election to the NC House in a hard fought battle against a well funded Republican challenger. In 2024, he's in another difficult and expensive fight to represent Hoke and Scotland Counties. In this special edition of the podcast, Rep. Pierce talks politics,…

1
Political Polling, Partisan Indexes & More with John Locke Foundation's Donald Bryson 59:41

9M ago59:41

59:41

Political polling has always been under public scrutiny, but the 2016 election took our skepticism to an all new level. To help us understand polling, Skye and Brian sit down with John Locke Foundation CEO Donald Bryson, whose organization issues ten #ncpol polls each year. Plus, the podcast discusses Governor Cooper's exit from VP consideration, v…

1
The Dark Side of Politics with Political Operative Dan Crawford 53:02

9M ago53:02

53:02

Independent expenditures and c4s are an increasingly important yet misunderstood part of modern day politics. So what is an IE and a c4, and how do they function in a political ecosystem? Veteran political operative Dan Crawford stops by the podcast to have a conversation about it. Plus, Skye and Brian unpack a wild week in NC politics, including G…

1
House GOP Caucus Director Stephen Wiley is Bullish About 2024 58:18

10M ago58:18

58:18

Stephen Wiley has one job as the NC House Republican Caucus director: Win elections so the GOP maintains control of the House. The one-time Apple store employee talks about how the political landscape looks in 2024, the quality of candidates he's fielding versus those he's facing, and his take on the future of the Republican brand. Skye and Brian t…

1
NC Democratic Chair Anderson Clayton is the Life of the Party 1:06:40

10M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

This podcast episode is the first of two featuring conversations with the elected chairs of the Democratic and Republican parties in NC. NC Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton is everywhere it seems. Following her on social media can be downright dizzying as she criss-crosses the state (and nation) as she pushes out her party's message. However…

1
Sen. Brent Jackson's Take on the Budget Impasse as Session (Kind Of) Wraps 42:55

10M ago42:55

42:55

Senate 'Big Chair' Brent Jackson is a featured guest one week after his House counterpart, Rep. Jason Saine, made his case for the House budget on the podcast. The Senate budget writer talks about the impasse with the House, the decision to go it alone with the budget after the House submitted its own, the Farm Act, watermelons and cantaloupes, and…

1
House 'Big Chair' Jason Saine on How We Got Here in the Budget Process 50:14

10M ago50:14

50:14

After weeks of hearing that a budget would be a conference report agreement between the House and Senate, the House pulled the trigger and released its own budget this week. Meanwhile the Senate said it's heading home at the end of June. Rep. Jason Saine is a senior budget writer in the House and he takes listeners behind-the-scenes on how we got h…

1
Democratic Ad Man Frank Eaton Opens Up About His Craft 58:32

11M ago58:32

58:32

Listeners may not know Frank Eaton's name, but it's likely they're very familiar with his political ads. They include eye-popping, attention-getting productions for Rep. Charles Graham, Rep. Deb Butler, Sen. Graig Meyer, Sen. Rachel Hunt, and Lt. Governor Walter Dalton. The former UNC School of the Arts student also has clients in other states. Fra…

1
Senate Senior Policy Counsel Brent Woodcox: 'I'm a Man of Peace' 1:07:28

11M ago1:07:28

1:07:28

Brent Woodcox serves as the Senior Policy Counsel to Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger and Senate Republicans. Brent also has a presence on X (formerly Twitter) where he weighs in on policy and politics. Recently, Brent came under fire from a Republican activist who questioned the lifelong Republican's political loyalty. Brent talks about his so…

1
Why Sen. Mary Wills Bode is Not on the Ballot in 2024 59:25

11M ago59:25

59:25

Sen. Mary Wills Bode was Democrats' new hope after the 2022 election in which she won a competitive Senate seat and put up solid numbers in rural part of her Wake-Granville counties district. However, within a year Sen. Bode announced she was not seeking re-election, was rumored to run statewide, but after the candidate filing in December she was u…

1
Secretary Grier Martin's Mission at the NC Department of Military & Veterans Affairs 54:30

11M ago54:30

54:30

NC Department of Military & Veterans Affairs Secretary Grier Martin sits down with Skye and Brian for a conversation as we head into the Memorial Day weekend. The Afghanistan War veteran recently returned to North Carolina after working at the Pentagon and now leads North Carolina's work advocating for the state's military installations, the active…

1
Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr.'s Unfiltered Take on Policy, Politics, & Politicians 53:00

12M ago53:00

53:00

Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr. guest hosts the podcast this week with Skye and Brian as they tick through the latest policy, budget, and process developments inside the General Assembly. The Robeson County Republican also gives a candid take on many 2024 candidates on both sides of aisle, including his swing Senate district. The Do Politics Better podc…

1
Budget Surplus a Bust? The Return of Blust? And Talking Shop with Rep. Mark Brody 56:17

12M ago56:17

56:17

The $400 million budget surplus predicted for this fiscal year ending on June 30 and the $1 billion surplus penciled in for next year isn't going to happen, at least not at those levels. Skye and Brian also talk about an anti-semitism bill, a dense bill, new polling, voter ID lawsuit, Race of the Week, #TOTW, and more. Plus a conversation with Rep.…

1
Political Reporter Bryan Anderson on Politics in the Newsroom 58:34

12M ago58:34

58:34

Bryan Anderson is a freelance journalist who founded Anderson Alerts, a substack on all things #ncpol. The California native talks about his stints at the News & Observer, Sacremento Bee, WRAL, and The Assembly. While Bryan loves his work as a NC politics reporter, he has concerns about his profession and he opens up about them in this podcast. Sky…

1
#NCPOL Operative Nathan Babcock: 'I Went from Missionary to Mercenary' 1:02:04

1y ago1:02:04

1:02:04

Nathan Babcock plays two crucial roles in #ncpol. Half of his work is inside the General Assembly working as a policy advisor to Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger. During campaign season he's a Republican political consultant who takes lead on some of the most high profile, battleground districts. Nathan talks about his two jobs, including some …

1
Majority Leader John Bell & Sen. Jay Chaudhuri Preview Short Session 54:55

1y ago54:55

54:55

There's a lot of unfinished issues for legislators to tackle in the General Assembly short session set to begin on April 24: Medical marijuana, gambling, social issues, opportunity scholarships, immigration, and more. Then there's the rumors. House Majority Leader John Bell and Senate Democratic Whip Jay Chaudhuri join Skye and Brian for a comprehe…

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