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 week.

Sen. Bob Brinson (R-Lenoir/Craven/Beaufort) is the newest member of the NC Senate, and after his first day of casting votes in the September legislative session, he sat down with Skye and Brian to talk about his life, military career, and public service, including the dramatic hours leading up to him filing for his Senate seat.

Then Sen. Benton Sawrey co-hosts the podcast with Brian as Skye enjoys a vacation trip. The Johnston County Republican helps Brian understand the latest Carolina Journal Poll from the John Locke Foundation, with a focus on the four swing Senate races.

They also discuss AI campaigning, nominee taking the seat of the late Rep. Kelly Alexander, a storm hits the coast, the Christian Action League is dissolving, #TOTW, NC State football, and more.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.

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 Washington, DC, his work on high profile campaigns, and what brought him back to North Carolina.

Plus, a veteran lawmaker dies, lots of action in the General Assembly, new polling, #TOTW, and a wild youth baseball game in Raleigh.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.

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 Union member makes him uniquely qualified to protect North Carolina workers.

Plus, Skye and Brian preview a weeklong legislative session next week, a bombshell story from The Assembly, POTUS politics, a resignation, #TOTW, faking fall, and more.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.