What The Politics?! (WTP): Recent Episodes
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What The Politics is a weekly podcast show dedicated to exploring issues that matter. Hosted by two journalists, each episode will explore topics trending in the political arena. This podcast will offer a bipartisan platform to the listener, supported with information by experts and enlightened by experiences of the average voter. New episodes every Tuesday. Subscribe and join the conversation!
There have been countless presidential scandals over the course of our country's history. Some gaining more traction and public attention than others, and a select few ending in removal of office. In this week's episode, we explore the impacts of executive scandals with special guest Dr. Brandon Rottinghaus.
This week we are joined by special guest, Allison Harris, a White House Correspondent for NewsNation in the Washington, D.C. Bureau. She talks about being a correspondent, life in D.C. and what it's like to report and speak with some of the most powerful people in the country.
This week on What The Politics?! we speak with a member of the Space Force Association, the management organization to the U.S. Space Force about the interworkings of the association in overseeing the newest branch of the armed services.
Where to start ... that's our first question when it comes to the long-standing and complicated relationship between the United States and China. Dr. Robert Ross, professor of Political Science at Boston College and Associate professor for The John King Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University, discusses this and more.
Relationships in politics is everything. Who you know, what you know, and how you network. It’s a vital part to our democracy. On this week’s episode we examine how those relationships can form and how they benefit members from different sides of the aisle.
In this week's episode of "What The Politics?!" we explore the players of January 6, including Oath Keepers, Q'Anon, and loyalists. Along with our guest, we break down the legal charges against these players, whether it be criminal or misdemeanor, and what sentencing would look like for those charges if found guilty.
Last week we touched on the 20-year Afghanistan War and the recent withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country. In this week’s episode, we take a deeper dive into the war in Afghanistan and what could be next for the Afghan people, as well as the United States when it comes to foreign interactions.
Dr. Peter Francia from East Carolina University returns to talk with Victoria and Emily about current events like the Afghanistan withdrawal of U.S. troops, the 2022 midterm elections and public popularity among our current political figures.
In this week's episode, we welcome back Dr. Mike Walden of N.C. State to discuss a recent article he wrote. The question he asks is whether the post-pandemic economy could be better than before COVID-19 hit. We examine five major components that could be signs of a new economy moving forward.
For this week's episode, we examine the influences of Gen Zs when it comes to political participation. We discuss how "cancel culture" has emerged and how to gauge the scope of the offense. And finally, we will analyze the impact of masculinity on American Politics, what an A-typical American leader looks like and how does the image of masculinity change generationally?
On this week's episode of What The Politics, Victoria, and Emily are joined by fellow podcaster Marshall Kosloff, who hosts a political podcast, The Realignment. They examine what role stakeholders and power players play in the political sphere. And how the labels of "conservative" and "liberal" may be counterproductive when it comes to successful policy making.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the United States thought they had reason to believe that Communist countries had somehow perfected brainwashing and could use this technique in forms of warfare. So they turned to a source of their own to research into the issue.
This week we dive deep (pun intended) into laws of the sea, especially here in the United States. Sustainability has been a major headline in recent years and policies surrounding environmental concerns are at the forefront of many people's minds.
In this week's episode. we examine the ideas behind futurist thinking and how that plays into our government. We analyze scenarios dubbed a "failure of imagination," like the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
Join us for this episode of What the Politics. We catch back up with one of our previous guests, NC House Rep. Brian Farkas about what’s been happening in the recent months and weeks in the state legislature.
In this episode, we examine the scenarios of origin and why creating multiple scenarios could do more harm than good. We look at critiques of the World Health Organization, which has handled the outbreak in its entirety, including the investigations underway within the organization.
In this episode, we examine the background of redistricting, Voter ID laws, and other current legislation in the General Assembly. We specifically look into House Bill 782, and Senate Bill 326, as well as the ongoing debate about voter ID laws.
Issues surrounding policing in the United States have been discussed for years. In recent months, these issues and talk about police brutality have made national headlines, one in Elizabeth City within the past few weeks.
Sometime in June, a report will be delivered to Congress regarding 'UFOs' and 'UAPs'. In this week's episode, we are joined by former FBI Special Agent Kenneth Gray, who gives us insight into this.
This week, digital reporters Victoria Holmes and Emily Cervaric analyze a recent Civitas poll that surveyed what public policy issues are most important to North Carolinians right now.
The seat of North Carolina Republican Sen. Richard Burr is up for the taking for the first time since 2005. While the election won‘t take place until 2022, candidates are already lining up with their bids for the position.
President Biden officially completed his first 100 days in office on April 29. The first 100 days of a presidency are filled with executive orders, new policies, campaign tours, and more. In this week’s episode, we analyze Biden’s first 100 days, what he’s done, and what it could mean for the next four years.
The financial crisis of 2008 was one of the hardest things many Americans have had to go through economically. Many are still dealing with those burdens today. We are joined by American journalist and author Bethany McLean to discuss this period in time and what happened.
This year will mark 20 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks on our country. In this week's podcast, we want to examine America's war legacy and how it came to be.
Join us this week as we examine what makes a great president. Is it being a good speaker? Is it being a good writer? Or, is it both?
Many, like journalist Rob Christensen, have called it a paradox. How does a state vote for Donald Trump, Thom Tillis and then Roy Cooper? An expert tell us it has been this way for over 50 years.
On this episode of “What The Politics?!” we speak with Dr. Irving L. Joyner, a professor of law at North Carolina Central University. He is a well-respected lawyer about past and present Civil Rights movements.
In this week's episode of “What The Politics?!” we explore what it’s like to work as an intern in Washington, D.C.
In this week's episode, we speak with an economist who helps us analyze the long-term effects the pandemic continues to have on the economy and how it could pan-out in the future.
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein joins the podcast to talk about the opioid epidemic and what is being done to combat the problem in the state.
Digital reporters Victoria Holmes and Emily Cervarich speak with Dr. David McLannan, a professor and political analyst from Meredith College in North Carolina.
Join Emily Cervarich and Victoria Holmes for their latest podcast, which includes a conversation with a member of The John Locke Foundation and their discussion on state and federal policy.
In this week's episode of What The Politics?!, we follow and discuss the former president's second impeachment trial. We speak with a law and First Amendment expert about the rights laid out in the First Amendment and what they really break down to.
On this special edition of What The Politics?!, we speak with Senior Cybersecurity architect and mentor, Mike Parsons. He founded the BlueTeamAssess LLC, a company developed to offer actionable and cost-effective security solutions to small businesses.
Cybersecurity expert Bryce Webster-Jacobsen joins the podcast. Webster-Jacobsen is the Director of Intelligence Operations at GroupSense, an information security company based out of Washington D.C.
On this week’s episode of What The Politics?! we dive into the group known as the Lincoln Project. Many people know them as the “Anti-Trump” group. Or you might have seen their trivial yet infamous ads targeting Republican lawmakers and the former president using humor and strategies learned through working on campaigns. But there is a lot more to it than that.
Area 51, 9/11, Bigfoot, UFO’s, Princess Diana’s mysterious death, and the moon landing. What do all these have in common? They are all popular conspiracy theories that have gained traction over the years. But where do these conspiracy theories come from? And is there any truth behind them?
In this week's episode of What The Politics?!, we speak with Dr. William L Barney, a history professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, to help us put the events of Jan. 6 into context. We explore similar situations in American history and what lead up to them, as well as exploring ideas on how to move forward. We discuss why it’s important to know and understand our history, so we don’t repeat it.
In this week’s episode of What The Politics?!, we continue our series of speaking with local leaders and representatives. This week, we speak with Greenville Mayor P.J. Connelly.
Brian Farkas was raised in Pitt County and graduated from J.H. Rose High School. Following high school graduation, he attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he earned his Bachelors in Political Science and a minor in Economics. Farkas also received a Masters in Public Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Farkas has served on many boards and commissions in the Pitt County area, from being Vice Chair for the City of Greenville Public Transportation and Parking Commission, to being the only-two term President in the history of the Greenville Museum of Art. in 2019, Governor Roy Cooper appointed Farkas to serve on the Disciplinary Hearing Commission of the North Carolina State Bar as a public member.
In November 2019, Farkas announced his candidacy to serve Pitt County's 9th District in the North Carolina House of Representatives. In the 2020 General Election, Farkas defeated Republican incumbent Perrin Jones for the seat. As a result, the seat flipped back to Democratic control for the first time since 2012.
In the last episode of What The Politics?!, we dove into the topic of whistleblowers; people who expose what they believe to be evidence of wrongdoing. In this week’s episode we wanted to venture a little deeper, and discuss national security as a whole. We’ll talk about transparency, and what role the government has in divulging information pertaining to national security to the public. What is that fine line between the “need-to-know” for public safety, and keeping information under wraps? On this episode we speak with an attorney specializing in national security, who tells us about his experience addressing legal issues related to this topic. He gives us his thoughts on controversial people like Edward Snowden and Julian Assange. We discuss concerns about legislation, and protection acts when it comes to whistleblowers and national security criminals.
Stephen M. Kohn is one of the nation's leading whistleblower attorneys. Kohn has represented whistleblowers since 1984. His law firm, Kohn, Kohn, & Colapinto, LLP has been honored by the National Law Journal, and he is a founding attorney Trustee of the National Whistleblower Legal Defense & Education Fund. Kohn is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of The National Whistleblower Center, as well as serving as Co-Chair of the Whistleblowers Leadership Council.
More about Hugh Lee:
Lee holds a B.A. from Davidson College and a J.D. from the Florida State University College of Law. Prior to joining East Carolina University, Lee taught for 19 years at the University of Alabama School of Law, where he taught a variety of courses over his career, including the Elder Law Clinic, the Civil Clinic, and the Foreclosure Relief Clinic. With a special interest in elder and disability law, he directed the Elder Law Clinic, served on the Executive Committee of the Center for Mental Health and Aging, taught in the graduate school and department of psychology on issues related to aging served on the board of several aging advocacy groups served on the Executive Committee of the elder law section of the Alabama State Bar and won grants from the Administration on Aging, the Alabama Department of Senior Services and the Alabama Attorney General's office.
More about Dr. Mandy Cohen -
Dr. Mandy Cohen was appointed to the role of Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in January 2017 by Governor Roy Cooper. Secretary Cohen and her team work tirelessly to improve the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians. DHHS has 17,000 employees and an annual budget of $20 billion serving as the home to NC Medicaid, Public Health, Mental Health/IDD/SUD, State Operated Hospitals and Facilities, Economic Services, Adult and Child Services, Early Childhood Education, Employment Services, and Health Services Regulation. Secretary Cohen and her team are focused on responding to and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, building a robust, efficient Medicaid program, improving early childhood health, safety and education, combatting the opioid crisis, and ensuring equitable access to health resources.
Dr. Brad Lockerbie is a professor of political science. Prior to joining the faculty at ECU, he was on the faculty at the University of Georgia. He is the author of Do Voters Look to the Future? Economics and Elections published by SUNY Press. He is the co-author (with Jody Baumgartner) of “Maybe it is More than a Joke: Satire, Mobilization and Political Participation” published in Social Science Quarterly.
Over the past few elections, social media has become more and more prevalent. And there’s no doubt it held a large role in this year's presidential election.
Major Garrett is Chief Washington Correspondent for CBS News. Garrett is also the host of “The Takeout”, a weekly multi-platform interview show on politics, policy, and pop culture available on CBSN, top radio stations across the county, and all podcast platforms. Prior to being at CBS, Garrett worked with the National Journal and was Chief White House Correspondent for both FOX and CNN News at different times in his career. Before joining television, Garrett worked for the Washington Times, The Houston Post, Las Vegas Review-Journal, U.S. News, and World Report.
More about Dr. Francia - Dr. Francia is the author of several academic books and articles on the subjects of campaign finance, interest groups, public opinion, and American elections. He's published several academic articles and books, including Guide to Interest Groups and Lobbying in the United States.
Trey Cash, Director for Greene County’s Board of Elections. Cash is currently in his second term as Director.
Cash previously worked for the Greene County Emergency Services and North Carolina Division of Emergency Management for over 6 years combined.
Election Day is just 7 days away. November 3 will see tons of ballots and much anticipation. Many people across the country have already cast their votes with early voting sites and absentee ballots.
The Associated Press reported on October 26, that a total of over 58.6 million ballots have been cast countrywide so far. That already surpasses the 58 million early votes cast in the 2016 race.
Nearly 3.5 million votes have been cast so far in North Carolina, which equates to about a 48% voter turnout.
More about Dr. Brinson
Dr. Brinson currently teaches Research Methods, Media Processes and Effects, Introduction to Media Studies, Political Communication, and Gender Communication at the University of San Diego. As an instructor at St. Louis University, she also taught courses in Advertising, Mass Communication, and worked with the American Advertising Federation's student competition team. As a teaching assistant and an associate instructor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, she taught courses in Political Communication, Intergroup Communication, Media, and Intercultural Communication.
In today's political stage, civic participation is more important than ever. Attending protests, voting, participating in petitions, paying taxes, and more. So what is pushing people into civic engagement? Is it positive affirmations of candidates and their policies? Or is it an injustice and a want for a change? Victoria and Emily chat with Asher D. Hildebrand, Associate Professor of the Practice in the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. Before joining the Sanford faculty, Hildebrand served for nearly 15 years in Congress and on political campaigns. Including working as the Director of Policy and Research for President Barack Obama's 2012 campaign in North Carolina. New episodes every Tuesday. Join the conversation!
Raquel Martin joined the Washington, D.C., Bureau in March 2019 from WCIA3 in Springfield, Illinois, where she was a statehouse reporter/producer covering Illinois politics.
Raquel began her career in 2014 as a writer at KUSI in San Diego. In 2015, she joined KABC-TV in Los Angeles as an assignment editor, where she honed her news-gathering skills, covering breaking news events including the 2015 San Bernardino terror attack.
In 2017, Raquel landed her first on-air job at WCIA3. There, she interviewed countless political leaders and reported on major political stories including the state’s historic budget impasse, the 2018 congressional midterm election, and the Illinois governor’s race. She also covered visits by high-profile national figures including President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
In Washington, Raquel will build upon her prior experience and continue to report on the issues most important to local viewers.
Dr. Peter L. Francia is a professor of political science and director of the Center for Survey Research at East Carolina University. He is the author of several academic books and articles on the subjects of campaign finance, interest groups, public opinion, and American elections.
More on Dr. Morris
Dr. Jonathan S. Morris (Ph.D., Purdue University) is a professor of political science at East Carolina University. His research focuses on the media and politics, including political humor, cable news, and political communication on social media. He is co-author of Politics is a Joke! How TV Comedians Are Remaking Political Life and has been published in several journals, including Political Research Quarterly, Public Opinion Quarterly, Legislative Studies Quarterly, and Political Behavior, Social Science Quarterly, Political Communication, and Sociological Forum.
What is "What The Politics" all about? A quick look at what voters (especially younger ones) need to know about the political system. This podcast will help those learn about politics in a civil and engaging way.