Best Spectrumlocal Podcasts (2025)

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Exclusive: Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley 24:33

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11h ago24:33

24:33

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, an exclusive interview with Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley. The RNC Chairman and former N.C. GOP chairman discusses his decision to run for office for the first time, his race against former Gov. Roy Cooper, and all the issues that will make this the most important and closely watched r…

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What to know about crypto’s growing role in politics 39:11

8d ago39:11

39:11

With cryptocurrency in political headlines from Congress to the White House, we figured it was time to get some experts on to help us understand it all. Two well-versed and well-spoken experts from Duke University join host Tim Boyum to share their experiences. Jimmie Lenz is the Director of the Master of Engineering in Financial Technology and Mas…

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Cooper and Whatley: Who has the early advantage? 50:28

15d ago50:28

50:28

In just one summer week, the nation’s most important and expensive race blew up with former Gov. Roy Cooper and RNC Chairman Michael Whatley both entering the race. They are likely to face each other in the 2026 general election to replace Senator Thom Tillis. This week, one of the state’s most prominent consultants, Republican Jim Blaine, joins us…

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Why is North Carolina getting hotter and more humid? One state official says climate change is to blame 35:57

22d ago35:57

35:57

Host Tim Boyum welcomes Dr. Kathy Dello this week, as they analyze the extensive flooding that has impacted our state throughout the summer. Dr. Dello is the State Climatologist and Director of the State Climate Office. She explains the science behind the recent intense rainfall and the role climate change has played in these storms. She also talks…

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Art Pope on President Trump's tariff plan and the consumer 44:11

29d ago44:11

44:11

This week, Art Pope joins host Tim Boyum to voice his strong opposition to President Donald Trump’s tariff plan. Pope is one of the state’s largest Republican donors and owns a massive discount retail company, recently purchasing numerous Big Lots that were in bankruptcy. Pope believes the tariffs will lead to product shortages and increased prices…

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Potential impacts of the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ on N.C. Medicaid expansion 34:44

1M ago34:44

34:44

On this week’s episode, two of Tim’s long time political friends join him to talk about the potential political impacts of the “Big Beautiful Bill” on Medicaid expansion. Tim is joined by Billy Warden of RLF Communications and Brian Lewis from New Frame. They also talk about the latest on former Gov. Roy Cooper potentially entering next year’s U.S.…

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What, and who, is next after Tillis? Two of the state's top political consultants weigh in 35:21

1M ago35:21

35:21

Days after U.S. Senator Thom Tillis announced he will not run for reelection, host Tim Boyum sits down with two of North Carolina’s top consultants to talk about what’s next. Morgan Jackson, a top Democratic strategist for former Gov. Roy Cooper, and Jonathan Felts, a top Republican strategist for current U.S. Senator Ted Budd, join Tim to talk abo…

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Sen. Thom Tillis says he won't seek reelection, what's next 40:49

2M ago40:49

40:49

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with Lucille Sherman of Axios Raleigh and WUNC Capitol Bureau Chief Colin Campbell about U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis dropping out of the U.S. Senate race and the wild “ending” to the legislative session this week. In a recent statement, Tillis said his decision was motivated by his desire …

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'A delicate balance': North Carolina's Health secretary breaks down Medicaid's complex role 30:38

2M ago30:38

30:38

North Carolina’s new top public health official, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Dev Sangvai joins Tying it Together host Tim Boyum to discuss the latest public health news, the future of health care, nurse shortages and more. Tim also asks him just why the healthcare system is so difficult to understand for so many, incl…

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'I don't know where or how to lead you': Remembering the Emanuel Nine part 2 29:21

2M ago29:21

29:21

This is part two of a two-part series covering ten years since the deadly shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. With a victim’s brother, Spectrum News 1’s Tim Boyum returned to Charleston to visit the church. Although much is different, the pain remains. Malcolm Graham’s sister, Cynthia, was one of the nine murdered in the church bas…

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'We're celebrating, not how she died, but how she lived': The Emanuel Nine part 1 36:28

2M ago36:28

36:28

It’s been 10 years since the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston. It happened on June 17, 2015. With the victim’s brother, Spectrum News 1’s Tim Boyum returned to Charleston to visit the church. Although much is different, the pain remains. "I miss her. But we're celebrating, not how she died, but how she lived," Malcolm Graham said. H…

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The research behind North Carolina's roads 36:06

2M ago36:06

36:06

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum tackles one of the biggest and most talked about issues in North Carolina — traffic. As a growing state, we are seeing all kinds of improved roads and many new designs, including roundabouts, diamond interchanges, and beyond. N.C. State is a hotbed for a lot of the research that goes into …

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Gov. Josh Stein on growing up, possible FEMA cuts and the state budget 33:49

3M ago33:49

33:49

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein joins host Tim Boyum in the studio to go in-depth about his life and talk politics of the day. We learn what it’s like to live in the executive mansion, his father’s role in opening the state’s first integrated law firm, how he met the first lady. The two then transition to…

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North Carolina’s Innocence Inquiry Commission faces elimination, what it means 40:59

3M ago40:59

40:59

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum tackles the debate over North Carolina’s one of a kind Innocence Inquiry Commission. Since 2007, it has exonerated 16 people, many serving over 20 years in prison for crimes they did not commit. However, the state Senate wants to cut its funding. The commission’s leader Laura Pierro joins …

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Former N.C. state superintendent on the state's longest disputed election 41:28

3M ago41:28

41:28

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum is joined by former state superintendent of public instruction Dr. June Atkinson. She made history as the first woman elected for the position and held it from 2005 through 2016. This month, after six months of court drama, the nation’s final 2024 race ended with State Supreme Court Associ…

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Long-serving director talks about getting ousted from Republican-controlled elections board 48:50

3M ago48:50

48:50

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with Karen Brinson Bell, the recently removed executive director of the North Carolina Board of Elections. A new law passed last week enabled Republicans to select a new board, which then appointed a former Republican attorney general candidate and general counsel to the Republican h…

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RNC Chairman Michael Whatley on FEMA review efforts, Trump's first 100 days 25:25

4M ago25:25

25:25

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley. The North Carolina native was just appointed to a FEMA Review Council. That council will take a closer look at the future of the often-criticized emergency management agency. President Trump criticized the agency’s response…

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Catching up with Rep. Tim Moore after DMZ visit, stepping down as House Speaker 30:04

4M ago30:04

30:04

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum sits down with Congressman Tim Moore. He’s in his first term after breaking a record as the longest serving House Speaker in North Carolina legislative history. The Republican recently visited the DMZ, separating North and South Korea. He explains his time there, including his reasons for …

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David Graham: ‘The Project: How Project 2025 is Reshaping America’ 29:01

4M ago29:01

29:01

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, nationally known journalist from The Atlantic, David Graham, joins host Tim Boyum to discuss his new book. The Durham based journalist just released his first, “The Project: How Project 2025 is Reshaping America”. Project 2025 is a 900-page document of policies drawn up by a group of conservative people,…

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'Bigger mess than I thought': Sitting down with N.C. State Auditor Dave Boliek 32:47

4M ago32:47

32:47

Our guest this week is new State Auditor Dave Boliek. His job is to look at state and local entities and audit them to make sure tax dollars are being spent in the way the General Assembly appropriates them. The state auditor’s primary goals include covering a financial audit, economy and efficiency audit and program result audit. The Republican jo…

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Western North Carolina asks, where's the money? 35:23

4M ago35:23

35:23

On this week’s episode, Tim asks, where’s the money? Recently, local leaders went to the White House pleading for money from the federal government to help the area recover from Helene. The federal government has promised more than $9 billion in a bill passed by Congress, but months later very little of that money has reached western North Carolina…

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N.C. Sen. Chaudhuri on how Democrats are doing in a new General Assembly 37:06

5M ago37:06

37:06

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with North Carolina State Senator Jay Chaudhuri. The Wake County Democrat discusses his parents’ background as immigrants from India and the impact it had on his life. He also explains the connection between his upbringing and his dedication to public service. Later, the two talk abo…

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Taking a timeout from politics to talk North Carolina's blue bloods 36:16

5M ago36:16

36:16

In the middle of March Madness, host Tim Boyum brings on an old friend and political journalist who just released a book on the history of the so-called “blue bloods” of college basketball. Jeff Tiberii is a host of Due South on WUNC radio, but he also just released the book “The Magnificent Seven: College Basketball’s Blue Bloods.” It’s a fascinat…

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Do you trust North Carolina's election process? 31:04

5M ago31:04

31:04

On this week’s episode, host Tim Boyum and his guests discuss a recent study on the state of North Carolina elections. Low faith and trust in elections is widespread, but North Carolina’s elections are more successful than many other states, according to a study from cross-partisan organization North Carolina Fair Safe and Secure Elections. "One bi…

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Raleigh News & Observer: The political impacts of a historical North Carolina newspaper 37:21

5M ago37:21

37:21

On this week’s episode, host Tim Boyum talks with author and retired political reporter Rob Christensen. The two discuss Christensen’s newly released book, Southern News, Southern Politics, which tells the fascinating story of the Raleigh News & Observer and its impact on shaping North Carolina’s political history. With a 45-year career at the news…

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'We didn't even have tests': Dr. Mandy Cohen looks back on COVID-19 in N.C. five years later 51:09

6M ago51:09

51:09

In an exclusive interview five years after Covid, host Tim Boyum speaks with the woman who guided North Carolina through the pandemic. Dr. Mandy Cohen reveals the challenges, the successes, and even threats she faced during the challenging time. She highlights working with Gov. Roy Cooper as a key reason for her success in North Carolina during COV…

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Getting candid with Republican Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger 37:26

6M ago37:26

37:26

This week’s episode of Tying it Together features an interview with Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, arguably North Carolina’s most influential politician, as a new legislative session begins. Host Tim Boyum and Sen. Berger openly discuss Helene’s mountain relief efforts, collaboration with new Gov. Josh Stein and house speaker Destin Hall, an…

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North Carolina’s first unaffiliated congressional candidate reflects on process 27:02

6M ago27:02

27:02

On this week’s episode, host Tim Boyum reconnects with Shelane Etchison. She was North Carolina’s first ever Congressional unaffiliated candidate to make it on the ballot. Independents aren’t a party, they aren’t a third party, they’re exactly as they sound — independent. Although she lost the election, she significantly outperformed all other non-…

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'There's going to be tons of money': North Carolina's 2026 Senate race 38:07

6M ago38:07

38:07

Next year, North Carolina will host what is expected to be the most important and expensive U.S. Senate races in the country. This week, incumbent Thom Tillis’ consultant, Jordan Shaw, joins host Tim Boyum in studio to talk about the Tillis campaign. The two also talk about the impact President Trump has on candidates and Sen. Tillis’ potential Dem…

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Youngest ever N.C. House speaker talks about his priorities 38:54

7M ago38:54

38:54

On this episode of Tying it Together, North Carolina’s new House Speaker Destin Hall joins host Tim Boyum for a wide-ranging discussion about his new role and working with a new governor. At just 37, he’s the state’s youngest speaker ever, and he’s not afraid to be frank. Speaker Hall also goes in depth with Tim on the major topics of today like Hu…

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What it's like working in the White House 36:20

7M ago36:20

36:20

On this week’s episode, host Tim Boyum talks with former Senior White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates. Bates, a North Carolina native and N.C. State grad, spent significant time in the White House with President Biden and on the campaign trail with him as well. He takes us behind-the-scenes of working in the high-pressure job, trips on Ai…

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Gerrymandering: The ongoing fight for fair maps 34:09

7M ago34:09

34:09

Attorney and former Democratic politician Wiley Nickel joins host Tim Boyum this week to talk about his time in Congress. Former congressman Nickel served as the U.S. representative for North Carolina’s 13th district from 2023 to 2025. He tells Tim why he was so concentrated on gerrymandering during that time. "Gerrymandering isn’t about the number…

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What N.C. elected officials said they expect heading to D.C. in 2025 46:03

7M ago46:03

46:03

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum gives us a look at what we can expect from Washington politics in 2025. He spent several days there during the recent snowstorm, sitting down with three newly elected members of Congress from North Carolina: Rep. Pat Harrigan, Rep. Addison McDowell and Rep. Brad Knott. He also talks with W…

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Roy Cooper and Thom Tillis for U.S. Senate in 2026? 38:35

8M ago38:35

38:35

This week, Tim Boyum interviews top Republican strategist Paul Shumaker about his analysis of the 2024 elections, and their implications for the future. Shumaker has won five U.S. Senate races as a consultant and currently works for U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, who is up for reelection next year. Shumaker offered insights into the race, including thou…

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2024: End of year extravaganza 47:07

8M ago47:07

47:07

A Tying It Together tradition — Billy Warden and Brian Lewis join Tim for yet another hilarious, and somehow, informative, look at the year in politics and a look ahead to 2025. Billy Warden, chief strategy officer with RLF Communications, also sings his annual parody Christmas song. Brian Lewis, founder of New Frame, gives us some insight into wha…

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A spirited debate: Liberals, conservatives and you 41:09

8M ago41:09

41:09

On this week’s episode, we have a spirited debate over the words liberal and conservative. What does it mean to be liberal or conservative? Do those terms automatically connect to Democrat and Republican? This debate started during a recent TV segment between Charlotte City Councilman Tariq Bokhari and former mayor pro tem Braxton Winston, who also…

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Change in leadership: N.C. Senate Democrats see new head figure in Sen. Sydney Batch 39:12

8M ago39:12

39:12

In a recent surprise, North Carolina Senate Democrats announced a new leader that was not Dan Blue. Sen. Sydney Batch will take his place next year after a decade of different leadership. Sen. Batch joined host Tim Boyum to discuss her background in an incredibly successful family, working with her husband at their law firm, surviving breast cancer…

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John Locke Foundation: How the North Carolina think tank got its start 38:17

8M ago38:17

38:17

On this week’s episode, longtime political guru John Hood joins host Tim Boyum to discuss the early days of launching one of North Carolina’s first think tanks, and the impact all think tanks have in today’s political world. For over two decades, Hood directed the John Locke Foundation and presently authors a nationally syndicated newspaper column …

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Trump won N.C., but Democrats took the top seats in the state. Here's why 36:34

9M ago36:34

36:34

On this week’s episode of Tying it Together, top North Carolina Democratic strategist Morgan Jackson joins host Tim Boyum to break down the 2024 election from his perspective. The two break down North Carolina Governor-elect Josh Stein and other major positions going to Democrats, despite Donald Trump winning the presidency by a decent margin, and …

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The economy and a presidential election: Can promises made really be kept? 32:47

9M ago32:47

32:47

After months of promises and debate, the 2024 presidential election likely came down to how people felt about the economy. On this week’s podcast, host Tim Boyum talks with two economists about the promises made, and what a Trump presidency might mean for the economy in terms of tariffs, product prices, interest rates, immigration and more. Our gue…

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Republican Jim Blaine on why Trump won North Carolina 46:20

9M ago46:20

46:20

As host Tim Boyum continues to look at the results of the 2024 election, longtime Republican Jim Blaine joins him to offer his perspective on why President-elect Donald Trump won. Despite Donald Trump’s more than 3-percentage point victory in North Carolina, Democrats celebrated Election Day victories in races for governor, attorney general and the…

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Spectrum News political reporters describe covering Harris and Trump campaigns 40:24

9M ago40:24

40:24

Fresh off the campaign trail, Spectrum News political reporters Taylor Popielarz and Cassie Semyon join host Tim Boyum to talk about their time following President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. They reveal the struggles and triumphs of their journey, painting a vivid picture of life on the road, week after week, for months on…

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Decision 2024: North Carolina's post-election results 18:47

10M ago18:47

18:47

Just hours after Donald Trump was declared the winner of the presidential election, Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley joins host Tim Boyum to discuss President Trump-elect’s win. The two also touch on topics like whether the election was fair and secure, and what Trump will focus on first in January. Later on, the discussion cover…

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Experts weigh in on North Carolina early voting numbers 34:39

10M ago34:39

34:39

Just days before election day, host Tim Boyum talks with two experts about the early voting numbers we are seeing and what it might mean in terms of momentum for one candidate or the other. Republicans are seeing higher numbers, but are they new voters or just voters that previously voted on election day? Dr. Michael Bitzer, from Catawba College, a…

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After Helene: Ensuring every N.C. vote is cast and counted 46:42

10M ago46:42

46:42

With early voting underway in North Carolina’s crucial battleground election, state elections executive director Karen Brinson Bell joins host Tim Boyum this week to talk about the storm’s impact on western North Carolina elections. She’ll also discuss what we can expect if races get close. It comes as Gov. Cooper visited Asheville earlier in the w…

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Final push: What does the polling say as early voting begins in N.C.? 36:07

10M ago36:07

36:07

This week, host Tim Boyum returns to the studio after a recent road trip, sitting down with the region’s top pollsters to talk about the election as early voting begins and campaigns begin their final push. Tom Jensen, from Public Policy Polling, and Dr. Scott Huffmon, from Winthrop University, are on hand with the latest trends in the presidential…

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Tim wraps up his cross-country politics palooza 12:04

11M ago12:04

12:04

Front Porch Politics and Tying It Together podcast host Tim Boyum, with photojournalist John Stampf, are wrapping their cross-country trip in a rented Tesla to test the realities of electric vehicles. They’ve talked with everyday Americans and local leaders about the issues that matter to them this election season reporting along the way. Tim and J…

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Talking election controversy at the Vegas Strip 10:40

11M ago10:40

10:40

Front Porch Politics and Tying It Together podcast host Tim Boyum, with photojournalist John Stampf, are on the road. They’re talking with everyday Americans and local leaders about the issues that matter to them this election season. And they’re making the journey in a rented Tesla, reporting as they go on the realities of charging stops and range…

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Hot Air Politics: Soaring into the skies over New Mexico 10:49

11M ago10:49

10:49

Front Porch Politics and Tying It Together podcast host Tim Boyum, with photojournalist John Stampf, are on the road. They're talking with everyday Americans and local leaders about the issues that matter to them this election season. And they're making the journey in a rented Tesla, reporting as they go on the realities of charging stops and range…

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'The Dairy Eras Tour': Tim talks to Dairy experts at the World Dairy Expo 10:59

11M ago10:59

10:59

By Spectrum News 1