Best Spectrumlocal Podcasts (2025)

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Thanksgiving myths and reality: Historian breaks it down 40:11

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4d ago40:11

40:11

This week, as America celebrates Thanksgiving, host Tim Boyum welcomes author and historian Kenneth Davis to the Tying it Together podcast. Davis talks about the true history behind the story of the first Thanksgiving and many of the myths. The menu will surprise you, and we bet you can't guess which president signed the first proclamation declarin…

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GOP Sen. Ted Budd talks shutdown, Epstein files & spending time in Oval Office 41:02

11d ago41:02

41:02

U.S. Senator and Republican Ted Budd joins host Tim Boyum for a wide-ranging conversation on the Tying it Together podcast. They talk about his upbringing and how his first run for office literally happened hours before the deadline and resulted in a 17-way primary. Later, they talk about the government shutdown, health care, federal raids in Charl…

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Errol Louis: 3 reasons NYC elected Zohran Mamdani 33:46

18d ago33:46

33:46

This week, Tim talks with Spectrum National Political Anchor Errol Louis about Zohran Mamdani's win in the New York City mayoral race. Louis, host of NY1's "Inside City Hall" and his podcast "You Decide," has interviewed Mamdani and moderated one of the few debates. They talk about Mamdani's background, democratic socialism and how it could play ou…

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Cassie Clark on her viral Charlie Kirk shirt post 37:44

25d ago37:44

37:44

In this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with popular blogger and content creator Cassie Clark. She spends most of her time online preserving southern culture and history, but recently she has been thrown into politics after a post she made with a Charlie Kirk shirt on. Elon Musk retweeted her post that now has more than 21…

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A day at the N.C. State Fair with Labor Commissioner Luke Farley 33:51

1M ago33:51

33:51

This week on Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum heads to the state fair to talk with Labor Commissioner Luke Farley. Prior to his role in public service, Commissioner Farley practiced law privately, with a focus on workplace safety. They'll discuss the complex safety procedures needed for approving rides at the N.C. State Fair. They also discuss his…

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The big redistricting move in North Carolina: What voters need to know 45:14

1M ago45:14

45:14

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum and his guests tackle the latest craziness in North Carolina politics. Following Texas, California and others, the North Carolina is set to pass another new Congressional map this week. The state's most powerful politician is facing a primary. Finally, the 2026 U.S. Senate race continues t…

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Sheriff Sam Page on why he's vying for Phil Berger's N.C. Senate seat 38:59

2M ago38:59

38:59

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with the man who is challenging North Carolina's most powerful politician. Senate leader Phil Berger has led Republicans ever since they took full control of the legislature in 2011. However, an unsuccessful attempt to expand casinos in the state opened the door for criticism. As a r…

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Green Beret to Congressman: Republican Pat Harrigan on crime and partisan divide 46:05

2M ago46:05

46:05

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum chats with Congressman Pat Harrigan. The Republican representing the 10th district is a former Army Special Forces officer and Green Beret. He graduated from West Point with a degree in nuclear engineering, as well. Tim and Rep. Harrigan talk about his background in the military, why he ra…

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Anderson Clayton on the U.S. Senate race, crime and the future of the Democratic party 45:00

2M ago45:00

45:00

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton. Clayton discusses next year's top-watched U.S. Senate race, the future of the Democratic party and the political debates centered on crime in the state and around the country. Clayton, who was the nation's youngest state pa…

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Professors weigh in on First Amendment boundaries 35:02

2M ago35:02

35:02

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with two First Amendment experts in light of the debate over free speech since the death of Charlie Kirk and Jimmy Kimmel's temporary suspension. Tim's guests are UNC Law professor Bill Marshall and Campbell Law professor Greg Wallace. They will debate the origins, any exceptions, an…

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Greg Barnes talks UNC revenue sharing and team expectations with Coach Belichick 41:58

2M ago41:58

41:58

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum dives back into the world of college athletics, focusing on the political aspects of the sport as the college football season continues. This week, he takes a closer look at UNC-Chapel Hill after shocking the world and hiring Bill Belichick. He works to learn how the university is navigati…

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Why college football's biggest battles are now political 33:10

3M ago33:10

33:10

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with Matt Brown from Extra Points. As the college football season heats up, we are talking about the politics of college athletics, from NIL and conference realignment to even video games. Will politicians intervene? We tackle it all with the founder and publisher of Extra Points, wh…

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Thom Tillis on Trump conflict and death threats he's received 47:41

3M ago47:41

47:41

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum travels to Cornelius to meet with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis. There they talk about his debate with President Trump and his decision to retire. Sen. Tillis talks in depth about the conversations with President Trump, his decision not to run for reelection and the death threats he has receive…

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What can early polling tell us about the 2026 U.S. Senate Race 36:24

3M ago36:24

36:24

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, pollster Tom Jensen joins host Tim Boyum to talk about early polling in the 2026 U.S. Senate race and whether we can really glean any insight this early into the race. Jensen also talks in depth about the overall political mood for 2026, the highs and lows for candidates Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley, a…

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

3M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M ago44:11

44:11

This week, Art Pope joins host Tim Boyum to voice his strong opposition to President 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 for hi…

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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

6M 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

6M 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

6M 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

6M 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

6M 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

7M 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

7M 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

7M 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

7M 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

8M 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

8M 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

8M 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

8M 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

9M 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

9M 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

9M 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

9M 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

9M 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

10M 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

10M 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

10M 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

10M 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

11M 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

11M 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

11M 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…