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PODCAST

The Hometown Holler

The Hometown Holler

Tar Heel politics in a shot glass. Whether you"re a tenth-generation North Carolinian or a New-In-Town Tar Heel, there’s something for everyone at this political potluck. Join hosts Daniel Ayers and Quinn Ray as they dish up the facts, stir in some healthy debate, and maybe even throw in a few tall tales for good measure!

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All Episodes

00:57:23

Carolina Ghosts & Ghouls (Feat. Liz Z. Pardue)

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/10/27

A ghost cat, a lost hand, and a haunted mill — welcome to The Hometown Holler Halloween Special! Every Tar Heel town has a story. Liz Z. Pardue just happens to know all the ones that’ll keep you up at night. Liz joins The Holler to share the folklore behind our state's haunted past, why storytelling still matters in the digital age, and what local history can teach us about ourselves. From ghost cats to Blackbeard, this episode's got plenty of tricks and treats!Connect with Liz on social media

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00:59:28

Fighting for the Homefront (feat. Maria Donnelly &...

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/10/20

We thank them for their service — but do we understand their lives?Maria Donnelly and Katy Stevick join The Hometown Holler for a conversation about service, sacrifice, and the unseen struggles of America’s military families.As co-founders of the Military Family Foundation, Maria and Katy open up about life as Army spouses — from constant moves and financial strain to the resilience and community that hold it all together. They share how their personal experiences turned into a mission to reform how

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00:36:12

What It Takes to Run for Mayor in Small-Town America...

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/10/13

She’s running again — and this time, it’s personal. Beth Kennett joins The Holler to talk about why she’s stepping up once more to run for mayor of Burlington, North Carolina — and what it means to lead, listen, and fight for the community you love.Beth opens up about her journey from minister to mayoral candidate, the lessons she’s learned from losing by just 170 votes, and how she’s channeling that experience into a campaign built on listening, inclusion, and change.She also reflects on what it

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01:08:33

Tressie McMillan Cottom on Nostalgia, Belonging, and...

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/10/06

She’s back! One of our most requested guests — NYT columnist Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom — returns to The Hometown Holler for a conversation about belonging, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves about America. Tressie takes us inside Winston-Salem’s Black Panthers, unpacks the rise of disaster nationalism, and explains the difference between nostalgia and memory — and why that difference matters more than ever. She also breaks down why calling Trump an “idiot” completely misses the point, what

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01:00:08

Surviving Hurricane Helene: Rebuilding and Defending...

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/09/29

One year after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers joins The Hometown Holler for a powerful conversation about crisis, community, and the fight to keep small towns alive. Zeb relives Helene — from the death and destruction, to the misinformation and political spin, to the everyday acts of heroism that show why small towns still matter. He also recounts the paper mill shutdown known as “Black Monday” and shares what these experiences taught him about

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00:59:28

Fighting the Culture Wars (Feat. Ricky Hurtado and...

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/09/22

North Carolina’s culture wars are heating up, and we’re going to the front lines. Freshman Rep. Jordan Lopez (@lopez4nc) and Former Rep. Ricky Hurtado (@rickyhurtadonc) join us for an unfiltered conversation on race, power, and the future of NC.Listen now to learn:👉 Why lawmakers are stuck in culture wars while schools fall behind👉 Who really gets blamed when immigrant neighbors are scapegoated👉 Whether it’s still possible to unite people across race and classOne of our most candid, eye-opening

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00:53:30

WTF is the DNC? (Feat. Reyna Walters-Morgan)

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/09/15

With the 2026 midterms approaching, DNC Vice Chair Reyna Walters-Morgan joins The Holler to break down the role and powers of the DNC (it’s not just press conferences and conventions), how Democrats are rebuilding trust and enthusiasm, the challenge of balancing energizing the base with reaching moderates and swing voters, and how the party should respond to a potential government shutdown.👉 ⁠Support The Holler by Donating to our PayPal⁠:

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00:53:09

Fired Elections Chief Speaks Out: The Truth About...

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/09/08

As North Carolina’s chief election official, Karen Brinson Bell oversaw every Tar Heel election from 2019–2025 — from record-breaking voter turnout to the challenges of COVID-19, natural disasters, and legal battles like the infamous Griffin case.In this exclusive Hometown Holler interview, Bell shares:• The biggest myths about voting and how elections actually work• Why North Carolina’s system is safe and secure• Her shocking removal from office after a partisan power grab• What these changes mean

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00:41:57

Gov. Josh Stein on Cannabis, Political Power, Western...

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/07/07

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein takes us from his days as a high school soccer star to the frontlines of our state's biggest challenges. He explains why NC governors often have to lead with one hand tied behind their back, how unregulated THC products pose a growing public health risk, and why Western North Carolina might just be the most unforgettable place on Earth. Josh makes his case for a fairer, more functional state government while dishing on bipartisan wins, ‘80s soft rock, and his go-to

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01:08:33

David A. Graham on Project 2025

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/06/30

David A. Graham is a staff writer for The Atlantic and author of The Project: How Project 2025 Is Reshaping America. David joins the Hometown Holler to unpack what Project 2025 actually is, how it’s shaping Trump’s second term, and the real-world consequences already unfolding for Americans. The conversation also explores the evolution of Trump’s rhetoric, why public fear of crime often outpaces reality, the surge of nationwide anti-Trump protests, and why Southern communities may face the next

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00:53:27

Forward Thinking: Third Parties & the Future of NC...

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/06/23

The Holler hangs out with Patrick Newton, Chair of the North Carolina Forward Party, to dive into the role of third parties in American democracy. We unpack the arguments both for and against third-party movements, explore what North Carolina voters could gain from having the Forward Party on the ballot, and examine how alternative parties can shift political conversations—even without winning elections. Patrick also shares why putting data above ideology is crucial for building effective policies

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01:04:15

Fear & Loathing in North Carolina (Feat. Blair Reeves)

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/06/16

This week on The Hometown Holler podcast, we sit down with Blair Reeves—North Carolina’s favorite Waffle House Democrat and co-founder of Carolina Forward. Blair breaks down how the collapse of local media and a decade of ruthless gerrymandering paved the way for unchecked corruption in Raleigh. We dig into how the GOP supermajority seized control—and what it means for our schools, environment, voting rights, and future. What will it take to fight back and restore sanity in North Carolina politics

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00:57:56

Cat Ladies of America, Unite!

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/06/09

What happens when a nationally touring comedian with ADHD, a love for cats, and a deep sense of political urgency takes a vow to become Democracy's greatest defender? Answer: Blaire Postman! The Holler hangs out with America's Cat-Lady-In-Chief to explore how she turned a meme into a movement! Starting from scratch (pun intended) Blaire unleashed the full furry fury of America's cat ladies in 2024 and she's just getting started! With biting jokes and blistering insight, Blaire brings hope, wisdom,

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00:39:25

The Return of Stormie Daie

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/06/02

Stormie Daie—drag queen, science educator, and LGBTQ+ activist—returns to the Holler to talk about growing up queer in the South, the intersection of drag and education, and using art as activism.A founding member of the legendary House of Coxx in Durham, NC, Stormie shares how drag became her armor—both a celebration of self and a shield in the fight for visibility and equality. We cover everything from femmephobia and trans rights to drag bans, bomb threats, and Pride parades. Whether she’s

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00:53:00

The State of Our State: Chaz Beasley Breaks It Down

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/05/26

In this episode of The Hometown Holler, we sit down with former North Carolina State Representative, Attorney Chaz Beasley, to talk about the state of politics — in North Carolina and across the country. From the future of democracy to the challenges of public service, Chaz offers deep insights, honest reflections, and thoughtful takes on what it means to lead in today’s America.If you're interested in North Carolina politics, Democracy, or how real change happens on the ground, this episode is

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01:02:13

Something is Rotten in Cabarrus County

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/05/19

Kenny Wortman ain’t your typical politician. He’s a mohawk-wearing, neck-tattoo-showing, no-time-for-BS father, veteran firefighter, and funeral director. He’s also a lifelong Republican. Wortman joins the Holler to reveal what happens when you stop preaching the party gospel and start asking real questions. From small-town power grabs to backroom deals, this episode unpacks how local corruption can quietly sabotage public education, affordable housing, and economic development anywhere. Wortman

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00:49:32

Black. Southern. Unfiltered. Cornell Watson Captures...

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/05/12

In this episode of The Hometown Holler, we sit down with award-winning North Carolina photographer and storyteller Cornell Watson. Hailing from Weldon, NC, Cornell uses his camera to capture the heart, history, and humanity of black communities across the South, blending artistry with unapologetic truth-telling.From intimate family portraits to bold confrontations with systemic injustice, Cornell’s images don’t just tell stories—they challenge us to see, to reflect, and to act. His work has been

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01:08:16

Who Wants to Be a Patriotic Millionaire? Feat....

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/05/05

Stephen Prince is a patriotic millionaire—and he wants you to know the game is rigged. In this episode, the vice-chair of the Patriotic Millionaires breaks down why wealth hoarding isn’t just unfair—it’s un-American. From his humble beginnings in small-town South Georgia to building a multimillion-dollar business, Prince shares how he came to believe that raising taxes on the rich is the most patriotic thing we can do. Along the way, he digs into the need for a living wage, the myth of meritocracy,

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01:01:18

Crypto, Confederate Cosplay, and the Case for a Fair...

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/04/27

Jacob Brooks of National Director of the Great Economy Project joins the Holler for a whiskey-fueled conversation about the soul of the American economy—and why it's time to rethink everything we thought we knew about taxes, patriotism, and working-class power.Jacob breaks down how the ultra-wealthy are hiding their money in plain sight, why living wages are key to saving rural America, and how the Left can reclaim economic patriotism without apology. We also dive into North Carolina politics,

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00:55:12

Returns & Reforms – Where investment strategies meet...

The Hometown Holler ·

2025/04/21

In this episode, we sit down with Winston-Salem native Sam Grote—entrepreneur, economist, and founder of the NC Business Impact Forum. Sam shares his journey from hedge funds to launching startups and why he believes better business policy can unite a divided democracy. We talk about the power of investing in kids, what government efficiency really means, and why data needs a human story to matter.👉 ⁠Support the Holler by Donating to our PayPal⁠:

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