What The Politics?! (WTP)

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.

Emily and Victoria sit down to talk with Brian Farkas of North Carolina's District 9 to discuss his campaign and issues he wants to address while in office. Also how young energy brings a new enthusiasm to the political field

In this week’s episode, we venture a little deeper and discuss national security as a whole.

In this episode of What The Politics?!, we dive into the legalities and nuances surrounding whistleblowing. Whistleblowing can happen on various levels, from a part-time employee making a complaint to HR, to a government insider coming forward about corruption and fraud. So why is whistleblowing important, or is it? Why do whistleblowers go through all that trouble just to come forward?

The COVID-19 vaccine is one of the most anticipated medical treatments in recent years. With a vaccine candidate inching closer to approval, questions are forming beyond the vaccine's effectiveness. Join us on this episode of What The Politics?! as we discuss the moral dilemmas surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine, ethical issues in public policy, and how the US determines the first candidates.

The challenges of the pandemic have been overwhelming - from losing loved ones, jobs, and struggling with isolation. How do leaders respond to the call of this challenge? This week Victoria and Emily sit down with Dr. Mandy Cohen, the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). How do leaders respond to the call of this challenge? What are the conversations that go on behind the scenes, beyond the weekly press conferences from the state? These are just some of the questions we ask Dr. Cohen, who leads the state's COVID-19 taskforce.

Is church and state really separate in our political atmosphere? We wanted to know what role religion plays for both candidates and voters. Victoria Holmes and Emily Cervarich are joined in this conversation by Dr. Brad Lockerbie from East Carolina University.

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.

Last week was one of the most divisive Presidential Elections of our lifetime. And it still isn’t totally over. As we move forward, and as a new political party may soon take hold of the White House, the question is...how do we bridge those gaps across the political aisle now? Victoria and Emily are joined by CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett to discuss. New episodes every Tuesday. Join the conversation!

Victoria and Emily are joined by Dr. Peter Francia, a professor of political science and director of the Center for Survey Research at East Carolina University. Dr. Francia tells us the role political interest groups and lobbyists have in our democracy, and how they influence election outcomes.

We asked you, the listener, to write to us here at What The Politics?! with your questions, concerns, and comments about voting and the voting process this year. And we brought on a specialist to help answer those questions. Victoria and Emily are joined this episode by Trey Cash, Director for Greene County’s Board of Elections.

Political advertising is a serious business. But, the methods and content aren't always so serious. Between questionable ethics and the rise of technological tools, political advertisements are blurring the line between fair accusations to misleading attacks. Victoria and Emily are joined by Dr. Mary Brinson, a Political Scientist and Communications professor from the University of San Diego, to discuss the nature of political advertisements in modern-day elections.