What The Politics?! (WTP)

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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!

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    • Oct 26, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 56 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from What The Politics?! (WTP)

    The 'institutional effects of executive scandals' with Brandon Rottinghaus

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2021 36:37


    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.

    Behind the scenes of a D.C. correspondent, from reporting from the hub of politics

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2021 27:50


    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.

    Episode 52: Defending the final frontier: U.S. expands with Space Force

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2021 36:17


    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.

    Politics in China, exploring power dynamics between China and the U.S.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2021 34:23


    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.

    Lobbying and social networks in Congress

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2021 29:21


    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.

    January 6th - Court cases and criminal charges

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2021 29:01


    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.

    Discussing Taliban rule, what happens next in Afghanistan

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2021 31:44


    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.

    Current events, Afghanistan reaction and popularity among political figures

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2021 28:31


    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.

    Could the post-pandemic economy be better?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2021 30:58


    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.

    Gen Z, Cancel Culture, masculinity in American Politics

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2021 29:23


    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?

    Stakeholders and power players, exploring America's future

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2021 29:56


    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.

    The CIA 'Mad Scientist' of the MK-Ultra experiments, torture, LSD, and mind control?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2021 34:06


    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.

    Law of the Sea: fisheries, environmental policies, and roadblocks in sustainability

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2021 31:51


    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.

    Futurist thinking; the pros and cons of futurethink

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2021 35:14


    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.

    Catching up in the NC House of Representatives, policy developments

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2021 29:47


    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.

    Origins of the COVID pandemic; critiques and strategies moving forward

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2021 30:06


    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.

    Voter legislation ahead of the 2022 midterm elections

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2021 30:27


    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.

    Policing in the United States, reform and recent cases

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2021 37:54


    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.

    The Pentagon's unclassified UFO report, what it could mean for national security

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2021 31:43


    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.

    Public policy issues at the forefront of North Carolinians' minds

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2021 16:44


    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.

    Breaking down N.C. Senate candidates for 2022 election

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2021 29:49


    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’s first 100 days

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2021 37:55


    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 2008 financial crisis, who or what’s to blame

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 27:37


    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.

    The Afghan War, analyzing American wars

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2021 36:41


    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.

    One for the books...the untold stories of American presidents

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2021 34:45


    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?

    North Carolina Politics: a paradox throughout history

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2021 28:31


    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.

    Civil rights across the years and litigation

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2021 27:33


    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.

    Life as a congressional intern

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2021 33:34


    In this week's episode of “What The Politics?!” we explore what it’s like to work as an intern in Washington, D.C.

    The economics of COVID-19 down the road

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2021 30:04


    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.

    A look into the opioid epidemic with NC Attorney General Josh Stein

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 26:21


    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.

    The future of the GOP and the divisions in the Democratic Party

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2021 28:29


    Digital reporters Victoria Holmes and Emily Cervarich speak with Dr. David McLannan, a professor and political analyst from Meredith College in North Carolina.

    Presidential Powers, Executive Orders and the Civil War

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2021 32:18


    The John Locke Foundation: Addressing state and federal policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2021 31:45


    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.

    Analyzing the First Amendment

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2021 28:55


    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.

    Special edition: Cyber Security – extremist groups, social media and personal privacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2021 14:32


    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.

    Cyber Security – extremist groups, social media and personal privacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2021 27:00


    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.

    The Lincoln Project

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2021 41:52


    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.

    Conspiracy theories

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2021 32:52


    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?

    Putting the D.C. riots into historical context

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2021 21:11


    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.

    Meeting local leaders - Greenville Mayor P.J. Connelly

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2021 20:49


    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.

    Meeting local representatives: NC State Rep. Brian Farkas

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2020 22:52


    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

    National Security; transparency and legal issues

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2020 26:01


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

    Whistleblowers; legalities and nuances

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2020 36:16


    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?

    COVID vaccine tests, bioethics and public policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2020 28:36


    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.

    Leadership during a pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2020 22:08


    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.

    Church and state ... how separate are they?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2020 22:06


    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.

    Social media and the recent election

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2020 30:41


    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.

    Building relationships across the aisle

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2020 26:38


    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!

    Political Interests Groups, Lobbyists

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2020 27:56


    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.

    Questions about voting, the process, and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2020 18:07


    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: A Serious Business

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2020 29:44


    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.

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