The Middle American

The Democrats won.  Bigly.  It wasn't just that they won big races in blue states/cities like New Jersey, Virginia, California and NYC.  It's by how much.  But more telling is what happened in local races - both here in North Carolina and across the country.  Republicans had a bit of a wake up call that redistricting may not fix.  Will they listen in time for 2026?   Help nominate this podcast for Podcast of the Year in the WRAL Voters' Choice Awards 2025.  Click the link here and nominate under the Professional and Entertainment category.   https://www.wral.com/news/local/wral-voters-choice-awards-2025/ Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Politics and Faith - two topics families tend to avoid discussing around the holiday dinner table.  So let's delve into them here.  Election season is here in the midst of an ever-growing political divide.  Both parties claiming to be on the side of What Would Jesus Do?  Both sides claiming you can't be a Christian if you support the other.  Churches being attacked with political violence.  What does the Bible have to say about politics/government?  How does faith shape our political views?  And how should we treat those who disagree with our political beliefs?  My pastor, Owen Barrow, joins the podcast to discuss and provide insight on what can be difficult personal battle - especially during election season.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

The North Carolina state legislature joins a handful of other states in the unprecedented mid-decade redistricting campaign to ensure Republicans maintain control of the US House of Representatives for the second half of the Trump Administration's second term.  The cost?  Making not a single vote count in North Carolina when it comes to voting for a US House Rep.  Not one.  14 wholly uncompetitive districts.  It's a sham.  It's a shame.  And it deserves to be called out.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Mike joins the pod to discuss his campaign for Mayor of Holly Springs.  14 years ago, he lost a state rep race in Virginia by 50 votes.  He's thrown his hat back into the political ring with lessons learned from his prior campaign.  Mike shares his vision on development, traffic, citizen engagement, and other issues facing the town.  Learn more about his campaign here:  https://www.mikeforhs.com/ Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Annie is the second Council member running for re-election this cycle.  She joins the podcast to discuss lessons learned from her first campaign and her two-year stint in office, why she chose to run again, and what she hopes to accomplish in a second term.  You can learn more about her campaign here: https://www.anniedrees4hollysprings.com/ Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Tim is one of two current Council members who are running for re-election.  He joins the podcast to discuss his experience on the Council, why he chose to run again, and what he is hoping to accomplish with a second term.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Sarah Larson joins the podcast to discuss her campaign for Holly Springs Town Council.  People, policy and progress are the pillars of her candidacy.  She is already involved in a variety of aspects within the town, and is hoping to translate those experiences into being a Council member.  Learn more about her campaign here:  https://larsonforgovernment.com/ Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Dr. Kara Foster joins the podcast to discuss her campaign for Holly Springs Town Council.  The eye doctor has a vision for the town and sees potential for helping small businesses like her own grow and stay in the community.  Hear her talk about her prescription for smart, people-first growth along with expanding our greenways and transportation options.   Learn more about Kara here:  https://karaforcouncil.com/ Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Josh Prizer joins the podcast for a conversation about his campaign for Holly Springs Town Council.  We discuss his background in public safety back in New Jersey, why he chose to move to Holly Springs, his experience on the Holly Springs Planning Board, and his vision for the town.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

The first in my series of six conversations with candidates running for Holly Springs Town Council.  Meet Joe Cuccurullo as he discusses his campaign and vision for Holly Springs.  We talk about his experience running a small business in New York, why he chose to move to Holly Springs, and what he learned from his time on the Planning Board.  Learn more about Joe's campaign here: https://joeforhollysprings.com/ Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Jimmy Kimmel returns to ABC tonight, but not without controversy.  Republicans say he should be cancelled.  Democrats says the ordeal is based upon an unconstitutional infringement on Kimmel's freedom of speech.  In reality, it's a mixture of both.  Everyone should be concerned about the federal government's yielding of power to influence speech.  But this is not unique to the Trump Administration.  And that should make all of us concerned.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

This past week has not been America's best.  Political violence.  Hateful rhetoric.  Social media comments leading to job terminations.  Testing the limits of free speech.  And it all started from a tragic public debate on a college campus in Utah.  Many are going about it the wrong way.  How about example of those that are (and have been) doing it the right way?  Two Duke seniors join the pod to discuss the The Lemur, a publication that allows students to speak freely on a wide variety of topics in a civil way from all sides of the political and social spectrums.  How it has changed civil discourse on Duke's campus is an example that should be followed across all college campuses and beyond.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Two times this week I've watched a person die online.  Twice.  24 years after 9/11, we are more divided than ever before in my lifetime.  A bullet took out Charlie Kirk in an effort to silence free speech.  Killed because of his politics.  Enough.  We must do better as a country.  Not "yeah but..."  Not seeking revenge or retribution.  We must unite as a society and stand for the idea that we are free to disagree without resorting to devaluing human life.  It starts with us.  This is a turning point.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Another school shooting.  Are you as shocked as you were when you heard about Columbine?  Sandy Hook?  No?  What does that tell you about where society has gone since those instances?  Kids still being killed in school with no real solution in sight.  It's beyond time for real dialogue, debate, deliberation and decisive action.  The rush to blame and inflame rather than work to resolve this epidemic needs to end.  It starts with us.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

President Trump met with both Putin and Zelensky separately in an effort to broker a deal of a lasting peace agreement.  What would a deal look like?  Long-time WCPSS school board member resigned from her post.  I take a look back a her tenure and why I am happy to see her leave.  And MSNBC is rebranding, but why this move is indicative of the ongoing Democrat favorability and branding issues discussed in the last pod.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Democrat favorability is at historic lows heading into the 2026 midterms.  In North Carolina, registered Republicans are on the verge of overtaking registered Democrats.  Why the sharp decline?  It's a matter of trust.  Democrats, particularly their leadership (or lack thereof) has lost the trust of the American public.  From COVID through today, it has been eroded away.  What can they do to fix it?  Hint:  It's not continuing to point the finger at Trump.    Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

MAGA is a mess at the moment.  A movement that has largely been fueled by conspiracy theories peddled by its leader, Donald Trump, in eradicating the Deep State is now at a crossroads.  One of its biggest conspiracy theories, The Jeffrey Epstein files, is risking tearing apart the entire movement.  Leaders want Attorney General Pam Bondi to step down.  Other leaders, including Trump, are fully supportive of her and blaming (of course) Democrats while trying to shift the focus to other worn out conspiracy theories.  Those same Democrats are hopeful that this wedge issue will make the base fall apart.  It was a moment long in the making, and it is finally here.  Get your popcorn.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

I predicted that last weekend would be turbulent.  And it unfortunately was in the worst of ways.  The assassination of Rep. Hortman in her own home was horrifying and widely condemned.  But fingers were pointed by hands that were not clean.  My state Rep. von Haefen took to social media promoting the beheading of President Trump and Elon Musk.  She deserves all the criticism she has received, and I share my own thoughts on it.  But this all goes to one central issue: we need to live in a civil society where dialogue and debate are favored and demonization and death are condemned.  An important discussion.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

You knew it would eventually come.  But this week, President Trump and Elon Musk seemingly ended their bromance in spectacular (and embarrassing) fashion - with accusations ranging from lack of influence to pedophilia.  The catalyst is Trump's Big Beautiful Bill that is still sitting in Congress.  Republicans had a mandate.  They can't seem to get out of their own way.  And the circus from Trump Administration 1.0 appears to be fully back in town.  Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Debt free with a household income in the six figures.  This is the goal of most middle class families.  Shan and her family are those people.  But they still have found home buying to be unaffordable.  This looming housing crisis is not just for first-time homebuyers.  It will impact everyone.  This is the first in a new series of conversations with listeners over topics discussed on the podcast.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show