I sat down with Michael Whatley — former NCGOP chair, former RNC chair, and the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. He was born in Michigan, grew up in the Boone / Blowing Rock area, and lives in Gaston County now. He’s running against former Gov. Roy Cooper.

Michael doesn’t dodge the hard stuff. We went through the accusations that have followed him this cycle — Harvey West, Helene recovery, and his years as an energy lobbyist — and then his stances on Flock cameras, the housing market, and healthcare costs.

If you care about this Senate race, or you just want to hear the candidate answer the questions folks are already asking around the kitchen table, this one’s worth the listen.

Real talk. Real NC.

I sat down with Woody White — Wilmington attorney, former North Carolina state senator, two-term New Hanover County commissioner, and current member of the UNC Board of Governors.

Woody doesn’t talk in talking points. We covered a lot of ground: how local government actually works, what he saw in the Senate, the fight over UNC, growth and trees in Wilmington, and why so many people in this state feel like Raleigh and the universities stopped listening to regular North Carolinians.

If you care about coastal NC, county government, higher ed, or just want an unfiltered conversation with somebody who’s been in the room for 30 years, this one’s worth the watch.

Real talk. Real NC.

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If you've ever crossed one of North Carolina's coastal bridges and spotted shrimp boats rocking in the harbor, you've seen more than just boats. You're looking at a way of life that's been part of this state for generations.

This week, I'm joined by Monica Smith of Miss Gina's Shrimp on Harkers Island. Monica grew up around the seafood industry, married into a commercial shrimping family, left careers in teaching and nursing, and now helps run one of the best-known local shrimp businesses on our coast.

We talk about the controversy that became known as "Shrimp Gate" and why so many North Carolinians—regardless of political party—came together to defend our commercial fishing industry. Monica explains what really happened behind the scenes, why she believes science doesn't support many of the claims made against shrimpers, and how thousands of people rallied in Raleigh to protect an industry that has shaped coastal communities for generations.

But this conversation isn't just about politics.

It's about family businesses, preserving traditions, buying local seafood, and understanding where your food actually comes from. Monica also shares what life is really like aboard a shrimp boat, the incredible wildlife they encounter on the water, how modern shrimping has changed over the years, and why she believes consumers deserve to know whether the shrimp on their plate came from North Carolina or halfway around the world.

If you care about North Carolina's coast, its culture, or simply want to know where your seafood comes from, you won't want to miss this conversation.

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