Left of Old North

Left of Old North
  • 5.0 (5)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

"Left of Old North" is hosted by CJ Robinson and Adrian Brakeley, two bold voices bringing unapologetic, progressive perspectives to the political landscape of North Carolina. With a keen eye on local and state issues, they tackle topics like labor rights, legislative power grabs, and grassroots activism. Their dynamic, no-holds-barred discussions cut through the noise, offering sharp analysis and a call to action for a more just and equitable Tar Heel State.

  1. The Night After the 2025 NC Elections w/ The Foxfire Dispatch

    11/07/2025

    The Night After the 2025 NC Elections w/ The Foxfire Dispatch

    This week, Left of Old North teams up with The Foxfire Dispatch for a special crossover episode! We’re joined by Liz Purvis, organizer, activist, and host of The Foxfire Dispatch, for a deep dive into the epic wins from this year’s elections — in North Carolina and across the country. From local races that flipped seats in tough districts to national victories for progressives, we break down what went right, what it says about the momentum building, and how grassroots organizing turned frustration into power. If you needed proof that people power still works — this is it.

    54 min
  2. TX Rep. Trey Martinez on Fighting Fire with Fire

    08/16/2025

    TX Rep. Trey Martinez on Fighting Fire with Fire

    In this episode, we sit down with Texas State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer, one of the Democrats who fled the Lone Star State to break quorum and stop an outrageous GOP gerrymander that would have handed Republicans five extra congressional seats. Rep. Martinez Fischer takes us inside the fight: from Governor Greg Abbott’s threats of fines and arrests, to a bomb threat in Illinois that forced Democrats to evacuate, to California’s bold counter-move to redraw its own maps in response. We talk about what it’s like to literally leave home for democracy, the national stakes of redistricting, and why he believes Democrats must be willing to fight fire with fire.

    25 min
  3. Rep. Rodney Pierce on Living Through History, Holding the Line, & Why Dems Can’t Ignore ENC

    08/08/2025

    Rep. Rodney Pierce on Living Through History, Holding the Line, & Why Dems Can’t Ignore ENC

    In this episode, CJ sits down with State Representative Rodney Pierce (HD-27) for a wide-ranging conversation about what it means to represent eastern North Carolina, from the fight for rural investment to defending democracy in the face of right-wing overreach. Rep. Pierce shares his journey into politics, the issues that matter most to his district, and how Democrats can reconnect with working-class voters across the 252. We talk education, healthcare, housing, and the urgency of standing strong in a statehouse that too often ignores rural voices. This one’s for anyone who believes North Carolina’s future includes all of us, not just the wealthy and well-connected in Raleigh.

    30 min
  4. Run Roy, RUN || Bonus Episode

    07/29/2025 ·  BONUS

    Run Roy, RUN || Bonus Episode

    In this bonus episode, we talk about the reception to Roy Cooper's announcement that he is running for the US Senate -- a long awaited boon for Democrats across the state that is sure to shake up the midterms. We talk about the dynamic Cooper brings to the table, what the response was like at the NCDP's Unity Dinner where he teased the run, and what's ahead for progressives. We also cover some of the vetoed bills in the NCGA that are currently slated to be overturned the day after this episode airs, and what to expect if it comes to a vote.

    37 min
  5. Chuck Hubbard on Running in Rural WNC & Why Virginia Foxx Needs to Lose

    07/28/2025

    Chuck Hubbard on Running in Rural WNC & Why Virginia Foxx Needs to Lose

    In this episode of Left of Old North, we sit down with Chuck Hubbard, the Democrat taking on far-right Rep. Virginia Foxx in North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District. Chuck talks with us about what it means to run in rural Western North Carolina, why Foxx’s long career of extremism and inaction has failed the people she’s supposed to represent, and how Democrats can reclaim ground in so-called “unwinnable” districts. We dig into the GOP’s culture war chaos, the local issues that actually matter to voters, and what it will take to retire Virginia Foxx once and for all.

    33 min
  6. Rep. Phil Rubin on Reform, The NC Legislature, and the Fight for a Functional Democracy

    07/15/2025

    Rep. Phil Rubin on Reform, The NC Legislature, and the Fight for a Functional Democracy

    Today we’re joined by State Representative Phil Rubin, a former federal prosecutor and first-term Democrat representing NC’s 40th District in Wake County. Rep. Rubin brings a legal mind and a reformer’s urgency to the NC General Assembly. We talk about his work to bring an advocacy-minded approach to representation, his push to fight in the margins of power, and the broken budget process that shut out nearly every Democratic amendment. We also discuss what it means to govern with integrity in a legislature where power is often prioritized over people—and how we fix it.

    25 min
  7. A Conversation with Aron Johnson on Queer Power in the South

    07/09/2025

    A Conversation with Aron Johnson on Queer Power in the South

    In this Pride Month episode of Left of Old North, we’re joined by Aron Johnson, the Organizing Director for Equality North Carolina and a seasoned movement builder with over a decade of grassroots experience. From leading campaigns to empowering communities across the state, Aron brings deep insight into what it really takes to protect and uplift LGBTQ+ North Carolinians in an increasingly hostile political climate. We talk about what Pride looks like beyond parades, how organizers are building power in places the legislature would rather forget, and what it means to show up for queer liberation year-round—not just in June. If you’re wondering what you can do in this moment, this episode is your roadmap.

    27 min
  8. Pride Under Pressure: Anti-LGBTQ Bills and a Voting Rights Crackdown in the NCGA

    06/02/2025

    Pride Under Pressure: Anti-LGBTQ Bills and a Voting Rights Crackdown in the NCGA

    In this Pride Month kickoff episode, we cut through the corporate rainbow-washing to talk about what Pride means in a moment of relentless attacks on LGBTQ+ rights — especially in North Carolina. From the legacy of HB2 to today’s slate of anti-trans and anti-gay bills, we lay out how the NCGA continues to target queer communities while the GOP escalates efforts to criminalize even the most basic democratic actions — like helping someone register to vote. We break down House Bill 127, a dangerous attempt to restrict voter registration drives, and share what listeners can do to fight back. It’s Pride, it’s political, and it’s personal.

    40 min
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About

"Left of Old North" is hosted by CJ Robinson and Adrian Brakeley, two bold voices bringing unapologetic, progressive perspectives to the political landscape of North Carolina. With a keen eye on local and state issues, they tackle topics like labor rights, legislative power grabs, and grassroots activism. Their dynamic, no-holds-barred discussions cut through the noise, offering sharp analysis and a call to action for a more just and equitable Tar Heel State.

Information

  • Creator
    Left of Old North
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Left of Old North 2024
  • Show Website
    Left of Old North