The Room Where It Happens

Not Just Headlines

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The Room Where It Happens is a political podcast by Not Just Headlines hosted by Lily Oatis, featuring conversations with candidates, community leaders, and political analysts. The show helps young voters understand local politics, elections, and the decisions that impact their communities so they can make informed choices at the ballot box.

4d ago

The Most Important Race Nobody's Talking About | Justice Anita Earls, NC Supreme Court

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Justice Anita Earls, Associate Justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court, who is up for reelection this November. Justice Earls shares her journey from civil rights attorney to state Supreme Court justice, explaining why judicial races matter just as much as the political races that dominate headlines. This conversation breaks down how the court system actually works, what the Supreme Court decides, and why these decisions impact everything from your electricity bill to your right to vote. Key Topics Covered: Why judicial races are often called the most important races nobody talks about The difference between electing judges versus politicians and what voters should look for How the NC Supreme Court impacts your daily life, from electricity rates to education funding Justice Earls' 30 year career as a voting rights attorney before joining the bench Understanding the court system: trial courts, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court How cases are selected and what happens during deliberations The unprecedented reversal of cases after the court's political makeup changed Partisan versus nonpartisan judicial elections and what that means in practice The Duke Energy rate increase case and how it affects consumer electricity bills The Leandro education case and the fight for adequately funded public schools Voting rights cases and how districts are drawn in North Carolina The 2024 military and overseas voter ballot controversy Why courts serve as guardrails for democracy How young people can get involved beyond just voting Advice for students interested in legal careers and public service 00:00:00 Introduction: The Most Important Race Nobody's Talking About 00:01:43 Meet Justice Anita Earls: NC Supreme Court Associate Justice 00:02:15 Why Judicial Races Matter for Democracy 00:04:21 What Does the Supreme Court Actually Do? 00:06:48 From Voting Rights Attorney to Supreme Court Justice 00:09:35 Understanding North Carolina's Court System 00:12:40 How Cases Are Selected and Decided 00:15:22 What Happens When Judges Disagree 00:17:08 The Unprecedented Rehearings of Major Cases 00:19:45 How Long Does It Take to Decide a Case? 00:21:30 The Challenge of Interpreting Law 00:23:54 Running for Judge vs Running for Office 00:26:19 What Voters Should Look for in Judicial Candidates 00:29:12 Partisan vs Nonpartisan Judicial Elections 00:32:40 What Keeps Justice Earls Going 00:35:15 Advice for Students Interested in Legal Careers 00:38:20 How Young People Can Get Involved 00:40:05 Why Courts Are the Guardrails of Democracy 00:42:30 Early Voting Information and Resources Justice Earls makes clear that judicial races aren't just about abstract legal principles. They're about who decides how much you pay for electricity, whether your vote counts, and if public schools get adequate funding. With three Republican seats on the court up for election in two years, this race is part of a larger conversation about the future of North Carolina's judiciary and the protection of constitutional rights. Early voting runs through October 31st. You can register and vote at the same time during early voting. Bring your ID and proof of address. 💬 Did you know judicial races could impact so many aspects of daily life? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Learn more at earlsforjustice.com Voter assistance hotline: 1-833-VOTE-4-NC #NCSupremeCourt #JudicialElections #NorthCarolina #VotingRights #notjustheadlines #NCpol
Sep 29

How Social Media is Flipping Politics on Its Head | Hannah Preston, Influence NC

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Hannah Preston, founder and executive director of Influence NC, a nonpartisan organization revolutionizing how young people engage with politics in North Carolina through social media. Hannah shares her journey from working in public health policy to quitting her job and starting a nonprofit that has grown from 6 creators to nearly 100 in less than a year. This conversation explores how social media is fundamentally changing the power dynamics in politics and why young people have a unique advantage in shaping the future of civic engagement. Key Topics Covered: How Hannah went from Health Policy Princess to founding Influence NC The decision to quit her job and work at a bridal store while launching a nonprofit Growing the creator program from 6 to 100 creators across North Carolina Why North Carolina needs sustainable political infrastructure beyond election cycles Training elected officials in their 70s, 80s, and 90s to use social media effectively The future of political communication for reaching young voters Organizing 14 early voting parties across North Carolina counties Making voting fun and reframing civic engagement as joyful resistance Why local and state elections matter more than DC politics for your daily life Advice for young people organizing in rural areas without large communities Navigating pushback from the Board of Elections and other established institutions How social media flips traditional power dynamics in politics The need for more young voices building organizations in North Carolina Balancing personal political opinions with nonpartisan nonprofit work 00:00:00 Introduction: The Power of Social Media in Politics 00:01:05 Meet Hannah Preston: Founder of Influence NC 00:02:06 From Health Policy Princess to Influence NC 00:03:43 How Public Policy Work Translates to Social Media Impact 00:05:54 Taking the Leap: Quitting Her Job to Start a Nonprofit 00:07:53 Building the Creator Program: From 6 to 100 Creators 00:11:21 Why North Carolina? Building Sustainable Infrastructure 00:14:11 Training Elected Officials to Use Social Media 00:18:07 The Future of Political Communication for Young Voters 00:21:13 Early Voting Parties and Campus Organizing 00:23:52 Making Voting Fun: Reframing Civic Engagement 00:25:07 Local Elections Matter: Shifting Focus from DC to State Government 00:26:49 Advice for Young People in Rural Areas 00:29:36 Navigating Pushback: The Board of Elections Story 00:34:03 Flipping the Power Dynamic with Social Media 00:35:20 The Need for More Young Voices in North Carolina Politics 00:36:50 Balancing Personal Opinions with Nonpartisan Work 00:39:16 Connect with Influence NC and Health Policy Princess Hannah's story demonstrates that young people don't have to wait their turn to make an impact in politics. By leveraging social media and building community driven infrastructure, she's proving that authentic engagement and digital organizing can create real change at the state level. Whether you're interested in becoming a creator yourself, running for office, or simply understanding how to make your voice heard in North Carolina politics, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical pathways forward. 💬 How do you think social media is changing politics? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Follow Influence NC on all platforms Follow Health Policy Princess for more unfiltered political commentary #InfluenceNC #NorthCarolina #YoungVoters #SocialMediaPolitics #CivicEngagement #NCpol #notjustheadlines
Aug 11

The Real Reason Young People Can’t Get Elected | Kyah Creekmore

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Kyah Creekmore, who at just 23 years old, launched a congressional campaign in North Carolina's 5th District. Kyah shares his unconventional journey into politics, running a grassroots campaign with minimal resources that ultimately captured over 43% of the primary vote against an opponent who raised 33 times more money. This conversation explores why young people face such significant barriers to elected office and what it takes to break through them. Key Topics Covered: What inspired a 23 year old to run for Congress after the 2024 presidential election Why Kyah chose a congressional race over local office despite having no political experience The mental and emotional toll of running for office as a young candidate Raising $7,500 versus an opponent's $250,000 and still winning 43% of the vote The reality of facing entrenched politicians who have been in office for decades Why traditional campaign strategies like TV ads are becoming obsolete How to reach rural and Appalachian communities as a young progressive candidate The power of personal storytelling versus facts and numbers in political campaigns Building community through third places and grassroots organizing Why transparency and rejecting corporate money matters for maintaining voter trust The importance of midterm elections and down ballot races for real change 00:00 Introduction: Why a 23-Year-Old Decided to Run for Congress 01:32 The Presidential Election That Changed Everything 02:52 Why Congress Over Local Office? 04:31 Running Without Political Mentors 06:32 Conquering Anxiety and Stage Fright on the Campaign Trail 08:34 Building Your Support System as a Young Candidate 13:08 Policy Platform 15:07 Conversations with Voters 17:01 Staying Accountable: People-Powered Campaigns 19:07 Building Community Beyond Politics 19:56 Running From the Bottom With All Passion 21:12 43 Percent with 7,500 Dollars: The Primary Results 24:20 Taking On Virginia Foxx: Challenging a Political Powerhouse 29:34 Overcoming Corporate Influence 32:58 Beyond TV Ads: Reaching Voters in the Digital Age 35:32 Mobilizing Young Voters Through Representation 36:42 Should You Run for Office? Honest Advice for Young Activists 39:34 The Midterm Election 42:12 Closing Thoughts Kyah's story challenges the conventional wisdom that you need decades of experience, corporate backing, or a legal career to run for office. He demonstrates that with passion, authenticity, and a willingness to meet voters where they are, young candidates can compete even in the most unlikely races. Whether you're considering running for office yourself or simply want to understand why our political system seems designed to keep young voices out, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical insights. 💬 Do you think more young people should run for office? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! #YoungPoliticians #GrassrootsCampaign #NorthCarolina #CongressionalRace #PoliticalChange #notjustheadlinesmeadia #NCpol
Jul 15

Everything You Need to Know About the NC State Budget | NC Budget & Tax Center

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Sally and Moriah from the North Carolina Budget & Tax Center to break down everything you need to know about North Carolina's state budget. They explain the budget process from start to finish, why North Carolina has been operating without a new budget for multiple years, and what that means for everyday North Carolinians. Key Topics Covered: How the NC state budget process works and where it gets funding Why North Carolina missed the budget deadline and operated on old spending levels The impact of scheduled tax cuts on state revenue and public services Teacher pay raises and what they really mean for educators How federal, state, and local budgets are connected The upcoming constitutional amendments on the November ballot What happens to programs like SNAP when funding shifts between government levels Whether you're a first time voter or just want to understand how your tax dollars are being spent, this conversation makes state budget policy accessible and relevant to your everyday life. Sally and Mariah help connect the dots between tax policy decisions in Raleigh and the real pressures families face with rising costs for housing, child care, groceries, and more. 00:00 Introduction: The State of NC's Budget Crisis 00:59 Meet the Experts from NC Budget & Tax Center 01:42 Understanding This Year's Budget Conversation 03:11 How NC's Two-Year Budget System Works 05:44 The Purpose and Impact of State Budgets 07:13 Where Does Budget Money Come From? 10:10 The Eight-Step Budget Creation Process 12:45 Flaws in the Current Budget Process 20:11 The Revenue Crisis: Are We Growing Too Fast? 22:06 Tax Policy at the Heart of Budget Disagreements 25:01 The New Budget Compromise and Constitutional Amendments 29:01 Alternative Revenue Sources and Their Limitations 30:48 Teacher Pay and the Educator Exodus 34:48 Budget Wins: Child Care, Health Programs, and Helene Recovery 39:01 Federal, State, and Local Budget Connections 43:19 What Happens Next and How to Get Involved 💬 What questions do you have about North Carolina's budget? Drop them in the comments below! Learn more at ncbudget.org #NCBudget #NorthCarolina #StateBudget #TaxPolicy #PublicEducation #notjustheadlines
10/16/2025

T. Dianne Bellamy Small: Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate 2025

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Irving Allen. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices. Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1 Election Day: Nov. 4 💬 What questions do you have for local candidates? Drop them in the comments below!#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026
10/11/2025

Robbie Perkins: Greensboro Mayoral Candidate 2025

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council Mayoral Candidate Robbie Perkins. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices.Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1Election Day: Nov. 4💬 What questions do you have for local candidates? Drop them in the comments below!#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026
10/11/2025

Marikay Abuzuaiter: Greensboro City Council Mayoral Candidate 2025

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Marikay Abuzuaiter. She shares her priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices. Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1 Election Day: Nov. 4 💬 What questions do you have for local candidates? Drop them in the comments below! #GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026
10/11/2025

Irving Allen: Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate 2025

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, we sit down with Greensboro City Council At-Large Candidate Irving Allen. He shares his priorities, plans, and perspectives on the future of Greensboro. This interview is part of our 2025 candidate series to help first-time and local voters make informed choices. Election Dates: Early Voting: Oct. 16 - Nov. 1 Election Day: Nov. 4 💬 What questions do you have for local candidates? Drop them in the comments below!#GreensboroCityCouncil #CandidateInterview #notjustheadlines #2025 #2026

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The Room Where It Happens is a political podcast by Not Just Headlines hosted by Lily Oatis, featuring conversations with candidates, community leaders, and political analysts. The show helps young voters understand local politics, elections, and the decisions that impact their communities so they can make informed choices at the ballot box.

Creator

Not Just Headlines
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

45
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Not Just Headlines
Show Website

The Room Where It Happens