The Foxfire Dispatch

Liz Purvis
  • 5.0 (5)
  • POLITICS

Welcome to The Foxfire Dispatch—where small sparks ignite big change toward a better South. Founded by Gina Baxter and Liz Purvis, two left-of-center Southern women who aren't afraid to mix sass, substance, and soul, this podcast is your front porch conversation for politics, poetry, and everything in between. Pull up a chair as we unpack political headlines, amplify voices often left unheard, and spotlight stories of resistance and resilience from across our communities. Expect bold ideas, authentic storytelling, and a good dose of humor as we navigate the complexities of Southern identity and activism in real time. Whether you're deep in the heart of the South or just want to understand it better, join us as we prove—one dispatch at a time—that change down here isn't just possible, it's already happening.

  1. 2.12 TFD After the Primary: 2026 NC Edition

    4D AGO

    2.12 TFD After the Primary: 2026 NC Edition

    Host Liz Purvis welcomes guest host Coach LeVon Barnes of Alamance County, a 23-year educator and working-class father running for a North Carolina General Assembly House district 64, to discuss why he entered politics and what he learned from past campaigns. We break down key North Carolina primary results and dynamics, including Alamance county commissioner and sheriff races, Durham’s Congressional District 4 primary between Valerie Foushee and Nida Allam (and Allam’s concession), new Durham school board members, and debates over severe public education underfunding and how counties are forced to fill gaps. We also discuss Roy Cooper’s Senate run, the importance of judicial races like Justice Anita Earls, surprising statewide outcomes, the razor-thin Phil Berger–Sam Page Republican contest, Democratic primary upsets of incumbents who overrode vetoes, and how turnout, organizing, and down-ballot investment shape November. Find LeVon at LeVonforNC.com

    1h 18m
  2. 2.11 TFD Interviews Congressional Candidate Kyah Creekmore

    FEB 20

    2.11 TFD Interviews Congressional Candidate Kyah Creekmore

    Host Liz Purvis welcomes Kyah Creekmore, a 24-year-old Democratic candidate running in North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District primary to take on 20-year Republican incumbent Virginia Foxx. Creekmore describes the gerrymandered, sprawling 10-county district—largely rural and Appalachian but containing major student populations across campuses like UNC Greensboro, NC A&T, and App State—and argues those students are a growing political force. The conversation covers recent student organizing and marches after the State Board of Elections removed campus polling locations and Sunday voting, which Creekmore frames as youth and Black and brown voter suppression. He contrasts Gen Z’s realities—low wages, high rents, rising tuition, student debt, and weak job prospects—with older, wealthier political leadership, and emphasizes building a youth movement and mobilizing disengaged voters through lived-experience messaging. The episode ends with a lightning round and ways to support the campaign at KyahCreekmore.org, with Liz noting the race’s importance for rebuilding political power in gerrymandered communities.

    58 min
  3. 2.10 TFD Interviews Congressional Candidate Kate Barr

    JAN 30

    2.10 TFD Interviews Congressional Candidate Kate Barr

    In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis interviews Kate Compton Barr, the first Republican candidate to be featured on the show. Barr, a behavioral scientist and advocate for democracy, is running in the March Republican Primary for North Carolina's 14th Congressional District. Known for her radical transparency and previous 'can't win' campaign against gerrymandering, Barr discusses her motivations, experiences, and strategies for challenging incumbent Congressman Tim Moore. The conversation also delves into broader topics such as housing affordability, economic security, and the unique challenges of running as a progressive Republican in a gerrymandered district. Tune in for a candid and insightful discussion about political representation, voter empowerment, and the need for systemic change.

    58 min
  4. 2.9 2026 NC Wishlist & Survivor Gab w/ Rebekah Whilden

    JAN 16

    2.9 2026 NC Wishlist & Survivor Gab w/ Rebekah Whilden

    In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, Liz Purvis is joined by Rebekah Whilden, who returns as a co-host to discuss their political wishlist for 2026, focusing on North Carolina's future. They delve into topics such as fair representation, access to opportunities, and significant upcoming elections, including Roy Cooper's Senate race and Anita Earls' Supreme Court re-election. The conversation also covers structural issues in North Carolina politics and the importance of infrastructure and storytelling. The episode wraps up with a fun discussion on the finale of Survivor Season 49 and the anticipation for Season 50. Tune in for an engaging mix of serious political discourse and light-hearted reality TV talk, emphasizing the importance of imagination and hope in shaping the future. For more on Carolina Forward, visit https://carolinaforward.org/.

    1h 14m
  5. 2.8 TFD Minisode: Turning the Wheel, Picking Up the Tools

    JAN 9 · BONUS

    2.8 TFD Minisode: Turning the Wheel, Picking Up the Tools

    In this special New Year episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis offers a reflective and insightful look into 2026 through the lens of numerology and tarot. Liz explores the symbolism of the Wheel of Fortune, the Magician, and the Fool cards, considering their relevance to our political and social landscape. Emphasizing the importance of agency, courage, and responsibility, she encourages listeners to embrace uncertainty and push back against cynicism. The episode concludes with a reading of Ada Limón's poem 'In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa' reinforcing the themes of mystery and collective responsibility. Join Liz for a thoughtful start to the new year and a call to light small sparks of change.

    14 min
  6. 2.7 TFD Interviews Rebekah Whilden, Executive Director of Carolina Forward

    JAN 2

    2.7 TFD Interviews Rebekah Whilden, Executive Director of Carolina Forward

    In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis welcomes Rebekah Whilden, the Executive Director of Carolina Forward, for an insightful and candid conversation. Rebekah discusses her journey and the instrumental role Carolina Forward has played in advancing pro-democracy values and policies that serve all North Carolinians. The episode also delves into the significance of storytelling in political advocacy, the unique challenges of organizing in a purple state like North Carolina, and how to bridge the urban-rural divide. Rebekah shares her reflections on balancing non-partisanship while staying true to progressive values, the importance of coalition building, and innovative ways to engage with communities through social media. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on building durable power through narrative and community-centric approaches. For more on Carolina Forward, visit CarolinaForward.org.

    1h 7m
  7. 2.6 The Stanley Shuffle: When Democracy Takes a Back Seat

    12/26/2025

    2.6 The Stanley Shuffle: When Democracy Takes a Back Seat

    In this eye-opening episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz Purvis and guest-host Sydnie Hutchinson, the second vice chair of the Gaston Dems and a candidate for the NC House, dive deep into a shocking story of political corruption in Stanley, a small town in Gaston County, NC. They discuss how former mayor Steven Denton manipulated the system, securing a highly paid town manager position for himself and gerrymandering the town to maintain control. Through detailed recounts and personal experiences, this episode exposes the lengths to which some will go to maintain power, and the community’s efforts to reclaim transparency and democracy. Tune in for this special bonus episode to hear how residents are fighting back against entrenched corruption.

    1h 5m
  8. 2.5 TFD Interviews Paul Barringer

    12/19/2025

    2.5 TFD Interviews Paul Barringer

    In this episode of The Foxfire Dispatch, host Liz welcomes Paul Barringer, a Democratic candidate for North Carolina's 13th Congressional District. Barringer, a lawyer and public servant, discusses his decision to run for office, shaped by a desire to bring grounded, ethical leadership to a district dealing with rapid urbanization and rural roots. He further elaborates on his career in health law and his work within the prison system. The conversation covers Barringer's views on various policy issues including healthcare reform, immigration, common-sense gun laws, and the national debt, emphasizing his pragmatic and collaborative approach to governance. Liz and Paul also explore the challenges and opportunities of campaigning in a centrist district, concluding with a fun rapid-fire segment to get to know the candidate better.

    1h 3m
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5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Foxfire Dispatch—where small sparks ignite big change toward a better South. Founded by Gina Baxter and Liz Purvis, two left-of-center Southern women who aren't afraid to mix sass, substance, and soul, this podcast is your front porch conversation for politics, poetry, and everything in between. Pull up a chair as we unpack political headlines, amplify voices often left unheard, and spotlight stories of resistance and resilience from across our communities. Expect bold ideas, authentic storytelling, and a good dose of humor as we navigate the complexities of Southern identity and activism in real time. Whether you're deep in the heart of the South or just want to understand it better, join us as we prove—one dispatch at a time—that change down here isn't just possible, it's already happening.

Information

  • Creator
    Liz Purvis
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Liz Purvis 2025
  • Show Website
    The Foxfire Dispatch

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