Down Ballot Banter

Monét and Quay wrap up the season of Down Ballot Banter with humor, gratitude, and grace in this reflective and heartfelt finale. From celebrating hard-fought wins to pondering big questions about the future of local politics, they share their lessons learned, challenges faced, and hopes for what’s next. Tune in, take a deep breath, and join us as we bid farewell—for now—to the wild world of local elections. Are you ready to start the conversation? Eat, chat and act with Down Ballot Brunch.Down Ballot Banter is hosted by Monèt Marshall and Quay Weston and is a production of Earfluence.

Margaret Brunson, a seasoned leader in mental and behavioral health, brings a fresh perspective on leadership and authenticity. With a background in social justice movements and government collaborations, Brunson is all about empowering communities through self-leadership and genuine transformation. Join us as she shares her insights on the importance of personal growth, courage, and accountability in leadership, challenging traditional power dynamics along the way. Learn how she navigates the balance between collective healing and individuality, all while emphasizing the vibrant art scene in North Carolina and the impact of authenticity in driving change.  Are you ready to start the conversation? Eat, chat and act with Down Ballot Brunch.Down Ballot Banter is hosted by Monèt Marshall and Quay Weston and is a production of Earfluence.

Monèt and Quay welcome the inspiring Wesley Morris, a true North Carolina native, activist, and Reverend, who shares his journey from the church pews to political organizing in the streets. Wesley reflects on how growing up in a tight-knit church community and later experiencing campus activism at NC A&T shaped his political identity. With stories of protesting for farm workers' rights and grappling with the intersection of corporate interests and community well-being, Wesley shares how he leans on faith to fuel the fight. Tune in for a conversation on building community, sparking change, and living a life that honors the people who shaped you. Are you ready to start the conversation? Eat, chat and act with Down Ballot Brunch.Down Ballot Banter is hosted by Monèt Marshall and Quay Weston and is a production of Earfluence.

Tomorrow's the big day, and Monét and Quay are fired up! From grieving the grind of unenthusiastic voting to embracing unexpected “little dreams,” get reminded of why we show up and what we’re fighting for. This one’s for everyone who feels disillusioned yet hopeful, tired but inspired, and ready to build something better, together.  Are you ready to start the conversation? Eat, chat and act with Down Ballot Brunch.Down Ballot Banter is hosted by Monèt Marshall and Quay Weston and is a production of Earfluence.

Are young voters really disengaged, or are they just demanding a better system? Find out in this episode! Recorded live at No Preference Fest, Monét and Quay are bringing you a conversation featuring Mary Black, Aminah Jenkins, and Brea Perry that breaks down the myths about voters under 30. They share their perspectives on the political system, what drives them to the polls (or keeps them away), and how they view local elections as a critical avenue for change. Exploring how issues like climate change, student debt, and social justice impact their voting decisions, this candid conversation highlights the future of civic engagement in the Triangle and beyond. Are you ready to start the conversation? Eat, chat and act with Down Ballot Brunch.Down Ballot Banter is hosted by Monèt Marshall and Quay Weston and is a production of Earfluence.

Monét is flying solo in this episode as Quay enjoys some well-deserved family vacation time, but she’s joined by an incredible guest: filmmaker and media storyteller Saleem Reshamwala. Together, they dive into how local media is changing in North Carolina, why it’s harder than ever to get good political coverage, and how YOU can spot bias in the news you consume. Plus, Saleem shares his unique approach to simplifying complex topics and the art of storytelling, all while building a literal family block in Durham!  Are you ready to start the conversation? Eat, chat and act with Down Ballot Brunch.Down Ballot Banter is hosted by Monèt Marshall and Quay Weston and is a production of Earfluence.

In this special bonus episode, hosts Monét Marshall and Quay Weston take you to the North Carolina Labor Commissioner debate. Held on October 1 in Smithfield, NC, the debate featured Democratic candidate Braxton Winston and Republican candidate Luke Farley. Monét and Quay catch up with attendees to find out why they came, which candidate spoke to their values, and why local and state elections are critical to our everyday lives. Tune in for on-the-ground insights and reflections from the candidates themselves as they share what’s at stake in the upcoming election. Are you ready to start the conversation? Eat, chat and act with Down Ballot Brunch.Down Ballot Banter is hosted by Monèt Marshall and Quay Weston and is a production of Earfluence.

Join Monét and Quay as they talk with the inspiring Dreama Caldwell, Executive Co-Director at Down Home NC, who went from navigating the criminal justice system to leading a movement for change in small-town North Carolina. Dreama shares how she found her political home (spoiler: it involves a lot of butcher paper and a whole new take on small-town mayors), tackles myths about rural communities, and reveals the power of listening in organizing. Plus, she spills the tea on knocking doors, school board battles, and why rural folks aren’t all MAGA. This episode is a masterclass in building bridges and making change from the ground up.See The Rise of Dreama CaldwellLearn how Dreama is making North Carolina more equitable Are you ready to start the conversation? Eat, chat and act with Down Ballot Brunch.Down Ballot Banter is hosted by Monèt Marshall and Quay Weston and is a production of Earfluence.

Recorded live at No Preference Fest, this panel breaks down the powerful intersection of the Black church and North Carolina politics. Monét leads the conversation as Jesse Huddleston, Brea Perry, and Donna Coltrane Battle explore the Black church's expansive traditions, role in liberatory movements, and deep connection to justice work. Tune in as we explore how the Black church continues to stand at the forefront of the fight for freedom and justice. Are you ready to start the conversation? Eat, chat and act with Down Ballot Brunch.Down Ballot Banter is hosted by Monèt Marshall and Quay Weston and is a production of Earfluence.

Monèt and Quay get into the critical aspects of election oversight with Erica Porter, chair of the Wake County Board of Elections. Learn about legislative control over election regulations, acceptable forms of identification for voting, and the impact of college IDs on voter participation. Erica shares insights into building electoral trust and encourages voters to actively participate in observing the electoral process to dispel myths surrounding voter fraud. Plus, hear about the implications of the North Carolina Supreme Court's decision to remove RFK's name from the ballot, and the logistical headaches it causes for counties that had already begun printing ballots. Are you ready to start the conversation? Eat, chat and act with Down Ballot Brunch.Down Ballot Banter is hosted by Monèt Marshall and Quay Weston and is a production of Earfluence.

Ever wondered what the Commissioner of Labor really does or why a picture in an elevator just doesn’t cut it? Join us for a special live episode of Down Ballot Banter recorded at No Preference Fest, where Monét and Quay sit down with Braxton Winston—labor union advocate, former Charlotte City Council member, and current candidate for NC Labor Commissioner. From working within the system to shaking it up from the outside, we explore how change happens, the everyday violence of unsafe workplaces, and why electing the right people matters.Heads up: there are some cuss words in this episode. Just a few!We dedicate this episode to the memory of Wednesday "Wendy" Johnson. May we build an NC that creates safe and dignified jobs for all workers. Learn more about her story here.Want to get to know Braxton? Check out his website!Learn about both candidates for Commissioner of Labor.Learn about the Council of States. Are you ready to start the conversation? Eat, chat and act with Down Ballot Brunch.Down Ballot Banter is hosted by Monèt Marshall and Quay Weston and is a production of Earfluence.

Ever IG-stalk your political heroes? Well, Quay has. In this episode of Down Ballot Banter, we’re joined by Blair Reeves, the man behind Carolina Forward, who’s been out here fighting the good fight for state-level sanity (think: keeping loaded AR-15s out of schools – yep, that was almost a thing). We break down why local elections matter, how gerrymandering makes everything messier, and why building trust in a world of misinformation is harder than finding a parking spot in downtown Durham. Are you ready to start the conversation? Eat, chat and act with Down Ballot Brunch.Down Ballot Banter is hosted by Monèt Marshall and Quay Weston and is a production of Earfluence.

In the debut episode of Down Ballot Banter, hosts Monèt Noelle Marshall and Quay Weston kick off the conversation about the world of local politics. Have you ever wondered how local elections impact your daily life? From zoning laws to public schools, these often-overlooked decisions shape our communities in surprising ways. Monèt and Quay share personal stories—state-level impacts on preserving family land to federal-level policy on domestic workers and farmers—demonstrating why political engagement at all levels is so crucial. Join them on this journey to break down local elections, get informed, and even laugh a little while learning how to make your voice heard!Sketches of Pitt County, a brief history of the county, 1704-1910 (page 71)Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act  Are you ready to start the conversation? Eat, chat and act with Down Ballot Brunch.Down Ballot Banter is hosted by Monèt Marshall and Quay Weston and is a production of Earfluence.

Welcome to Down Ballot Banter, the podcast that puts the spotlight on local elections, and what local government actually means for you. Local elections are extremely important, and we’re on a mission to learn together and to break down local politics in a way that makes sense to us and doesn’t require us to be experts. So whether you're a seasoned voter or this is your first opportunity, we’ve got the insights and information to keep you informed and engaged because, when it comes to building new worlds, all of our inputs matter. So, if you’re ready to learn with us, let’s go!