Guests of the Holler

Click an image to watch our full conversation with each special guest.

Daniel and Quinn kick back with renowned sociologist, NY Times columnist, best-selling author, MacArthur Genius, public intellectual, and weapons-grade badass Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom. The Tar Heel trio dive into an array of topics including South
Husband, father, candidate, congressman, soldier, social media star—on a given day, Jeff Jackson is all of these and more. The candidate for NC Attorney General sits down with Quinn and Daniel for what will surely go down as the most ruthless grillin
As Executive Director of Benevolence Farm, Kristen Powers brings her expertise from North Carolina's justice reform movement to helm Benevolence Farm—a trailblazing organization serving formerly incarcerated women. Set against the serene backdrop of
This week, the Holler hangs out with Mo Green, candidate for North Carolina's state superintendent of public instruction! Our next state superintendent will oversee a school system serving nearly 1.5 million students and a budget in the tens of billi
Quinn and Daniel sit down with Senator Rachel Hunt, the Democratic candidate for North Carolina Lieutenant Governor. Senator Hunt shares her insights on what it takes to run a statewide campaign, diving into the challenges, strategies, and personal m
Chapel Hill Town Councilor Theo Nollert has a thesis: when it comes to Tar Heel politics, it’s all about housing. In a data-driven and light-hearted approach, the clairvoyant Theo (he wore a Kamala Harris shirt to our early-July taping) tells us how
Anderson Clayton made headlines in 2023 by becoming the youngest state party chair in the nation, taking the helm of the North Carolina Democratic Party just after her 25th birthday. In this special episode of the Hometown Holler, she joins Quinn and
This week on the Holler: NC Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls holds court! A jurist of the highest caliber, Justice Earls teaches Quinn and Daniel about the role of the NC Supreme Court and how the rulings she and her colleagues issue from the bench
This week the Holler hangs out with Beth Helfrich, candidate for NC House District 98! From her roots as a third-generation Davidson resident to her impactful work as a former teacher, school leader, and community advocate, Beth is ready to bring her
Quinn and Daniel take a field trip to Raleigh with former State Rep. Ricky Hurtado, a true Alamance County Hometown Hero and friend of the Holler. During his term as the first Latino Democrat elected to the General Assembly, Ricky distinguished himse
Quamekia "Que" Shavers knows the key to boosting voter turnout: food, fun, and fellowship. It also doesn't hurt to have badass cups (listen and you'll see what we mean). As the founder of The Pink Vote, Que focuses on increasing engagement among Blac
As candidate for Commissioner of Labor, Braxton Winston gives North Carolina voters a lot to like. His diverse background includes experience as a union stagehand, sports TV grip for the Charlotte Hornets, and mayor pro tem of North Carolina’s larges
The Holler welcomes the AMAZING Julie von Haefen. Between being a mother of three, a dedicated public education advocate, and a member of the NC House, Julie knows a thing or two about service and leadership. Lucky for Quinn and Daniel, she's taking
The Holler is honored to present a special conversation with North Carolina State Auditor Jessica Holmes. From her humble beginnings in Pender County to becoming the first Black woman on North Carolina's Council of State, Jessica’s journey is the stu
This episode is for anyone who eats food. Daniel and Quinn sit down with Dr. Sarah Taber, candidate for NC Commissioner of Agriculture, to chat about North Carolina’s most important economic sector. A bona fide plant wizard, Dr. Taber impresses the H
In this episode of Hometown Holler, Quinn and Daniel sit down with Representative Wesley Harris, candidate for North Carolina State Treasurer. They delve into the responsibilities of the State Treasurer, the issues surrounding the underperformance of
The Holler sits down with Satana Deberry, Durham County's B.A. D.A. Satana recounts her journey from working as a defense attorney in her hometown to serving as the General Counsel of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and no
Don't worry, there's no premium for this episode! This week on the Holler, Daniel and Quinn welcome Senator Natasha Marcus, NC's Democratic candidate for Commissioner of Insurance. Natasha shares stories from her time in the Senate, her passion for p
Quinn and Daniel hang out with Billy Ball, Senior Editor at Cardinal & Pine, for an engaging discussion at the crossroads of media and politics. They dive into journalism's role in the political arena, tackle the complexities of covering state and lo
The Holler kicks off Pride month with a special visit from Tar Heel drag icon and community activist Stormie Daie! From defining drag to exploring its cultural and historical significance, Stormie sheds light on the importance of inclusivity and the
Originally recorded as subscriber-only content, this special episode serves up a slice of the Hometown Holler back porch as we chat with Lily Oatis, host of Not Just Headlines. Join us as we explore our podcasting journeys, reflecting on the inspirat
This week the Holler digs deep with Eric Henry, President of TS Designs, about North Carolina’s role in the global apparel industry, the importance of land use regulations (zoning), and why what we wear matters. From organic gardening with his grandf
What's in your water? This week the Holler finds out with the help of Professor La'Meshia Whittington, Founder and President of Democracy Green. A social scientist, policy expert, and environmental justice activist, Professor Whittington unpacks the
As Executive Director of Benevolence Farm, Kristen Powers brings her expertise from North Carolina's justice reform movement to helm Benevolence Farm—a trailblazing organization serving formerly incarcerated women. Set against the serene backdrop of
A stripper, an IRS agent, and a preacher walk into a bar. This isn't a joke. It's our next guest! Meet Reverend Mark Sandlin, an ordained Presbyterian minister and co-founder of ProgressiveChristianity.org. In a captivating dialogue, Mark delves into
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood as Quinn and Daniel sit down for a chat with Seneca Rogers. Since he began attending school board meetings as a concerned citizen back in pre-pandemic times, Seneca has distinguished himself as a tireless advo
This week the Holler shines a light on the best-kept secret in our public schools: adult education! Joining Quinn and Daniel for this uplifting lesson is a true Hometown Hero. As Executive Director of College and Career Readiness at Alamance Communit
This week the Holler continues its deep dive into the Year of Public Schools, and who better to chat with than Ms. Eugenia Floyd, 2021 North Carolina Teacher of the Year! Ms. Floyd sits down with Quinn and Daniel for an in-depth discussion on what it
Join Quinn and Daniel as they delve into the rich tapestry of Black history in Alamance County with special guest and Friend of the Holler James Shields. A devoted community activist and Manager of the African American Cultural Arts and History Cente
Daniel and Quinn cap off Pride Month with a special guest: Ken Smith, President of Alamance Pride and Certified Badass. Ken reflects on his journey in local activism, emphasizing the profound impact of Pride organizations in small towns. He also offe
In this special Pride Month episode of Hometown Holler, hosts Daniel Ayers and Quinn Ray welcome Rachel Hopkins, founder and president of Transcend Alamance. Rachel discusses the mission and impact of her organization in fostering a sense of belongin
In China, 2024 is the year of the Dragon. In North Carolina, it's the year of the Public School. In that spirit, the Holler is hosting a series of conversations on the state of public education in the Tar Heel state. To kick things off, Quinn and Dan