School of Government Podcasts

School of Government
Podcasts

Shows

A Day in the Life

Welcome to “A Day in the Life”. This is a production of the Center for Public Leadership and Governance at School of Government at the University of North Carolina. Each episode of “A Day in the Life” is a short podcast on the trials and tribulations newly elected local officials face each day as they serve their first year in public office. With “first meeting” guidance from incumbent officials, quick tips for sidestepping embarrassing media moments, and other advice, you’ll successfully navigate the potholes of public office.

View Website

Beyond the Bench

"Beyond the Bench" is a podcast about the legal system produced by the North Carolina Judicial College at the UNC School of Government. It is interview-based, with guests including judges, lawyers, professors, and citizens who have participated in court proceedings. Some interviews focus on guests’ personal experiences and opinions, while others explore discrete legal issues. The podcast is organized by season, with each season being focused on a particular type of case. For example, season one is about criminal law, and is hosted by Jeff Welty, a member of the criminal law faculty at the School of Government and the Director of the North Carolina Judicial College.

View Website

Elected Ed

Elected Ed covers important public policy issues encountered by local elected officials in their day-to-day roles leading and governing all across North Carolina.

View Website

Turning State's

Turning State's is a podcast for North Carolina prosecutors and others interested in the criminal justice system in North Carolina. It is hosted by Joseph L. Hyde, prosecutor advisor with the University of North Carolina School of Government, and Jonathan Holbrook, director of training with the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys. The podcast follows the format of a case update. Each episode features Hyde and Holbrook discussing a few criminal cases recently decided by North Carolina appellate courts. Listeners can expect to stay up to date on relevant criminal caselaw and receive expert advice on how this caselaw can inform and advance other prosecutions. Turning State's is produced in the recording studio at the University of North Carolina School of Government. The podcast is a collaboration between the School of Government and the Conference of District Attorneys.

View Website

Latest Episodes

#44 of Turning State's

Episode 44: Wise, Havens, and Moore

In this episode, Hyde and Holbrook discuss three cases decided by the North Carolina Court of Appeals in June 2026. In State v. Wise, No. COA25-683 (N.C. Ct. App. June 3, 2026), the Court of Appeals found no violation of the confrontation clause when the testifying expert reviewed and approved a toxicology report. In State v. Havens, No. COA25-592 (N.C. Ct. App. June 17, 2026), the Court of Appeals upheld the defendant’s convictions for secret peeping and sexual exploitation of a minor. And in State v. Moore, No. COA25-1049 (N.C. Ct. App. June 17, 2026), the Court of Appeals concluded the trial court did not err by admitting evidence of a separate instance of the defendant’s fleeing to elude arrest.

#43 of Turning State's

Episode 43: Phelps, Metcalf, and Tyson

In this episode, Hyde and Holbrook discuss three cases decided by the North Carolina Court of Appeals on June 3, 2026. In State v. Phelps, No. COA25-934 (N.C. Ct. App. June 3, 2026), the Court of Appeals ruled that simultaneous possession of multiple weapons constitutes a single instance of possession of a weapon of mass death and destruction. In State v. Metcalf, No. COA25-624 (N.C. Ct. App. June 3, 2026), the Court of Appeals found that repeated unanswered phone calls in violation of a DVPO constitutes felony stalking. And in State v. Tyson, No. COA25-604 (N.C. Ct. App. June 3, 2026), the Court of Appeals held that sexual exploitation of a minor by solicitation does not require that the material solicited actually exist.

#42 of Turning State's

Episode 42: Dobson, Myers, and Holt

In this episode, Hyde and Holbrook discuss three cases decided by the North Carolina appellate courts in May 2026. In State v. Dobson, 190PA24 (N.C. May 22, 2026), the Supreme Court held that the odor of marijuana is a factor to be considered under the totality of the circumstances for probable cause. In State v. Myers, No. COA25-631 (N.C. Ct. App. May 20, 2026), the Court of Appeals concluded the superior court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate two infractions. And in State v. Holt, No. COA25-560 (N.C. Ct. App. May 20, 2026), the Court of Appeals found a confrontation clause violation in a substitute analyst’s testimony on the defendant’s blood alcohol concentration.

#41 of Turning State's

Episode 41: Hague, Phillips, and Palmiter

In this episode, Hyde and Holbrook discuss three cases decided by the North Carolina appellate courts in May 2026. In State v. Hague, No. 225A24 (N.C. May 22, 2026), the Supreme Court concluded the trial court reversibly erred by excluding evidence of the victim’s prior convictions to show the defendant’s state of mind. In State v. Phillips, No. COA25-864 (N.C. Ct. App. May 6, 2026), the Court of Appeals found no confrontation clause violation in allowing a substitute analyst to testify to independent conclusions based on photographs. And in State v. Palmiter, No. COA25-338 (N.C. Ct. App. May 6, 2026), the Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of G.S. 14-318.5 making it a felony for a person providing care to or supervision of a child knowingly or wantonly to fail to report the disappearance of the child to law enforcement.

#26 of NC Criminal Debrief

Episode 26: NC Criminal Debrief

This episode covers recent decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court and the North Carolina Supreme Court addressing Second Amendment rights and marijuana use, jury selection, and probable cause in the age of legal cannabis.