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Built By Us
Built By Us Media spotlights movement makers and shakers across North Carolina. Hosts Kai and Joselle sit down with organizers, activists, and working-class people who are fighting for justice, building power, and making sure our voices aren't just heard, but centered.
Every episode connects you with someone who's putting in work for liberation, and gives you the tools to join them. Because the North Carolina we deserve is being built by us.
Learn more at democracync.org!
Episodes
136 episodes
Built by Us, Funded by Who? Breaking Down NC's Budget Stalemate
North Carolina is the only state in the country without a comprehensive budget approved for this year, and the people are paying the price. In this episode, host Kai McNeil sits down with Sally Hodges-Copple and Moriah Collins from the NC Budge...
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33:33
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2026 NC Primaries Breakdown — Rejected Ballots, Gerrymandering & Canvassing Comes Next
The March primary is over, but the election process isn't. Right now, 100 county boards across North Carolina are in the canvass period, and most people have never heard of it. In this episode of Built by Us, host Kai McNeil sits do...
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Season 6
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Episode 6
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51:18
Basketball Blocking Democracy: Chris Suggs Still Fights for Kinston
Kinston, North Carolina is known as basketball heaven – producing more NBA players per capita than anywhere else in the world. But right now, democracy is under attack in the same town that gave us Brandon Ingram, Cedric Maxwell, and Jerry Stac...
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Season 6
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Episode 5
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25:33
Plugged In Pissed Off: Health Policy Princess
In this episode, Joselle sits down with Hannah Preston, a North Carolina social media influencer and public health advocate. They discuss the importance of grassroots digital organizing in driving political change, the intersection of health eq...
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Season 6
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Episode 4
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38:21
The Fight for Campus Voting at NC A&T
On January 13th, 2025, the North Carolina State Board of Elections voted 3-2 along party lines to eliminate campus polling sites for the 2026 primary, including at North Carolina A&T State University, the nation's largest public HBCU. This ...
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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17:50
Plugged In Pissed Off: New Year, New Midterms
In this episode, Joselle and Beatrice delve into the pressing issues of 2026, focusing on the aggressive tactics employed by ICE and federal agencies that target communities rooted in historical oppression. They discuss recent efforts aimed at ...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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1:00:17
2026 Elections and What Democracy Means This Year?
2026 Elections and What Democracy Means This YearWhat if 2026 isn't just an election year, but the fight for representation itself? In this Season 6 premiere of Built by Us, host Kai McNeil sits down with Professor Dr. Irving Joyn...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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35:57
Racist Maps Make Racist Reps: Karen Ziegler on Speaking Truth to Power Pt. 2
In Part 2 of our conversation with Democracy Out Loud co-founder Karen Ziegler, we delve deeper into the fight against gerrymandering in North Carolina and what's truly at stake for CD1, the historic Black Belt district that encompasses every B...
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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37:48
Racist Maps Make Racist Reps: Mark Swallow on Speaking Truth to Power Pt. 1
Fifteen organizers stood up in the NC Senate. Fifty people in the gallery joined them. Two million views later, "racist maps make racist reps" became a rallying cry against North Carolina's latest gerrymander.Mark Swallow leads Democracy...
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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33:00
Plugged In Pissed Off: Local Wins & Working Power
In this episode of 'Plugged In & Pissed Off', Beatrice and Joselle bask in the post-election vibes of the 2025 municipal elections and dig into various races that happened across the country and in North Carolina.www.democ...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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25:26
GOTV: Beyond the Ballot
You voted awesome! But what happens next? Host Kai McNeil teams up with JP Grillet (Election Protection Research Manager) and Marques Thompson (Organizing Director) to demystify the post-election process. Learn how your vote gets counted, what ...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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19:44
Plugged In Pissed Off: Racial Gerrymandering in NC
In this episode of 'Plugged In and Pissed Off', Beatrice and Joselle discuss the mid-cycle redistricting war that has taken over the country. They dig into the historical context of partisan and racial gerrymandering in North Carolina and the i...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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29:00
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GOTV: Your Ballot Blueprint
You know you want to vote—but do you have a plan? Host Kai McNeil and Desmera Gatewood, Program Manager of Non-profit & Direct Service Engagement, walk you through creating your personalized voting strategy. Learn when and where to vote, ho...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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9:48
Pass The Mic: The Impact of SB 153 & HB 318 on North Carolina's Immigrant Communities
In this special Spanish-language episode, we partner with El Pueblo to examine how Senate Bill 153 and House Bill 318 impact immigrant communities across North Carolina. Hosted by Eloy Tupachi (El Pueblo's Digital Strategy lead), fe...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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16:03
GOTV: Why Local Votes Hit Different
Think local elections don't matter? Think again. Host Kai McNeil and Election Protection Research Manager JP Grillet break down why your mayor and city council have more impact on your daily life than you might realize. Learn what's actually on...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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18:58
State of Democracy: Rigged Maps, Stolen Voices in North Carolina
When politicians get to choose their voters instead of voters choosing their politicians, we all lose. In this episode, we continue our in-depth examination of racial gerrymandering in North Carolina. Host Kai McNeil sits down with Tyler Daye, ...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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51:29
State of Democracy: How SB 153 & HB 318 Weaken Democracy for All North Carolinians
Happy Latine Heritage Month! This week we're talking about North Carolina's SB 153 & HB 318; bills that weaken our communities for everyone. Host Kai McNeil explores how these policies moved through the legislature and examines ...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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59:38
State of Democracy: Who Really Holds Power in North Carolina?
In this episode, we tackle two urgent threats to democracy in North Carolina. First, Dawn Blagrove of Emancipate NC unpacks the NCGA’s latest power grab, a move that could weaken local control and shift the balance of power for years to come. T...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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52:04
A Women’s History Month Conversation with Julia Hawes
In this special Women’s History Month episode of Built By Us, we sat down with Julia Hawes, Communications Director at Democracy North Carolina, for a candid conversation on Women's History Month. Hear from Julia directly a...
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Season 4
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Episode 23
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17:30
It’s Time to Talk About The SAVE Act
Voter fraud. It’s the go-to excuse for restrictive voting laws, but how big of a problem is it really? In this episode, we sit down with Communications Manager, Joselle Torres, to break down the SAVE Act, a bill that claims to protect elections...
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Season 4
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Episode 22
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37:04
ENCORE: Truthful and Revolutionary History with Dr. Ajamu Dillahunt
Black History Month may be coming to a close, but Black history is lived, made, and studied every day of the year. In this encore episode, we revisit our conversation with Dr. Ajamu Amiri Dillahunt on the power of understanding the past, the im...
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Season 4
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Episode 21
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44:39
ENCORE: The Role of First-Generation Immigrants in the Movement
As new legislation and political rhetoric fuel fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities, it's more important than ever to uplift the voices of those on the front lines. In this encore episode of Built By Us, former Dem...
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Season 4
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Episode 20
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37:18
What Black History Month Means To Me
In this special episode of Built By Us, we revisit powerful voices from past guests as they share what Black History Month means to them. From personal reflections to the ongoing fight for justice, tune in for a quick but meaningful co...
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Season 4
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Episode 19
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9:23
Living the Legacy: Linda Sutton and the Pursuit of Justice
In this moving episode of Built By Us, we spotlight the remarkable journey of Linda Sutton, a trailblazer in justice and equity from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. As a regional organizer for Democracy North Carolina, Linda shares her ...
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Season 4
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Episode 18
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30:43
Notes on PRIDE: Gender, Identity, and Allyship
In this candid conversation, we explore the complexities of identity, from the power of labels in connecting to humanity, to the challenges of navigating intersectional marginalization. Our guests discuss the covert policing of gender and se...
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Season 4
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Episode 17
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49:15