The Hometown Holler, a North Carolina politics podcast hosted by Daniel Ayers and Quinn Ray, interviewed Anderson Clayton, chair of the NC Democratic Party, during a Sept. 12 recording discussing local and state politics and how students can make their mark.
It is fairly common for college students to feel at a standstill in the political world, often unsure of how to get involved or struggling to navigate the complex perspectives that shape today’s discourse.
That’s why , 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 student-run radio station, hosted a live podcast recording of , a North Carolina politics podcast presented by Daniel Ayers and Quinn Ray. The Sept. 12 event, held at Iraz煤 Coffee in the Moseley Center, featured an interview with Anderson Clayton, chair of the NC Democratic Party, and included a Q&A session diving into the importance of local politics and how young people from all political perspectives can get involved in their communities.
鈥淧articipating in local politics is the most basic level of civil engagement and is especially important during an election season,鈥 said Charlotte Pfabe 鈥27, a journalism major and WSOE鈥檚 outreach director. 鈥淭his event was a chance for Elon students and community members to come together and ask important questions.鈥
The idea to conduct a live podcast formed during a Zoom call last summer with WSOE and The Hometown Holler staff. Once the idea was planted, WSOE鈥檚 student staff and Abby Igoe, assistant director of multimedia projects and WSOE鈥檚 staff mentor, began working on how to host such a live event, acquiring the essential equipment, which ranged from microphones to lighting to cameras.
After figuring out the logistics, the organizers set out to identify the right guest lineup and landed on Clayton. Elected at 25 years old, Clayton is the youngest chair of a state democratic party in the country. Despite her age, the Roxboro, North Carolina, native is experienced in politics having worked on Congresswoman Kathy Manning鈥檚 campaign and served as a field organizer in Iowa for the presidential campaigns of Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren.
In total, approximately 30 people attended the live recording, including students, faculty and community members. During the Q&A session, attendees inquired about ways to participate in the political process, how they can become more informed voters, and where they can vote.
鈥淧ersonally, I found it refreshing to be able to see members of the local community come together to listen and reflect on the importance of local politics,鈥 Pfabe said. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 often have discussions dedicated to local elections, so having an event focused on unpacking the impact of local politics was unique and influential to me.鈥
Ahron Frankel 鈥26, a strategic communications major and WSOE鈥檚 general manager, echoed those sentiments and appreciated that the podcast covered topics beyond Donald Trump, Kamala Harris and forthcoming presidential election.
鈥淚 think it is very important for people to understand why their local politics matter,鈥 Frankel said. 鈥淓specially during a time like this, where everybody is focused on the presidential election, we must also remember that what鈥檚 happening at our school and our hometowns matters so much.鈥
福利亚洲国产精品 the podcast
According to WSOE and university administration, the event was not affiliated with any political campaign and an invitation was extended to the chair of the North Carolina Republican Party. WSOE staff members tentatively plan to organize additional programming opportunities surrounding the 2024 election later in the semester.
For election resources, information and more upcoming campus events, visit the聽Elon Votes!听飞别产蝉颈迟别.