Tying It Together with Tim Boyum

On this week's show, host Tim Boyum and investigative reporter Jeffrey Billman get into the controversial world of hemp and marijuana.  Marijuana remains illegal in North Carolina, yet THC-infused products are legal in what is termed the "wild west" of hemp.  Billman shares what he learned from his three-part investigation for "The Assembly" into the complicated controversy that surrounds the industry, the politics and the legal system.

Journalist and author Andrew Dunn joins host Tim Boyum to talk about his new book on former Gov. Pat McCrory. McCrory, a Republican, served in office from 2013 to 2017 when Republicans had a powerful hold over state government. He presided over the controversial HB2, became the first governor to lose reelection in state history, then lost in the 2022 U.S. Senate primary. Dunn looks at McCrory's legacy and the controversy that continues to define him today. Dunn is a former Charlotte Observer journalist and continues his own newsletter and commentary at Longleaf Politics.

As America continues to celebrate 250 years, host Tim Boyum looks into whether independence was actually declared in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, more than a year before the Declaration of Independence we know today. It's known as the "Meck Dec," and it's a great and fascinating source of discussion and controversy in the world of history. Author and Pulitzer-nominated correspondent Dave Fleming joins Tim to talk about his book, "Who's Your Founding Father?" which tackles that very topic. Fleming, a North Carolina resident, has written for Sports Illustrated, ESPN the Magazine and Meadowlark.

Host Tim Boyum travels to New Hampshire to talk to documentary filmmaker Ken Burns about America turning 250 years old for this week's episode of Tying it Together. Burns talks about his latest documentary on the American Revolution, what the founding documents mean to today's America, and what he thinks it means to be an American. He tells Tim which historical figures he would most want to sit down with for dinner and what Mount Rushmore might look like if we chose again.

Host Tim Boyum travels to Tennessee to meet up with Lee Greenwood. As America celebrates 250 years, Greenwood tells us the incredible story behind his hit, "God Bless the USA." From the inception on the tour bus to the stage with Ronald Reagan to an emotional story of singing it after 9/11, the song has defined his career. What you don't know is that the song almost never made it. A limousine trip to a record label executive's house on Halloween changed the course of history.

On this week's episode, Martin Luther King III joins Tim for a wide-ranging and candid conversation about his dad, his death and what his dad would think about America at 250. King tells detailed stories about how his mom told the children their father was gone, the famous people who filled their home in the days after his death and how his dad worked hard to be a dad despite extensive travel. 

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, Quinn Ray and Daniel Ayers from The Hometown Holler join host Tim Boyum. They talk about how they went from back porch conversations to a podcast and an Instagram feed racking up millions of views talking about North Carolina and politics, and bringing on some big-name guests. 

As the Carolina Hurricanes start their first Stanley Cup Final in 20 years, Tim talks with the man who sings the national anthem at every single game.  If you've seen it, you will never forget it.  Decker takes us behind the scenes but also his career away from the Canes that included appearances on America's Got Talent and American Idol.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum is joined by former Charlotte city council members Tariq Bokhari and Larken Egleston to talk about potentially one of the most consequential months of Charlotte politics in at least a decade. The council recently reversed course and canceled a major transportation plan. It is poised to potentially ban data centers in the coming weeks, and this all comes after the mayor announced she was stepping down at the end of June, long before her term expires. Bokhari, a Republican, and Egleston, a Democrat, work at The Southern Group and host their own podcast, R&D in the N.C.

Inspired by coverage of Watergate, Ned Barnett spent more than four decades in journalism. The Raleigh News & Observer editorial leader retired this month. He joins Tim to talk about his career, the role of opinion in journalism and the decline of newspapers in America.

On this week's episode, Tim talks about a group of center-left Democrats trying to make waves as partisanship continues to dominate the electorate. His guests are Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO of NewDEAL, and Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers. The national group held a conference in Raleigh and stopped by while in town. NewDEAL is a network of center-left elected leaders who are self-described pragmatists focusing on expanding opportunity and spurring growth. Alums of the group include Pete Buttigieg, Josh Shapiro and Stacey Abrams.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with the man who helped ignite one of the biggest upsets in North Carolina political history in this year's primary. Sheriff Sam Page ousted North Carolina's most powerful politician, Senate leader Phil Berger, in March. But for years, Patrick Sebastian worked behind the scenes to help make it happen, risking his entire career.

On this week's episode, fellow podcasters and lobbyists Brian Lewis and Skye David join Tim to talk about big leadership changes at the legislature, the pros and cons of the lobbying profession and its vital role, plus how their podcasting adventure has changed it all.

This week, Art Pope joins host Tim Boyum to voice his strong opposition to President Trump's tariff plan.  Pope is one of the state's largest Republican donors and owns a massive discount retail company, recently purchasing numerous Big Lots that were in bankruptcy.  Pope believes the tariffs will lead to product shortages and increased prices for his customers.