Laugh Lines with Kim & Penn Holderness

Episode: Bridging the Political Divide with Roy Cooper

Air Date: February 24, 2026

Guest: Governor Roy Cooper

Episode Overview

In this episode of Laugh Lines, Kim and Penn Holderness dive into the challenge of bridging America’s political divide with longtime North Carolina public servant, Governor Roy Cooper. Known for their comedic approach to aging, family, and real life, Kim and Penn set out to find hope, healing, and even humor in politics, drawing on their personal ties to community leadership and faith. The episode is equal parts heartfelt, candid, and illuminating as the Holdenesses and Governor Cooper discuss faith in public service, practical bipartisanship, and how to find common ground—and laughter—amid today’s cultural and political tensions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Connections and Setting the Stage

• The hosts open with humorous anecdotes about aging injuries and competitive middle-aged dance, setting a lighthearted tone (03:32–04:24).
• Kim and Penn reflect on their father, Pastor Haywood Holderness, who was active in bipartisan community service (09:05–09:36).
• Governor Roy Cooper joins and highlights his personal connection: “Heywood was my interim pastor at White Memorial Presbyterian Church...He was a faith in action kind of guy...ministering to those in need was critical.” (12:40–13:49)

2. Faith and Public Service

• Governor Cooper discusses how his faith informed his choice to return to politics:

  "There’s a passage in the book of Luke...to whom much is given, much is required. ...I knew I still needed to give back and to step up and run for this U.S. Senate seat to help people who really have been left behind." (14:29–15:42)

• Cites his gratitude for his upbringing and the sense of duty to use his blessings for the good of others.

3. North Carolina Politics as a Bridge

• Kim outlines the unique political landscape: North Carolina often votes Republican at the federal level, yet Cooper, a Democrat, has never lost a statewide election (10:04–10:33).
• Cooper on how he won cross-partisan support:

  “It’s more of a we thing for one. ...Leaders ...told me you ought to try to stand in another person’s shoes...I don’t believe that we’re as divided ...as a lot of leaders want us to be.” (22:54–23:28)

4. Practical Bipartisanship in Action

• Cooper relates the story of expanding Medicaid in North Carolina:

  "We worked to form a coalition of Republicans who lobbied Republican legislators...It was very powerful when you have a tough-on-crime Republican sheriff coming...telling Republicans ...Medicaid expansion can do that. ...Now 700,000 more North Carolinians have health insurance.” (23:13–26:20)

• Tears shared as Cooper reflects on the personal impact of providing healthcare:

  “Handing Penny the first Medicaid expansion card—there were tears in her eyes, and admittedly tears in mine.” (26:04)

5. The Role of Social Media and the Illusion of Division

• Hosts and Cooper decry the way algorithms exacerbate polarization:

  “The problem with social media, it’s the worst place in the world to try to achieve consensus...The algorithms...control what you see.” (27:48–28:37) “...we’re not actually as divided as the internet tells you we are...there are a lot of bots...just there to foment.” (29:37–29:58)

• Cooper’s advice:

  “Try not to get sucked into it. ...Get people out of social media, meeting face to face...it’s not going to be easy.” (28:48)

6. National Priorities and the American Dream

• Cooper lists national priorities—healthcare, education, economic fairness (30:29–33:07):

  “We are the richest country in the world. We ought to find a way where everybody can have affordable, quality health care...You can gauge the morality of a society by how it treats its children and its older people."

• Also stresses restoring constitutional balance between Congress and the President.

7. Levity, Laughter & Human Moments

• Cooper shares what keeps him laughing:

  “I’m a good dad joke guy...I had [my kids] make for me a little thing that I carry around of them doing a Three Stooges ‘hello, hello, hello’...I like comedies like Seinfeld, I love Andy Griffith.” (34:21–35:18)

• Friendly ribbing about Penn’s song parodies—even Governor Cooper has seen Penn “doing Wicked...the green face at the end was pretty incredible and terrifying.” (35:12)

8. Advice for Content Creators in a Polarized Time

• Cooper encourages addressing real issues even without choosing sides:

  “I understand the hesitance not to talk politics, but...we’re in a perilous position right now...I think it’s okay to talk about some of these things...You don’t necessarily have to get all involved in the ‘R versus D’...but raising the level of consciousness of these issues...” (36:55–37:50)

• Stresses optimism:

  “When things are on the verge of destruction, a lot of times you have the opportunity to recreate them even better than they were before.” (38:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On leadership and empathy:
  "You ought to try to stand in another person’s shoes to figure out what they are experiencing." — Governor Cooper (23:04)
• On bipartisanship:
  "A lot of people are yearning for decency...when it comes time for policy, we all need to find a way toward consensus." — Governor Cooper (26:36)
• On social media’s impact:
  “Social media is the worst place in the world to try to achieve consensus." — Governor Cooper (27:48)
• On faith in action:
  “My faith has played a role because I think that we all have to step up in our own way...ministering to those people like your dad did, making sure they have opportunities to succeed.” — Governor Cooper (15:11)
• On the imperative to give back:
  "To whom much is given, much is required." — Governor Cooper (14:39, referencing Luke)
• On humility and humor:
  "I have many, many reasons to be humble, I assure you." — Governor Cooper (36:48)
• On optimism for the future:
  “When things are on the verge of destruction, a lot of times you have the opportunity to recreate them even better than they were before.” — Governor Cooper (38:45)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |--------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:02 | Trying to smile about politics | | 04:27 | Listener story about the Monk March for Peace | | 09:24 | Remembering Penn's dad's approach to political divides | | 11:40 | Governor Cooper's introduction & legacy | | 12:40 | Governor Cooper reflects on Haywood Holderness | | 14:29–15:42 | Cooper’s faith and decision to run for Senate | | 22:54 | How Cooper won in a red-leaning state | | 23:13–26:20 | Medicaid expansion story: bipartisan coalition-building | | 27:48–28:48 | Why social media worsens division | | 30:29–33:07 | Cooper’s national priorities if elected to the Senate | | 34:21 | What makes Cooper laugh—dad jokes, family, classic comedies | | 36:55 | Advice to content creators about addressing vital issues | | 50:10 | Show hosts' reflection on volunteering & personal action |

Episode Highlights & Closing Thoughts

• The episode excels in humanizing politics and offers hope for healing divides through empathy, listening, and shared goals.
• Laughter breaks the tension throughout, whether via dad jokes, self-deprecating humor, or nostalgia for classic sitcoms.
• The conversation balances local anecdotes with universal themes of justice, community, and dignity.
• Both the hosts and Cooper stress taking real-world action—volunteering, engaging face-to-face, and supporting your community beyond digital echo chambers.

Actionable Takeaways

• Step Outside the Algorithm: Seek perspectives beyond your digital comfort zone.
• Volunteer & Serve: As the hosts note, getting involved in local service eases anxiety and builds connections.
• Dialogue with Empathy: Stand in others’ shoes, even when it is challenging.
• Keep Laughing: Humor is a vital tool in withstanding divisive times.

For New Listeners

This episode is a masterclass in mixing candor, humor, and hope as Kim, Penn, and Governor Roy Cooper model tough conversations with grace. You'll leave with restored faith in the power of community and bipartisan progress—plus a few good dad jokes up your sleeve.

Episode recorded and produced by the Laugh Lines team. Listener feedback is welcomed at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com or via voicemail at 323-364-3929.