Bourbon in The Back Room

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest - Executive Director of the SC Lottery - and discuss how the lottery works, how it benefits the state, and the Dolly's background in the State of South Carolina.  Hear Bourbon Briefs to get your latest political update where the Senators discuss the newest developments in the gubernatorial race, new candidates in the upstate, guaranteed paid parental leave...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest Jaime Harrison to talk about the reality of politics, how the toughest jobs get done, sticking with his party, and so much more! Hear a wonderful personal story about President Joe Biden's kindness and humility, the start of Jaime's podcast, reframing the democratic party, Joel's insightful comments on the Taylor Swift engagement, republican over...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest - candidate in South Carolina's 2026 Governor's race - Republican Josh Kimbrell. They discuss the importance of State institutions, an insider's look at the brutality of State Politics, updates on State policy, his vision for the future of South Carolina, and his background in politics! In Bourbon Briefs hear about the hot Governor's race in...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, Sean Bennett, for another appearance on the podcast to give us a thoughtful and sophisticated update on S.C. State Government, the process of governing the state, recent problems with political decorum, the makeup of his constituents, lack of experience in government, the benefits of perspective, recent bills, and so mu...

Vincent and Joel sit down with the remarkable Governor Andy Beshear and hear about how he won a statewide gubernatorial election as a democrat in Kentucky, a state that voted for Donald Trump by huge margins. Get an in depth look at the Governor's political leanings, how he views the current political climate, his deep family roots, and so much more! Join Senators Sheheen and Lourie in this w...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, friend of the Senators, basketball player, and esteemed Representative Jermaine Johnson. Hear Rep. Johnson talk in depth about his life, his tumultuous childhood, how he stepped up and got chosen to run for politics, his tough first election, how elected office really works, the way he sees the future of this state, and so much more!  In Bourbon Briefs hear ab...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Representative Gil Gatch, to discuss his life and politics in the low country, his background as a musician, pastor, lawyer, and politician, how the legislature really functions, and so much more!  Hear the Senators break down current events in S.C., discuss the allegations and arrest of S.C. Freedom Caucus founder, his suspension and potential expulsion, the...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, new Senator Overture Walker, to discuss his family roots in Sumter, his education at U.S.C., how he got his start in Politics, his goals for his tenure as a Senator, how it feels being in the super minority of Senate Democrats, Problems with the Insurance Industry, SCOUT MOTORS Plant, School Vouchers, and what to look for in the coming terms. Hear Bourbon Brie...

Sine Die and the end of session create a fervor of activity at the State's Capital! Vincent and Joel sit down and have a few drinks at Tin Roof across from the Capitol Building. As Senators and Representatives finish up session, they walk across the street, join in on the drinks, and answer some pressing questions for South Carolina's most informational insider political podcast - Bourbo...

Vincent and Joel sit down LIVE with SC Secretary of Commerce, Harry Lightsey III, before the Leadership Columbia class of 2025 in the Palmetto Club. Hear the famous segment "Bourbon Briefs" where the senators recap the most recent events in the Capitol, legislative pay raises, further gubernatorial controversy, and more! Then listen to the Senators discuss South Carolina economic develop...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Representative Nathan Ballentine, to talk about updates on the legislative session, his years of public service, how he got into politics, and his extraordinary flag football expertise. Hear what voters really care about, the divide between public service and voter interaction, higher education's budget, charter schools, and efforts to address autism in o...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Representative Justin Bamberg, from Bamberg County, to discuss representing a small county, Justin's background and family, his practice as an attorney, becoming a civil rights lawyer, the unfortunate shift to Washington style politics at the State House, his controversial take on the income tax, and so much more! Hear the Senators, "bourbon briefs&q...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Shannon Erickson, chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee, and discuss education in SC, early childhood care, key issues in public safety, autism care, and so much more! Hear about SC’s proposed liability changes, the state budget, the battle between the senate finance and the Treasurers office, fetal heartbeat bill, Nancy Mace’s continued a...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Molly Fortune, to discuss celebrating SC's role in winning the revolutionary war! They then speak with Representative, Brandon Newton, to discuss raising teacher pay, serving on Ways and Means committee, tax reform, national political scene, Nancy Mace's new controversy, and so much more! Hear about the new "freedom to read" bill, funding s...

 For the Third Year in a row Vincent and Joel host the podcast from the SC Realtor's Association Annual Conference with Guest, Speaker Pro Tempore Tommy Pope, and discuss what REALLY happened to the mysterious 1.8 billion, controversial  funding issues for South Carolina's education system, school vouchers, updates on Nancy Mace's and Alan Wilson's Gubernatorial aspirations, ho...

Joel sits down with guest, Chuck Todd, to discuss all things political reporting. They talk about combatting the rise of antisemitism in the US, effective reporting, aftermath of meet the press, how Chuck got started in politics, the benefits and detriments of AI in reporting, Lee Bandy, how to repair local news and communities, tribalism’s negative impacts, and so much more! Hear two true politic...

 Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Representative J. Todd Rutherford, to discuss Gambling in South Carolina, sports betting, funding state programs, dram shop liability, the fate of the missing 1.8 billion, and how the Freedom Caucus has changed the statehouse. They discuss whether we should get rid of all income taxes, Nancy Mace's ranting in congress, how leadership has devolved in U.S....

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Chairman Bruce Bannister, to discuss South Carolina's 40 Billion Dollar Budget, what South Carolina does with your tax dollars, how we became one of the most rapidly growing States, and so much more! Hear political insiders discuss how the State will fund school vouchers, what to look for this year in South Carolina politics, public schools, replacing bus...

Vincent and Joel sit down with Will Folks and have an in-depth and substantive discussion about the tumultuous and turbulent year of 2024.  They give a touching homage to Senator Kay Patterson and Congressman John Spratt, discuss the changes in the SC court system, controversies in the Freedom Caucus, what’s happened in South Carolina politics, and so much more!  Support the show Keep up to Date w...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Lieutenant Governor and State Senator, Andre Bauer. They discuss his substantial background in politics, how working hard in politics can pay off, what is required to succeed in Rural Politics, and so much more! Hear an insider scoop on Andre's federal appointment that has NEVER been reported and enjoy one of the most comprehensive interviews Andre Bauer...

Happy Thanksgiving! Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Senator Nikki Setzler to discuss how he became a 48-year veteran of the State Senate and the longest serving Senator in the Nation. They discuss South Carolina politics, policy, historical changes, and what's in store for the future. Hear about his family's famous local Lexington fast-food restaurant, what it was like entering pol...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, journalist extraordinaire, Maayan Schechter to discuss the landmark elections occurring at local, State, and national levels in the United States.  Hear insider takes on the national elections, who won and lost in South Carolina, and what the near future is going to look like for you, the listener, based on the changing political landscape.  Newly elected Rep....

Vincent and Joel sit down with our guest, Professor Bobby Donaldson, director of USC’s Center for Civil Rights History, to take a deep dive into the impact of race, ethnicity, and history on today’s political scene.  Learn about politics and race from the Civil War, Reconstruction, up to today.  This episode is timely! Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the rationale behind some...

Joel sits down with Mary Green, reporter for WIS, WCSC, WHNS, WMBF, WTOC, WRDW, and WBTV.  Joel and Mary break down various upcoming State and National elections, including the hotly contested Bauer-Finlay and Ott-Guerry races.  Then, Joel and Mary also discuss how the upcoming election results may impact the makeup of the General Assembly and the potential legislation that may follow the election...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, SCDC Director Bryan Stirling, and discuss the status of SCDC, Bryan's interesting background as an attorney, declining crime rates, how we got the LOWEST recidivism rate in the country, SC plans for improvement, making SC safer, and so much more. Hear how your tax dollars get spent, about Medicaid expansion, S.C. Superintendent of Education's decisio...