Bourbon in The Back Room

Vincent and Joel sit down for a powerful interview with representative Brandon Guffey.  They dig into his hardworking history, his business success, and his battle against the the Epidemic of Scams against Minors in the United States called Revenge Porn and “Sextortion”. Listen to the tragic story at the core of Brandon’s fight and hear what South Carolina is doing to combat these disturbing and w...

Vincent and Joel sit down with the Chair of the SC Democratic Party and discuss her background in Politics and the future of South Carolina Democrats.  Hear about the final abortion ruling in S.C., the first presidential debate, the new parental leave for public school teachers and more!  Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the rationale behind some of the legislature's most...

Vincent and Joel sit down with upstate Representative Jason Elliott and discuss rise into political prominence, how his personal life got dragged into politics, what the upstate political atmosphere is like, his most pressing issues - including D.O.T reform and infrastructure development- and so much more! Hear about how  Tempers flare over judicial reform at the state’s Capital, local delegations...

Vincent and Joel sit down with Cindi Scoppe, one of South Carolina’s highest caliber journalists, to discuss reporting in the palmetto state and how politics have shifted. They give a roadmap to some of the big political controversies of the last 30 years, dig into SC’s nuanced political landscape, and so much more! Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the rationale behind some of...

Vincent and Joel sit down with upstate Representative Neal Collins and discuss the abolition of school districts, primary opponents, school tuition, zoos in California, the future of the Republican Party, and so much more!  Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the rationale behind some of the legislature's most controversial bills.  Join Senators Sheheen and Lourie in this wee...

Vincent and Joel sit down with newly elected Superintendent of Education for the State of South Carolina, Ellen Weaver. They discuss the constitutionally elected position of Superintendent, how S.C.'s education system is structured, the billions of dollars going to education, increasing funding, bus drivers, teachers, and so much more. Learn about the rural infrastructure fund, the new - scie...

Vincent and Joel sit down with Senator and Attorney, Marlon Kimpson. They discuss the new abortion case in front of the Supreme Court of S.C., Senator Kimpson's pending retirement, career politicians vs. public servants, leadership, republican candidates for president - including the two from South Carolina, the republican super-majority in South Carolina, and how Tim Scott is actually a nice...

Vincent and Joel sit down with one of SC’s most experienced legislators, Charleston’s own Rep. Leon Stavrinakis. They dive deep into SC’s new abortion law, the house ways and means committee, David Agnew, how Rep. Stavrinakis’ County Counsel redistricting led to his election to the House, how Charleston flipped blue, and changing demographics. Further, they talk about the budget deadlock, higher e...

Sine Die and the end of session create a fervor of activity at the State's Capital! Vincent and Guest Host, Senator Katrina Shealy, sit down and have a few drinks at Bourbon on Main Street 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 inf...

Vincent and Joel sit down with Chuck Todd - Moderator for NBC's Meet the Press, NBC News Political Director, and Adjunct Professor at John Hopkins University - to talk history and politics in South Carolina.  They get down in the details and discuss South Carolina's important role on a national scale, individually address each new South Carolina Presidential Candidate and their ambitions...

Joel and Special Guest Host Representative Beth Bernstein, take the show on the road and onto the STAGE with this special live episode at the The League of Women Voters Biennial Convention! Hear about increasingly hateful and isolationist nature of politics and the damage it’s doing to our government.   In this riveting interview, your hosts talk to esteemed representative Rita Allison and dig int...

Vincent and Joel sit down with freshman representative Heather Bauer to talk about what it’s like to be a new legislator. They discuss  tenacious politics and bringing politics back to the personal level, how to run a grassroots campaign, highlighting abortion issues for swing voters, and when to run on a single issue.  Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the rationale behind some...

Vincent and Joel sit down with Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Representative Bruce W. Bannister. They discuss the budget, how it really works behind the scenes, the Freedom Caucus's Extremism and its negative impacts, the practice of Family Law, leadership in the upstate, and what it was like to test whether   DONALD TRUMP's HAIR WAS REAL.  Hear about the downfall of South Car...

Vincent and Joel sit down with Sumter's own Senator J. Thomas McElveen III and discuss S.C.'s crazy death penalty abortion bill, hate crime legislation, the new State budget and how it works, big pay raises coming to state employees, tax relief, the Comptroller General's grievous mistake, Scout Motor's economic development in the midlands, the Upcoming Presidential Election, an...

Vincent and Joel sit down with Chairman of the Senate Education Commitee, Greg Hembree and discuss the need for criminal justice reform, the SC Charter School Experiment, The House Freedom Caucus SUING the House Ethics Committee, open carry of weapons, the state of the death penalty, and so much more! Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the rationale behind some of the legislature...

Vincent and Joel sit down with House Minority Leader, Lawyer, and advocate for freedom - Representative J. Todd Rutherford. Hear from pro-gun Democrats and pro-cannabis Republicans - only on BITBR. On today's episode, they discuss 2nd amendment viewpoints, the contrast between national political positions and southern, the fight to legalize Marijuana, the state of gambling in South Carolina a...

Vincent and Joel take the show on the road and onto the STAGE with this special live episode in front of hundreds of premier South Carolina Realtors.  They dig into controversial upcoming legislation and court rulings, talk to Representative Roger Kirby who is a long-time realtor, discuss the role of "independent expenditure" campaigns, and talk about how to bridge the political gap and...

Vincent and Joel sit down with Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey and discuss what to expect in South Carolina Politics and government in 2023, economic development in South Carolina, what it takes to be Majority Leader, how to create unity and build bridges, the hottest new bills coming down the pipeline this year, and so much more! Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the ration...

Vincent and Joel sit down with Speaker of the House, Murrell Smith. They discuss what to expect in South Carolina Politics and government in 2023, the powerful history and tradition of SC House Speakers, teacher pay increases, the SC Supreme Court’s Abortion and Privacy Ruling, potential Constitutional amendments, Medical Cannabis updates, Statewide Budgeting processes, South Carolina's labor...

Vincent and Joel sit down with political extraordinaire Antjuan Seawright to take a look back on the wild politics of 2022. They discuss what to expect in South Carolina Politics and government in 2023, the real reasons behind S.C.’s recent successes and failures, celebrate two years of BITBR, and dig into some of the most fascinating stories to come out of the Palmetto State.  Join Senators Shehe...

Vincent and Joel sit down with SC native and national political pollster Robert Cahaly to discuss the Midterm Elections, how their polls have such a high rate of successful prediction, how to ask the right questions, and democrat’s secret to successful grass roots mobilization.  They talk through the nuances of political Polling, what it’s actually useful for, and so much more!  Get your latest St...

Vincent and Joel sit down with FITS News founder and one of South Carolina's premier journalists Will Folks to talk through the recent Midterm Elections, Why the Governor's race was so one sided, gerrymandered- anti-competitive - districts, S.C.'s future in the legislature, why state democrats lost by such landslides, how the 2024 presidential race is shaping up, and so much more. ...

 Vincent and Joel sit down with Governor Dick Riley to discuss his career in politics, how he became Governor of South Carolina, His appointment to United States Secretary of Education, his lifelong dedication to improving education, and how he helped shape South Carolina's political landscape for the better.  They discuss the Governor's rejection of an appointment to the United States S...

Vincent and Joel sit down with University of South Carolina's President Emeritus, Dr. Harris Pastides to break down how he led the University out of crises in 2008 and into record growth in enrollment, new levels of academic success, a billion-dollar fundraising campaign, and a tradition of camaraderie and selfie taking. Hear about the amazing life that led Dr. Pastides to his presidency at U...

 Vincent and Joel sit down with South Carolina 1st Congressional District Candidate, Pediatrician, and political newcomer Doctor Annie Andrews. They discuss her path into politics, her background and life practicing medicine, her passion for helping children, the trust she has built in her community, and her powerful dedication to healthcare, advocacy, and equity for South Carolinians. They breakd...