Vincent Sheheen and Joel Lourie
Bourbon in The Back Room
An inside look at politics with Senators Sheheen and Lourie. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the important, fun, and sometimes weird world of South Carolina Politics. Learn how the laws that impact your life every day get made and find a unique perspective on connections around the state!
Author
Vincent Sheheen and Joel Lourie
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jun 27, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
The Real Abortion Debate - With Senator Margie Bright Matthews (D) and Senator Tom Davis (R) 26.09.2022 1:00:35
Vincent and Joel sit down with Republican Senator Tom Davis and Democratic Senator Margie Bright Matthews for an in-depth discussion of the hazardous political waters of Abortion legislation, how both Republicans and Democrats are approaching the issue with more nuance, the impact it may have on important races, election staff quitting, how national political climate impacts S.C . extremes, the re...
I.S. LEEVY JOHNSON - How to Fix Voting, The Branding of Divisiveness, and South Carolina's Progressive Generation 31.08.2022 56:56
Vincent and Joel sit down with the legendary I.S. Leevy Johnson to break down what it was like growing up in segregated South Carolina, how he and his family helped revolutionize S.C.'s political, business, legal, and cultural landscape, why S.C. had a generation of skilled forward thinking leaders, what has caused the current vitriolic cultural atmosphere, and how we can fix the United Stat...
The Upcoming Special Session, Reforming Foster Care, and UofSC's Board Controversy - With Senator Katrina Shealy (R) 24.08.2022 42:47
Vincent and Joel sit down with Senator Katrina Shealy (R) for a discussion on SC politics, the upcoming Special Session and what will happen there, the future of abortion in SC, how the four new animal members of the Senator's family are doing, Child I.D. kits in school, Why the NFL recognized Senator Shealy, What is happening with our Foster System, and so much more. The Senators discuss Li...
How Democrats Can Win, What it Will Take to Turn SC Purple, and Behind the Scenes of Political Campaigns - With the Chair of the SC Democratic Party - Trav Robertson 10.08.2022 1:00:14
Vincent and Joel sit down with powerhouse political manager and the chairman of the South Carolina Democratic party to discuss what he does behind the scenes, his incredible career managing high impact political races, recent controversies surrounding democratic candidates, how to win elections in South Carolina, and what it will take to turn SC Purple - all while enjoying BITBR's most expens...
The Truth about "Cancel Culture", An Inside Look at Political Rhetoric, and Wes's New Best Selling Book - With Political Consultant Wesley Donehue 01.08.2022 47:48
Vincent and Joel sit down with Esteemed political consultant Wes Donehue to discuss how ad hominem rhetoric has become increasingly popular and effective, how he saved Sea World's reputation, how to deal with cancel culture, and the benefits and detriments that such culture is having on our society. Wes shares a behind the scenes look at what politicians are thinking with their messaging and...
Local Government Compared to State, An S.C. Democrat on Abortion Bills, and The Lebanese Caucus - With Representative Seth Rose 20.07.2022 1:07:34
Vincent and Joel sit down with Representative Seth Rose for a discussion on SC politics, What being an elected democrat in Columbia S.C. is like, how to engage with constituents, where the abortion debate is headed, and why serving at a local level was even more chaotic than being a Representative. Hear an insider tell us what actually is happening behind the scenes at our state capital! Get you...
The Future of SC Abortion Law, Thoughtful Conservatism, and Slanderous Primary Races - With Representative Micah Caskey 06.07.2022 1:03:22
Vincent and Joel sit down with Representative Micah Caskey for a discussion on SC politics, his competitive primary race, and why republican primaries in SC can be toxic and slanderous. They talk about his career, highlight the future of abortion in SC, discuss gun reform, and hit all the hottest issues facing SC citizens. Hear an insider tell us what actually is happening behind the scenes at ou...
2022 Post Primary Breakdown - Winners, Losers, and a Look Toward General Elections - With Antjuan Seawright and Caitlin Byrd 21.06.2022 57:29
Vincent and Joel sit down with prestigious political journalist Caitlin Byrd and Long time Friend, Journalist, Consultant, and Political Extraordinaire Antjuan Seawright to get a nuanced and detailed look at the results from the 2022 primaries and the reasons behind them! They discuss the Mace/Arrington and Rice/Fry showdowns, the Democratic Gubernatorial race, and other hot topics from this elec...
2022 Primary Elections Deep Dive! Predictions, Preparation, and Press - With Guest Politics Reporter Meg Kinnard 09.06.2022 53:43
Vincent and Joel sit down with prestigious political reporter Meg Kinnard to get a nuanced and detailed look at the contentious 2022 primaries right around the corner! They discuss the Mace/Arrington and Rice/Fry showdowns, the Democratic Gubernatorial race, and other hot topics from this elections cycle. Hear what the Senator's predict the outcomes will be and who the major players are arou...
Prioritizing Constituents, Voting for What's Right, and Running for Re-Election - With Congressman Tom Rice 01.06.2022 49:31
Vincent and Joel sit down with Congressman Tom Rice - Lawyer, CPA, and Public Servant - for a discussion on SC politics, his competitive upcoming re-election, what we need from our representatives, and why working together is so important. They talk about his career, How he is bringing jobs into his district, reducing unemployment, combating crime, why he voted to impeach President Donald Trump,...
Building Political Bridges, How State Government is Changing, and When to Retire - With Speaker of the House Jay Lucas 26.05.2022 1:06:26
Vincent and Joel sit down with Speaker of the House Jay Lucas - esteemed legislator, lawyer, and Public Servant for a Riveting Post Sine Die Conversation. They discuss his long career, the unique circumstances surrounding his election to speaker of the house, how to build political bridges, how he knew when it was time to retire, what went down this year in the state house, and so much more! Hear...
Sine Die, The Budget Debate, and Legislators Come Down for a Drink - Live from Bourbon! - 50th Episode Celebration! 19.05.2022 1:18:09
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 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 informational insider political po...
Marijuana Canceled!? - End of Session, The Budget, and Hate Crimes - with Senator Marlon Kimpson 11.05.2022 1:17:26
Joel and special Guest Host - reporter and Senior Editor Maayan Schechter - sit down with Senator Marlon Kimpson to talk about his family history in politics, current legislation, how the Marijuana bill died, the end of session, Sine Die day, and so much more. Hear a reporter who is in the State House every day and a leading Senator discuss the inside stories that are changing our state to it&apo...
Hate Crime Legislation, Clemson Drag Show Controversy, a New Speaker of the House, and a New Freedom Caucus - With Representative Beth Bernstein 04.05.2022 51:10
Vincent and Joel sit down with Representative Beth Bernstein - esteemed legislator, lawyer, and Public Servant. They discuss why SC still hasn't adopted hate crime legislation and the harm its doing, if SC is becoming a haven for radicals, the Clemson Drag Show controversy, what a New state freedom caucus means, democratic leadership, what its like being a woman in power, and so much more. H...
Tuition, Teacher Pay, S.C. Panthers, and Why the Speaker of the House Resigned - with Representative Gary Simrill 27.04.2022 1:02:53
Vincent and Joel sit down with Representative Gary Simrill - 30 year veteran of our states Legislature! They discuss his retirement from public office, How he went from a partisan radical to a bi-partisan deal maker, education funding, teacher pay, the Panther's practice facility, how government actually works, USC's Board, and everything in between. Hear an insider tell us what actuall...
The Death Penalty, Medical Marijuana, and UofSC's Floundering Board - LIVE! at the Capital Rotary Club 19.04.2022 39:34
Vincent and Joel sit down LIVE across from the statehouse at the Capital Rotary Club to discuss the topics everyone is talking about. The complicated new laws surrounding the University of South Carolina's Bloated Board, SC's Death Penalty, the dawn of Medical Marijuana, troubles in Public Education, and so much more! Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the rationale be...
Senator Sandy Senn - Winning a Swing District, Thinking Outside Your Party, and a Look at Controversial Legislation 12.04.2022 53:51
Vincent and Joel sit down with Senator Sandy Senn. They discuss her life, her career defending police officers, how to win a purple district as a Republican, why her opinions sometimes fall outside party lines, how to deal with bullies, representing as a woman, and so much more. Hear from an insider about how the system works and what we can do to make it better! Get your latest Statehouse update...
Senator Greg Gregory - Political Fearlessness, Rational Gun Laws, and Caring for Constituents 05.04.2022 53:12
Vincent and Joel sit down with veteran Senator and political maverick, Greg Gregory from Lancaster. They discuss his life, his incredible career, how he's successfully stood by his constituents and his morals, and what it takes to step across the aisle and embrace issues - even if they aren't your party's. Hear from an insider about how the system works and what we can do to make it...
Congressional Majority Whip Jim Clyburn - Civil Rights, South Carolina Political Power, and the Roots of Jim Clyburn 29.03.2022 1:00:36
Vincent and Joel sit down with the Majority Whip of the United States House of Representatives - Jim Clyburn. They discuss his life, his deep involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, the history behind his political prowess, growing up during segregation, meeting his wife while jailed for protesting, what its like being the Majority Whip in our nation's capital and so much more! Get your l...
Laurie Funderburk - Federal Appointments, SC Agriculture, and State Representation 24.03.2022 57:06
Vincent and Joel sit down with State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency and former long time legislator to talk about South Carolina Agriculture, the state of our state, what getting a federal appointment is like, and so much more! Hear who South Carolina's Governor thinks is the political Bull Elephant of our state... Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the rati...
Rep. Russell Ott - Rural Representation - Farming, Horse Betting, and School Funding 15.03.2022 56:51
Vincent and Joel sit down with Representative Russel Ott and talk about what it's like being a farmer, how redistricting will impact his election, funding of schools, Horse race gambling, marijuana legalization, being a democrat in South Carolina, and so much more! Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the rationale behind some of the legislature's controversial bills. J...
Senator Sean Bennett - A Broken Tax System, The Death of the Bi-Partisanship , and Paying Teachers More 09.03.2022 55:07
Vincent and Joel sit down with Senator Sean Bennett, veteran conservative Senator from the low country to hear an insider's perspective on some of this year's most important topics and how he became known for championing BEER. Listen to why out tax system is broken, what can be done to fix it, how our legislature is rapidly changing, the chances of a teacher pay raise, how Joel pranked...
Ed McMullen - Ambassador to Switzerland, State Political Director for Donald Trump, Think-Tank Extraordinaire, and Breaking News on the Hamburglar 02.03.2022 53:35
Vincent and Joel sit down with Ambassador Ed McMullen to discuss his career in conservative politics, how to work across party lines, what it was like working for Trump, the HAMBURGLAR on staff, and so much more. The Ambassador tells us about his experience forming think-tanks, winning elections, and how he got into national politics. Listen to one of South Carolina's experts on policy mak...
Representative Spencer Wetmore - Flipping a District, Working Across Party Lines, Being a New Legislator, and How to be an All-Star in the Legislature 22.02.2022 50:56
Vincent and Joel sit down with Representative Elizabeth "Spencer" Wetmore - a Freshman Representative leading a new generation of South Carolina legislators. They discuss how to flip a close district along party lines, what it's like being a new legislator, how to film a statewide address next to sesame street, and how she got two bills passed as a brand new house member. Hear her...
National Chairman Jaime Harrison - The Filibuster, Voting Rights, Statesmanship, and Where Our Country is Headed 16.02.2022 1:00:30
Vincent and Joel sit down with Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Jaime Harrison, and discuss how Mr. Harrison got started in politics, the filibuster, how National Politics has gotten away from statesmanship, the challenges facing South Carolina, the trappings of political power, a South Carolina Supreme Court Justice, and so much more. They address voting rights and registration, the...
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