Frogmore Stew

This time around, Grace talks with Kate Nevin, a seasoned portfolio manager with a focus on alternative investment strategies at TSW2 Capital Advisors. With over two decades of experience, starting at Lehman Brothers, Nevin discusses the importance of including diverse talent in finance and her involvement in various organizations aimed at promoting gender parity and diversity in investing. The co...

In this episode, Grace talks with Kitty Brandtner, founder and co-president of the nonpartisan organization March Fourth, which is focused on reinstating the federal assault weapons ban. Kitty shares her personal journey toward activism, sparked by mass shootings and the Uvalde tragedy, emphasizing the need for gun legislation. The conversation cover the impact of gun laws including the expired as...

Grace & Katelyn get caught up on a variety of topics including SC's new Open Carry law and the implications for community safety. With the filing deadline past, they cover the challenges of running for political office, and the systemic limitations to a truly representative government. Plus, Beyonce's latest album and a new book about a real-life drug ring at the College of Charleston. 00:00 Welco...

In this podcast, Spencer Wetmore shares her journey from growing up in Charleston to becoming a state legislator for district 115, encompassing James Island, John's Island, Folly Beach, Kiawah, and Seabrook. Wetmore's career began as a prosecutor and evolved through local government and environmental initiatives. The conversation also touches on challenges in achieving equal representation in poli...

This episode of Second Helping features a detailed discussion with Sheriff Leon Lott of Richland County about the implications of South Carolina's new open carry law, H 3594, signed into law on March 7th. Lott, with over 30 years in law enforcement, expresses concerns over the bill allowing 18-year-olds to carry guns without training or background checks, complicating law enforcement's job and pot...

This episode, hosted by Katelyn Brewer, delves into the intricate history of gun ownership and regulations in the United States, from colonial times, to the National Firearms Act of 1934, the 1994 federal assault weapons ban and the pivotal Supreme Court case which redefined the Second Amendment to affirm individual gun rights. 00:00 Welcome to Frogmore Stew: Unpacking Gun Laws 00:34 The Roots of...

In this episode, Grace and Katelyn discuss the psychological underpinnings of political beliefs. They delve into whether innate tendencies or experiences shape our political views, with personal anecdotes illustrating how economic circumstances and family dynamics can influence one's political evolution. The conversation also touches on the generational differences in political engagement and the...

In this episode, Grace examines the psychological reasons for leaning conservative or progressive. She explores the characteristics of the mindsets and their impact on political affiliations. Grace emphasizes the fluidity of American political identity, the importance of authentic political engagement, and the distinction between agreement and alignment in fostering a united society. 00:00 Explori...

In this episode of Frogmore Stew, Grace takes us back to where our two parties started and the influence of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton on America's political landscape. Jefferson's advocacy for states' rights, a laissez-faire economy, and individualism are contrasted with Hamilton's support for a strong federal government, regulation for the common good, and the belief in implied powe...

In this episode of Frogmore Stew, host Grace Cowan talks with Will Folks of FitsNews about needed judicial selection reform in South Carolina. They discuss the power of lawyer legislators controlling the selection of judges they will appear before and the conflict of interest that presents. They get into the issues of public trust, crime rates, and the importance of comprehensive reform beyond the...

In this episode, Grace explores the transformation of the U.S. Supreme Court into a politically charged entity, tracing its history from the era of Dwight Eisenhower through Ronald Reagan to the present day. She examines judicial activism versus originalism, and how these philosophies influence major legal decisions on civil rights, abortion, and more. 00:00 Introduction to the Supreme Court 00:26...

Local Government 101 In this week's episode of Frogmore Stew, Katelyn Brewer fills in for Grace to explore the world of municipal governance and its profound impact on community life. Special guest Clay Middleton, a seasoned public service professional with a rich background in military service, politics, and community service, shares insightful perspectives on engaging with municipal governments,...

Grace & Katelyn discuss the SC Republican primary, highlighting the struggles of two-time governor, Nikki Haley, the economic impact of the primary and the division within the Republican party. They underline Gretchen Whitmer's rise as a potential Democratic contender and controversial bills passed in Columbia this week. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:03 Deep Dive into the History of Republic...

Grace and Republican strategist, Matt Moore, look at the significance of South Carolina's Republican Presidential Primaries. Matt recounts the origins of the Primary in the 1980s under the direction Lee Atwater and the impact of personalities like Ronald Reagan. They delve into the evolution of the Republican party and the rise of Trumpism. Matt also touches on the economic impact of these primari...

Grace takes a deep dive into political strategist, Lee Atwater, who rewrote the rules of South Carolina politics, as well as the nation. Atwater's unconventional strategies capitalized on racial bigotry, divisive false narratives and religious fundamentalism, to alter the narrative of the Republican party and ultimately led to the current ethos of the party. 00:00 Understanding the Political Succe...

In this episode, Katelyn and Grace discuss major issues in state politics like the reorganization of the South Carolina Democratic Party and the decline in party popularity. They touch on factors altering the political discourse, including the rise of social media, the loss of local community connection, and outdated norms. They also discuss the increasing tendency of public figures to distort tru...

In this episode, Grace interviews Kathryne Harvey, the Chair of the Spartanburg Democratic Party. Spartanburg is one of the fastest-growing areas of the state with high investment levels. Harvey details her focus on local issues such as healthcare, economic development, and sensible growth that benefits the long-standing community. Harvey emphasizes the importance of elevating Democratic voices in...

Join Grace and Katelyn as they discuss the intricacies of the Democratic Primary, touching on the performance and profiles of various candidates. They explore how our media, old and new, influences public perception and how it's been used to disseminate political narratives. The conversation shifts to the challenge of identifying factual information amidst a flood of “infotainment” news. 00:00 Int...

Grace sits down with Will Folks, the founding editor of FITSNews, an online media outlet based in South Carolina. The two delve into the current American political landscape. They explore the origins of FITSNews, its commitment to diverse perspectives, and its controversial offerings. They also dive into South Carolina's political environment, its gerrymandering situation, and the need for judicia...

Grace and Katelyn discuss the complexities of the primary election system and the presidential election prediction theory developed by Dr. Alan Lichtman. They touch on the rise of movements versus mere supporters in politics, as seen in Trump's following. The importance of seeing elections with a lens of nuance was underscored, with a focus on the need for greater comprehension and less pigeonholi...

Host Grace Cowan is joined today by Dr. Allan Lichtman, renowned historian, author, commentator, professor of history at American University and co-creator of The Keys to the White House. Developed in collaboration with Russian scientist Vladimir Keilis-Borok, this predictive model has accurately determined the outcomes of nine presidential elections since 1984. In this bracing discussion they tou...

In this enlightening conversation, the hosts of the podcast delve into feedback from previous episodes, addressing topics like the controversial puberty blocker legislation and the concerns of parents. The hosts also explore the issue of gerrymandering, its effects on politics especially at the state level, and its role in shaping voter behaviors. Key points of the discussion include the implicati...

Grace discusses the effect of gerrymandering, sharing how it influences the political structure in South Carolina. She explains how legislative boundaries are redrawn by the party in power resulting in a less responsive government, a lack of accountability, and the imposition of radical ideologies. Grace explores the judiciary's stance on gerrymandering. She suggests that a non-partisan commission...

Grace and her guest, Katelyn Brewer, discuss the anti-trans bill going through the South Carolina legislature. H4624 bans gender affirming care for minors, eliminates parental choice, sets penalties for doctors, mental health providers and school personnel who offer support. The bill also excludes transgender adults, under the age of 26, from receiving Medicaid coverage. Grace and Katelyn discuss...

In this episode of Frogmore Stew, host Grace Cowan speaks with Jessica McIntosh, the mother of a transgender boy. Jessica shares her family's journey navigating this aspect of their son's identification. Jessica touches on the challenges that her son has faced, like understanding his feelings, peer interactions, and coping with anxiety. They also discuss transgender children and teens in society a...