Frogmore Stew

America’s immigration story has always been about power, control, and who gets to belong. From the Chinese Exclusion Act and Operation Wetback to modern ICE enforcement and expedited removal, we trace the full history of US immigration policy before bringing it home to South Carolina’s front lines. Immigration attorney Jennie Montenotte of Charleston Legal Access explains how immigration court, No...

Who really holds power in South Carolina politics? From the fight over closing open primaries to the South Carolina abortion pill classification bill H4760, Grace and Kathryn break down how election year maneuvering is reshaping voter access and women’s healthcare. They unpack the proposed ombudsman overseeing pregnant women care in Bill 717, the wastewater surveillance for abortion medication pro...

South Carolina is facing its most serious measles outbreak in decades, and the fight over vaccines has landed squarely in the State House. Senator Margie Bright Matthews breaks down her bill to remove the religious exemption for MMR vaccines in public schools while preserving parental choice outside the classroom. The conversation dives into how religious exemptions weakened herd immunity in Spart...

Hard work used to promise a stable life, and when that promise breaks, anger follows. Joan C. Williams explains how social class shapes political identity, voting behavior, and the resentment driving today’s divide, including here in South Carolina. From the diploma divide to class blindness among elites, we connect national research to the realities of the South Carolina Statehouse, rural communi...

South Carolina politics are being warped by a system designed to protect power, not voters. When districts are drawn to eliminate competition and dark money floods campaigns through super PACs, lawmakers stop fearing the ballot box and accountability disappears. This conversation with Chris Kenney breaks down how gerrymandering suppresses turnout, why uncontested elections are becoming the norm, a...

The missing class is working hard and still falling behind. This conversation digs into new research from Spartanburg County that shows how thousands of working families live just above the poverty line while remaining one crisis away from losing everything. Sociology professor Colby King explains why wages, housing, childcare, and policy choices are pushing the working poor further from stability...

South Carolina punished five women for standing up to power, and the consequences are still unfolding. The Sister Senators join Frogmore Stew for a live conversation about crossing party lines, losing their seats, and what it costs women to challenge abortion bans in the South Carolina Senate. They speak candidly about retaliation, misinformation, and the deeply personal toll of fighting for repro...

Democracy doesn’t fail all at once. It fades when races go uncontested and communities are left without a real choice. Joined by Rep. Kambrell Garvin and Brady Quirk Garvan, the conversation breaks down how unopposed elections, gerrymandered districts, and political burnout are reshaping South Carolina politics from the ground up. They explain why running for state house, county council, or local...

A packed house in Spartanburg hears a moral call that feels urgent, grounded, and impossible to ignore. Following Reverend William Barber’s powerful address, Katherine Harvey sits down with historian and storyteller Anthony Milian to unpack what it means to love forward, build coalitions, and turn shared struggle into collective action. They trace the historical roots of today’s political moment,...

Not everyone who wants change is meant to run for office and that does not mean they are powerless. State Senator Ed Sutton explains how everyday South Carolinians can serve on local boards, influence key decisions, and shape public policy without campaigns, party labels, or partisan fights. From transportation and aviation to foster care and judicial appointments, this conversation breaks down wh...

South Carolina’s legislative fights are heating up, and the stakes for voters keep getting higher. Grace is joined by Spencer Wetmore for a wide ranging conversation on closed primary proposals, gerrymandering, school voucher expansion, abortion medication restrictions, and how a small percentage of voters end up controlling state politics. They unpack how these bills actually work, who benefits f...

From prosecuting a notorious serial killer to defending one of the most watched murder trials in modern history, Dick Harpootlian has seen every side of power and justice in South Carolina. Grace talks with the longtime attorney, former state senator, and Democratic Party chair about decades of state politics, party strategy, and how money and messaging shape who actually wins elections. Dick also...

South Carolina politics did not break overnight, and they will not fix themselves. In the season three opener of Frogmore Stew, Grace talks about how gerrymandering, low primary turnout, straight party voting, and rigid party loyalty have slowly stripped voters of real power and accountability. She takes a clear-eyed look at both parties, the growing number of independent voters, and how the curre...

Grace and Katelyn unpack everything from holiday food debates to the unraveling dynamics inside both major political parties—all while reflecting on what “enough” really means in America today. They dig into Costco’s tariff battle, MAGA fractures, and why affordability has become the defining issue for voters . As the hosts prepare for a much-needed winter break, they talk about microdosing joy, e...

Grace and Kathryn take the stage at a packed Peninsula Dems meeting to break down why South Carolina politics feel more chaotic than ever. From gerrymandering and open primaries to the shocking details of the Unborn Child Protection Act (S323), they reveal how structural barriers shape everything voters experience. They also explore Democratic branding failures, Maslow’s hierarchy as a model for g...

Grace sits down with political strategist Brady Quirk-Garvin for a rapid-fire, no-nonsense breakdown of how Democrats in South Carolina can stop chasing shiny objects and start winning again. Brady explains why the party has acted like “an ADHD kid in an arcade,” distracted by statewide fantasies instead of building real power from the ground up. Together, they dig into gerrymandering, voter apath...

Grace and Kathryn break down the surprising forward momentum Democrats are making in South Carolina’s Upstate—yes, the Upstate. Kathryn shares how her recent county council race shattered expectations, why breaking 40% in deep-red districts actually signals long-term opportunity, and what real ground-game strategy looks like when you knock 6,000 doors yourself. They also dive into the structural c...

Kathryn sits down with United Way of the Piedmont CEO Paige Stephenson to unpack the ripple effects of South Carolina’s sudden SNAP benefit cuts. Paige breaks down how the loss of $9.4 million in monthly assistance is impacting families, local farmers, food banks, and the broader Upstate economy. Together, they explore the real-time surge in requests for rent, utilities, and food support—and why p...

When the U.S. Department of Justice requested detailed voter information from South Carolina—including Social Security and driver’s license numbers—State Senator Brad Hutto stepped in to fight back. In this episode, Hutto breaks down why he and Dr. Ann Crook filed suit to protect voters’ privacy and what this case reveals about federal overreach, state sovereignty, and election integrity. We also...

Kathryn sits down with Noble Sissle Jr. — producer, community builder, Vietnam veteran, and son of Harlem Renaissance legend Noble Sissle Sr. Together, they trace the remarkable legacy of the 369th Regiment, the “Harlem Hellfighters,” whose World War I service began right here in Spartanburg, South Carolina. From racial tension at Camp Wadsworth to introducing jazz to France, Sissle shares how his...

Grace sits down with Allison Terracio, Executive Director of Emerge South Carolina and Richland County Council member, to explore how Emerge is training Democratic women to run for office—and win. From tackling South Carolina’s political barriers to reclaiming authentic voices in leadership, Allison shares how confidence, storytelling, and community can turn hesitation into action. They discuss ge...

The Supreme Court’s next major decision could rewrite the rules of American democracy. In this episode, Katherine Harvey sits down with Sara Rohani, Assistant Counsel for the Legal Defense Fund, to unpack the high-stakes Louisiana redistricting case that threatens to gut Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Together they trace the fallout from Shelby County v. Holder to today’s challenges against r...

When South Carolina’s education system meets federal politics, things get complicated. In this episode of The Upstate Tea, Kathryn Harvey sits down with former State Representative and Board of Education member Rita Allison to unpack the growing tension between state and federal control of education. They explore the potential fallout from dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, funding chal...

Grace welcomes back political veteran and writer Scott English for a powerful conversation on division, accountability, and the urgent need to actually listen. Drawing from his viral Substack essay “Are You Listening Now?”, Scott explores how James Madison’s warnings about factions still echo in today’s America—where outrage has become identity and compromise feels like betrayal. Together they unp...

Grace dives deep into how America’s highest court evolved from a symbol of impartial justice into a political battleground. From Eisenhower’s era of civil rights expansion to Reagan’s originalist revolution, Grace unpacks the ideological tug-of-war shaping today’s rulings. She explains the clash between “judicial activism” and “originalism,” and why it matters for democracy, equality, and the righ...