Frogmore Stew

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...

Grace sits down with Mike Lee, director of the College of Charleston’s Civility Initiative and host of When We Disagree, to talk about what happens when politics hits close to home. Grace reflects on navigating deep divides—with her father, her husband, and a country increasingly polarized by outrage. Together, they explore how laughter, empathy, and honest conversation can bridge ideological gaps...

Dr. Elizabeth Mack joins to expose the dangers of South Carolina’s proposed abortion ban, Bill S323. This sweeping legislation goes beyond criminalizing abortion—it redefines contraception, threatens IVF, and inserts politics into private medical decisions. We examine how the bill would increase maternal mortality, strip families of healthcare rights, and criminalize doctors, parents, and even pas...

Jaime Harrison joins Grace to explore why Democrats still have a path to victory in South Carolina, despite the state’s red reputation. He points to hundreds of thousands of unregistered voters, the importance of strong local infrastructure, and the power of a unifying message around economic dignity. Jaime also outlines the challenges Democrats face—from past setbacks to entrenched fear-based pol...

Kathryn sits down with political strategist, comedian, and creative force Josh Burstein for a wide-ranging conversation about politics, media, and resilience. From his early days with the Obama campaign to his stand-up comedy in Trump country, Josh reflects on how humor can help people process trauma and chaos in today’s volatile climate. The two discuss the fallout from political violence, the fr...

South Carolina Senator Margie Bright Matthews joins Kathryn Harvey to expose how partisan politics at the South Carolina State House endangers citizens, speaking as one of only two women in the South Carolina Senate. She discusses the fight against extreme abortion bans and threats to reproductive rights, plus a healthcare crisis driven by Medicaid cuts, rural hospital closures, and rising materna...

ACLU of South Carolina Legal Director Allen Chaney talks about civil liberties in South Carolina and why state constitutional rights matter. He covers partisan gerrymandering lawsuits using the "free and open elections clause" and fights over abortion law South Carolina and reproductive rights. Chaney explains how the South Carolina Declaration of Rights can give stronger protection than the feder...

Former U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs talks with Grace about gerrymandering, redistricting, and how partisan maps quiet moderate voters. They discuss the Supreme Court's shadow docket, emergency rulings, and what recent decisions mean for democracy and public trust. The talk covers executive power, the Venezuelan boat incident, and how narco-terrorism laws blur the line between crime and war. A...

Kathryn Harvey sits down with Dr. Michelle Carney, a veteran infectious disease physician and former Spartanburg Regional Infection Prevention Director. Together, they explore how South Carolina politics and public health intersect in today's challenging climate. Dr. Carney reflects on her decades fighting diseases from HIV to COVID-19, discussing science denial and CDC weakening. She warns about...

Grace and Kathryn sit down to reflect on hearing Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and her perspective on dissents, originalism, and the future of the Court. They highlight South Carolina’s upcoming December 23 special elections, why turnout matters, and the role of women in reshaping local politics. The episode also honors everyday civic hope—from the legacy of Spartanburg’s former mayo...

Grace sits down with attorney and political strategist Chris Kenney to unpack the history and future of South Carolina politics. From the legacy of gerrymandering and the unraveling of the Voting Rights Act to the challenges facing Democrats in a deeply red state, Chris offers insight into why the system feels broken—and how it might still be fixed. Together, they explore the role of authenticity,...

Grace and Caitlin are back on Second Helping with a fiery discussion on South Carolina politics, Trump’s latest moves in D.C., and how perceptions of crime shape public policy. They compare militarized responses with Baltimore’s community-based crime prevention, break down how tariffs are already driving up grocery and clothing prices, and look ahead to the 2026 governor’s race. Plus, they spotlig...

South Carolina Rep. Neal Collins joins Kathryn for a candid conversation about what it really takes to serve in the State House. From town halls in Easley to hard-fought battles over education funding, healthcare, and senior care, Collins shares why he stays focused on local needs instead of chasing viral headlines. He opens up about the frustrations of wasted time on political theater, the growin...

Today we unpack one of the most absurd yet impactful forces shaping American politics. Grace explores how state legislatures twist district lines into political strongholds, ensuring winners before voters ever cast a ballot. From South Carolina to Texas, we look at partisan maps, racial gerrymanders, and the role of independent redistricting commissions. The conversation dives into why elections f...

Senator Sophia Chitlik of North Carolina’s 22nd District joins Kathryn Harvey for a deep dive into the fight for fair representation and the urgent need to protect democracy at the state level. She shares how gerrymandering, voter suppression, and legislative power grabs in North Carolina have created a dangerous playbook now spreading nationwide, including to Texas and beyond. She outlines the “t...

Kathryn and Katelyn try to beat the Southern heat while diving into everything from brain-eating amoebas and fentanyl busts to hate crime ordinances and political showdowns. They unpack the high-profile visits of Ro Khanna, Gavin Newsom, and Andy Beshear, explore local action on national issues, and reflect on the power of female friendship. From public safety to party politics, it’s a reminder th...

In this episode of Second Helping, Grace and Katelyn tackle “The Find Out Part” of American politics, where abstract issues meet real-life consequences. From the bold campaign of Zohran Mamdani in NYC to the grim aftermath of Texas flood response cuts, they unpack the generational, political, and systemic failures driving today’s frustrations. They also dig into the gerrymandering mess in South Ca...

Former Spartanburg County Councilman Michael Brown joins Kathryn to unpack the local impact of the proposed federal budget bill, which threatens deep cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and energy efficiency programs. They break down how these cuts could hit South Carolina families and seniors hard, unraveling years of local progress while deepening economic divides. Michael also previews Spartanbur...

In this candid conversation, former Mark Sanford chief of staff Scott English joins Grace to unpack South Carolina’s shifting political identity, the rise of performative politics, and the deep roots of division fueled by algorithm-driven outrage. They explore why local politics no longer feels insulated from national storms, how gerrymandering and party purity tests have reshaped the state, and w...

In this episode of Second Helping, Grace and Katelyn unpack how the National Park Service is being used to rewrite history, why politicians like RJ May embody hypocrisy, and how conversion therapy fuels cycles of repression. They break down the “big beautiful bill” and Mike Lee’s plan to sell off public lands under the guise of affordable housing. Plus, they talk about Trump’s impulsive foreign po...