Maroon Bison Presents: The Southern Comfort Podcast

In this week’s episode, Rich and Kevin tackle the big headlines and deeper implications behind the looming federal government shutdown and what it means for Georgians. They break down how health care subsidies hang in the balance, why Senator Jon Ossoff is more vulnerable than people realize, and how Republicans are quietly playing the long game. Beyond the Beltway drama, the duo zooms out to talk...

In a long-overdue full-circle moment, the boys of Maroon Bison welcome their third musketeer—producer Stewart Cornelius —from behind the scenes to behind the mic. What follows is an honest, hilarious, and deeply personal conversation about brotherhood, HBCUs, resilience, and showing up for each other as Black men. The crew takes listeners through their Morehouse journeys, their academic and financ...

Rich and Kevin dive into a culture-meets-politics episode that celebrates Southern legends while exposing political cowardice from Capitol Hill to Georgia’s gold dome. They kick things off with Outkast’s long-overdue Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, then shift into a blistering breakdown of recent political headlines—calling out silence on Gaza, speculating on control of Congress, and analy...

From dodging a Deloitte firing to navigating grief, genocide, and the Georgia General Assembly, Rep. Ruwa Romman returns to finish the story she started. In this follow-up episode, Ruwa opens up about her time at Deloitte, her work defending the census, and the chaos that followed when her campaign was leaked to the press. The trio delves deeply into Georgia politics, organizational philosophy, co...

In their first-ever interview with a sitting elected official, Rich and Kevin sit down with Georgia State Representative Ruwa Romman for a powerful and personal conversation. From escaping anti-Arab racism in Forsyth County to canvassing during the Michelle Nunn campaign, Ruwa shares how her lived experience as a Palestinian-Muslim woman in the Deep South shaped her political awakening. This episo...

In this second installment of the Free Game series, Rich and Kevin pull back the curtain on the communications and field operations that make or break a political campaign. From crafting a message that hits (and sticks), to building a data-driven ground game that actually turns out voters, this episode is a crash course in campaign mechanics—and a consultant-level education for free. With stories...

In Part 2 of their deep-dive with strategist Jake Orvis, Rich and Kevin unpack the overlooked heart of modern campaigns: research, tracking, fundraising—and the politics of being a white dude in a Black campaign space. From tracking candidates with binoculars to dodging call time in the men’s room, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at campaign mechanics, racial dynamics in Southern poli...

Rich and Kevin welcome longtime political staffer and campaign strategist Jacob Orvis. From his Statesboro, GA roots to campaign war rooms across Georgia, Jake shares his journey from intern to operative and the unexpected lessons learned along the way. The trio reflects on grits and growth : how food built campaign families, how campaigns forge lifelong relationships, and how one Google Form chan...

In episode 25, Rich and Kevin take listeners behind the curtain of what it really takes to win a political campaign—before the race even begins. Whether you're a first-time candidate or just curious about how the political machine works, this is a masterclass in early campaign strategy. From team structure and fundraising to political infrastructure and soft launches, the Maroon Bison boys br...

In this episode of the Southern Comfort Podcast , Rich and Kevin break down the escalating redistricting drama in Texas—a political chess move with national implications. Drawing historical context from the Voting Rights Act to their personal organizing roots, the Maroon Bison duo unpacks the GOP’s latest power grab, the Democratic pushback, and what’s at stake for Black and Brown communities. Fro...

Rich and Kevin tap into the political moment as Congress heads into August recess. From the Democratic Party’s brand crisis to local leadership lessons, they unpack the credibility gap between voters and elected officials—and why the party must move from outrage to action. Through candid analysis and firsthand consulting wisdom, they call for bold messaging, practical policy, and deep grassroots e...

A virtual summer session brings Rich and Kevin together to unpack the cultural legacy and modern challenges of Black family reunions, reparations research debates, political disillusionment, and historical philosophies that still echo today. From grassroots fundraising to federal policy, they reflect on how far we've come—and how far we still need to go. 📍 00:36 – Family Reunions and the Nua...

Rich and Kevin continue their conversation with Maria Andrade, diving deeper into immigration, coalition building, and representation in political consulting. From calling out lazy messaging in the Democratic Party to exposing the lack of diversity in press shops, this episode cuts through the noise. They unpack how misinformation harms communities, spotlight overlooked organizers, and end with la...

In episode 21, the Southern Comfort Podcast crew welcomes, Maria Andrade! A Venezuelan-born political consultant blazing the trail in the American South. From packing her life into two suitcases to founding her firm, Maria shares a riveting story of migration, mentorship, and making space for others. She discusses the challenges of starting over, the nuances of Latino identity in politics, and why...

In Part Two of their conversation with political strategist Ebenezer, Rich and Kevin dive deeper into Ebenezer’s journey through campaigns, mentorship, and his rise to Executive Director of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus. They share raw truths about working in politics as Black men, the financial uncertainty of campaign life, and the power of mentorship in sustaining long-term political caree...

Ebenezer Abelarian joins Rich and Kevin to share his journey as a first-generation Nigerian-American navigating faith, family expectations, Black identity, and politics. From growing up between Bankhead and Mableton to pursuing a career his father never imagined, Eb unpacks the cultural, generational, and professional tensions that shaped his path to becoming a political operative in Georgia. Topi...

In this special episode, Rich and Kevin sit down with powerhouse political operative Tamia Booker to unpack her journey from Montgomery County, PA, to Florida A&M University and onto national campaigns. Tamia shares how growing up as one of the few Black kids in her town shaped her perspective, how FAMU’s political climate ignited her activism, and what keeps Black women fighting in today’s po...

Rich and Kevin wrestle with tough questions about political loyalty, authenticity, and the future of Democratic strategy. They dissect the rise of conservative Black voters, the stagnation of the consulting class, and whether new blood can reshape politics before it’s too late. Equal parts confessional and analytical, this episode takes a hard look at what’s working—and what’s not—in the fight for...

This week, Rich and Kevin blend politics and pop culture like only they can—from the cost of Beyoncé tickets to the cost of losing Black voters. They share wild concert memories, then shift gears into a powerful breakdown of what went wrong for Democrats in 2024. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t just Kamala. The fellas unpack voter apathy, brand erosion, and the myth of demographic inevitability. Insightf...

This week, Rich and Kevin pull back the curtain on the infighting within the Democratic Party—taking aim at the tension between tradition and transformation. They dig into the rise of David Hogg as DNC Vice Chair, the generational friction in Black political leadership, and the risks of swapping out seats just for the sake of noise. Along the way, they reflect on legacy, personal health, homecomin...

In this episode, Rich and Kevin kick things off with backyard grilling talk and reflections on Black college homecomings before diving deep into the Democratic Party’s internal power struggles. They break down the tension between institutional loyalty and insurgent activism, focusing on David Hogg’s controversial push to primary incumbent Democrats from his seat as DNC Vice Chair. From aging leade...

In this episode of the Southern Comfort Podcast , Rich and Kevin dive deep into the intersection of faith, politics, and Black identity in America—starting with the historic induction of OutKast into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and culminating in a powerful dialogue on the Black church’s evolving role in civic life. From Creole Popes to political Black men rising from the pulpit, this one exp...

From campaign trail confessions to cultural handoffs and Wayans family tributes, Episode 13 is a masterclass in political real talk. Rich and Kevin break down how Democrats keep fumbling generational handoffs—from Clinton to Gore, Obama to Clinton, and Biden to Harris—and what it reveals about power, succession, and respect. With special nods to Marquita Sanders and Keenan Ivory Wayans, the episod...

In this wide-ranging episode, Rich and Kevin take a sharp, unapologetic look at the power—and pitfalls—of protest. From Pepsi's DEI backpedal to the economic ripple effects of modern boycotts, the duo wrestles with whether change can still come from collective action. Through the lens of civil rights history, institutional mistrust, and community responsibility, they challenge listeners to st...

In this powerful episode of the Southern Comfort Podcast , Kevin and Rich dive into everything from wedding ring mishaps to launching a game-changing grassroots incubator. They open up about their evolving views on politics, the crisis of Black male college enrollment, the case for investing in trade skills, and what HBCUs must rethink to meet the moment. Plus, they give flowers to a young leader...