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!
…
continue reading
Vincent Sheheen Podcasts

1
The Path into Politics and An Attempt to Reduce Recovery Rights for Injury Victims - with Senator Overture Walker
51:57
51:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:57Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, new Senator Overture Walker, to discuss his family roots in Sumter, his education at U.S.C., how he got his start in Politics, his goals for his tenure as a Senator, how it feels being in the super minority of Senate Democrats, Problems with the Insurance Industry, SCOUT MOTORS Plant, School Vouchers, and what …
…
continue reading

1
LIVE! SINE DIE 2025 - Legislators Come Down for a Drink
1:42:58
1:42:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:42:58Sine 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 Tin Roof 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 informat…
…
continue reading

1
LIVE! with the Leadership Columbia Class of 2025 - Guest Harry Lightsey III, SC Secretary of Commerce
57:08
57:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:08Vincent and Joel sit down LIVE with SC Secretary of Commerce, Harry Lightsey III, before the Leadership Columbia class of 2025 in the Palmetto Club. Hear the famous segment "Bourbon Briefs" where the senators recap the most recent events in the Capitol, legislative pay raises, further gubernatorial controversy, and more! Then listen to the Senators…
…
continue reading

1
Making a Difference and Listening to Constituents - with Representative Nathan Ballentine (R)
1:00:53
1:00:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:53Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Representative Nathan Ballentine, to talk about updates on the legislative session, his years of public service, how he got into politics, and his extraordinary flag football expertise. Hear what voters really care about, the divide between public service and voter interaction, higher education's budget, charte…
…
continue reading

1
The Sane vs the Insane - with Guest Representative Justin Bamberg
1:03:16
1:03:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:16Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Representative Justin Bamberg, from Bamberg County, to discuss representing a small county, Justin's background and family, his practice as an attorney, becoming a civil rights lawyer, the unfortunate shift to Washington style politics at the State House, his controversial take on the income tax, and so much mo…
…
continue reading

1
Education and Public Works - With Guest Representative Shannon Erickson and Andrew Wylam
1:00:36
1:00:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:36Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Shannon Erickson, chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee, and discuss education in SC, early childhood care, key issues in public safety, autism care, and so much more! Hear about SC’s proposed liability changes, the state budget, the battle between the senate finance and the Treasurers offi…
…
continue reading

1
Tax Reform, Economic Development, and Celebrating the Revolutionary War - with Representative Brandon Newton AND CEO of SC250, Molly Fortune
1:02:42
1:02:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:42Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Molly Fortune, to discuss celebrating SC's role in winning the revolutionary war! They then speak with Representative, Brandon Newton, to discuss raising teacher pay, serving on Ways and Means committee, tax reform, national political scene, Nancy Mace's new controversy, and so much more! Hear about the new "fr…
…
continue reading

1
LIVE! From the SC Realtor Association's Annual Conference - with Guest, Speaker Pro Tempore, Tommy Pope
1:05:21
1:05:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:05:21For the Third Year in a row Vincent and Joel host the podcast from the SC Realtor's Association Annual Conference with Guest, Speaker Pro Tempore Tommy Pope, and discuss what REALLY happened to the mysterious 1.8 billion, controversial funding issues for South Carolina's education system, school vouchers, updates on Nancy Mace's and Alan Wilson's G…
…
continue reading

1
Chuck Todd - Local Reporting, After Meet the Press, and the Modern Age of Politics
1:10:47
1:10:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:10:47Joel sits down with guest, Chuck Todd, to discuss all things political reporting. They talk about combatting the rise of antisemitism in the US, effective reporting, aftermath of meet the press, how Chuck got started in politics, the benefits and detriments of AI in reporting, Lee Bandy, how to repair local news and communities, tribalism’s negativ…
…
continue reading

1
Loss of Political Civility and the Importance of Lawyer Legislators - with Guest Representative Todd Rutherford
1:11:46
1:11:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:11:46Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Representative J. Todd Rutherford, to discuss Gambling in South Carolina, sports betting, funding state programs, dram shop liability, the fate of the missing 1.8 billion, and how the Freedom Caucus has changed the statehouse. They discuss whether we should get rid of all income taxes, Nancy Mace's ranting in c…
…
continue reading

1
SC’s Budget and Your Taxes in 2025 - Guest, Ways and Means Chairman, Representative Bruce Bannister
1:00:01
1:00:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:01Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Chairman Bruce Bannister, to discuss South Carolina's 40 Billion Dollar Budget, what South Carolina does with your tax dollars, how we became one of the most rapidly growing States, and so much more! Hear political insiders discuss how the State will fund school vouchers, what to look for this year in South Car…
…
continue reading

1
2024 YEAR END RECAP - WILL FOLKS - FITSNews
1:08:41
1:08:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:08:41Vincent and Joel sit down with Will Folks and have an in-depth and substantive discussion about the tumultuous and turbulent year of 2024. They give a touching homage to Senator Kay Patterson and Congressman John Spratt, discuss the changes in the SC court system, controversies in the Freedom Caucus, what’s happened in South Carolina politics, and …
…
continue reading

1
Rural Politics, Business, and Life After Politics - With Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer
1:03:28
1:03:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:28Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Lieutenant Governor and State Senator, Andre Bauer. They discuss his substantial background in politics, how working hard in politics can pay off, what is required to succeed in Rural Politics, and so much more! Hear an insider scoop on Andre's federal appointment that has NEVER been reported and enjoy one of t…
…
continue reading

1
Senator Nikki Setzler - Forty-Eight Years of S.C. Politics
1:02:10
1:02:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:10Happy Thanksgiving! Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Senator Nikki Setzler to discuss how he became a 48-year veteran of the State Senate and the longest serving Senator in the Nation. They discuss South Carolina politics, policy, historical changes, and what's in store for the future. Hear about his family's famous local Lexington fast-food r…
…
continue reading

1
The Morning After - National, State, and Local Elections with Guest, Maayan Schechter
42:54
42:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:54Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, journalist extraordinaire, Maayan Schechter to discuss the landmark elections occurring at local, State, and national levels in the United States. Hear insider takes on the national elections, who won and lost in South Carolina, and what the near future is going to look like for you, the listener, based on the …
…
continue reading

1
Race in Politics with Guest, Professor Bobby Donaldson
1:25:28
1:25:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:25:28Vincent and Joel sit down with our guest, Professor Bobby Donaldson, director of USC’s Center for Civil Rights History, to take a deep dive into the impact of race, ethnicity, and history on today’s political scene. Learn about politics and race from the Civil War, Reconstruction, up to today. This episode is timely! Get your latest Statehouse upda…
…
continue reading

1
Election Updates, School Vouchers, and Potential Legislation - with Special Co-Host Mary Green
1:02:20
1:02:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:20Joel sits down with Mary Green, reporter for WIS, WCSC, WHNS, WMBF, WTOC, WRDW, and WBTV. Joel and Mary break down various upcoming State and National elections, including the hotly contested Bauer-Finlay and Ott-Guerry races. Then, Joel and Mary also discuss how the upcoming election results may impact the makeup of the General Assembly and the po…
…
continue reading

1
South Carolina Department of Corrections and SC's Low Recidivism Rate - Guest, Director of SCDC, Bryan Stirling
1:04:18
1:04:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:04:18Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, SCDC Director Bryan Stirling, and discuss the status of SCDC, Bryan's interesting background as an attorney, declining crime rates, how we got the LOWEST recidivism rate in the country, SC plans for improvement, making SC safer, and so much more. Hear how your tax dollars get spent, about Medicaid expansion, S.…
…
continue reading

1
The Carolinas - Heated Political Races and Statewide Updates - With Guest N.C. Representative Zack Hawkins
49:25
49:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:25Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, North Carolina House member, Zack Hawkins to discuss southern politics, N.C.'s changing political dynamics, and the heated battle for N.C.'s Governor seat. Hear about both states' public schools, funding, how local politics in both states impact the national political scene, a discussion on the S.C. Supreme Cou…
…
continue reading

1
Valerie Bauerlein, Southern Dynasties and the Murdaugh Murders
1:15:44
1:15:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:15:44Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Valerie Bauerlein, national reporter for the WSJ, and talk about her career in journalism and her beginnings in South Carolina political reporting. They do a deep dive into her new book, The Devil at His Elbow, and talk in depth about the Murdaugh crime saga that has rocked South Carolina over the last several …
…
continue reading

1
S.C. in National Politics and Landmark Changes in the U.S. - Guest, Political Insider Antjuan Seawright
53:16
53:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:16Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Antjuan Seawright and discuss national politics, the state of Washington D.C., how S.C. is still involved on a national scale, and so much more! Hear an insiders take on cell phones in classrooms, the death penalty, primary elections, S.C. in national elections, the first African American woman nominated for pr…
…
continue reading

1
S.C.'s Shift from Democrat to Republican and How All Politics is National - with Guest, Speaker David H. Wilkins
1:00:43
1:00:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:43Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Speaker of the House, Ambassador, and all-around statesman David H. Wilkins and discuss integrity in politics, the Speaker Wilkin's background, history in politics, growing up in Greenville, becoming the ambassador to Canada, and so much more! Take a look back at South Carolina when it was almost entirely run b…
…
continue reading

1
Why to Run for Office, Improving South Carolina, and the State's Money Troubles - With Guest, Republican Senator Larry Grooms
1:08:02
1:08:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:08:02Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Senator Larry Grooms, and discuss his family and background in business, the most recent updates on LOFTISgate, magistrate judge qualifications, how state funds get allocated, and the argument for school choice and public funding for it. Hear how Senator Grooms and Joel come from similar backgrounds, the S.C. B…
…
continue reading

1
Runoff Elections and Close Races - With Guest, Senate Candidate Jeffrey Graham
54:24
54:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:24Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Senate Candidate Jeffrey Graham who just won his runoff by less than 30 votes! They discuss the recent primaries, close races, how to win elections in South Carolina, the freedom caucus, losing Katrina Shealy in the Senate, and changes in rural representation. Hear about what it takes to run a competitive polit…
…
continue reading

1
ELECTION RESULTS! - From Congress to the Statehouse - With Guest Russell Ott
49:16
49:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:16Vincent and Joel recap the election results from the South Carolina Primaries. They discuss the races spanning from national offices to local House races, how elections work in South Carolina, who is winning, and who will require a run-off to determine candidates in the General election. They discuss the HOT OFF THE PRESS Russell Ott and Dick Harpo…
…
continue reading

1
Political Integrity, the Freedom Caucus, and Republican Leadership - with Republican Representative Micah Caskey
55:09
55:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
55:09Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Representative Micah Caskey and discuss the republican party, changes in politics, the "grifters" and "fraudsters" of SC politics, state agencies, funding our institutions, the ignition interlock bill, open carry laws, medical cannabis, and so much more! They dig into the priority of interests for politicians, …
…
continue reading

1
LIVE! SINE DIE 2024 - With Guest Host Bakari Sellers - Legislators Come Down for a Drink
1:01:04
1:01:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:04Sine Die and the end of session create a fervor of activity at the State's Capital! Vincent and Guest Host, Bakari Sellers, 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 questio…
…
continue reading

1
How S.C. Spends Your Money, Upcoming Legislation, and How the Capital is Changing - With Guest Mayor Bob Coble
53:52
53:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:52LIVE! From the Columbia Palmetto Club with the leadership columbia class of 2024, Joel hosts legendary Mayor of Columbia Bob Coble. They discuss commitment to public education, taxes, the inner workings of the SC budget, “Loftis-Gate” and the recently found 1.8 billion dollars, allegations relating to SCOUT Motors, changes in the Judicial System, t…
…
continue reading

1
LIVE! Increasing Women's Leadership and Running for Office - With Guest Republican Senator Sandy Senn
54:49
54:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:49Joel sits down LIVE at the Women in Leadership Conference with guest, Senator Sandy Senn to talk about the latest moves in South Carolina politics and government. They discuss “Loftis-Gate” and the recently found 1.8 billion dollars, why Treasurer Loftis is still in office, the state of S.C.'s electrical grid and its impact on development, changes …
…
continue reading

1
Republican Leadership, Building Coalitions, and Government that Works - with Speaker of the House Murrell Smith
1:02:46
1:02:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:46Vincent sits down with guest, Speaker of the House Murrell Smith to talk about leading South Carolina’s Republican Party and tell stories about Joel. They discuss property tax reform, Midlands’ Senate races, “Loftis-Gate,” and the reemergence of rural leaders in politics. Hear about South Carolina’s rapidly growing population, building bridges acro…
…
continue reading

1
Conservation, Finding Billions of Dollars, and the Future of Infrastructure in SC - With Republican Senator Stephen Goldfinch
1:00:56
1:00:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:56There is ALOT happening in South Carolina government and politics! Where did the mystery 1.8 billion dollars come from? What's Constitutional Carry? How is S.C. faring in National Politics? What is the Yankee Tax? Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Senator Stephen Goldfinch, to discuss the outdoors, South Carolina Wildlife, preservation, Senator…
…
continue reading

1
100 EPISODES - Forging a New Path and the Legislative Process - with Guest Senator Tameika Isaac Devine
56:16
56:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:16Vincent and Joel reminisce about some of their favorite episodes and talk about having guests ranging from Meet the Press's Chuck Todd to Mark Sanford and the famous "mother's day episode". The Senators review the impact of the Podcast on their own lives and on the State of South Carolina, hit the highlights of national and statewide politics, and …
…
continue reading

1
Structuring Judicial Reform, Liquor Liability, and Pints & Politics Podcast - with Representative Heath Sessions
1:01:10
1:01:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:10Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, recently elected, representative Heath Sessions, and discuss the state of the State, S.C.’s impact on national politics, childhood health, Certificates of Need, Representative Sessions’ family, background, work, and so much more! Hear Joel and Vincent breakdown the status of the Republican primary between forme…
…
continue reading

1
LIVE! Upcoming Bills and National Politics - At the South Carolina Association of REALTORS meeting - Guest Senator Luke Rankin
46:00
46:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:00Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Luke Rankin, and discuss the new bills before the House and Senate, gun reform and concealed carry permits, liquor sales, Republican Primary in South Carolina, and Biden's new messaging for Trump. They go into Senator Rankin's background, relationship with politi…
…
continue reading

1
Election Reform, Judicial Reform, and Primary Season - With Representative Brandon Newton
1:00:19
1:00:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:19Vincent and Joel sit down with guest Representative Brandon Newton, elected in 2017 at age 22 as the youngest State Representative in the country. They discuss election reform, judicial reform, income tax cuts, infrastructure, increasing teacher pay, and so much more! Joel and Vincent breakdown the status of the Republican primary between former Go…
…
continue reading

1
NEW YEAR NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION - With Guest Representative Spencer Wetmore
1:03:29
1:03:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:29Vincent and Joel sit down with guest Representative Spencer Wetmore, elected in special election in 2020, and rising star in the South Carolina Public Service. They talk about the upcoming legislative session, judicial reform, Medical Marijuana, the continued debate over social issues, expanding personal liberties, the retirement of the esteemed Se…
…
continue reading

1
WILL FOLKS - FITSNews - Election Season and 2023 YEAR END RECAP
56:37
56:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:37Vincent and Joel sit down with FITS News founder Will Folks to talk through the hottest political topics, judicial reform, updates on the Murdaugh trial, the flipped dynamic on Abortion policy, the state of national politics, the Presidential Election, and so much more! Hear journalistic insight and a behind the scenes look at this years most contr…
…
continue reading

1
The Freedom Caucus, Divisions within the Republican Party, and Breaking Political Ranks - With Representative Adam Morgan
1:17:10
1:17:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:17:10Vincent and Joel sit down with leader of the SC Freedom Caucus and Congressional Candidate, Adam Morgan. They discuss his background, composing Christian music, being elected with his brother, starting the Freedom Caucus, breaking rank, the unhealthy consequences of a supermajority state, and the representative’s stance on indoctrination in schools…
…
continue reading

1
Governor David Beasley - Political Stories and The State of World Hunger
59:34
59:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
59:34Vincent and Joel sit down with esteemed Governer of South Carolina, David Beasley. They discuss his start in the House of Representatives as a fresh faced college student, his run ins and mentorship with Sol Blatt, the basis for switching parties, his run for Governor, and delve into the last 40 years of South Carolina Politics. They get a behind t…
…
continue reading

1
Confidence in Government and Changes in Lobbying Practices - With Dwight Drake
57:34
57:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:34Vincent and Joel sit down with lawyer, political advocate, and lobbying extraordinaire, Dwight Drake. They discuss how to make government work, peoples' trust in government, his background in politics, how he got started, his military service, his career as a lobbyist, and so much more! This fascinating episode delves into South Carolina's the rich…
…
continue reading

1
Is Government Too Big?- With Guest, Senator Wes Climer.
58:40
58:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:40Vincent and Joel sit down with Senator Wes Climer to discuss whether the SC government does too much, the future of judicial reform, consequential changes to the Senate’s rules, Mitt Romney, who won the special election for District 19, and so much more! Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the rationale behind some of the legislatu…
…
continue reading

1
LIVE! From the USC Honors College - With Guest Mayor Daniel Rickenmann
58:48
58:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:48Vincent and Joel sit down live in front of some of South Carolina's best and brightest students at University of South Carolina's Honors College. They talk with Daniel Rickenmann, mayor of S.C.'s Capital City, and discuss everything from South Carolina's current national influence to our state's turmoil over judicial reform. Get your latest Stateho…
…
continue reading

1
How to Run in a Competitive Election and Properly Funding Higher Education - With Senator Deon Tedder
47:46
47:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:46Vincent and Joel sit down with Deon Tedder, a newly elected Senator who won his most recent election by ELEVEN votes. They dig into the background, his path into advocacy and politics, his election, and the fight to properly fund HBCUs. Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the rationale behind some of the legislature's most controve…
…
continue reading

1
Passing Sextortion Legislation and Working to Combat the Mental Health Crisis - With Rep. Brandon Guffey
1:03:02
1:03:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:02Vincent and Joel sit down for a powerful interview with representative Brandon Guffey. They dig into his hardworking history, his business success, and his battle against the the Epidemic of Scams against Minors in the United States called Revenge Porn and “Sextortion”. Listen to the tragic story at the core of Brandon’s fight and hear what South C…
…
continue reading

1
The Future of South Carolina Democrats - with Christale Spain
51:56
51:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:56Vincent and Joel sit down with the Chair of the SC Democratic Party and discuss her background in Politics and the future of South Carolina Democrats. Hear about the final abortion ruling in S.C., the first presidential debate, the new parental leave for public school teachers and more! Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the ratio…
…
continue reading

1
Upstate Politics, School Choice Expansion, and What Matters in Politics - With Representative Jason Elliot
57:35
57:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:35Vincent and Joel sit down with upstate Representative Jason Elliott and discuss rise into political prominence, how his personal life got dragged into politics, what the upstate political atmosphere is like, his most pressing issues - including D.O.T reform and infrastructure development- and so much more! Hear about how Tempers flare over judicial…
…
continue reading

1
Political Reporting, Journalism, and Changing Political Landscapes - With Cindi Scoppe
1:01:37
1:01:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:37Vincent and Joel sit down with Cindi Scoppe, one of South Carolina’s highest caliber journalists, to discuss reporting in the palmetto state and how politics have shifted. They give a roadmap to some of the big political controversies of the last 30 years, dig into SC’s nuanced political landscape, and so much more! Get your latest Statehouse updat…
…
continue reading

1
Republican leaders facing primaries, abolition of school districts??, and why tuition is sky high - with Representative Neal Collins
1:01:04
1:01:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:04Vincent and Joel sit down with upstate Representative Neal Collins and discuss the abolition of school districts, primary opponents, school tuition, zoos in California, the future of the Republican Party, and so much more! Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the rationale behind some of the legislature's most controversial bills. J…
…
continue reading

1
Education, Repercussions of Covid-19, and How to Get Children Reading - With S.C. Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver
1:01:00
1:01:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:00Vincent and Joel sit down with newly elected Superintendent of Education for the State of South Carolina, Ellen Weaver. They discuss the constitutionally elected position of Superintendent, how S.C.'s education system is structured, the billions of dollars going to education, increasing funding, bus drivers, teachers, and so much more. Learn about …
…
continue reading

1
Career Politicians, Public Servants, and South Carolina's Republican Presidential Candidates - With Senator Marlon E. Kimpson
57:43
57:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:43Vincent and Joel sit down with Senator and Attorney, Marlon Kimpson. They discuss the new abortion case in front of the Supreme Court of S.C., Senator Kimpson's pending retirement, career politicians vs. public servants, leadership, republican candidates for president - including the two from South Carolina, the republican super-majority in South C…
…
continue reading