Bourbon in The Back Room

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest - Senator Dick Harpootlian - to discuss his new book, Pee Wee Gaskins, his history in South Carolina, hear fascinating stories from all stages of his prestigious career in SC law and politics, and so much more! 

Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the rationale behind some of the legislature's most controversial bills. 

Join Senators Sheheen and Lourie in this week&...

Joel sits down with respected political Journalists Maayan Schechter and Jeff Collins to discuss their backgrounds in South Carolina, how they got into journalism, trends they see in political reporting, and to cover a wide range of HOT South Carolina political updates - including the death penalty, the gubernatorial race, ports authority, an in-depth breakdown of what to expect in the coming years of elections and policy, and more...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest - Executive Director of the SC Lottery - and discuss how the lottery works, how it benefits the state, and the Dolly's background in the State of South Carolina. 

Hear Bourbon Briefs to get your latest political update where the Senators discuss the newest developments in the gubernatorial race, new candidates in the upstate, guaranteed paid parental leave, the race for SC Supreme Court seat...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest Jaime Harrison to talk about the reality of politics, how the toughest jobs get done, sticking with his party, and so much more! Hear a wonderful personal story about President Joe Biden's kindness and humility, the start of Jaime's podcast, reframing the democratic party, Joel's insightful comments on the Taylor Swift engagement, republican overreach, and the potential upcoming e...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest - candidate in South Carolina's 2026 Governor's race - Republican Josh Kimbrell. They discuss the importance of State institutions, an insider's look at the brutality of State Politics, updates on State policy, his vision for the future of South Carolina, and his background in politics!

In Bourbon Briefs hear about the hot Governor's race in South Carolina, Ralph Norman's...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, Sean Bennett, for another appearance on the podcast to give us a thoughtful and sophisticated update on S.C. State Government, the process of governing the state, recent problems with political decorum, the makeup of his constituents, lack of experience in government, the benefits of perspective, recent bills, and so much more!

In Bourbon Briefs hear abou...

Vincent and Joel sit down with the remarkable Governor Andy Beshear and hear about how he won a statewide gubernatorial election as a democrat in Kentucky, a state that voted for Donald Trump by huge margins. Get an in depth look at the Governor's political leanings, how he views the current political climate, his deep family roots, and so much more!

Join Senators Sheheen and Lourie in this week's episode where t...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, friend of the Senators, basketball player, and esteemed Representative Jermaine Johnson. Hear Rep. Johnson talk in depth about his life, his tumultuous childhood, how he stepped up and got chosen to run for politics, his tough first election, how elected office really works, the way he sees the future of this state, and so much more! 

In Bourbon Briefs hear about the supreme court's ruling ...

Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, Representative Gil Gatch, to discuss his life and politics in the low country, his background as a musician, pastor, lawyer, and politician, how the legislature really functions, and so much more! 

Hear the Senators break down current events in S.C., discuss the allegations and arrest of S.C. Freedom Caucus founder, his suspension and potential expulsion, the lawsuit surrounding legislative rais...

Vincent 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 to look for in the coming terms. Hear Bourbon Briefs where the Senators discuss the l...

Sine 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 informational insider political podcast - Bourbon in the Back Room!

Rep. G...

Vincent 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 discuss South Carolina economic development with the Secretary of Commerce...

Vincent 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, charter schools, and efforts to address autism in our population. The Senators break d...

Vincent 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 more! Hear the Senators, "bourbon briefs" segment, where they review top...

Vincent 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 office, fetal heartbeat bill, Nancy Mace’s continued attacks on Alan Wilson - and highlig...

Vincent 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 "freedom to read" bill, funding school vouchers with lottery money, ...

 For 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 Gubernatorial aspirations, how the Parties have shifted to the e...

Joel 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 negative impacts, and so much more! Hear two true political junkies dive deep into their wor...

 Vincent 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 congress, how leadership has devolved in U.S. politics, and so much more!