Frogmore Stew

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 growing polarization in Columbia, and the quiet but critical work that rarely makes the news. This episode also dives into redistricting, DACA occupational licensing, and why voter turnout in primaries matters more than most people realize.

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 feel rigged, how primaries drive extremism, and why true democracy depends on fair maps and healthy competition.

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 “tools in our toolbox” — from accountability and constituent engagement to long-term strategies for winning fair maps by 2032 — and calls for creative, state-specific approaches to reclaim political power. Packed with insight, urgency, and optimism, this conversation is a rallying cry for working families and future leaders alike.

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 that South Carolina is very much on the map; and not just because it’s sweltering. Grab your cold shower and press play.

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 Carolina, the illusion of electoral choice, and how privilege influences political detachment. Plus: turning 40, family vacations, and whether Diddy can ever come back from scandal. It’s equal parts rant, reflection, and reality check.

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 Spartanburg’s once-in-a-generation sheriff’s race and why local elections matter more than ever in protecting community health and opportunity. If you care about the Upstate’s future, it’s time to call the locksmith—and protect the keys to your community’s well-being.

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 why waiting for someone else to fix it is a losing game. If you care about South Carolina’s future, this episode will challenge you to think about your role in it.

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 policy and why Democrats keep missing the mark with voters. And finally, Grace learns what “shipping” means.

Political strategist Adam Brandon joins Grace to talk about the rise of independent voters and the movement to disrupt America’s two-party system. As senior advisor at the independent Center, Brandon outlines his plan to support moderate candidates, tackle gerrymandering, and bring fiscal responsibility and social tolerance back into focus. From insider lobbying to the myth of the political “middle,” this episode is a deep dive into what it will take to meet America’s voters where they are.

As Trump and Elon Musk exchange political blows, Grace and Caitlin break down the latest intra-GOP power struggle and ask: who really holds the reins? From Supreme Court shakeups and Citizens United fallout to deep cuts in Medicaid and media manipulation, this episode unpacks the dissonance at the heart of American democracy. Plus, a look at protest music's vanishing voice—and why Patti Smith might be the last one standing. All that and more in this week’s high-voltage Second Helping.