Frogmore Stew

In this episode of Frogmore Stew, Grace welcomes Ted Dintersmith, a former venture capitalist turned education reformer and political activist. The conversation begins with a discussion on Ted's past experience in venture capital then transitions to Ted's focus on education reform, noting the outdated structure of current schools and the lack of essential skills being taught, especially in the age of AI. They touch on Ted's political engagement, including his support for Barack Obama and involvement in promoting state-level political candidates. The conversation wraps up with Ted's critiques on modern political fundraising, his initiative 'Moneyball Monday,' and the broader implications of education and political reform for a healthy democracy.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:09 Ted's Journey from Venture Capital to Education

02:17 The State of Education Today

03:31 The Role of Fact-Checking and Critical Thinking

04:06 Challenges in the Current Education System

04:56 The Impact of AI on Education

08:51 Ted's Transition into Politics

10:30 Involvement in Obama's Campaign

14:47 Insights from International Education Models

16:35 New Educational Initiatives in the US

18:49 The Importance of Political Engagement

22:01 Moneyball Monday: Strategic Political Funding

23:09 Challenges in Political Fundraising

30:36 The Need for State-Level Political Focus

35:08 The Influence of Big Money in Politics

36:53 Closing Thoughts and Inspirational Quotes

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan

Grace sits down with Bradley Tusk to discuss his new book, 'Vote With Your Phone, Why Mobile Voting is Our Final Shot at Saving Democracy.' Tusk shares his extensive political background and the insights that led him to advocate for mobile voting as a solution to political apathy and gerrymandering. Highlighting successful pilot programs and discussing the secure technology behind mobile voting, Tusk emphasizes the potential for increased voter participation and making every vote count. The conversation also touches on his efforts with Mayday Health to provide abortion access in red states through telemedicine and his bookstore, P&T Knitwear.

00:00 Introduction to Frogmore Stew

00:06 Meet Bradley Tusk: Political Strategist and Author

01:00 The Problem with Current Voting Systems

02:55 The Mobile Voting Project

03:42 Challenges and Successes in Mobile Voting

05:01 Bloomberg and Political Insights

08:01 The Importance of Middle Ground in Politics

11:15 Addressing Voter Fraud and Suppression

13:29 Ensuring Secure Mobile Voting

19:41 Expanding Mobile Voting Nationwide

22:30 Mayday Health: Telemedicine for Abortion Access

27:25 PNT Knitwear: A Bookstore with a Legacy

29:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan

In this episode, Grace & Katelyn discuss the joy of returning home and the comfort of their social spaces and routines. They delve into the value of intergenerational friendships. The conversation transitions into deeper societal issues, including political violence, misinformation, and the effects of increasing political identity. They critique the media's role in exacerbating political divisions. Katelyn has a thing about bodily autonomy, and Grace takes us backstage for an encounter with hip hop jewelry.

00:00 Welcome Back Home

00:47 Catching Up on the Group Chat

02:02 The Nextdoor Connection

03:20 The New Yorker Group

07:12 Political Violence and Feminism

12:39 Media and Misinformation

22:41 Generational Shifts and Social Media

26:18 A Whole Nother Thing

31:57 Final Thoughts

Grace revisits her first encounter with her friend, Rosemarie, which led to her joining a group of New Yorker magazine readers who meet monthly. The women, varying in age and backgrounds, share their political beliefs, memorable experiences, and the influence of past events like JFK's assassination and the Vietnam War. They discuss topics like education, healthcare, and state politics, highlighting mutual respect and the value of multigenerational dialogue. Grace wraps up the episode with a collective agreement on political stances and the importance of diverse, respectful conversations.

00:00 Introduction to Frogmore Stew

00:35 Meeting Rosemarie and the New Yorker Group

01:39 Diverse Backgrounds and Shared Experiences

03:05 Memorable Political Events

07:13 Developing Political Beliefs

11:53 Political Beliefs and Marriage

15:44 Current Issues in South Carolina

19:03 Conversations Across Differences

26:13 Reflections on the Group's Impact

29:32 Conclusion and Credits

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan

Grace and Katelyn dive into a discussion on the latest debate, analyzing Kamala Harris's performance and contrasting it with her opponent's approach. They touch on pressing issues like abortion, the shifting political landscape, and the debate between traditional and modern family values. The conversation also explores the economic cost of unaffordable childcare and the need for community pools. Katelyn shares her thoughts on Athens' graffiti culture and Grace calls for more public pools.

00:00 Catch Up with Katelyn in Greece

00:42 Debate Reactions and Hot Takes

02:20 Kamala's Debate Performance

04:07 Gender and Politics

07:11 Abortion and Political Shifts

20:48 Childcare and Family Values

30:27 Graffiti in Athens

34:05 Community Amenities and Public Spaces

36:17 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode, Grace and Katelyn share a rich conversation that ranges from Katelyn's travel experiences in Greece to political discourse in local school settings and the complexities of tipping in the United States. There's a reflection on the polarizing nature of politics, and a chat about the benefits of afternoon naps and the nostalgia for gas station attendants.

00:00 Catch Up from the Mediterranean

00:42 School Discourse and Political Climate

03:29 Generational Views on Politics

05:58 Local Elections and Voter Turnout

09:25 Debate on Tipping and Wages

21:18 Presidential Campaign Strategies

27:54 Inauguration Preparations

29:32 Afternoon Naps and Everyday Luxuries

32:11 Conclusion and Sign Off

Grace Cowan

This episode highlights the impact of Phyllis Schlafly, who redefined the Republican Party's stance on women's rights and shaped America's political landscape in substantial ways. Grace explores how her activism against the Equal Rights Amendment transformed conservative views, the Republican Party and continues to influence American politics today.

00:00 Introduction to Gender Roles and Feminism

00:36 Generational Perspectives on Feminism

02:57 The Evolution of Feminism

05:03 Phyllis Schlafly's Influence

06:28 Schlafly's Political Journey

09:40 The Battle Against the ERA

12:18 Schlafly's Legacy and Impact

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan

Grace and her special guest, Richard Hricik, discuss the power using just the right words for framing their strategic messaging for political campaigns. They also cover the importance of women in the upcoming elections, and the game changing impact of gerrymandering on South Carolina politics. Richard emphasizes the necessity of effective communication for Democrats to reshape their narrative and engage voters.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:12 The Power of Messaging and Framing

01:39 Democratic Messaging on Freedom and Patriotism

02:48 Reframing the Abortion Debate

06:44 Climate Change vs. Climate Crisis

09:01 Kamala Harris and the Future of Democratic Messaging

14:21 The State of the Republican Party

16:41 Gerrymandering and Its Impact on Elections

30:00 Local Elections and Their Importance

31:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan

Grace and labor attorney Nicole Brenecki discuss the complexity of the Fair Labor Standards Act, focusing on recent changes to federal minimum salary requirements for exempt employees. They explore the implications for small businesses, the political spin, and the impact on middle-class workers. Nicole offers insights and strategies for business owners to adapt to the new rules.

00:00 Introduction

00:17 Grace's Early Career and Minimum Wage Insights

00:35 Small Business and Minimum Wage Politics

01:09 Understanding the Fair Labor Standards Act

02:07 Salaried Employees and Overtime Rules

02:13 Recent Changes in Minimum Salary Requirements

02:42 Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employees

05:06 Practical Implications for Employers

05:31 Interview with Labor Attorney Nicole Brenecki

06:09 Clarifying Exempt and Non-Exempt Rules

10:50 Impact on Small and Large Businesses

14:34 Political Perspectives and Final Thoughts

16:59 Conclusion and Credits

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan

In this special episode of Second Helping, hosts Grace Cowan and Katelyn Brewer speak with Kathryn Harvey, chair of the Spartanburg County Democratic Party, about her experiences and speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Harvey shares insights on her campaign against incumbent Republican Representative William Timmons and the rising enthusiasm among Democrats in South Carolina.

This episode also features a conversation with Brady Quirk-Garvin, a Democratic political strategist, who reflects on the impact of the convention and the generational shift within the party. The discussion highlights the collective energy and the inclusive atmosphere of the convention, as well as the importance of grassroots mobilization and the push for diversity in politics.

00:00 Introduction to the Special Episode

00:32 Interview with Kathryn Harvey

01:58 Campaign Strategies and Local Impact

04:16 The Role of Youth and National Energy

06:43 The Importance of Local Engagement

09:30 Reflections on the Democratic National Convention

14:17 Interview with Brady Quirk Garvin

18:02 The Power of Diversity and Inclusion

36:19 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan