Frogmore Stew

In this episode, Grace explores the transformation of the U.S. Supreme Court into a politically charged entity, tracing its history from the era of Dwight Eisenhower through Ronald Reagan to the present day. She examines judicial activism versus originalism, and how these philosophies influence major legal decisions on civil rights, abortion, and more.

00:00 Introduction to the Supreme Court

00:26 The Role and History of the Supreme Court

01:05 The Impact of Eisenhower's Appointments

02:47 The Shift Towards Conservatism in the 1980s

03:15 The Influence of Reagan and Scalia

04:11 Breyer's Counterpoint: Active Liberty

05:21 Comparing Judicial Activism and Originalism

05:52 The Implications of Originalism

06:54 The Current State of the Supreme Court

07:26 Closing Thoughts and Ginsburg's Legacy

07:36 Podcast Credits and Sign Off

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan

Local Government 101

In this week's episode of Frogmore Stew, Katelyn Brewer fills in for Grace to explore the world of municipal governance and its profound impact on community life. Special guest Clay Middleton, a seasoned public service professional with a rich background in military service, politics, and community service, shares insightful perspectives on engaging with municipal governments, overcoming voter apathy, and the significance of direct communication between citizens and their local representatives. The conversation underlines the critical need for civic education, accountability, and visionary leadership to address community issues and long-term planning for future generations.

00:00 Introduction to Municipal Governance

00:32 Evolution of Municipal Governance

01:28 Importance of Local Government Engagement

02:14 Interview with Clay Middleton

03:48 Understanding Municipal Government

15:29 The Role of Neighborhood Associations

18:00 Politicization of Local Government

22:10 The Future of Municipal Governance

24:03 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan

• The Poets of Rhythm - "South Carolina

Grace & Katelyn discuss the SC Republican primary, highlighting the struggles of two-time governor, Nikki Haley, the economic impact of the primary and the division within the Republican party. They underline Gretchen Whitmer's rise as a potential Democratic contender and controversial bills passed in Columbia this week.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:03 Deep Dive into the History of Republican Primary

01:38 Discussion on the Economic Impact of a Primary

02:48 The Intricacies of Political Friendships

03:30 The Trump vs Haley Debate

04:34 The Future of the Republican Party

05:48 The Role of Moderates in Politics

09:08 The Influence of Media on Politics

10:21 The Role of Nikki Haley in the Republican Party

11:32 The Populist Movement and Trump

13:14 The State of the Republican Party in South Carolina

18:46 The Future of the Democratic Party

20:52 Meeting with Gretchen Whitmer

30:35 The Elitism in Air Travel

35:34 Conclusion and Farewell

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan

Grace and Republican strategist, Matt Moore, look at the significance of South Carolina's Republican Presidential Primaries. Matt recounts the origins of the Primary in the 1980s under the direction Lee Atwater and the impact of personalities like Ronald Reagan. They delve into the evolution of the Republican party and the rise of Trumpism. Matt also touches on the economic impact of these primaries in South Carolina.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:27 History of the Republican Presidential Primary

02:23 The Role of Lee Atwater and the 1980s Primaries

02:47 The Strategy Behind South Carolina's Primary

03:34 The Impact of the 1960s Populism and the Rise of Reagan

03:57 The Atwater Strategy and its Consequences

06:49 The Economic Impact of South Carolina's 2012 Republican Presidential Primary

08:52 The Changing Landscape of the Republican Party

10:22 The Future of the Republican Party and the Role of South Carolina

14:21 The Impact of Gerrymandering on South Carolina Politics

16:09 Speculations on Trump's Potential Running Mate

16:43 Conclusion and Farewell

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan

• The Poets of Rhythm - "South Carolina

Grace takes a deep dive into political strategist, Lee Atwater, who rewrote the rules of South Carolina politics, as well as the nation. Atwater's unconventional strategies capitalized on racial bigotry, divisive false narratives and religious fundamentalism, to alter the narrative of the Republican party and ultimately led to the current ethos of the party.

00:00 Understanding the Political Success of Lee Atwater

00:39 The Grand Bargain and the Shift of Power

02:00 Lee Atwater's Early Life and Political Beginnings

02:51 Atwater's Game-Changing Political Strategies

04:16 Atwater's Five Rules of Politics

05:52 The Impact of Atwater's Tactics on the Republican Party

06:23 Atwater's Influence on the Reagan Campaign

06:52 The Power of Racial Division in Atwater's Strategy

09:30 Atwater's Use of Grievance Politics

10:35 Atwater's Relationship with the Press and Strategic Misrepresentation

12:05 Atwater's Legacy and Apology

12:22 Reflections on Atwater's Life and Impact

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan

In this episode, Katelyn and Grace discuss major issues in state politics like the reorganization of the South Carolina Democratic Party and the decline in party popularity. They touch on factors altering the political discourse, including the rise of social media, the loss of local community connection, and outdated norms. They also discuss the increasing tendency of public figures to distort truth, the Taylor Swift effect, and review Tucker's talk with Putin.

00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter

00:20 Discussing the State of the Democratic Party in Spartanburg

01:41 Analyzing the Political Shift in South Carolina

02:56 The Impact of Gerrymandering and Political Ideology

05:24 Exploring the Political Engagement of Gen Z

07:06 The Erosion of Political Norms

12:39 The Impact of Social Media on Neighborhood Dynamics

22:36 The Power of Celebrity Influence: Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl

23:42 Analyzing Tucker Carlson's Interview with Vladimir Putin

26:04 Conclusion

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan

In this episode, Grace interviews Kathryne Harvey, the Chair of the Spartanburg Democratic Party. Spartanburg is one of the fastest-growing areas of the state with high investment levels. Harvey details her focus on local issues such as healthcare, economic development, and sensible growth that benefits the long-standing community. Harvey emphasizes the importance of elevating Democratic voices in the local political discourse of a highly Republican-dominated landscape and a focused approach on issues-based rather than a party-based strategy.

00:00 Introduction to Frogmore Stew

00:00 Meet Kathryn Harvey: Chair of the Spartanburg Democratic Party

01:15 Understanding Spartanburg County's Political Landscape

02:35 The Impact of Gerrymandering on Spartanburg County

03:28 Strategies for Engaging Voters and Building Candidates

04:41 The Role of Women and Moderates in Spartanburg Politics

05:38 Building Cross-Party Coalitions Around Issues

06:50 The Challenge of Representing Democrats in a Predominantly Red State

07:38 The Importance of Local Issues in Spartanburg County

07:59 The Influence of National Politics on Local Elections

09:02 The Role of the Democratic Party in Spartanburg's Growth

10:00 The Impact of Voter Turnout on Local Elections

11:47 The Challenge of Engaging with Voters Year-Round

13:54 The Importance of Running Democratic Candidates in Republican Dominated Districts

21:28 The Role of Religion in Spartanburg County Politics

23:47 The Long Game: Building a Democratic Presence in Spartanburg County

27:13 Conclusion and Farewell

27:37 Credits

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan

• The Poets of Rhythm - "South Carolina

Join Grace and Katelyn as they discuss the intricacies of the Democratic Primary, touching on the performance and profiles of various candidates. They explore how our media, old and new, influences public perception and how it's been used to disseminate political narratives. The conversation shifts to the challenge of identifying factual information amidst a flood of “infotainment” news.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:14 Discussing the Democratic Primary

05:27 The Role of Media in Politics

07:26 Understanding the Shift in Media Consumption

08:32 The Impact of New Media on Society

10:18 The Influence of Television on Public Perception

12:16 The Evolution of Political Communication

13:53 The Dangers of Misinformation and Biases

20:41 Social Media and Public Opinion

28:41 The Need for Better Communication and Understanding

36:06 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan

• The Poets of Rhythm - "South Carolina

Grace sits down with Will Folks, the founding editor of FITSNews, an online media outlet based in South Carolina. The two delve into the current American political landscape. They explore the origins of FITSNews, its commitment to diverse perspectives, and its controversial offerings. They also dive into South Carolina's political environment, its gerrymandering situation, and the need for judicial reform.

00:01 Introduction to Frogmore Stew

00:04 The Rise of Independent Americans

00:34 The Influence of Media on Our Beliefs

01:08 Interview with Will Folks, Founding Editor of FITSNews

02:06 The Accidental Birth of FITSNews

02:48 The Role of FITSNews in South Carolina

03:20 The Importance of Diverse Perspectives in Media

06:52 The Impact of Politics on Small Businesses

10:11 The Problem with Gerrymandering

14:35 The Need for Judicial Reform in South Carolina

18:47 The Role of School Boards in Education

19:01 Conclusion and Preview of Next Episode

Grace and Katelyn discuss the complexities of the primary election system and the presidential election prediction theory developed by Dr. Alan Lichtman. They touch on the rise of movements versus mere supporters in politics, as seen in Trump's following. The importance of seeing elections with a lens of nuance was underscored, with a focus on the need for greater comprehension and less pigeonholing in political discourse.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:14 Reflecting on Interview with Dr. Alan Lichtman

00:58 Understanding the Presidential Election Prediction

02:43 Discussing the Current Political Situation

03:21 Exploring the History and Process of Primaries

14:40 The Role of Delegates in the Election Process

16:25 Analyzing the Potential Election Outcomes

24:48 The Importance of Continuous Learning

27:26 Closing Remarks and Preview of Next Episode

Copyright 2025 Grace Cowan