Vincent Sheheen spent twenty years in the statehouse before coming home to be mayor of Camden. He joins Katy Smith to talk about the growth worries that unite South Carolinians across party lines, how a small city can welcome newcomers without sprawling, and why Camden is worth your next weekend.

Episode Resources:

• Listen to Bourbon in the Back Room Podcast
• “The Concise Guide to South Carolina State Government” by Vincent Sheheen
• Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site and Visitor Center

Simple Civics:

• Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville
• Get in touch
• Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution
• Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
• View our entire catalogue

Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

Greenville County has no shortage of services for parents. What it lacks is the connective tissue that helps families actually reach them. Derek Lewis talks with Dr. Tim Green of Openfields and Catherine Schumacher of Public Education Partners about the Parenting Landscape Assessment, why availability is not the same as access, and the "No Wrong Doors" initiative now taking shape.

Episode Resources:

• InformEdsc
• Public Education Partners
• Greenville County 2024-2026 Needs Assessment
• Public Education Partners Strategic Plan
• Openfields Official Website

Simple Civics:

• Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville
• Get in touch
• Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution
• Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
• View our entire catalogue

Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

Vincent Sheheen, Mayor of Camden and former state Senator, House member, and gubernatorial candidate on why South Carolina elects a coroner, why the state owns nearly every road, and why counties had no council until the 1970s.

Episode Resources:

• Listen to Bourbon in the Back Room Podcast
• “The Concise Guide to South Carolina State Government” by Vincent Sheheen

Simple Civics:

• Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville
• Get in touch
• Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution
• Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
• View our entire catalogue

Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

Urban forester Mindy Mohrman joins Kelly Byers to walk through Greenville's Urban Forest Comprehensive Plan: what it covers, what the canopy data and tree inventory show, and why a healthy urban forest depends on private landowners as much as the city. Residents can weigh in at a virtual meeting on August 19th or through a short survey open until August 21st, both at greenvilletreeplan.com.

Episode Resources:

• Official Greenville Tree Plan Website
• TreesUpstate

Simple Civics:

• Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville
• Get in touch
• Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution
• Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
• View our entire catalogue

Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

The first day of kindergarten and the last first day of senior year are both bigger deals for parents than anyone admits. Two Greenville school counselors share what actually helps, from picture books and goodbye handshakes to handing your senior the car keys on their own college deadlines.

Episode Resources:

• InformEdsc
• Public Education Partners

Simple Civics:

• Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville
• Get in touch
• Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution
• Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
• View our entire catalogue

Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simpsonville is one of the Upstate's fastest-growing cities - and its 125th anniversary is a reminder of the importance of celebrating and preserving the past while looking to what's next. Hear from Simpsonville's city administrator, Tee Coker, on downtown's $23M makeover, who pays for it, and what's at stake.

Episode Resources:

• Simpsonville ‘Spark Fest’ Founder’s Day Festival 
• Simple Civics Episode on Hospitality and Accommodations Tax

Simple Civics:

• Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville
• Get in touch
• Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution
• Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
• View our entire catalogue

Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

Why do companies choose Greenville County? Site selection expert Susan Donkers reveals the hidden science behind corporate location decisions - and how everyday citizens help win (or lose) the deals that shape our community.

Episode Resources:

• Strata Platforms
• The Ribbon Cut Podcast with Susan Donkers

Simple Civics:

• Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville
• Get in touch
• Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution
• Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
• View our entire catalogue

Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

Fluor Field is more than a ballpark. Greenville Drive president Jeff Brown shares how a family-owned mini Fenway sparked $300M in economic impact and transformed Greenville's West End through public-private partnership.

Episode Resources:

• Fluor Field Economic Impact Study

Simple Civics:

• Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville
• Get in touch
• Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution
• Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
• View our entire catalogue

Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

South Carolina's 50 state parks largely pay their own way. Gwen Davenport of SC State Parks on the model, the $99 passport, beating the crowds, and the CCC legacy.

Episode Resources:

• Ultimate Outsider Program and 50-Park Challenge
• SC State Parks Annual Passport Information
• Play It Forward: CCC History and "Parkitecture"

Simple Civics:

• Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville
• Get in touch
• Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution
• Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
• View our entire catalogue

Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

How does an ambulance know where you'll need it before you call? Greenville County EMS leaders share how data, dispatch, and house calls save lives in SC.

Episode Resources:

• Greenville County Clinical Services Overview
• Greenville County EMS Training Academies

Simple Civics:

• Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville
• Get in touch
• Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution
• Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
• View our entire catalogue

Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.