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Bourbon in The Back Room
Bourbon in The Back Room
Author: Vincent Sheheen and Joel Lourie
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© 2025 Bourbon in The Back Room
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An inside look at politics with Senators Sheheen and Lourie. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the important, fun, and sometimes weird world of South Carolina Politics. Learn how the laws that impact your life every day get made and find a unique perspective on connections around the state!
145 Episodes
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Vincent and Joel sit down with guest, FITSNews' own Will Folks, to discuss the crazy developments in South Carolina Politics, the course of state policy, proposed judicial reform, changes in the journalism industry, panhandling regulations, the governor's race, the decisions your elected officials are making, and 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 th...
Vincent and Joel sit down with Guest, Professor of Political Science, Dr. Kendra Stewart, to do a deep dive into South Carolina Government, politics, history, and Vincent's new book! In Bourbon Briefs hear the latest supreme court updates, the debate over whether mandatory retirement age is mandatory for Judges, proposed changes to our road infrastructure, local government taking a stronger role in governance, the South Carolina Election Commission controversy, and much more! Get your latest ...
Vincent and Joel sit down with guest Kevin Sack, senior reporter for the New York Times, to discuss his journalism and his new book on the Mother Emanuel church and tragic shooting, along with Vincent's new book "The Concise Guide to South Carolina State Government", which talks about the history of South Carolina and how it impacts current state government and procedure. In Bourbon Briefs hear the latest court ruling in the legislator's attempt to raise their pay, a the supreme court e...
Vincent and Joel sit down LIVE from the CoverSC conference with J. J. Gentry Senior Lawyer for the Ethics Committee to talk about his push for lung cancer awareness, Guest Senator Russell Ott to discuss statehouse updates and his recent election, and Guest, consultant Walter Whetsell, to discuss lobbying, consulting, and campaigns in South Carolina, along with the Coverage Gap and how CoverSC is trying to help South Carolinians. Hear Bourbon Briefs where the Senators go over the latest ...
Vincent and Joel sit down with guest - Valerie Bauerlein - and discuss her latest story and investigative journalism into Scott Spivey and what really happened on Camp Swamp Road. Hear the implications on statewide politics, a breakdown of South Carolina's stand your ground laws, how we govern ourselves, and so much more! In Bourbon Briefs hear about the republican primaries, fundraising for politicians, the controversial proposed abortion ban which could criminalize mothers and doctor...
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's episode where they take a deeper look at upcoming legislation ...
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! Hear insiders whose full-time job is to track South Ca...
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 seats, and more! Join Senators Sheheen and Lourie in this week's ...
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 echo of 2006 in 2026. Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firstha...
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 announcement, Nancy Mace's latest messaging, Senator Wes Climer's bid for Congress, p...
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 about South Carolina's complete ban on cell phones for students i...
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 they take a deeper look at upcoming legislation and lawmakers' actions in S.C.&nb...
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 on legislative pay-raise, who is running for Attorney General...
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 raises, try some new bourbon, and talk to Brandon Dermody ab...
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 latest updates from the capital, including the Supreme Court's ...
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. Gary Simrill, Rep. Heather Bauer, Sen. Luke Rankin, Rep. Micah Caskey, Rep. Spen...
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 himself. Hear about his career in government and business, time on the ...
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 down current events in their popular segment, Bourbon Briefs, and di...
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 stories - including S.C.'s tax reform bill, the state of the missing 1.8 bil...
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 highlighting the Smart Heart Act which aims to prevent student athlet...



