Democracy doesn’t fail all at once. It fades when races go uncontested and communities are left without a real choice. Joined by Rep. Kambrell Garvin and Brady Quirk Garvan, the conversation breaks down how unopposed elections, gerrymandered districts, and political burnout are reshaping South Carolina politics from the ground up. They explain why running for state house, county council, or local office still matters, even in tough districts, and how showing up on the ballot creates accountability where none exists. If representation is going to mean anything, someone has to be willing to run.

A packed house in Spartanburg hears a moral call that feels urgent, grounded, and impossible to ignore. Following Reverend William Barber’s powerful address, Katherine Harvey sits down with historian and storyteller Anthony Milian to unpack what it means to love forward, build coalitions, and turn shared struggle into collective action. They trace the historical roots of today’s political moment, talk democracy, dignity, and why local leadership matters more than ever in South Carolina. The conversation lands on a clear challenge: this moment is not about despair, it is about organizing, running for office, and choosing to act together.

Not everyone who wants change is meant to run for office and that does not mean they are powerless. State Senator Ed Sutton explains how everyday South Carolinians can serve on local boards, influence key decisions, and shape public policy without campaigns, party labels, or partisan fights. From transportation and aviation to foster care and judicial appointments, this conversation breaks down where real civic power lives at the local level. It is a practical guide to public service that shows how government actually functions beyond elections.

South Carolina’s legislative fights are heating up, and the stakes for voters keep getting higher. Grace is joined by Spencer Wetmore for a wide ranging conversation on closed primary proposals, gerrymandering, school voucher expansion, abortion medication restrictions, and how a small percentage of voters end up controlling state politics. They unpack how these bills actually work, who benefits from them, and why so many independents feel pushed out of the process. It is a candid look at how power operates in Columbia and what these choices mean for the future of South Carolina.

From prosecuting a notorious serial killer to defending one of the most watched murder trials in modern history, Dick Harpootlian has seen every side of power and justice in South Carolina. Grace talks with the longtime attorney, former state senator, and Democratic Party chair about decades of state politics, party strategy, and how money and messaging shape who actually wins elections. Dick also digs into his new book on Pee Wee Gaskins, reflecting on criminal psychology, the death penalty, and how those cases changed him personally. It’s a candid, wide-ranging conversation that blends Southern political history, true crime, and hard-earned perspective.

South Carolina politics did not break overnight, and they will not fix themselves. In the season three opener of Frogmore Stew, Grace talks about how gerrymandering, low primary turnout, straight party voting, and rigid party loyalty have slowly stripped voters of real power and accountability. She takes a clear-eyed look at both parties, the growing number of independent voters, and how the current political system rewards outrage instead of results. With another pivotal election year ahead, the message is simple and direct. Democracy is not abstract, it is made up of people, and what happens next in South Carolina is up to us.

Grace and Kathryn take the stage at a packed Peninsula Dems meeting to break down why South Carolina politics feel more chaotic than ever. From gerrymandering and open primaries to the shocking details of the Unborn Child Protection Act (S323), they reveal how structural barriers shape everything voters experience. They also explore Democratic branding failures, Maslow’s hierarchy as a model for government, and the critical role of local elections in reshaping the future. This candid, high-energy conversation closes with actionable steps listeners can take to strengthen democracy right here at home.