In this episode, Rich and Kevin kick things off with backyard grilling talk and reflections on Black college homecomings before diving deep into the Democratic Party’s internal power struggles. They break down the tension between institutional loyalty and insurgent activism, focusing on David Hogg’s controversial push to primary incumbent Democrats from his seat as DNC Vice Chair. From aging leadership and passing the torch to whether the party is better off with Horace Grant or Dennis Rodman, the fellas go in. It’s a no-holds-barred convo about strategy, legacy, and whether the left is fumbling the bag—again.

📍 00:01 Grills, Gear, and Homecoming Nostalgia

Kevin rocks Spellman gear, Rich reminisces about escorting Tyra Banks, and both reflect on the family reunion vibes of Southern HBCU homecomings.

📍 07:00 Health, Ribs, and Seasoning Secrets

Rich shares his return to grilling post-dialysis and shouts out Kevin’s mom’s legendary dry rub ribs. The conversation swerves into food philosophy—sauce vs. skill.

📍 11:10 Democrats Fumbling the Handoff

The hosts revisit recurring Democratic Party flubs—from Gore to Clinton to Harris—and the growing need for new leadership like Wes Moore and Raphael Warnock.

📍 15:00 David Hogg vs. The Establishment

David Hogg’s $20M plan to primary “safe seat” Democrats gets scrutinized. Kevin questions the strategy, while Rich sees merit in disrupting complacency from within.

📍 30:00 When Progressives Go Too Far?

The fellas debate whether a DNC vice chair should also be leading insurgent challenges. Is it bold, necessary reform—or bad politics in disguise?

🐍 Mamba Mentality Award

This week’s award goes to Senator Dick Durbin, for recognizing the need to step aside and make room for the next generation of leaders. Also getting a nod: Everton Sambah, a young school board member and rising political talent, who exemplifies what readiness for change looks like.

In this episode of the Southern Comfort Podcast, Rich and Kevin dive deep into the intersection of faith, politics, and Black identity in America—starting with the historic induction of OutKast into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and culminating in a powerful dialogue on the Black church’s evolving role in civic life. From Creole Popes to political Black men rising from the pulpit, this one explores how the South's culture, faith, and politics are intertwined.

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📍 00:00 - OutKast Enters the Hall of Fame

The hosts celebrate OutKast’s long-overdue induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, praising their originality and limited yet legendary catalog. They also reflect on the Dungeon Family’s broader cultural impact.

📍 06:36 - A Black Pope in the Vatican

Rich and Kevin react to the news of the first American pope—who also has Creole heritage—and explore what this moment means for global religion and American politics, particularly the Black community.

📍 12:10 - Religion’s Role in U.S. Politics

The conversation shifts to how religion—especially the Black church—has influenced state and national politics, including commentary on Pastor Jamal Bryant and the evolving social engagement of church leaders.

📍 27:02 - The Rise of the Black Male Politician

The duo discusses how Black male leaders like Wes Moore, Raphael Warnock, and Jamal Bryant are shaping the political landscape. They emphasize the need for authentic, grounded leadership that resonates with faith-driven and Black male voters.

📍 36:39 - Conservatism in the Black Church

They tackle contradictions in the Black church—progressive in economic justice but often conservative on social issues. From LGBTQ+ rights to female pastors, the hosts question when change will truly come from the pulpit.

🐍 Mamba Mentality Award

🏆 Rich’s Pick: His niece, Skylar McDaniel, for her strength, perseverance, and achievement as a first-generation college graduate at Clayton State University.

🏆 Kevin’s Pick: A shared award to Pope Leo for his progressive leadership and to Pastor Jamal Bryant for unapologetically using the church as a platform for social change.

From campaign trail confessions to cultural handoffs and Wayans family tributes, Episode 12 is a masterclass in political real talk. Rich and Kevin break down how Democrats keep fumbling generational handoffs—from Clinton to Gore, Obama to Clinton, and Biden to Harris—and what it reveals about power, succession, and respect. With special nods to Marquita Sanders and Keenan Ivory Wayans, the episode is a blend of political strategy, cultural homage, and personal wisdom on knowing your worth, protecting your time, and playing the long game.

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📍 00:30 – Knicks Nostalgia & The Value of Vision

Kevin confesses his 90s-era Knicks fandom while Rich introduces the therapeutic power of the podcast. The duo reflects on how podcasting helps document history and decompress from the political grind.

📍 04:00 – Knowing Your Worth in Campaign Work

Rich and Kevin discuss being Black operatives, general consultants, and how the political machine often exploits talent without giving equity. Shoutout to Marquita Sanders for being “built for the wild.”

📍 11:00 – The Clinton-Gore Fumble & Lessons from 2000

The two dissect how Democrats blew the handoff from Clinton to Gore—downplaying success, alienating Clinton, and not leveraging a strong economy. The result? A near-miss that let Bush sneak in.

📍 25:00 – Biden-Harris and the Problem with Symbolism

Did Democrats put Kamala on the ticket just for optics? Kevin and Rich argue that Biden never cultivated her as a true successor and Obama wasn’t fully on board—leading to another “fumble.”

📍 37:00 – Looking Ahead to 2028: Who's Got Next?

The fellas eye potential 2028 contenders, from Raphael Warnock to Wes Moore, and break down the importance of authenticity, Southern roots, and ditching purity tests in Democratic primaries.

🐍 Mamba Mentality Award

🏆 Kenan Ivory Wayans & Dr. Michael Williams
Rich honors Kenan Ivory Wayans for blazing a trail in Black Hollywood and uplifting his entire family—from I'm Gonna Git You Sucka to Scary Movie.
Kevin salutes Dr. Michael Williams, a neurosurgeon who became the first Black person elected to anything in Concord, MA by standing up for what's right and flipping the school board.

In this wide-ranging episode, Rich and Kevin take a sharp, unapologetic look at the power—and pitfalls—of protest. From Pepsi's DEI backpedal to the economic ripple effects of modern boycotts, the duo wrestles with whether change can still come from collective action. Through the lens of civil rights history, institutional mistrust, and community responsibility, they challenge listeners to step into leadership without waiting for permission. Candy talk, Kobe tribute fits, and spicy takes on Kroger vs. Whole Foods add levity to a heavy and important conversation.

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📍 00:43 – Welcome to the Jersey Episode
Kobe jerseys, Braves gear, and sports banter set the tone as the hosts ease in before dropping the heavy hitters.

📍 06:48 – Why Kevin Stopped Drinking Pepsi
Pepsi’s quiet retreat from DEI commitments sparks a larger convo about corporate accountability and personal protest.

📍 10:11 – Boycotts That Hurt Black Businesses
They unpack how economic protest can unintentionally harm Black entrepreneurs, especially those in big box retailers like Target.

📍 14:55 – Legacy Lessons from the Civil Rights Movement
Rich and Kevin dive into the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Rosa Parks, and how those protests were structured to succeed—then ask why we haven’t done better since.

📍 27:52 – We Don’t Take Care of Our OGs
From Coretta to Rosa to modern leaders, the hosts call out how civil rights icons were left unsupported—then flip it to ask what younger generations should do differently.

🐍 Mamba Mentality Award

🏆 Kobe Bryant – For setting the standard of leadership without waiting for a handoff. Kobe didn’t wait for permission—he led. A model for all of us to stop waiting and start doing.

In this powerful episode of the Southern Comfort Podcast, Kevin and Rich dive into everything from wedding ring mishaps to launching a game-changing grassroots incubator. They open up about their evolving views on politics, the crisis of Black male college enrollment, the case for investing in trade skills, and what HBCUs must rethink to meet the moment. Plus, they give flowers to a young leader fighting the good fight in Georgia politics. Real talk, critical thinking, and a lot of laughs—this is an episode you don't want to miss.

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📍 04:05 – The Beauty and Challenge of Local Elections
Kevin discusses why local elections matter, how working with grassroots candidates keeps him grounded, and the purity of helping good people step into leadership.

📍 09:46 – Launching GRITS: Grassroots Incubator for the South
Rich reveals the upcoming launch of GRITS, a new organization to train first-time candidates and operatives across the South, focusing on building real political infrastructure.

📍 16:16 – The Decline of Black Male College Enrollment
Kevin and Rich break down the startling drop in Black male college enrollment, the economics behind it, and how culture, incarceration, and affordability all tie into this urgent issue.

📍 31:22 – The Case for Trade Skills and Early Certification
They argue that every high school graduate should leave with a trade skill, highlighting how trades like HVAC can offer faster, debt-free paths to financial security compared to college.

📍 36:59 – HBCUs, Trump, and the Future of Black College Enrollment
The conversation shifts to how political changes, like cuts to DEI initiatives, could impact HBCUs—and whether alumni will step up to support a new generation of students.

🏆 Mamba Mentality Award Goes To…

🐍 Ebenezer Abelarian - For his relentless commitment to public service, leadership within Georgia’s political landscape, and continued mentorship and generosity toward the next generation of changemakers.

Kevin and Rich are back in Atlanta, and this episode kicks off with barbershop banter and ends with a powerful tribute to political courage. The two dive deep into the importance of grooming—physically, professionally, and politically. From hairline disasters and beauty appointments to Senator Cory Booker’s 25-hour filibuster, this conversation blends humor, vulnerability, and reverence for Black leadership. It’s a timely reflection on what it means to stand up, stand out, and lead with purpose.

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📍 00:01 – Back in the A, Back in the Chair
Rich shares a barbershop horror story and laments the struggle of finding a solid, consistent cut.

📍 14:25 – The 25-Hour Filibuster
The convo shifts to Cory Booker’s historic floor speech. Rich and Kevin unpack the physical demands, the message behind the moment, and how it flipped the legacy of a tool once used to block civil rights.

📍20:53 – The Spirit of John Lewis
Kevin draws a powerful line between Booker’s stand and the beatings sustained on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. They reflect on generational sacrifice and what "getting in good trouble" looks like today.

📍 29:54 – What If I’d Gone with Booker?
Rich recounts the career crossroads where he had to choose between working for Elizabeth Warren or Cory Booker, and how a health crisis made him realize timing is everything.

📍 36:09 – Still Questioning Cory’s Blackness?
The hosts get real about the way Booker’s Blackness has been questioned, despite his consistent, targeted advocacy for Black communities. They argue it’s time to revisit who we label “real.”

🏆 Mamba Mentality Award Goes To…

🐍 Senator Cory Booker – For turning a historically oppressive tool into a mic-drop moment of resistance. Twenty-five hours of truth, grit, and purpose earned him a permanent seat at the table—and a well-deserved Mamba Mentality Award.

From moonlighting on campaigns to building his own political firm, Anthony Davis Jr. returns for Part Two of The Southern Comfort Podcast to dive deeper into the realities of being a Black operative navigating politics across the South and Northeast. He breaks down what it means to earn respect in every room, the tension between local and national strategy, and why organizing in Boston hits different. With stories that span from Ayanna Pressley’s historic win to the chaos of Mississippi elections, this episode is a masterclass in mentorship, growth, and grit.

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📍 04:23 – "Swiss Army Knife Operatives"
Anthony explains how Black campaign staffers are expected to do it all—organize, handle press, coordinate with electeds—without the title or the pay.

📍 08:15 – "The Pain of Losing Maryland"
Why Ben Jealous’s loss for governor hit harder than any other campaign defeat—and what it revealed about Black voter turnout in PG County.

📍 17:54 – "Coalition Fractures & Black Men for Trump?"
Why campaigns keep failing to understand the diversity of the Black male vote—and how group chats reveal more than polling ever could.

📍 29:06 – "A Boston Awakening"
Anthony shares how working on Ayanna Pressley’s campaign introduced him to organizing in the Northeast—and to his future wife.

📍 56:12 – "Finding His Voice on Warren’s Campaign"
From imposter syndrome to commanding the mic at a rally in front of thousands—how Anthony stepped into his power on the 2020 trail.

🏆 Mamba Mentality Award Goes To…

🐍 Ayanna Pressley – For leading with courage, grace, and clarity—especially in the face of political dysfunction and public scrutiny.

🐍 AOC & Bernie Sanders (Honorable Mention) – For showing up across the country and using their platforms to speak truth to power in a time when voters are losing faith in institutions.

🐍 The Wives (Mamba Moment of Love) – Jill, Erin, and Lady O, for being the unshakable support system behind the scenes.

What does it take to turn a quiet college kid into a political powerhouse? In this special episode, Rich and Kevin welcome Anthony “College” Davis, Jr.—a Morehouse man, campaign vet, and proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi—for a candid, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation on his journey from not voting in 2012 to running major organizing ops in 2020. From frat life to fried turkey runs in Alabama, this episode is a masterclass in growth, grit, and the power of HBCU networks. And if you’ve ever wondered what it really feels like to watch history unfold from behind the scenes, this one’s for you.

Topics

📍 03:10 – "PG County to the West End"
Anthony breaks down growing up in Maryland's Black excellence bubble and how a college tour unexpectedly rerouted his dreams toward Morehouse.

📍 13:00 – "I Didn’t Vote for Obama…"
Anthony drops the bombshell: he didn’t vote in 2012. But why? And how did that moment flip the switch for his future in politics?

📍 27:00 – "The First Campaign Hit Hard"
Thrown into Alabama with no plan and no housing, Anthony gets his crash course in political organizing—and earns his stripes fast.

📍 34:00 – "Campaigns Are Sports for Nerds"
How basketball, teamwork, and that competitive edge gave Anthony the mindset to crush campaign life like game day.

📍 50:56 – "Thanksgiving Turkey Test"
Rich sends Anthony on a last-minute Popeye’s mission across Alabama. A hazing moment? Maybe. But also a turning point in building trust and showing hustle.

🏆 Mamba Mentality Award Goes To…

🐍 Anthony Davis, Jr. – For going from a disengaged freshman to a frontline campaign leader. His transformation wasn’t just professional—it was personal, intentional, and inspiring. A living example of what happens when opportunity meets preparation and heart.