A year-end political therapy session finds Rich and Kevin breaking down why affordability—not Trump—is the real electoral battleground. From gubernatorial tension in Maryland to lottery-fueled messaging in Alabama, they explore how Democrats can win if they stop running scared. But can the party fix its brand before 2026? That’s the billion-dollar question.

📍 00:30 – Moore Money, Moore Problems in Maryland
Governor Wes Moore faces legislative revolt and a reality check as veto overrides pile up and his 2028 ambitions clash with 2026 obligations.

📍 12:29 – Doug’s Down-Home Blueprint
Doug Jones makes his Alabama comeback by filming a viral lottery video in a Georgia parking lot, turning everyday economic pain into powerful messaging.

📍 23:12 – Newsom’s Tax Trap
California's wealth tax proposal puts Gavin Newsom in a political bind—please progressives or keep billionaires from bolting before 2028.

📍 33:12 – The Spanberger Strategy
Virginia Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger lays out a policy-first, rural-inclusive plan that could become the national Democratic playbook.

📍 37:53 – Trump Tries a Pivot (Too Late?)
After calling affordability a hoax, Trump flips his script—just as voters (and some Republicans) blame him for rising prices and chaotic governance.

🐍 Mamba Mentality Award
This week’s award goes to the Southern Comfort Podcast itself. Fifty-one episodes deep, Rich, Kevin, and producer Stew celebrate a year of fearless commentary, coalition-building, and cultural clarity—proof that consistency, clarity, and community still matter.

After 50 episodes of real talk, Rich and Kevin celebrate their milestone by reflecting on the year’s biggest political moments—and the mess still unfolding. From Trump’s primetime gaslighting about affordability to the Democratic Party’s struggle to define its own brand, this episode is part victory lap, part war cry. They unpack what it’ll take to win in 2026 and why organizing (not just vibes) is the only path forward.

📍 02:08 – Trump’s Primetime Lie-fest
Rich and Kevin react to Trump’s national address on affordability and call out the media’s failure to push back on outright lies about Biden’s record.

📍 10:46 – Affordability Is a Political Death Trap
Why both parties are fumbling the conversation on cost of living—and how the right uses fear while the left just fumbles the mic.

📍 19:15 – Democrats Have a Branding Problem
Kevin breaks down how Republicans make everything sound simple, while Democrats talk like think tanks. Messaging matters—especially to working-class voters.

📍 28:09 – Who’s Gonna Run in 2026?
The hosts look ahead at potential statewide candidates in the South—and why more working-class Black candidates need to be in the pipeline now, not later.

📍 36:33 – Organize or Die
No amount of slick ads can replace real infrastructure. Rich and Kevin call out lazy campaign strategy and make the case for recruiting, training, and funding new leaders now.

🏆 Mamba Mentality Award Goes To…

🐍 Southern Comfort Listeners – For riding with Rich and Kevin through 50 episodes of politics, jokes, strategy, and soul.

🐍 Organizers in the Deep South – Because they’re doing the hard, thankless work year-round—and still believe in the power of the people.

🐍 Kevin and Big Rich – For building a platform rooted in truth, Black Southern brilliance, and the courage to say what needs to be said.

A cozy holiday episode brings Rich and Kevin back to their roots—reflecting on childhood memories, family traditions, favorite Christmas movies, and how the season hits different as adults. From prime rib disasters to pajama gift fails, they unpack the beauty and baggage of the holidays, with some laughs, hot takes, and hard-earned wisdom sprinkled in like snow.

📍 01:32 – Reflecting on the Year & Slowing Down
Kevin shares how the holiday season brings welcome stillness, while Rich opens up about years when he didn’t even go home for Christmas.

📍 07:53 – Black Christmas Movies & the Die Hard Debate
From Preacher’s Wife to Trading Places—and yes, Die Hard—the guys debate what qualifies as a real Christmas movie and give flowers to Sinbad’s underrated run.

📍 17:29 – Holiday Food, Family & Fails
Barbecue ribs, prime rib slathered in horseradish, lasagna drop-offs, and turkey burgers with duck fat—this episode’s got it all, plus tales of picky palates and legendary family dinners.

📍 27:15 – Gift-Giving Games & Relationship Psychology
The politics of adult Christmas lists, surprise vs. practical gifts, and why some presents stay in the box (sorry, pajamas).

📍 34:11 – Most Memorable Christmas Moments
Kevin remembers a movie-like childhood Christmas with trains and firetrucks, while Rich recalls the matching desks and mountain bikes that sparked brotherly bonding.

🐍 Mamba Mentality Award Goes To…

🐍 Black Mamas Everywhere – For pulling off Christmas magic year after year, often with limited resources but unlimited love and creativity.

🐍 The Kids Who Never Got a Bike – This one’s for every child who wished, hoped, and dreamed—even if it didn’t show up under the tree.

🐍 Rich & Kevin – For showing that sometimes the best gift is reflection, realness, and showing up every week—49 episodes strong.

Christian Dior Wise Smith is back—and he’s running for Georgia Labor Commissioner. In this heartfelt and unfiltered conversation, Christian joins Rich and Kevin to announce his campaign, reflect on their brotherhood, and break down why the labor commissioner race actually matters. From poverty math to political fundraising, the trio keeps it all the way real about what it takes to run, win, and serve in Georgia.

📍 06:11 – Announcing the Campaign for Labor Commissioner
Christian drops the big news and explains why this office—often ignored—is the key to unlocking economic dignity for working families.

📍 10:17 – From Prosecutor to Preventer
He reflects on why his time as a prosecutor pushed him toward prevention and how the labor office can break cycles before the justice system ever gets involved.

📍 12:36 – The Brutal Math of Minimum Wage
With rent at $1,200 and minimum wage stuck at $7.25, Christian breaks down the harsh reality of working poverty—and why it’s costing Georgians more than just money.

📍 18:43 – Running on Lived Experience, Not Talking Points
The conversation gets deeply personal as Christian shares how his life journey, from childhood trauma to public service, fuels his passion for people-first policy.

📍 28:07 – Why Fundraising Sucks, But Matters
Christian opens up about the emotional and strategic grind of raising money, especially as a Black candidate in a down-ballot statewide race.

🐍 Mamba Mentality Award Goes To…

🐍 Christian Wise Smith — For betting on himself (again), centering purpose over politics, and stepping into a race with real consequences for Georgia’s working class.

In this wide-ranging episode, Rich and Kevin reflect on the erosion of democracy, the resignation of a Morehouse-educated admiral, and the growing weight of affordability as America’s defining political issue. The guys dig deep into how Trump’s authoritarian moves—from pardoning drug traffickers to ignoring military norms—are straining institutions. They also assess early 2026 Senate and gubernatorial matchups, lay out strategic recommendations for Democrats, and issue a clear call for year-round organizing, not just culture war commentary.

📍(06:59) — The Admiral Who Chose Integrity Over Orders
A Morehouse brother turned decorated admiral steps down rather than follow illegal directives under Trump—a powerful moment of moral clarity that underscores the stakes of a second Trump term.

📍(14:45) — The Constitution Ain’t Optional
Rich and Kevin break down how today’s Supreme Court and Department of Defense are eroding foundational norms, from redistricting to militarized drug enforcement, creating a political twilight zone headed into 2026.

📍(26:55) — Feeding Kids, Fixing Roads, Funding Hospitals
Democrats are gaining traction in deep-red districts with working-class messaging focused on affordability. The TN-07 race proves even Trump +22 areas can swing when the right issues are centered.

📍(34:45) — Joy Is a Tariff: The Holiday Struggle Is Real
The rising cost of living isn’t abstract—it’s affecting Christmas dinner and children's gifts. The guys dig into how affordability is eclipsing culture wars and redefining what voters really care about.

📍(49:09) — 2026 Watchlist: Governors, Fundraising & Filters
From Wes Moore’s challenges in Maryland to Jasmine Crockett’s potential Senate run in Texas, Rich and Kevin examine how Democrats must shed outdated electability filters and field candidates who reflect America’s full spectrum.

🏆 Mamba Mentality Award: Admiral Cedric T. Leighton
This week’s honor goes to the HBCU-educated admiral who put country over career. His refusal to obey illegal orders under Trump highlights what principled, patriotic leadership looks like—especially when it’s inconvenient. In a climate where cowardice is rewarded, his example is a beacon.

Fresh off Thanksgiving, Rich and Kevin return with reflections on food, family, and the fault lines in American politics. From celebrating Debbie Allen’s Barbie doll to unpacking a surprising swing in Tennessee’s congressional race, the duo explores how kitchen-table politics are driving real “Dem-mentum” heading into 2026. They tackle everything from Byron Donalds' MAGA antics to the very real policy stakes of Trump’s so-called “baby bonds.” This episode asks the hard question: can Democrats turn cultural clarity into electoral wins?

📍(03:25) — Debbie Allen Gets Her Flowers
The guys kick off the episode by celebrating Debbie Allen's Barbie debut and give a heartfelt tribute to her and her sister Phylicia Rashad. From Howard University to Broadway and beyond, their impact on generations of Black creatives is front and center.

📍(09:28) — “Dem-Mentum” in Tennessee?
Rich and Kevin break down the surprising 13-point swing in TN-07, where Aftyn Behn closed a Trump +22 gap to single digits. Her platform? Feeding kids, fixing roads, and funding hospitals. MAGA’s fearmongering failed—and Democrats may have found a formula.

📍(17:20) — Snap Back to Reality: GOP’s Hypocrisy Problem
With Trump snoozing through meetings and Byron Donalds calling him “Daddy,” Republicans are flailing. Meanwhile, they’ve got no healthcare plan, no focus on affordability—and no answers for voters beyond culture wars.

📍(33:43) — Black Governors on the Rise
A wave of Black gubernatorial candidates is taking shape across the country—from Wes Moore to Mandela Barnes, Jason Estevez, and possibly Jasmine Crockett. The guys explore what makes these bids historic and how internal party dynamics may hinder progress.

📍(48:28) — Can Democrats Translate Momentum Into Wins?
The episode closes with a hard truth: momentum isn’t destiny. To win 2026, Dems need strategy, organizing, recruitment, and year-round voter contact. If Tennessee is the blueprint, it’s time to scale it nationwide—and meet voters where they are.

🐍 Mamba Mentality Award: Debbie Allen & Phylicia Rashad
This week’s award goes to the legendary sisters who’ve shaped generations. From Debbie Allen’s Barbie honor to Phylicia Rashad’s trailblazing legacy in theater and TV, these women represent Black excellence, HBCU brilliance, and artistic mastery at its highest level.

It’s a Thanksgiving special with Big Rich and Kevin as the Southern Comfort crew reflects on the season of gratitude, political exits, and hopeful returns. From West Wing reruns to real-life strategy in the South, the duo dives into Marjorie Taylor Greene’s shock resignation, the fading MAGA grip, and Doug Jones’ bold return to the Alabama political stage. As always, they keep it personal, political, and deeply rooted in the South.

📍(00:41) — Thanksgiving Vibes & Favorite Holiday Plates
Rich and Kev kick things off with family traditions, brined turkeys, and muffin-style stuffing. They reflect on gratitude, downtime post-election, and their shared love of The West Wing as comfort food for political nerds.

📍(10:41) — The Big Turkey: Marjorie Taylor Greene Bows Out
Marjorie Taylor Greene announces her 2026 resignation, and the guys unpack what it means. Is it about the pension? Is she pulling a Palin? And why did Trump get ghosted before her statement dropped?

📍(22:14) — Doug Jones Returns: Alabama Rematch in the Making?
Doug Jones is back, this time eyeing the Governor’s Mansion. Rich and Kev walk through the 2017 race, lessons from Black voter mobilization, Tuberville’s cluelessness, and why this moment may be perfect for a comeback.

📍(35:00) — Building a Border State Coalition
From Mississippi to Georgia, the hosts lay out the path forward for Southern Democrats. The formula? Year-round organizing, meaningful investment, and candidates who actually care about their communities.

📍(42:34) — Kitchen Tables Over Culture Wars
Tuberville may dominate in football, but can he explain Medicaid expansion? The hosts double down on why governors are judged on delivery, not drama—and why Doug Jones knows how to win on the issues that matter.

🐍 No Greens at the Table Award
This week, the Mamba Mentality Award takes a break, and in its place, Rich and Kev talk about an anti-award for political cowardice: “The No Greens at the Table Award,” unofficially handed to Marjorie Taylor Greene. Despite her recent pivot to “kitchen table issues,” she chose to exit the fight when things got tough—leaving constituents and causes behind just as the real work begins.

The government may have reopened, but the drama is still hot. Rich and Kevin dive into the fallout from the shutdown, the feud between Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene, and the deepening fracture within the Democratic Party. With 2026 and 2028 on the horizon, the guys ask: who’s stepping up, who’s falling off, and who’s selling out Black women in public?

They also introduce a new segment—The Stephen A. Smith Anti-Award—to call out loud, wrong, and harmful public takes. (Spoiler: Stephen A. gets the first one.)

📍 (04:12) — Shutdown Ends, But Ain’t Nothing Solved
The guys break down the reopening of the government and what Democrats gave up to get there—including concessions on healthcare subsidies and political leverage.

📍 (13:48) — Trump vs. Marjorie: The Crazy Olympics
A GOP family feud erupts as Trump drags Marjorie Taylor Greene. Rich and Kevin talk strategy, spectacle, and how it’s all rooted in anti-Blackness and political theater.

📍 (21:25) — Dems in Disarray: Again
Progressives and moderates are back at each other’s throats. The hosts reflect on how the party keeps fumbling opportunities—and what real leadership could look like in 2026 and 2028.

📍 (31:03) — Epstein Files: The Clock Is Ticking
As new Epstein documents loom, the guys call out the media silence, question who’s protecting who, and emphasize the need for transparency, especially around power and exploitation.

📍 (38:56) — When Black Women Catch Strays
They react to Stephen A. Smith’s swipe at Megan Thee Stallion and the larger trend of high-profile men targeting Black women under the guise of “commentary.” And yes—Stephen gets what’s coming.

❌ Stephen A. Smith Anti-Award
A brand-new segment debut: The Stephen A. Smith Anti-Award, given to public figures who actively undermine or attack Black women for attention, clout, or cowardice. This week’s “honoree”: Stephen A. Smith himself, for his unsolicited, unnecessary shot at Megan Thee Stallion—reminding us that loud don’t equal leadership, and commentary without principle is just noise.