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.

This week, Rich and Kevin fire off on everything from the historic government shutdown and intra-party tension among Democrats to Nancy Pelosi’s legacy and Gavin Newsom’s “Petty Pendergrass” campaign style. They dig into how the donor class still doesn’t get it, the generational shift in Democratic leadership, and why discipline policies in schools—like a 90-day suspension over a vape pen—are broken relics of a failed system.

A sharp and reflective episode that connects policy, politics, parenting, and power—and why we need to meet people where they are, not where we wish they were.

📍 (03:16) — Shutdown Standoff: Sugar High or Sea Change?
Kevin warns that the recent Democratic victories aren’t a permanent shift—just frustration with Republicans. The guys break down the real risks of dragging out the shutdown, including healthcare, military pay, and public patience.

📍 (13:28) — Progressives vs. Moderates: What’s the Endgame?
Bernie and Warren want to hold the line. Centrist Dems want to cut a deal. Rich and Kevin ask: To what end? They stress that Democrats need to win elections, not just make points.

📍 (29:47) — Nancy Pelosi’s Legacy & the Leadership Void
They celebrate Pelosi as the most effective Speaker in a generation—fundraiser, strategist, closer—and question who’s stepping up to carry the mantle now.

📍 (34:19) — Gavin “Petty Pendergrass” Newsom for 2028?
Rich makes the case for Newsom as the bold, social-first Democrat matching energy with Trump. Kevin’s skeptical. Both agree: the guy is playing chess while others fumble checkers.

📍 (42:37) — Vapes, Youth, & the Discipline Debate
A family bombshell kicks off a deeper convo about outdated discipline policies, the failure of school systems to adapt, and how public education must meet students where they are—not punish them into submission.

🏆 Mamba Mentality Award
This week’s Mamba Mentality Award goes to Daisy, Kevin’s 11-year-old dog and low-key co-host of the pod. But on a serious note, the guys also shout out authentic, people-first candidates and the youth they fight for, reminding us all that leadership isn't just about winning—it's about raising the future right.

In this rapid-fire post-election recap, Rich and Kevin break down key wins and strategic takeaways from the 2025 off-year elections. From school boards to statehouses, they track how Democrats made gains across Georgia, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, and Detroit—and why the victories matter more than most folks realize.

This episode is a reminder that power isn’t just built in presidential cycles. It’s forged in low-turnout races, county maps, and coalitions that don’t quit. If you want to win 2026 and beyond, don’t wait for permission—organize now.

📍 (03:44) — Georgia Did That
From flipping mayoral seats to holding the line in red counties, Rich and Kevin explain how Black voters and local coalitions delivered unexpected wins across the state.

📍 (11:19) — Virginia Is for Fighters
Despite media fatigue, Virginia’s elections showed the value of year-round organizing and what happens when Democrats stop playing scared.

📍 (17:02) — New Jersey & NY: Suburbs Strike Back
The guys unpack what suburban turnout in New Jersey and Long Island tells us about education politics, backlash fatigue, and the limits of GOP culture wars.

📍 (23:50) — Mississippi & Detroit: Black Votes Matter
They celebrate key wins in places the national press ignored—like Detroit's school board and local races in Mississippi—where Black and working-class voters showed up big.

📍 (30:11) — The 2026 Map Starts Now
Closing with a strategy session, Rich and Kevin talk infrastructure, coalition-building, and why anyone sleeping on Southern organizers is about to get outworked again.

🏆 Mamba Mentality Award
This week’s Mamba Mentality Award goes to the unsung heroes of the 2025 elections—the school board candidates, county commission challengers, and local organizers who knocked doors, registered voters, and ran toward the work when no one was watching. Power starts down ballot, and they proved it.