Red Elephant Podcast

Bonus Episode - Fire Prevention Week Jonathan Jones - SC's TOP FIREFIGHTER Jonathan Jones has 22 years of experience in emergency response training and operations. He has spent the last 15 years with the Clarendon County Fire Department, and has served as the Deputy Chief of Operations for the Clarendon County Fire Department since 2014. A former president of the S.C. State Firefighters Association, Jones has spent his career serving South Carolina in fire and emergency response. He is a member of the S.C. Firefighters' Hall of Fame and a recipient of the S.C. Fire Service Educator of the Year award and the Meritorious Action Award. Jones is a graduate of the University of South Carolina-Aiken where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.

Website: https://www.momsforliberty.org/ Moms for Liberty welcomes all that have a desire to stand up for parental rights at all levels of government. Our founders are Tiffany and Tina, moms on a mission to stoke the fires of liberty. As former school board members, they witnessed how short-sighted and destructive policies directly hurt children and families. Now they are using their first-hand knowledge and experience to unite parents who are ready to fight those that stand in the way of liberty. Moms for Liberty is dedicated to fighting for the survival of America by unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government.

Website: https://www.fbcturbeville.com/ Website: https://www.sumterpregnancycenter.com/ Pastor Ryan Glosson ​Pastor Ryan has been at Turbeville First Baptist since December of 2019. He is married to Felicia and they have three boys and a girl -- Dillon (20), Connor (10), Colby (8) and DeLani Grace (3). Pastor Ryan recently graduated from Liberty University with his Master of Divinity, with a concentration in Theology. He retired from the US Air Force in 2018 after over 21 years of service. He enjoys spending time with his family, riding 4 wheelers, playing soccer and is an avid reader.

Website: https://www.voteforduke.com/ Born and raised in Walterboro, South Carolina, Mr. Buckner is a 1990 graduate of Walterboro High School and a 1994 Graduate of South Carolina State University in English Education. Mr. Buckner began his career as a 7th grade English teacher at Colleton Middle School. He also taught 11th grade American Literature at Walterboro High School. Mr. Buckner left the school system to start the first African-American owned and operated weekly newspaper in Colleton County. After serving as the newspaper's managing editor for eight years, Mr. Buckner received his J.D. from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 2007. As an attorney, Mr. Buckner began his legal career as a public defender fighting for the legal rights of indigent people in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He moved back home to Walterboro in 2009 and won a seat on the Walterboro City Council where he served on the Airport Commission. When he is not practicing law, Mr. Buckner enjoys spending time with his wife and three children going to the movies, hanging out at the park, and attending church services at St. Peter's AME Church in Walterboro. Attorney Buckner also loves exercising, listening to music, playing his alto saxophone and helping others.

Website: https://agriculture.sc.gov/ Hugh E. Weathers has been serving as South Carolina's Commissioner of Agriculture since September 2004. Under Commissioner Weathers' leadership, the Department has created the Certified SC Grown branding program to help consumers easily identify and purchase South Carolina products, while increasing market opportunities for farmers across the state. In 2009, Commissioner Weathers introduced the 50 by 20 goal to grow the economic impact of South Carolina agribusiness (agriculture and forestry) from $34 billion to $50 billion by the year 2020. Under his guidance, the Department has also introduced the Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE), an industry-driven ag research initiative that seeks to provide additional economic prosperity for SC agribusiness from within the state and from across the globe. ACRE houses a unique research platform devoted to addressing specific challenges for industries that can provide more market opportunities to South Carolina agribusinesses and farmers. Commissioner Weathers was born in, and still resides in, Bowman, South Carolina and is a fourth-generation farmer. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Carolina in 1978, earning BS Degrees in Accounting and Finance. He was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in 1977. Upon graduation, he was employed as a Corporate Banking Officer with C&S National Bank before returning to Weathers Farm. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humanities in Public Service from the University of South Carolina in 2019. The Commissioner serves on numerous local, state, and national agricultural, business, economic development, and banking committees and boards. In 2011, he was inducted into the South Carolina Dairy Hall of Fame and has received numerous other awards and recognitions. He is married to the former Blanche Gramling of Spartanburg County, who grew up on her family's peach farm. They have three sons: Gill and his wife Elizabeth, Edward and his wife Anna, and Julius and his wife Sara, as well as three grandchildren. The Weathers are members of Orangeburg First Baptist Church. Commissioner Weathers considers it a privilege to serve the citizens of South Carolina and to lead our state's largest industry — agribusiness

South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond grew up in Spartanburg, where he graduated from Dorman High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Newberry College in 1986 and went on to obtain a Masters in Education from Clemson University in 1988. Secretary Hammond completed special basic training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in 1991 and worked as a Criminal Investigator, aiding prosecutors for the 7th Circuit Solicitor's Office, until 1996. Mark Hammond served as Spartanburg County's Clerk of Court from 1997 to 2002. On November 5th, 2002, he was elected as South Carolina's 41st Secretary of State. Voters returned Secretary Hammond to office in 2006, 2010, 2014, and most recently in 2018. Secretary Hammond is dedicated to efficiency, accountability, transparency and customer service. Some of his more notable successes as Secretary of State include: Initiating reforms targeting charity and telemarketing abuses, collecting more than $3.6 million in fines to date; Requesting and implementing improvements to the South Carolina Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act to facilitate enforcement of the Act, assuring charitable donors more accountability and transparency from nonprofit organizations; Offering online search capabilities for vacancies on state boards and commissions, notaries public, and Uniform Commercial Code filings; Implementing the award-winning Business Entities Filing, Search and Document Retrieval System, increasing productivity, public accessibility, and customer service and support; Implementing the award-winning Uniform Commercial Code Filing, Search and Document Retrieval System, which provides faster filing and quick search results; Seizing nearly $67 million in counterfeit merchandise, resulting in the arrest of nearly 650 people; Revising the Notary Public statute and producing an online webinar by which citizens can learn the duties of South Carolina Notaries Public; and Continuing the Annual Angels list of charities, and providing the percentage of receipts that go toward the charitable cause to educate the public on wise charitable giving. Secretary Hammond is an ex-officio member of the South Carolina Consumer Affairs Commission and Legislative Council. He has served as the liaison to the Notary Public Administrators (NPA) section of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), where he also chaired, co-chaired or served on the International Relations Committee, the Standing Committee on Business Services, and the Company Formation Task Force. Secretary Hammond was named an Outstanding Alumnus by the South Carolina Shrine Bowl for Public Service in 2006; named a Henry Toll Fellow by the Council of State Governments; a recipient of the Sesquicentennial Medal of Honor Award - Outstanding Alumni by Newberry College in 2007; served as a trustee for Spartanburg Methodist College from 2009 - 2015; was honored with NASS's Medallion Award in 2017 for his outstanding service and longtime leadership support; and in 2019 he was inducted into the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Alumnus (Newberry College). On a personal note, Secretary Hammond and his wife Ginny have three children. The Hammonds are members of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg.

Richard Eckstrom, a CPA, has served as South Carolina's Comptroller General since 2003. As the State's Chief Accountant, he has championed fiscal restraint, accountability and transparency in all government financial transactions. Website: https://cg.sc.gov/ Fiscal Transparency Website: https://cg.sc.gov/fiscal-transparency From 1994 to 1998, Eckstrom served as State Treasurer. Eckstrom is the first CPA to have held each of the financial positions of State Treasurer and Comptroller General. Prior to being elected Treasurer, he was a practicing CPA with an international accounting firm. Eckstrom is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. Following his graduation in 1970, he was commissioned in the Navy and conducted Oceanographic Research for three years. Upon completion of military service, he earned an MBA and a Master of Accountancy from the University of South Carolina School of Business. While a graduate student he also joined the Navy Reserve, retiring as a Captain in 1995. In 2004 Eckstrom accepted a commission in the S.C. State Guard. In 2011 he became its commanding general and served in that role until retiring in 2014 at the rank of Major General.

Link: https://www.palmettofamily.org/ Mitch is a passionate leader with a vision to connect pastors and equip them to engage the culture. Mitch is a gifted communicator and a strong voice for biblical values. He has been a part of state, local and federal election campaigns for nearly 20 years. Mitch served as the Director of Political and Policy Advancement for the Family Policy Alliance of Georgia before moving back to South Carolina in 2019. Mitch has a unique perspective concerning pastors and political engagement, since he has served as both a pastor and a political advisor. He graduated from Piedmont International University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Leadership. Pastor Mitch was ordained into the ministry in 2008. Mitch married his college sweetheart, Christina, in 2007 and they have three boys, Ethan, Connor, and Graham. He enjoys spending time outdoors, watching college football, and reading.

Website: https://scfrm.org/ Douglas “Doug” P. Speer, was born in 1956 in New York City, moved to the Triple Cities area of the upstate region and grew up in a small community of Apalachin. After graduating from Vestal Senior High School Mr. Speer attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduating in 1980. Doug spent the next 15 years in law enforcement with the Mecklenburg and City of Charlotte Police Departments. Doug is approaching the conclusion of a full second career as a Certified Fraud Examiner working for a nationally recognized insurance company. Doug has a passion for Conservative Republican political positions and policies. Doug's grassroots involvement started in the early 70's as President of the Tioga County (NY) Teenage Republicans as well as going door to door in ‘72 for President Richard M. Nixon. Doug's involvement in National and Local campaigns is approaching 50 years of experience in Republican grassroots building. Early in 2021 Doug planted the seeds for his biggest venture into grassroots building by forming the South Carolina Federation of Republican Men. The largest statewide men's organization the State of South Carolina has witnessed in decades. The organization is as strong and effective as those gentlemen listed below who have stepped up to join and apply their own passion, respect, love of God and County to the SCFRM. There are no limits! Doug and his wife Deb were married in 2019 and reside in Camden, SC.

Website: https://www.votetruckerbob.com/ Trucker Bob's Bio: Born November 5th, 1965 in Petersburg Virginia south of Richmond, and have called South Carolina my home since I moved to Simpsonville in 1997. I've been a Republican since I can remember, and I love South Carolina and what our constitution stands for. One of my most cherished memories is when I accompanied my mother, Brenda Musselwhite, to President Reagan's Inaugural Ball in 1981. I married my lovely wife Sharon in 1983 and managed the family furniture business in Virginia for over a decade, as we were blessed with a beautiful family of 7 children. During this time, I was also blessed to work along side Sam Walton of Walmart. In 1997, I fell in love with South Carolina and moved to Simpsonville, where I started my own furniture business, Mattress World, that spanned multiple states across the South East. My wife Sharon came down with a fatal lung disease, Sarcoidosis, and I had to make a choice between taking care of my wife and family, or my business, so I closed my business and took care of my family. It's because of my wife and her illness that I know the power of God first hand. The doctors said that she would never survive her illness, but I took care of her and we prayed. One day after many years of living with this terrible illness, she said that she felt like the nodules on her lungs were gone, and much to my joyous surprise, the doctors confirmed this. For us it was a miracle, and I've felt the calling to serve my fellow man ever since. After the Good Lord healed my wife, I went back to school at Destiny Bible College in Greenville South Carolina, where I specialized in bringing Christian values and ethics to business, and I decided to change careers and become a truck driver, delivering bulk chemicals nationwide, which is how I came by the name of Trucker Bob. After watching the outcome of the last presidential election and the overreach of the federal government since then, I felt the calling to become more active in our community politics. I'm currently serving as the Chairman of the Legislative Committee for the Greenville County Republican party, where I work closely with our South Carolina state Legislators to create Fair and Just legislation that protects the rights of ALL South Carolina citizens. After a number of my good friends passed away this year because they were unable to get the medical treatments they needed, I worked directly with our legislators to establish Monoclonal Antibody sites here in South Carolina, to save lives. I'm very proud to say that at least 6 peoples' lives in our own Greenville County Republican party were saved by these treatments, and many thousands more across South Carolina. I wasn't seeking to run for a higher office, provided that our representatives were respecting the rights of We The People and adhering to our Constitution, but when Governor McMaster broke his promise to We The People once again after saying that he would go to the “gates of hell” to defend our rights against the overreach from the federal government, I was called to say No More and announce my candidacy, along with my Lieutenant Governor ZOE Warren, for South Carolina Governor because We The People deserve better.

This is one episode you do not want to miss! Fawn got the chance to sit down with Edward Meyers, MD last week to discuss his thoughts on Ketanji Brown Jackson, Human Trafficking, Marijuana, Big Pharma, Vaccines, Mandates & Much More! Dr. Edward J Meyers is a General Practice Specialist in Sumter, South Carolina. He graduated with honors from Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine in 1999. Having more than 21 years of diverse experiences, especially in GENERAL PRACTICE and EMERGENCY MEDICINE.

Fawn speaks to Greg about a variety of topics including ideological coercion and indoctrination throughout our schools, child care, local, state and national politics. Greg is running for SC House seat District 98. Make sure you follow us on Spotify so you do not miss any episodes! Greg's Website: https://votegregford.com/ SC House Vote History: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/votehistory.php Freedom Rally - 1100 Gervais St Columbia SC 29208 Noon to 5pm From Greg's first breath, he has called South Carolina home. The majority of his education as well as his military enlistment was in South Carolina. Greg holds a solid foundation based on South Carolina values and traditions. It is his passion for South Carolina and District 98 that makes him committed to its preservation through proactive legislative action and policies. His ability to analyze, interpret, and report on issues important to District 98 qualifies him to lead the district into the future. He is a responsible and dependable person who would be a great asset with an unrelenting focus on quality decision making, integrity, confidence, and an unflappable commitment to the pursuit of excellence. Greg is a third-generation active duty retired Air Force veteran, decorated for service during Iraq and Afghanistan combat operations where he served multiple tours. Greg amassed an impeccable record of success as a top-level military adviser and held many leadership positions in all levels of the military and contracting sector. As a military professional, he has traveled the world and spent time in 92 countries, while making friends with people of every race, creed, color, and background. One of Greg's most memorable assignments was served in Pápa Hungary as a Senior Aviation Operations advisor in a NATO unit comprised of 12 Nations. Greg has also been a part of many of the most significant events in recent history which these momentous events has made a drastic impact on the world-wide stage and helped change the world. Greg is a 2010 graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a B.S. in Professional Aeronautics and a 2018 graduate of the Citadel Military College with a Master of Science degree in Leadership. He is currently 9 credit hours from completing a Doctorate of Education degree in Leadership at Charleston Southern University. During Greg's down time he spends times with his wife of 25 years and their son and daughter. He enjoys time at his family's farm caring and training his horses. When not working on the farm or studying, Greg seeks peace and tranquility outdoors enjoying activities such as hunting and fishing within the great state of South Carolina. During Greg's military career he learned and practiced negotiation skills daily, making decisions with honor, duty, respect, using innovative ideas. As a collaborator, Greg is respectful of others' opinions, while ensuring all tasks, duties, and projects are completed in an efficient manner. Greg is well versed in change management, strategic planning, process improvement, conflict resolution and project management. Greg plans to develop high quality strategies and plans to ensure alignment with short-term and long-term goals for District 98 and South Carolina. He will do everything in his power to ensure all activities produce the desired results and are consistent with the moral and ethical standards rooted in South Carolina tradition. If you are looking for a dynamic leader with a detail-oriented approach to resolution and complex problem solving, Greg's your man. He has the credentials to help you and District 98 succeed.

Fawn interviews Colonel William Oden and they talk about Local, State and National Politics. Colonel William Oden is the Chairman of the Sumter County Republican Party. Colonel Oden was born in Indianapolis Indiana. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in November 1974. He served 23 years and retired as the Senior Network Administrator responsible for four Fighter Squadrons and associated unit's computer and network systems to include secure networks for the 20th Operations Group, Shaw Air Force Base South Carolina. He also served as the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the 20th Fighter Wing's Air Expeditionary Force deployment to Doha Qatar in support of Operation Southern Watch, responsible for 25 F-16s flying combat missions and 350 personnel to include maintenance, medical and supply. He retired from the Air Force in December 1997. While serving in the Air Force he received multiple awards, ribbons and medals to include, Graduate United States Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Distinguished Graduate and member of the Honor Flight for Tactical Air Command Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Honor Graduate Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School, the Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal. He went to work for Kershaw County School District in October 1996 as a computer technician and retired in August 2016 as their Senior Systems Administrator. While employed at Kershaw School District he was responsible for email, network security and operating systems for over 12,000 students and faculty and over 11,000 computers and servers. During his time at Kershaw County School District he was chosen to present at the first International 1 to 1computing conference in Atlanta GA. COL Oden joined the South Carolina State Guard in 1998 and has served in positions as Company Executive Officer, Company Commander, Battalion Executive Officer, Battalion Commander, Brigade S-1, Division Special Projects Officer, Inspector General and the present position of Deputy Chief of Staff for Cyber Security and Intel. In the position of DCS for Cyber Security he has spearheaded the formation of the first ever Cyber Detachment for the South Carolina State Guard. While serving in the State Guard he has received multiple awards, ribbons and medals to include the State Guard Senior Aviation Badge, the State Guard Master Level Security Specialist Badge, the State Guard Commendation Medal and the State Guard Meritorious Service Medal. He is married to the former Miss Janice Hunter, they have three children and eleven grandchildren.

Fawn sits down with Moye Graham to discuss local, state and national politics. Moye Graham is the Chairman of the Clarendon County Republican Party.

Pastor Mike DeCosta In this episode we sit down with Pastor Michael DeCosta, graduate Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary / Charleston Southern University. We discussed a wide range of topics that includes America's Founding Fathers, Situation in Ukraine, Trump, Religion, Culture and Race.