Michelle Brandt, candidate for South Carolina's House Seat 113 and Vice Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, joins us to share her insights on running in a special election scheduled for January 21st. With a focus on critical issues such as affordable childcare, stormwater drainage, and gun violence, Michelle emphasizes the importance of community engagement and support for working families. She reflects on her journey in politics, highlighting her grassroots activism and commitment to public service, which began with food distribution efforts during the pandemic. As she prepares for the upcoming election, Michelle discusses the challenges of campaigning in a competitive primary and the necessity of building a strong support network. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of her vision for the district and her determination to address the pressing needs of her constituents.
The All About Nothing podcast may have language and content that isn't appropriate for some.
Michelle Brand:
Listener discretion is advised.
Barrick Gruber:
Welcome, nothingers, to another episode of the All About Nothing podcast.
Barrick Gruber:
This is episode number 234.
Barrick Gruber:
I am Barrick Gruber.
Zach King:
I am Zach King.
Barrick Gruber:
All right, welcome, Zach.
Barrick Gruber:
We're going to welcome our guest, Michelle Brand, who is the candidate for South Carolina's House Seat 113 and Vice Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party Department of Democrats.
Barrick Gruber:
That's.
Barrick Gruber:
That was where I was.
Barrick Gruber:
I think I was going the Department.
Zach King:
Of Democrats real quick.
Barrick Gruber:
It's part of the South Carolina mental health facility here in Columbia.
Barrick Gruber:
Potentially.
Barrick Gruber:
It feels like it right now.
Zach King:
Seeing me soon.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Barrick Gruber:
I want to thank Zach Boyd from Famous at Garnet for being on with us last week.
Barrick Gruber:
We had a really good time with him and he's done a lot for our social media in recent days because his videos that we've been posting have been getting some traction.
Barrick Gruber:
In fact, there has been a request on social media to do a series with Famously Garnet, specifically about everything.
Barrick Gruber:
All of the tea that was spilled that could be spilled about Will Muschamp's time as the South Carolina head coach.
Zach King:
That old so and so.
Zach King:
Yeah, I'd love to see about that.
Barrick Gruber:
That would be fun.
Barrick Gruber:
I'm thinking.
Barrick Gruber:
I'm thinking a three part series in with.
Barrick Gruber:
With Garnet.
Barrick Gruber:
Garnet.
Barrick Gruber:
Famously Garnet.
Zach King:
I would love to go around town and just be like, what a must champ do to you.
Zach King:
And he kicked my dog.
Zach King:
Yep.
Zach King:
Came right out of there and just kicked him.
Zach King:
Yeah.
Zach King:
What did he do?
Zach King:
He.
Zach King:
He left me a $2 tip on a $55 bill.
Zach King:
Yeah, there he is.
Barrick Gruber:
He must champ you.
Barrick Gruber:
So I want to.
Barrick Gruber:
I got champs real quick.
Barrick Gruber:
I said I was going to do it, but I'm not.
Barrick Gruber:
But I was going to wear the T shirt of Eddie for you, Zach, but I didn't wear it because this is not the episode before Christmas.
Barrick Gruber:
So.
Zach King:
Yeah, I saw Eddie the Elf.
Barrick Gruber:
Oh, you did see it.
Barrick Gruber:
All right, well, just.
Barrick Gruber:
Just a reminder.
Barrick Gruber:
You all can check out Eddie the Elf as well as all of the other designs that are available over at ZJZ Designs.
Barrick Gruber:
You can check out them at ZJZ Designs.com a bunch of sweaters, T shirts, gift ideas again featuring Eddie the Elf that you can find over there at their website.
Barrick Gruber:
Also want to remind everybody ever play sports and social.
Barrick Gruber:
The Tuesday bowling sign up for Bolero is going to end on register.
Barrick Gruber:
You can register by December 19th.
Barrick Gruber:
You want to do that because this league is definitely going to sell out.
Barrick Gruber:
Our team bowl of duty will be playing in the winter league, so check that out.
Barrick Gruber:
Everplaysocial.com all right.
Barrick Gruber:
This week we are thrilled to welcome back someone who's no stranger to the podcast, Michelle Brand, the third vice chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, who is now running for South Carolina's House of Representatives in special election on January 21st for December District 113.
Barrick Gruber:
et Michelle back in August of:
Barrick Gruber:
Jamil Brooks, hosts of Black, White and Blue in the South.
Barrick Gruber:
Her passion for public service and dedication to South Carolina's future were evident then, and they're even more inspiring today as she takes on the exciting new challenge of running for State House representative.
Barrick Gruber:
So we're going to join.
Barrick Gruber:
We're going to welcome Michelle to the show.
Barrick Gruber:
Michelle, thank you for being here with us.
Barrick Gruber:
We're very excited to have you as an actual guest, not just Bill saying, barrett, sit next to Michelle.
Michelle Brand:
I'm glad you noticed that because I was like, oh, I had more to say.
Michelle Brand:
It's all good.
Michelle Brand:
I'm glad I'm here now as an official guest.
Zach King:
That's right.
Barrick Gruber:
We.
Barrick Gruber:
I.
Barrick Gruber:
There were.
Barrick Gruber:
There were.
Barrick Gruber:
I guess, let's see.
Barrick Gruber:
y, correct, Or since April of:
Barrick Gruber:
Of 20.
Barrick Gruber:
May of:
Barrick Gruber:
And how is that going?
Michelle Brand:
Well, we're coming to the end of that, but it has been an exciting term.
Michelle Brand:
I'll say.
Michelle Brand:
I didn't.
Michelle Brand:
When I ran, I didn't know or even think in my head about the presidential election.
Michelle Brand:
I didn't know about the dnc.
Michelle Brand:
I mean, I was aware that that was something that happened, but I didn't know, like, how big of a deal it was to be in my position in such a.
Michelle Brand:
Interesting time in politics, especially Carolina.
Michelle Brand:
So the position has warranted me a lot of opportunity I don't think I would have had otherwise.
Michelle Brand:
So, yeah, it's been cool.
Michelle Brand:
And it's also been rough.
Michelle Brand:
You know, being in leadership, you get blamed for everything, but I just try to do my part and, and show my receipts.
Michelle Brand:
Like I've been out here trying to do some stuff.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Barrick Gruber:
So just so you know, none of those emails that I sent that sounded angry were directed at you.
Michelle Brand:
Okay.
Michelle Brand:
Okay.
Barrick Gruber:
So here's the thing about Crystal, and I adore her.
Barrick Gruber:
I do.
Barrick Gruber:
But her name isn't spelled Crystal.
Barrick Gruber:
It's spelled Crystale.
Barrick Gruber:
And every time I talked to her, she never corrected me.
Barrick Gruber:
So for months, like, I'd hear her introduced and not pay any attention to it.
Barrick Gruber:
I would just be like, oh, Crystal Spain.
Barrick Gruber:
And then I'm literally talking somewhere, and Matt pokes me in the shoulder and he goes, hey, it's Crystal, not Cristale.
Barrick Gruber:
I was like, why didn't she correct me?
Michelle Brand:
Oh, she's much more patient than I am.
Michelle Brand:
I would have corrected you the first time.
Zach King:
Absolutely.
Barrick Gruber:
So you.
Barrick Gruber:
You made the decision to run for the special election.
Barrick Gruber:
Why is this seat open?
Michelle Brand:
So Marvin Pendarvis, he had the seat previously, and he got into some legal trouble and ended up resigning.
Michelle Brand:
He held a press conference in October, but he officially resigned November 7th.
Michelle Brand:
So it's open and I'm running for it.
Barrick Gruber:
Well, there's a decent possibility that the House seat for my district is going to be open because I'm represented by RJ May, who is also in some legal trouble.
Michelle Brand:
Okay.
Zach King:
Just a little.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Barrick Gruber:
His house was raided by the FBI and department or.
Barrick Gruber:
And the Homeland Security Investigations Group for potential child endangerment, which, you know, seems not to accuse anybody or make any unwarranted allegations, but seems to be an issue with the Freedom Caucus.
Barrick Gruber:
Anyway, that is my opinion.
Michelle Brand:
Are you going to run for it?
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah, I think that I will back whoever it is that I can talk into running for it.
Barrick Gruber:
The election season for me, I was glad to see, was over on November 6 and to prepare for that and, you know, speaking to you directly about it, like, the idea of going from the election, even as disappointing as it was in a lot of cases, to now rolling right back into it, but this time, you're.
Barrick Gruber:
You're directly involved.
Barrick Gruber:
This is you.
Michelle Brand:
Yep.
Barrick Gruber:
How.
Barrick Gruber:
How did that go over with the family?
Michelle Brand:
Whoo.
Michelle Brand:
It was tough.
Michelle Brand:
For those of you that don't know, I have a five month old baby, his name is Arthur, and I.
Michelle Brand:
When the news first broke about Marvin back in April, I had been asked by a few people to run, and I was like, y'all know I'm pregnant, right?
Michelle Brand:
But I thought about it, and I was like, you know what?
Michelle Brand:
I would regret it the rest of my life if I didn't try.
Michelle Brand:
So I had a lot of conversations with my husband.
Michelle Brand:
We made sure that we had a better social support infrastructure this time.
Michelle Brand:
First time I ran, it was just kind of, like, chaotic all the time.
Michelle Brand:
And, you know, after putting certain things in place, coming up with a loose kind of schedule, we were like, okay, I guess this is going to happen.
Michelle Brand:
So things kind of fell into place, but it was definitely a family decision to do this.
Michelle Brand:
Yeah, I couldn't do this by myself.
Michelle Brand:
My husband has gone above and beyond to support me throughout my campaign.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah, I'd have to imagine that's a lot.
Michelle Brand:
He's home with the three little ones by himself often in the evenings while I'm out going to neighborhood meetings and talking to people.
Barrick Gruber:
How is.
Barrick Gruber:
Are we.
Barrick Gruber:
Are we already doing the canvassing and, you know, how many, how many houses?
Barrick Gruber:
canvassed for BERNIE Back in:
Barrick Gruber:
I literally was just told to walk a neighborhood and was.
Barrick Gruber:
I was given a list of, you know, Democrats and Republicans.
Zach King:
But I didn't go to old man Cratchit's house.
Zach King:
He's the friendliest old man I had.
Barrick Gruber:
I had enough conversations with people that were like, well, I like that Bernie Sanders, but, you know, he's no Donald Trump.
Barrick Gruber:
And I was like, well, yeah, it's the difference.
Barrick Gruber:
Obviously, that's the one you want to.
Zach King:
Yeah, I know.
Zach King:
One has cohesive thoughts and one doesn't.
Barrick Gruber:
Canvassing this year was a.
Barrick Gruber:
With.
Barrick Gruber:
With Matt was, Was good.
Barrick Gruber:
We, We.
Barrick Gruber:
We hit a lot of houses and we were getting in about, you know, 15, 20,000 steps every.
Barrick Gruber:
Every time we'd go out.
Barrick Gruber:
Wow.
Barrick Gruber:
But it's.
Barrick Gruber:
I, it's different now because, you know, the list that you.
Barrick Gruber:
That I got to canvas was all friendly houses.
Barrick Gruber:
So I knew that the likelihood is I was knocking on the door of someone that I was just having to convince to come out and vote in the election.
Barrick Gruber:
But I guess for a special election, it's different.
Barrick Gruber:
It's not just telling them.
Barrick Gruber:
It's not just introducing yourself, but it's also making sure they understand that January 21st is the election.
Barrick Gruber:
This is a special election.
Barrick Gruber:
There's only going to be, I assume, you and somebody else.
Barrick Gruber:
That's it on the ballot.
Barrick Gruber:
Right.
Michelle Brand:
There's three total people who have, including myself.
Barrick Gruber:
Okay.
Barrick Gruber:
This is, I guess, special elections are interesting.
Barrick Gruber:
There has not been a special election announced because for my district, RJ May has not resigned.
Barrick Gruber:
His assumption, I'm guessing the assumption for him is that he is likely going to be removed.
Michelle Brand:
Okay.
Barrick Gruber:
I'm not sure exactly how that happens, especially with a Republican called controlled House and Senate.
Barrick Gruber:
Like, I don't understand why his assumption is he'd be removed unless he assumes he's going to be arrested like that.
Barrick Gruber:
That I could see.
Barrick Gruber:
So.
Barrick Gruber:
Well, anyway, enough about him as a third vice chair of South Carolina Democratic Party, how has that experience Prepared you for now running for the House?
Michelle Brand:
Well, I treated being third vice chair like I was a candidate still.
Michelle Brand:
I wanted to be visible because that was one of the biggest things that I heard complaints about previous third vice chairs.
Michelle Brand:
People were like, we have a third vice chair.
Michelle Brand:
That's how bad it was.
Michelle Brand:
Wow.
Michelle Brand:
So I really had to recreate it and make it my own.
Michelle Brand:
And I really wanted to be more engaged with the leadership.
Michelle Brand:
When I say leadership, I'm specifically talking about Crystal and Jay Parmley, who's the executive director of scdp.
Michelle Brand:
So Jay's fantastic.
Michelle Brand:
Yeah, he is fantastic.
Michelle Brand:
So I made sure that I was always in the emails.
Michelle Brand:
The four of us, the other vice chairs, N plus J.
Michelle Brand:
We made an agreement to have, like, bi weekly meetings.
Michelle Brand:
This was at the time when we were, like, first in the nation and all these things were happening, and I got to travel the state.
Michelle Brand:
Now, this was before I was pregnant, obviously.
Michelle Brand:
I had a lot more energy to go to all these places and time, and so it was fun.
Michelle Brand:
I got to engage with a lot of young people.
Michelle Brand:
I got to work with the High School Democrats of South Carolina, which was great.
Michelle Brand:
I worked a little bit with the Young Democrats of South Carolina as well.
Michelle Brand:
And I had an opportunity to go to Las Vegas for the Young Democrats of America conference, which was really cool, because then I got to meet people from all over the country, and I still keep in touch with those people.
Michelle Brand:
And, like, I have a way bigger network than when I started, and it's been really nice to connect with them, especially now as I'm running.
Michelle Brand:
I had a feeling I would run again.
Michelle Brand:
I'm House Slytherin.
Michelle Brand:
I'm a really big Harry Potter fan, so I'm extremely ambitious.
Michelle Brand:
So I made sure to keep everyone's phone number for this moment.
Michelle Brand:
And you better believe I called through everybody like, hey, I'm running.
Michelle Brand:
You said you'd support me if I run again.
Michelle Brand:
Cut me a check.
Zach King:
$13.05.
Michelle Brand:
The challenge was the time of year.
Michelle Brand:
The special election, unfortunately, is around Christmas time, and morale is low because of the big disappointment for Democrats in South Carolina and nationally.
Zach King:
Whatever are you talking about?
Michelle Brand:
Oh, there was this little thing that happened November 6th.
Michelle Brand:
Yeah.
Michelle Brand:
Pretty devastating.
Barrick Gruber:
I'm going to actually show how easy it is to make a donation to your campaign.
Barrick Gruber:
I'm not going to put it up on the screen because I don't want my credit card, but it's very simple.
Barrick Gruber:
You go to Michelle Barrett's, like, I.
Zach King:
Don'T want to show you the amount.
Barrick Gruber:
And I don't want Michelle to react when she sees the amount, she's like.
Zach King:
How did you do?
Zach King:
Negative.
Zach King:
Now I owe you.
Zach King:
What is this?
Barrick Gruber:
But it's simple.
Barrick Gruber:
You go to michelle4sc.com and the link is right there on the page and it's through at blue.
Barrick Gruber:
It's not going very quickly on my phone.
Michelle Brand:
Putting it in the live on TikTok.
Barrick Gruber:
There you go.
Barrick Gruber:
So michelle4sc.com when you pull up the site, it's very easy to make a donation to the campaign.
Barrick Gruber:
And I guess because, you know, this isn't your first time running as a candidate, but this is the first time.
Barrick Gruber:
I'm assuming when you ran as vice chair, did that involve having to take donations and things?
Michelle Brand:
A little bit.
Michelle Brand:
I didn't have an ActBlue then.
Michelle Brand:
I use mostly my own money.
Michelle Brand:
Some people, when they run for state positions, they raise a ton of money.
Michelle Brand:
And I guess when you're running for chair, that takes a lot of money because just think of the gas traveling.
Barrick Gruber:
Oh, yeah.
Michelle Brand:
From Greenville to Charles Charleston to Aiken to the pd.
Michelle Brand:
Like, it's a lot.
Michelle Brand:
I spent a lot of money on gas.
Michelle Brand:
But again, that was a.
Michelle Brand:
Another compromise with my husband of like, look, this is what I want to do.
Michelle Brand:
Like, can you give me the gas.
Barrick Gruber:
Money so I can go please your babies?
Michelle Brand:
Right.
Zach King:
You're gonna.
Zach King:
You're gonna drive a Chevy Volt.
Zach King:
That's the first thing.
Michelle Brand:
So I did have to make some materials, especially on election day.
Michelle Brand:
And that's the big convention we had in Columbia.
Michelle Brand:
I had some stickers and some postcards, but mainly it was social media was the biggest tool.
Michelle Brand:
And then just going to all the Democratic county meetings and participating in all the forums and just, you know, bringing my A game.
Michelle Brand:
And I'm very charismatic.
Michelle Brand:
So it wasn't like it was that hard.
Michelle Brand:
And I have great ideas.
Michelle Brand:
I have great ideas, too.
Barrick Gruber:
Wait till they find out you play D and D.
Barrick Gruber:
That's.
Barrick Gruber:
That's going to be the big kicker.
Barrick Gruber:
D and D is big in Charleston.
Zach King:
Yeah, that should, that should be how a lot of stuff is run.
Zach King:
So it's like a roll for initiative.
Zach King:
Lindsey Graham.
Barrick Gruber:
Oh, yeah, you're.
Zach King:
Yeah.
Barrick Gruber:
If, if, if South Carolina.
Barrick Gruber:
If South Carolina's legislature were to adopt the.
Barrick Gruber:
The format of Dungeons and Dragons where everyone had to roll for initiative.
Barrick Gruber:
Oh, I would be absolutely in for that.
Zach King:
Filibustering would get weird.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Barrick Gruber:
We could televise it.
Barrick Gruber:
We could sell pay per view tickets, raise tax money through it.
Barrick Gruber:
They're not going to give us.
Michelle Brand:
If.
Barrick Gruber:
They're not going to give us marijuana.
Zach King:
If You're a Republican, you don't have inspiration.
Barrick Gruber:
You'Re automatically dropped as inspiration.
Barrick Gruber:
That's great.
Barrick Gruber:
So what are some of the special.
Barrick Gruber:
With the special election, of course, it can present these unique challenges.
Barrick Gruber:
How has the campaign, what have you experienced so far as challenges?
Michelle Brand:
Well, this is my second time technically running in a primary specifically.
Michelle Brand:
So if you want to count running for office for SCDP vice chair, I had run against two other people.
Michelle Brand:
And the challenge is, you know, people know people, people talk, people pick sides.
Michelle Brand:
And so I've, as you can assume, I've made a lot of friendships, especially in Charleston, where I live, North Charleston, as well, with people in the Democratic Party.
Michelle Brand:
And one of the biggest challenges for me is just, you know, some people that you think are going to be supporters are not just because they've known someone else longer or for what other reasons they have.
Michelle Brand:
It can be kind of gut wrenching.
Michelle Brand:
It can, it can hurt a little bit.
Michelle Brand:
But it's only made me stronger.
Michelle Brand:
And I'm just like, okay.
Michelle Brand:
Like, that's okay.
Michelle Brand:
Like so and so is supporting them.
Michelle Brand:
But guess what?
Michelle Brand:
I have all these people over here.
Michelle Brand:
And with my experience with Planned Parenthood, I was a community organizer with them.
Michelle Brand:
All of those volunteers, those amazing, phenomenal volunteers, like all those people are now helping me.
Michelle Brand:
So, like, I have built a pretty good infrastructure, which has definitely helped me have a much stronger ground game, especially when you don't have to pay for it.
Michelle Brand:
That's why volunteers are always like, the best.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Michelle Brand:
Because it takes a lot of money to run a good campaign.
Michelle Brand:
I know that people don't like talking about money, but that's just.
Michelle Brand:
It is what it is.
Michelle Brand:
Like, you have to be able to get money to get your message out there, either through mailers, social media, ads, paying canvassers, because I literally could not knock on all 20,000 doors in my district.
Michelle Brand:
But that's what it takes.
Michelle Brand:
And so every little bit counts.
Michelle Brand:
Every volunteer, every dollar raised, it all adds up in the end.
Michelle Brand:
And I'm really fortunate to have a really great team help me get me to a win.
Barrick Gruber:
So the special election in January, is that the primary?
Michelle Brand:
Okay, so no Republicans have filed to run in House District 113.
Michelle Brand:
So whoever wins the primary wins the seat.
Michelle Brand:
Essentially, we'll still have a general election on March 21st, 25th, but essentially whoever wins the primary wins the seat.
Michelle Brand:
So this is extremely competitive and it's very common in blue, safe blue districts to have super competitive primaries than the generals.
Michelle Brand:
Like, no one's really paying attention.
Michelle Brand:
So, yeah, it's been tough.
Michelle Brand:
I have really steep competition, but I'm a fierce competitor.
Michelle Brand:
I'm an emerge alum.
Michelle Brand:
I know what I'm doing.
Michelle Brand:
This is my second time running for the state House.
Michelle Brand:
Nothing really surprises me anymore.
Michelle Brand:
So I'm just, like, rolling.
Michelle Brand:
Rolling with everything.
Michelle Brand:
And it's been great getting out there and talking to the people of North Charleston.
Barrick Gruber:
The weather's been all right for the.
Barrick Gruber:
For the.
Barrick Gruber:
Getting out there too, for the most part.
Michelle Brand:
There were.
Michelle Brand:
Last weekend was extremely chilly, but I made the most of it.
Michelle Brand:
And I had great connections.
Michelle Brand:
And what I've been finding as I'm knocking on doors.
Michelle Brand:
No one, and I'm knocking on hardcore Democrats, people that they show up in special elections.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Michelle Brand:
Because we just had one for Senator Deion Tedder for Senate District 42, which overlaps with my state House district.
Michelle Brand:
And even those folks were like, there's a special election.
Michelle Brand:
And I'm like, yes, there is.
Michelle Brand:
Vote for me, please.
Michelle Brand:
They're like, okay, well, you're the first one at my door.
Michelle Brand:
And I'm like, yes.
Michelle Brand:
So it's just making sure they get out to the polls is the trick.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Zach King:
I.
Zach King:
I have some interesting news developing right now.
Zach King:
Our live contains themes that some may find uncomfortable and has been restricted reason regulated goods content.
Barrick Gruber:
What?
Barrick Gruber:
I don't know.
Michelle Brand:
Put my website in the chat.
Michelle Brand:
Did I break it?
Michelle Brand:
I just put my website in the chat.
Barrick Gruber:
That's all.
Zach King:
I don't.
Zach King:
I don't think you broke it.
Barrick Gruber:
I don't think so.
Barrick Gruber:
I mean.
Barrick Gruber:
So here's the thing.
Barrick Gruber:
It's still running on my screen, so.
Michelle Brand:
It'S running on mine too.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah, it may be a weird.
Zach King:
Eligible for a recommendation and restricted in search results.
Barrick Gruber:
Okay, so it's still running.
Barrick Gruber:
It'll just come up on people that are following us.
Zach King:
So.
Zach King:
Yes.
Zach King:
You two are the two viewers right now.
Zach King:
Yeah, we had 16 at one time, and then that happened and done.
Zach King:
My mom sent us a rose.
Barrick Gruber:
Hey, that's nice.
Barrick Gruber:
That's nice.
Zach King:
I don't know what it does, but thanks, mom.
Zach King:
Give her a shout out.
Barrick Gruber:
So most importantly, as far as being the representative for Charleston District 113, what are the issues that you're finding are the most important to the voters in your district?
Michelle Brand:
Lack of childcare is huge.
Michelle Brand:
Affordable and accessible childcare is a big problem.
Michelle Brand:
I am a member of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, and they are finally taking on childcare as part of their campaign.
Michelle Brand:
They're calling it dependent care, which I think is even better because there are people who take care of elderly loved ones.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Michelle Brand:
Who, who need help.
Michelle Brand:
I mean, elderly care is also very expensive.
Michelle Brand:
And then all other forms of care in between for people that might have unique disabilities as well.
Zach King:
So I think keeping that, that jargon together when it comes to like, dependent care, flexible spending accounts and stuff, keeping that all kind of together, I think that's a good idea.
Zach King:
Just keep it two dependents because everyone about to have twins.
Zach King:
I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do.
Zach King:
So.
Michelle Brand:
Congratulations.
Michelle Brand:
Oh, yeah.
Michelle Brand:
Childcare is going to be a bitch.
Michelle Brand:
Can I cuss?
Michelle Brand:
Oh, my God.
Michelle Brand:
Representatives cuss.
Barrick Gruber:
Okay, here's.
Barrick Gruber:
You've been on the floor of the house.
Barrick Gruber:
Like, I've, I've been, I've been in there.
Barrick Gruber:
I've been in there when.
Barrick Gruber:
And this was years and years ago, but like five years ago.
Barrick Gruber:
But like, I've been on the house floor where I think I heard.
Barrick Gruber:
I think I heard the F word among some of the most elderly individuals representing some of the most highfalutin areas of Columbia, South Carolina.
Barrick Gruber:
So, yeah, if you can cuss on the floor of the South Carolina house, you can cuss on our podcast.
Michelle Brand:
Okay.
Barrick Gruber:
Also, some of those people are really dirty.
Barrick Gruber:
Just the implications of what they said.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Michelle Brand:
I would say another issue is definitely storm water drainage.
Michelle Brand:
We're still the low country in North Charleston, so there's still some flooding issues there.
Michelle Brand:
Maintaining our roads.
Michelle Brand:
transit come through by like:
Michelle Brand:
And so with that is going to bring a lot of change and just making sure that we develop really smart and strategically around that and then affordable housing.
Michelle Brand:
That's it's my main thing, affordable housing.
Michelle Brand:
I'm so glad it took the national stage in this past election.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Michelle Brand:
And affordable housing is still a major issue.
Michelle Brand:
I'm sure it is all over South Carolina, but definitely in the Tri county area here in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties.
Michelle Brand:
And I want to fight for a renter's tax credit.
Michelle Brand:
Like 59% of the people that live in District 113 are renters, my family included.
Michelle Brand:
And when you're paying down student loan debt and you're trying to find affordable childcare and housing is over 30% of your expenses, it can be a lot.
Michelle Brand:
And so many people living paycheck to paycheck, things are really tight and the rent is just too damn high.
Michelle Brand:
So I want to fight to do something about it and continue on some of the work.
Michelle Brand:
Work that Representative Marvin Pendarvis was doing as well.
Michelle Brand:
And then gun violence is still a big problem in the low country and I know, like, I get it.
Michelle Brand:
We have a super majority of Republicans in the House, but I've been doing research on what some of the Republicans even want to do about it, and I think trying to find some common ground.
Michelle Brand:
So something I want to look into doing and passing is safe storage gun laws.
Barrick Gruber:
Okay.
Michelle Brand:
Just to help prevent kids from getting access.
Michelle Brand:
And when I talked to North Charleston police, they were telling me that most people get access to firearms because people leave them in their unlocked cars or they leave the weapons in their cars.
Michelle Brand:
And it's like, really?
Michelle Brand:
Come on.
Michelle Brand:
So making sure that we have that in place.
Michelle Brand:
And then because gun violence is such a.
Michelle Brand:
It's just a massive issue.
Michelle Brand:
There's so many things.
Michelle Brand:
Something I've been looking into is how it impacts our kids.
Michelle Brand:
And unfortunately, gun violence is the number one killer of children in America.
Michelle Brand:
So when I talked to a few nonprofit organizations that really work focusing on kids and especially surrounding gun control, gun reform, I was told, and I learned that most young kids are recruited into gangs in elementary and middle school.
Michelle Brand:
That's how they get them hooked.
Michelle Brand:
So I want to invest state money into after school programming to keep these kids occupied and off the streets.
Michelle Brand:
And it should be free because, like I said, most parents are working more than one job.
Michelle Brand:
A lot of these kids are latchkey kids.
Michelle Brand:
So I think having them occupied will reduce the amount of juvenile crime that's happening after school hours.
Michelle Brand:
So that's what I want to do.
Michelle Brand:
That's just a gist.
Michelle Brand:
But if your viewers want to know more, please check out my website@michelleforsc.com to learn more about me and what I want to do.
Michelle Brand:
But those are just.
Michelle Brand:
That's just the start.
Michelle Brand:
There's.
Michelle Brand:
There's a lot more.
Barrick Gruber:
Have any of the interactions that you've had with some of the people that you've met in the district, have those come across as some of their concerns as well?
Michelle Brand:
Yes.
Michelle Brand:
When I talk to people that obviously work and with nonprofits, they care about kids, kids and education.
Michelle Brand:
Not supporting the school vouchers, not supporting the privatization of schools.
Michelle Brand:
So we talk a lot about kids.
Michelle Brand:
And then when I talk to working families, when I knock on the door and it's a family that has little ones just like mine, they're like, yeah, childcare is way expensive and they want.
Michelle Brand:
And they need the help.
Michelle Brand:
And then it's like a second mortgage.
Michelle Brand:
Pretty much.
Michelle Brand:
Yeah.
Barrick Gruber:
And then I can.
Barrick Gruber:
I can absolutely tell you when.
Barrick Gruber:
So Zach's having twins.
Barrick Gruber:
I had.
Barrick Gruber:
My wife had twins.
Barrick Gruber:
They're.
Barrick Gruber:
They were.
Barrick Gruber:
They turned 10 back in October.
Zach King:
Wow.
Barrick Gruber:
And watch out.
Zach King:
There's something in the water.
Zach King:
Every year.
Zach King:
We're all having twins.
Michelle Brand:
Y'all are having twins.
Michelle Brand:
I'm done having kids.
Barrick Gruber:
So you say that, but you're, you're, you're young.
Barrick Gruber:
You're young.
Barrick Gruber:
You know what?
Barrick Gruber:
Twins.
Barrick Gruber:
We bless you with twins.
Barrick Gruber:
No, but, but when, when, when we had our twins, the.
Barrick Gruber:
Ultimately it was.
Barrick Gruber:
It was a question of if.
Barrick Gruber:
If my wife went back to work after having the kids, what was, what was most cost effective?
Barrick Gruber:
How much.
Barrick Gruber:
How much was her income or my income going to have to go towards paying for childcare?
Barrick Gruber:
You know, sticking them in a daycare where they're, you know, it's good for their immune system.
Barrick Gruber:
That's what I always hear.
Barrick Gruber:
But they're constantly coming home sick.
Zach King:
Bad for your vacation days.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah, but.
Barrick Gruber:
So we made the decision that while it was going to hurt us a little bit financially, she basically would have been working for about $1.50 an hour after paying for childcare.
Barrick Gruber:
So it just didn't make sense.
Barrick Gruber:
You know, you don't even.
Barrick Gruber:
There are very few places around here that'll give you a discount just because you're bringing in two kids.
Barrick Gruber:
They.
Barrick Gruber:
Look at that.
Barrick Gruber:
They're like, two kids now.
Barrick Gruber:
It's 100%.
Barrick Gruber:
You're gonna, you're gonna pay 100%.
Barrick Gruber:
One for 100% for each.
Barrick Gruber:
And we do.
Michelle Brand:
The state, South Carolina does have a scholarship program for childcare, but those programs, grateful for them, but they really only help the people, like, living around the poverty line.
Michelle Brand:
And this issue is such a giant issue.
Michelle Brand:
We need to expand that because there's a lot of people in the middle.
Michelle Brand:
Like I consider myself, you know, middle income family.
Michelle Brand:
We are struggling.
Michelle Brand:
We are struggling right now.
Michelle Brand:
And that's a story that so many people have.
Michelle Brand:
I mean, I started thinking about myself when you were talking about the decisions that you and your family make.
Michelle Brand:
That was a decision that my husband and I made after we had our first child.
Michelle Brand:
We're like.
Michelle Brand:
My husband was like, michelle, your paycheck is going to go to childcare.
Michelle Brand:
You might as well just stay home.
Michelle Brand:
And that was hard because I wanted to keep, you know, earning income outside of the home, but it just wasn't cost effective.
Michelle Brand:
Yeah, I know there's reasons why everyone does everything, and there's no judgment on what families have to choose to do, but it's.
Michelle Brand:
It's tough.
Michelle Brand:
And so it's an economic problem in South Carolina.
Michelle Brand:
It's not a women's problem.
Michelle Brand:
It's an everybody problem.
Michelle Brand:
And if we can get More affordable childcare that will help boost our economy and create more sorry economic opportunity, but especially for women, because, you know, the patriarchy.
Barrick Gruber:
Of course.
Barrick Gruber:
You're on a show with two men.
Michelle Brand:
Yes, two white men as well.
Zach King:
I'm not white.
Barrick Gruber:
Zach.
Barrick Gruber:
Zach doesn't.
Barrick Gruber:
Zach doesn't identify as white.
Barrick Gruber:
And frankly, I'm embarrassed by a lot of the things the whites have done over the last thousand years.
Barrick Gruber:
So I may not identify as that either.
Barrick Gruber:
I guess one of the most difficult things about running an election is in meeting with some of your constituents, and you already mentioned it as far as having the potential that you're going to campaign to someone who already knows one of the other individuals that's running in that situation, because these are people you probably know.
Barrick Gruber:
I assume you've had interactions with them.
Barrick Gruber:
How do you navigate that sort of relationship with this person that you've just met versus what, their impression of their friend or who they've already interacted with?
Michelle Brand:
Well, I always love to talk about myself and my accomplishments, and then I try to differentiate myself from the others without naming them.
Barrick Gruber:
Sure.
Michelle Brand:
You're not going to catch me saying nobody else's name on this podcast today.
Michelle Brand:
Google is free, so.
Barrick Gruber:
That's right.
Michelle Brand:
Enjoy.
Michelle Brand:
But I try to point out the differences.
Michelle Brand:
I mean, I am a very strong Democrat.
Michelle Brand:
People have seen me out here working.
Michelle Brand:
I am extremely visible.
Michelle Brand:
And when I talk to constituents, that's what they want.
Michelle Brand:
They want a state rep who's going to be accessible, who's going to not, you know, be too busy to address the needs of the community, and someone who's going to be present and not just come around every two years, but someone who's going to be consistently involved.
Michelle Brand:
And I have maintained that ever since I ran for office the first time.
Michelle Brand:
Like, even though I lost, I still showed up.
Michelle Brand:
And then I got involved in the party even more, became a third vice chair, and I'm still out here advocating for the issues I believe in.
Michelle Brand:
When I decided that I was ready to enter the workforce, I wanted to work for an organization that I felt aligned with my beliefs.
Michelle Brand:
And that's why I did work for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.
Michelle Brand:
And I just feel like my record will speak for itself.
Michelle Brand:
I mean, I can't change anyone's mind.
Michelle Brand:
That's like, you know, hard, steadfast.
Michelle Brand:
But there are a lot of people I think that I have been able to reach through, if anything.
Michelle Brand:
I had a conversation with a very prominent person in the district, and he told me he was leaning towards someone else.
Michelle Brand:
And then once I told him what I was about.
Michelle Brand:
He was like, wow, I didn't realize there were at least two great candidates in this.
Michelle Brand:
I'm like, yes, yes, sir.
Michelle Brand:
Yes.
Michelle Brand:
Remember Michelle Brandt?
Michelle Brand:
This is not going to be easy for you.
Zach King:
Put my name on your mouth.
Zach King:
I'm here.
Michelle Brand:
Yes, yes.
Michelle Brand:
So, I mean, so it can be a little tricky navigating that space, but I just be my.
Michelle Brand:
I just try to be my authentic self, be real and tell people my story.
Michelle Brand:
And I feel like my story is the one that a lot of people can resonate with.
Michelle Brand:
With.
Michelle Brand:
But I do have a lot of like the training, if you will, to be in leadership.
Michelle Brand:
I have a lot of the connections already in the State House from my work with Planned Parenthood, from my work as a third vice chair.
Michelle Brand:
I know a lot of people up there already, Republicans and Democrats alike.
Michelle Brand:
I know them and I'm willing to do what it takes to get done.
Zach King:
Yeah, good people are good people.
Zach King:
You could put a tag on them if they're good and they could still be Republican.
Zach King:
Doesn't matter.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Zach King:
I wanted to ask you this real quick.
Zach King:
What is Michelle Brandt that doesn't run for politics?
Zach King:
What, what is she, what would she.
Michelle Brand:
Be doing like before:
Zach King:
No, now.
Barrick Gruber:
Like, like pre, pre pandemic.
Barrick Gruber:
Pre pandemic.
Barrick Gruber:
Michelle Brandt.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah, that's pre pandemic.
Zach King:
What would you.
Zach King:
No, like right now if, like, if you're like politics, let's say, in some multiverse, you're not doing anything political.
Zach King:
You're.
Zach King:
What, what, what's the other thing?
Zach King:
Is it still working for trying to help people, that kind of thing.
Zach King:
What, what would it be?
Michelle Brand:
Well, I've always had a bent towards public service.
Zach King:
Like you mentioned Planned Parenthood, that kind of thing.
Zach King:
Would it still be that?
Michelle Brand:
Right?
Michelle Brand:
I don't think it would.
Michelle Brand:
I think it would just be me.
Michelle Brand:
Just I.
Michelle Brand:
Probably working for a non profit.
Michelle Brand:
I know Planned Parenthood, but probably something more along the direct service line.
Michelle Brand:
How I got started into politics was out of food distribution.
Michelle Brand:
So I would imagine I'd be continuing to do something along those lines.
Michelle Brand:
That's like my origin story, I think.
Michelle Brand:
I think you guys were there when I talked about that.
Zach King:
I think you did, yeah.
Michelle Brand:
Can I share it on?
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah, please.
Michelle Brand:
Okay.
Zach King:
No.
Michelle Brand:
So.
Zach King:
Just kidding.
Zach King:
Yes, please do.
Michelle Brand:
So in:
Michelle Brand:
Charleston America.
Michelle Brand:
I do pageantry as a hobby.
Michelle Brand:
And I will continue no matter the result of this election.
Michelle Brand:
And I wanted to do something to help people.
Michelle Brand:
I didn't know what to do.
Michelle Brand:
And I saw that Charleston Hope was having a food distribution in Downtown Charleston.
Michelle Brand:
So I volunteered, and I met a lot of people that day.
Michelle Brand:
It was so hot.
Michelle Brand:
And there was this one man on a bicycle who wouldn't take some of the food because he didn't have a refrigerator.
Michelle Brand:
And, like, that was like, obviously, I know that houseless people live without basic needs, but just something in that moment, I was just like, what?
Michelle Brand:
Like, refrigerator.
Michelle Brand:
Like, but you need this.
Michelle Brand:
Like, how are.
Michelle Brand:
I had so many questions, and by the time I, like, turned around to give him something else, he had left.
Michelle Brand:
And so I knew then that I was like, okay, I want to do something more.
Michelle Brand:
I don't know where to start, but I started, like, hyper local.
Michelle Brand:
I joined the Charleston area Justice Ministry, and I started going to county council meetings for the first time in my life.
Michelle Brand:
Even though I considered myself, you know, somewhat of informed voter, I didn't really understand the ins and outs of local politics.
Michelle Brand:
And then when I saw who the representatives were, I was like, I know more than some of these people sitting up there.
Michelle Brand:
And I was, like, frustrated by the lack of women up there as well.
Michelle Brand:
It was majority men.
Michelle Brand:
And so I had conversations with some of the council members, and I was like, how.
Michelle Brand:
How do I be?
Michelle Brand:
Like, you, like, teach me, like, what do I do?
Michelle Brand:
Like, I.
Michelle Brand:
I don't know much about policy.
Michelle Brand:
And they were extremely patient with me.
Michelle Brand:
I ended up having a three hour conversation with Jenny Honeycutt.
Michelle Brand:
She's a Republican, but, you know, she.
Michelle Brand:
She took her time out of her day to just kind of explain how everything worked and politics and what was going on.
Michelle Brand:
And she encouraged me to apply to be a commissioner, and that was, like, my official first, like, appointed position.
Michelle Brand:
And I became commissioner of Charleston County Parks.
Michelle Brand:
And that's where I learned about networking and, like, how to be, like, elected, even though that was an elected position, because I almost.
Barrick Gruber:
You were a step above Leslie Knope.
Michelle Brand:
Yeah, pretty much.
Michelle Brand:
I love looking at watching that show.
Michelle Brand:
Parks and Rec got a lot of inspiration from watching that show.
Michelle Brand:
I was like, okay, if Leslie can do it, I can do it.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Zach King:
Leslie.
Barrick Gruber:
Was there a Ron Swanson in the office?
Barrick Gruber:
The guy that worked for.
Barrick Gruber:
The guy that worked for state county government but believed that it shouldn't exist?
Zach King:
Yeah.
Zach King:
Any dog under £50 as a cat.
Michelle Brand:
There were some grumpy characters, I would say, but everyone gets along for the most part, and they're really nice.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Barrick Gruber:
When.
Barrick Gruber:
So I guess, you know, you mentioned the discussion with the family on deciding to run and want to mention again real quick.
Barrick Gruber:
The website is michelle4sc.com you can pull that up.
Barrick Gruber:
You can make donations to the campaign as well.
Barrick Gruber:
You can follow Michelle and the campaign on all the social media links are there on the website.
Barrick Gruber:
So do that as well.
Barrick Gruber:
So, michelle4sc.com I'm not missing another seven questions.
Zach King:
We have to jump into it.
Barrick Gruber:
Okay, okay.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah, you're right.
Barrick Gruber:
You're right.
Barrick Gruber:
Okay, so Michelle, real quick, say, tell us.
Barrick Gruber:
We're going to throw seven questions at you.
Barrick Gruber:
Okay.
Barrick Gruber:
So real quick.
Michelle Brand:
Okay.
Barrick Gruber:
Hard sell you.
Barrick Gruber:
Why do you need to be the representative for South Carolina's House Seat 113?
Michelle Brand:
I need to be the representative because I have been showing up and I'm going to continue to show up.
Michelle Brand:
I am a strong Democrat.
Michelle Brand:
And also what makes me unique is that I support other Democrats.
Michelle Brand:
I've helped so many others run their campaigns.
Michelle Brand:
I will do what I can to get other Democrats elected, especially in the more redder parts of our state.
Michelle Brand:
I think that this is a safe blue seat.
Michelle Brand:
I am going to have incumbency when I win, but I'm not just going to be, you know, a fat, happy cat.
Michelle Brand:
I'm going to be out there doing the work to help others because I won't be able to get anything done without the support of a Democratic delegation.
Michelle Brand:
And so I will be working with sedp.
Michelle Brand:
You know, as new leadership comes and goes, I'll be working with those leaders to get things done.
Michelle Brand:
But I really have a heart for the needs of the community.
Michelle Brand:
I really want to see affordable housing become at the forefront, along with childcare and paid maternity leave.
Michelle Brand:
And I want to address the lack of OB GYNs we have in South Carolina.
Michelle Brand:
Like, there's so much work that needs to be done and I have the energy and the time to do it.
Michelle Brand:
And that's why people should vote for me.
Barrick Gruber:
Excellent.
Barrick Gruber:
Michelle4sc.com all right, Michelle, we are going to get into your seven questions.
Barrick Gruber:
Okay, so these are basically questions that we get to ask our guests, that every guest gets to hear them.
Barrick Gruber:
And for some reason, none of them seem to know anything about it.
Barrick Gruber:
It's like we surprise them.
Barrick Gruber:
All right, first question.
Barrick Gruber:
What was the last thing that you googled?
Barrick Gruber:
Bonus points.
Barrick Gruber:
It was the All About Nothing podcast.
Barrick Gruber:
No, I'm just kidding.
Michelle Brand:
I googled.
Michelle Brand:
What does right to work state mean?
Zach King:
They can fire you at any time for any reason.
Zach King:
It's great.
Barrick Gruber:
It's a weird play on words.
Barrick Gruber:
They seem to have come up with this, right?
Michelle Brand:
I was like, that sounds interesting, but it's not.
Michelle Brand:
So I wanted to make sure I understood what it meant.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Barrick Gruber:
What it really Means is right to fire is essentially what that means.
Zach King:
We can let you go for no reason.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah.
Barrick Gruber:
All right, question.
Barrick Gruber:
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Michelle Brand:
Teleportation.
Michelle Brand:
Because I'm always like, God, you're like.
Zach King:
The fifth person in a row.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah, like, everybody wants teleportation.
Barrick Gruber:
What was yours again, Zach?
Zach King:
Mine was flight.
Zach King:
I just want to fly, bro.
Barrick Gruber:
Just flight.
Michelle Brand:
Did you get shot down?
Zach King:
I'm not going to.
Zach King:
I'm not seeing.
Michelle Brand:
Aliens will scoop you up.
Barrick Gruber:
Not looking for violence.
Zach King:
I just want to fly.
Barrick Gruber:
So.
Barrick Gruber:
So when you say teleportation, are you talking, like, Nightcrawler teleportation?
Barrick Gruber:
Like just a short transmission?
Michelle Brand:
No, like Harry Potter, like, Apparate kind of situation.
Barrick Gruber:
Okay.
Zach King:
Turns a little miss that can just touch.
Michelle Brand:
Touch an object and go.
Michelle Brand:
And then be there.
Zach King:
Had to carry an old shoe.
Michelle Brand:
Yeah.
Barrick Gruber:
All right, question number three.
Barrick Gruber:
If your life would.
Barrick Gruber:
If your life were a movie, what would the title be?
Michelle Brand:
What is she going to do next?
Barrick Gruber:
Okay, that's good.
Barrick Gruber:
That's good.
Barrick Gruber:
I see sequels in the future.
Zach King:
What's she going to do now?
Zach King:
And then.
Barrick Gruber:
All right, question number four.
Barrick Gruber:
If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Michelle Brand:
Oh, my God.
Michelle Brand:
Basil fried rice with chicken in it.
Zach King:
Okay, that sounds fried rice and chicken.
Barrick Gruber:
I assume that is not going to mess up my stomach.
Barrick Gruber:
Look, I just recently found out, and this is probably more information than anybody needs, but I may have a little bit of the.
Barrick Gruber:
What is the ibs.
Barrick Gruber:
Ibs.
Barrick Gruber:
Yeah, yeah.
Michelle Brand:
Actually, take it back.
Michelle Brand:
Tacos.
Michelle Brand:
You can change that up.
Barrick Gruber:
See, that's gonna.
Barrick Gruber:
That is definitely gonna mess me up.
Zach King:
That's a winning answer if there ever was one.
Zach King:
So it's all.
Barrick Gruber:
It's all white rice and noodles from egg noodles from here on out.
Barrick Gruber:
All right, question number five.
Barrick Gruber:
What is your least favorite candy, and why candy corn?
Michelle Brand:
Because it tastes like trash.
Zach King:
That's a.
Zach King:
That's a bold claim when Tootsie Rolls.
Michelle Brand:
Exist, but I rather take Tootsie Rolls over candy corn.
Michelle Brand:
And it looks hard.
Zach King:
Chocolate.
Zach King:
Just.
Zach King:
All right, all right, all right.
Zach King:
Candy corn.
Michelle Brand:
Candy corn is disgusting.
Barrick Gruber:
All right, so this is gonna.
Barrick Gruber:
This is gonna give some insight into some of your character.
Barrick Gruber:
Number six is what is one strange or unusual talent that you have that most people don't know?
Michelle Brand:
I can show you.
Barrick Gruber:
Oh, here we go.
Barrick Gruber:
Show and tell.
Barrick Gruber:
Let's go.
Barrick Gruber:
Let's.
Zach King:
Let's see.
Michelle Brand:
I can, like, fold my tongue.
Barrick Gruber:
All right, let's go.
Michelle Brand:
Stop laughing.
Michelle Brand:
Okay, I can do it.
Michelle Brand:
Hold on.
Michelle Brand:
Give me a second.
Zach King:
The clover thing Yeah, I can't do it.
Barrick Gruber:
I can't do it.
Zach King:
I'm just happy I have the chromosome to be able to go.
Zach King:
Yeah, we're good.
Barrick Gruber:
Look, I'm glad my tongue still extends outside of my mouth.
Zach King:
I can do the shamu.
Barrick Gruber:
I don't.
Barrick Gruber:
I.
Barrick Gruber:
I don't want to scare y'all, but when you get to be my age, things stop working.
Barrick Gruber:
And how old are you?
Zach King:
72.
Barrick Gruber:
Zach always here.
Zach King:
I can do the job of the.
Zach King:
Huh?
Barrick Gruber:
No, I will.
Barrick Gruber:
I will be 46 in March, so.
Michelle Brand:
You'Re not that old.
Michelle Brand:
Okay.
Barrick Gruber:
All right, here's the last of the seven questions.
Barrick Gruber:
If you could have dinner with any three people, dead or alive, who would they be?
Michelle Brand:
Harriet Tubman.
Barrick Gruber:
Good.
Michelle Brand:
Barack Obama.
Michelle Brand:
Okay, wait, I only want one Obama.
Zach King:
You're Michelle, but not the one.
Michelle Brand:
I know it's hard because they're both great.
Michelle Brand:
Could I do the couple?
Michelle Brand:
Couple?
Michelle Brand:
The couple.
Barrick Gruber:
We'll let you have a couple.
Barrick Gruber:
We'll let you have.
Barrick Gruber:
Oh, Zach's.
Barrick Gruber:
Zach's.
Barrick Gruber:
Zach's pulling back.
Zach King:
I.
Zach King:
I had to keep it to three.
Michelle Brand:
Okay.
Michelle Brand:
I'm trying to think of the third person.
Michelle Brand:
Shirley Chisholm.
Michelle Brand:
Barack Obama and Harriet Tubman.
Barrick Gruber:
Those are.
Barrick Gruber:
Those are good.
Barrick Gruber:
Those are.
Barrick Gruber:
Okay.
Zach King:
So would you be eating tacos?
Michelle Brand:
Yes.
Barrick Gruber:
Sub.
Barrick Gruber:
Sub section question on that one.
Barrick Gruber:
Oh, you already said it.
Barrick Gruber:
Would you be eating tacos?
Barrick Gruber:
So it's tacos.
Barrick Gruber:
All right.
Michelle Brand:
Tacos and rice.
Barrick Gruber:
Well, Michelle, we know that you have to run, but I want to thank you very much for being on the podcast with us.
Barrick Gruber:
And hopefully, come January 22nd, or, I believe, 22nd, we'll know that you have been elected to be the House seat.
Barrick Gruber:
And then when you come up to Columbia for your session, then.
Barrick Gruber:
Then we'll make.
Barrick Gruber:
I'll make sure that I come down there.
Barrick Gruber:
We'll get lunch or something.
Barrick Gruber:
So I'll take you out of lunch because I know how little you all make, so.
Michelle Brand:
Yeah, we don't make anything.
Michelle Brand:
I'm gonna need to find a job after I get elected.
Barrick Gruber:
That's exactly.
Zach King:
And hopefully you'll remember us as the okayest white guys.
Michelle Brand:
After my husband, of course.
Michelle Brand:
Yes.
Barrick Gruber:
Well, you.
Barrick Gruber:
You make sure to tell your husband exactly what I said.
Barrick Gruber:
Well, Michelle, thank you very much for being on the show with Zach.
Barrick Gruber:
Thank you for being here.
Barrick Gruber:
Links to past episodes, podcast platforms, merchandise, and social media available.
Barrick Gruber:
Our webpage, theallaboutnothin.com if you think our financial model of giving away free content, entertainment is silly and you're in the giving mood, why not become an official Nothing.
Barrick Gruber:
Or by supporting the show Monthly members get early access to this episode as well as exclusive content.
Barrick Gruber:
Or you can have a give us a one time donation through the same link.
Barrick Gruber:
If you'd like to be a part of the show, you can call and leave us a message 803-67-205.
Barrick Gruber:
You can email the show at theallaboutnothing.com or you can join our Discord server.
Barrick Gruber:
Links available@theallaboutnothing.com thank you everyone for listening.
Barrick Gruber:
You all stay safe, be kind and.
Zach King:
Keep your hands to yourself.
Host/Producer:
The All About Nothing podcast is produced and engineered by me, Barack Gruber.
Host/Producer:
Thanks to Cake for our intro music.
Host/Producer:
Sick of you.
Host/Producer:
You can follow Everything Cake the band@cake music.com thanks to Muff the Producer for our Outro Music.
Host/Producer:
You can follow Muff on Instagram Instagram Muff the Producer I am Barrick Gruber.
Host/Producer:
You can follow me on Instagram and Twitter ericgruber or visit my link tree BarrettGruber.
Barrick Gruber:
Want to support the show?
Host/Producer:
Visit our webpage theallaboutnothing.com and become a member.
Host/Producer:
There are several tiers available, including memberships that give you early access to episodes as well as exclusive content.
Host/Producer:
Visit theallaboutnothing.com to find links to our social media merchandise and past episodes.
Host/Producer:
Visit theallaboutnothing.com if you'd like to be heard on the show, you can call and leave us a message message.
Host/Producer:
-:
Host/Producer:
If the time between these episodes is more than you can handle, check out our partner podcast Zach and I host what the Pod Was that?
Host/Producer:
With Kerry Simmons.
Host/Producer:
Visit whatthepodwas that.com for links and details.
Host/Producer:
Me takes a deep dive down the rabbit hole in episodes of welcome to Wonderland, available on all the podcast platforms.
Host/Producer:
Visit wtwlpod.com for details.
Host/Producer:
As well, you can listen to the political and social conversation between Dr.
Host/Producer:
Jamela Brooks and Bill Kimler on Black, White and Blue in the South.
Host/Producer:
Available wherever you listen to podcasts.
Host/Producer:
Please subscribe and share this show.
Barrick Gruber:
If you're on YouTube, please like and.
Host/Producer:
Hit the notification bell.
Host/Producer:
Thank you for listening.
Host/Producer:
ct of Big Media and Copyright:
Host/Producer:
