Live Podcast Recording with Mayor Cogswell at CofC
Recorded live at the College of Charleston: a candid conversation with Charleston’s mayor on city leadership, housing and the issues shaping Charleston’s future.
Recorded live on campus, this special episode of Bourbon in the Back Room brought hosts Vincent Sheheen and Joel Lourie, former South Carolina state senators, to the College of Charleston for a candid, wide‑ranging conversation with City of Charleston mayor, William Cogswell. In front of a packed audience of CofC students, the hosts discussed the future of Charleston, one of South Carolina’s most important cities and how to lead in the modern political climate.
“Our relationship with the College of Charleston is incredibly strong,” says Cogswell. “I meet regularly with President Hsu, and we’re working together on many of the same challenges facing the city and the campus.”
During this episode, you’ll hear about issues facing Charlestonians, including:
- The future of Charleston: How the city is navigating growth, climate pressures and long‑term planning
- Leadership in a modern political climate: The mayor’s perspective on governing during an era of increasing partisanship
- Affordable housing and quality of life: Why housing remains one of Charleston’s most urgent challenges
- The Port of Charleston: Its economic impact and the role it plays in shaping the region
- Charleston vs. other major cities: What makes the Holy City unique and what it can learn from peer cities
- A personal side of public service: The mayor’s reflections on family, business and his path into civic leadership
Find the full episode of Bourbon in the Backroom on the bourboninthebackroom/buzzsprout.com website.
Bringing these civic discussions onto campus is part of the College’s commitment to helping our community understand and influence the forces that define our city.
If you’re interested in more conversations that connect Charleston’s leaders, ideas and challenges to the work happening at the College, explore our flagship podcast, Speaking of … College of Charleston, where we dive even deeper into the stories shaping campus and the Lowcountry.
