Simple Civics: Greenville County

What's next for Greenville Technical College and economic mobility? Discover Dr. Miller's vision for skilled trades, free dual enrollment, and an AI-ready workforce.

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Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

Explore honest conversations about homelessness in Greenville, SC. Hear from Ryan Duerk, CEO of Miracle Hill Ministries, who will sit on a bench for 24 hours to discuss the real causes of homelessness.

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Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Email us: contact@simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org

What is Graduation Plus? Learn how Greenville County Schools is transforming student futures with college and career readiness, giving them a competitive advantage.

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Learn how to support a local political campaign with expert Derek Lewis. Discover easy, actionable ways to help, from social media likes to donating or hosting a meet and greet.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

Email us: contact@simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org

Thinking about the Greenville County Schools 4K program? April Roberts, a GCS principal, reveals what kindergarten readiness truly means and explains the step-by-step process to apply.

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Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

Starting a business in Greenville County? Learn how to go from "wantrepreneur" to founder with key advice on forming an LLC, finding resources, and accessing capital.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Get the facts about Greenville County Schools, from its surprising size as a top 50 US district to its innovative career and technical education programs.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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If you don't have a will when you die in South Carolina, "essentially you're letting the state legislature decide what happens to your property and who will administer it," says former Greenville County Probate Judge Diane Smock. She talks with Jessica Ferguson of Turner Padget about wills, estates, and advance directives.

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Discover the Future Teacher Academy in Greenville County Schools, a "grow your own" initiative addressing the teacher shortage through mentorship, dual enrollment credits, and hands-on teaching experiences in high school.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Discover the economic impact of hospitality and accommodations taxes in Greenville County. Learn how visitor spending funds Unity Park, The Well, the Swamp Rabbit Trail & more.

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Simple Civics: Greenville County is...

What does a great corporate-school partnership look like? Discover ScanSource's model for supporting a Title I school and the community playbook they created to help.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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How strong are the cities and places in Greenville County? We apply the 10-question Strong Towns Strengths Test to discover what makes a community thrive, from its main street to its zoning.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Discover how building trust in public education can transform the 'us vs. them' mentality. Hear from two teacher leaders on improving parent-teacher teamwork.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Learn how to speak at a public meeting in Greenville County. Get practical tips on preparing your statement, understanding public comment rules, and making your voice heard.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Discover Simple Civics: EdTalks, the new Greenville County education podcast. We demystify public education, from school funding to our birth-to-employment system.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Explore the realities of homelessness in Greenville through the story of John "Buggy Man" Jones. Discover his journey from scrapping for metal to a home in permanent supportive housing.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

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What are A-tax & H-tax? Learn how hospitality and accommodations taxes in Greenville County fund things you love, from the Swamp Rabbit Trail to local festivals.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Frustrated by the slow pace of government? Learn why local and state governments are designed for deliberation, the pros and cons of this intentional process, and how your civic engagement can influence the speed of change.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

Celebrate Simple Civics: Greenville County's 200th episode! Dive into key discussions with leaders, experts, and community champions on local policy, vibrant neighborhoods, and civic engagement. Discover how involved residents are shaping Greenville's future and learn how you can make a real impact.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

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Discover why Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) is North America's #1 small airport! CEO Dave Edwards shares GSP's remarkable growth, unique amenities, and exciting future plans.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

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Is Greenville County's housing crisis leaving families, seniors, and workers behind? Discover how the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority (GCRA) tackles this vital community challenge, leveraging federal and local funds to build and rehabilitate homes.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

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Greenville County: explore the important 2025 municipal elections impacting your daily life. Discover what's on the ballot in every city, why it truly matters, and how you can get involved - including as a candidate - to shape your community.

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Discover how Greenville Together is urgently tackling homelessness head-on with a bold, collaborative, and data-driven plan. Learn about their innovative housing surge, the vital role of people with lived experience, and the critical need for permanent supportive housing in the community. Join the conversation to understand the strategies aiming to functionally end homelessness and transform lives in Greenville.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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The Children's Museum of the Upstate isn't just a place for kids - it's a $339 million economic engine for Greenville County. CEO Lauren Luneckas explains how this Smithsonian affiliate became the 7th largest children's museum in America and reveals multiple ways adults can volunteer, support, and engage with this community treasure. Discover why creating spaces truly built for children fosters better citizens and stronger communities.

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"I went into engineering because of Roper Mountain." In this heartwarming episode, Director Michael Weeks shares stories of how Roper Mountain Science Center has shaped careers and ignited curiosity across generations for 40 years. Get an insider's tour of this Greenville treasure which serves every elementary and middle school in Greenville County while also offering public programs like - from their popular butterfly encounter and marine touch tanks to their observatory housing North America's eighth largest refractor telescope. Learn about their exciting summer offerings, including camps where kids build robots and solve mysteries, and the new Wild Kratts exhibit that...

Step inside Greenville's magical theater wonderland where disco balls spin, Hogwarts comes alive, and Finding Nemo swims across the stage! This conversation with South Carolina Children's Theatre's leadership team unveils the joyful world waiting for your family this summer. Visualize your child crafting potions at Hogwarts camp, playing Quidditch, or performing alongside 40 peers in a full musical production. Hear how families create lifelong memories together - from grandparents to toddlers - in a place where 200+ children recently experienced live theater for the very first time. With performances across two unique stages, classes for every age, and countless ways to...

Sixty years ago, a mother's grassroots effort sparked what would become Thrive Upstate, now redefining ability for 600 individuals with intellectual disabilities across Greenville County. Executive Director Tyler Rex shares how this innovative quasi-governmental organization transforms tax dollars into life-changing opportunities - from residents performing at the Peace Center to employees working at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Drawing from his eight years of leadership and personal experience as a father of children with disabilities, Tyler reveals how community partnerships are creating a Greenville where everyone contributes their unique abilities.

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Some South Carolinians have gone to bed in one state and woken up in another - without ever moving. When surveyors corrected centuries-old border errors, residents discovered their property had legally "teleported" overnight. Katy and Nathaniel reveal how colonial mapmakers with faulty compasses, river disputes, and political maneuvering created the bizarre patchwork of boundaries that now determine your tax rate, emergency response times, and even whether you can keep backyard chickens. Discover why city maps look like Swiss cheese, where you really are when you're floating down the Savannah River, and how these invisible lines from the 1600s are...

When Hurricane Helene toppled centuries-old white oaks while sparing seemingly fragile maples, it revealed hidden truths about resilience beneath our feet. As Greenville recovers from two historic environmental disasters, TreesUpstate's Aaron Davis shares a surprising statistic: despite our "green" reputation, Greenville's 36% tree canopy lags behind Atlanta and Charlotte's 45%. Discover how an 1872 newspaper editor united a post-Civil War nation by planting one million trees in a single day - a tradition that predates Earth Day by nearly a century. Between fallen giants and forest fires, learn why meeting your neighbors with shovels in hand might be our most powerful act...

Your mailbox says "Taylors," your neighbors call it "Greenville," and your GPS has its own opinion entirely. Behind this geographical identity crisis lies a system that determines your tax bill, your services, and whether you can vote in this year's municipal elections. Join Katy and Nathaniel as they decode the invisible boundaries that shape daily life in Greenville County - revealing why Taylors isn't legally a town, why a Greenville address doesn’t mean you get a Greenville city vote, and how these distinctions impact where your tax dollars go. Whether you've lived here for decades or just arrived, di...

Celebrating 50 years of excellence, Greenville County Schools Fine Arts Center has generated millions in scholarship offers for its students - yet Director Vee Popat measures success by how each young artist develops as a whole person, whether they become Broadway performers or scientists with creative thinking skills. Step inside this nationally-recognized creative ecosystem where architecture students tackle homelessness solutions and teenagers master professional mindsets alongside their artistic crafts.

Links:

The Fine Arts Center website: https://www.fineartscenter.net/

Previous episode on Roper Mountain Science Center: https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org/from-classroom-to-career-the-power-of-public-private-partnerships-in-education/

The Fine...

In Greenville County, an eviction filing follows you for life like a permanent tattoo - even if you win your case. With 20% of local renters facing eviction (compared to just 8% nationally), this crisis isn't just creating homelessness; it's costing landlords up to $5,000 per case and driving up housing costs for everyone. Experts Tina Belge and Mario Brown reveal why property owners and tenant advocates have surprisingly united around four key reforms that could transform evictions from "a cause of poverty" into an opportunity for community prosperity. The solutions are ready - but is Greenville?

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In a small town where Burger King's arrival was once celebrated as progress, Travelers Rest now stands as a remarkable anomaly in American governance - with women holding the positions of mayor, city administrator, and majority of the city council. How did this Greenville County community not only transform itself from a "pass-through town" to a coveted destination, but also defy national trends in which women hold just over 20% of chief local government positions? Mayor Brandy Amidon (who began her political journey at age 27) and City Administrator Shannon Herman reveal the surprising role older residents played in championing female...

When your favorite barista, your child's teacher, and the firefighter who protects your home can no longer afford to live in your community - what kind of place will Greenville County become? Bryan Brown and Amber Stewart from Greenville Housing Fund reveal the surprising reality that 80% of our workforce earns below the area's median income, making housing increasingly out of reach. They dismantle common misconceptions about "affordable housing" while explaining how innovative tax incentives and thoughtful density planning are already transforming neighborhoods. Beyond policy talk, this conversation illuminates how our housing ecosystem connects everyone from service workers to retirees...

Did you know that just minutes from downtown Greenville, there's a business park that's driving our region's economy forward? In this episode, we sit down with Jody Bryson, the President and CEO of the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center (SCTAC), to learn how this unique organization has become a magnet for top companies and high-paying jobs. Discover the fascinating history behind SCTAC, its $6.1 billion economic impact, and the exciting projects on the horizon, including a state-of-the-art automotive test track. Whether you're a business leader, a job seeker, or simply curious about what makes Greenville thrive, this episode is...

Are you curious about ranked-choice voting and what it could mean for our elections? In this episode, election law expert Michael Dimino breaks down the basics of this intriguing alternative to our current system. You'll learn how ranked-choice voting works, its potential benefits and drawbacks, and how it's being used in some states and countries. Whether you're a political junkie or just looking to make sense of our electoral process, this episode offers valuable insights in an approachable way. Tune in and join the conversation!

Links:

Michael Dimino Bio: https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/academics/faculty/d...

Get a clear, nonpartisan explanation of South Carolina's primary election system and proposals to change it.

Links:

Michael Dimino Bio: https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/academics/faculty/detail/13/

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

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Big changes could be coming to South Carolina's primary voting system and the way you register to vote. Learn about the five new bills that could impact how SC residents vote in primaries, including closed primary proposals and ranked-choice voting options. Today we break down the proposed changes to SC's primary voting system. This episode explores how these proposals compare to other states' systems and what they could mean for SC voters.

Links:

Bills:

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3589.htm 

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3310.htm

Thinking of running for office or helping on a campaign in South Carolina? In this episode, expert Leigh McGill with Campaign Ethics Consulting Services breaks down the basics of campaign finance reporting. Learn about required disclosures, contribution limits, common pitfalls to avoid, and why it pays to get professional guidance from the start.

Links:

Connect with Leigh McGill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-mcgill-03aba099/

Campaign Ethics Consulting Services: https://www.campaignethicssc.com/

South Carolina Ethics Commission website: https://ethics.sc.gov/

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Ever wonder how all those political ads and mailers get paid for? Explore the complex world of campaign finance with nonprofit leader John Tynan. Learn the difference between PACs, super PACs, 501(c)(4)s, and more - and how to follow the money trail as an informed voter.

Links:

Connect with John Tynan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-tynan-1446b34b/

South Carolina State Ethics Commission: https://ethics.sc.gov/

Conservation Voters of South Carolina: https://www.cvsc.org/

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: G...