Rich and Kevin continue their conversation with Maria Andrade, diving deeper into immigration, coalition building, and representation in political consulting. From calling out lazy messaging in the Democratic Party to exposing the lack of diversity in press shops, this episode cuts through the noise. They unpack how misinformation harms communities, spotlight overlooked organizers, and end with laughs, marriage advice, and the politics of rainy-day ads.

📍 00:00 – Immigration Is Not Just a Brown Issue
Maria challenges the assumption that Latinos only care about immigration, urging campaigns to see voters as full people with full lives—not just single-issue checkboxes.

📍 03:01 – Branding, Messaging, and Media Power
Kevin and Maria critique the Democratic Party's tendency to rely on lazy, recycled talking points, especially when strategists don't reflect the communities they’re trying to reach.

📍 06:32 – Representation Beyond Optics
Maria shares her journey into consulting and the need for real leadership opportunities—not token hires—to shape meaningful strategy and change.

📍 13:19 – Protest Isn’t One Size Fits All
They explore what modern resistance looks like, from mass rallies to personal family sacrifices, and the emotional toll of always being “on” in activist spaces.

📍 18:31 – How Misinformation Fuels Division
Kevin lays out how misinformation widens the Black and Brown divide, and why reframing issues like immigration as economic concerns can strengthen coalitions.

📍 25:35 – Advice for the DNC Chair and First-Time Candidates
Maria urges new leaders to listen first and delegate often—and shares some wild stories from behind the scenes of campaign life.

🏆 Mamba Mentality Awards

🐍 Maria Andrade – For refusing to be a token, pushing for true leadership representation, and cutting through the noise with strategy and substance.
🐍 The Coalition Builders – For doing the work to bridge communities, correct lazy narratives, and fight disinformation with authenticity and truth.

In episode 21, the Southern Comfort Podcast crew welcomes, Maria Andrade! A Venezuelan-born political consultant blazing the trail in the American South. From packing her life into two suitcases to founding her firm, Maria shares a riveting story of migration, mentorship, and making space for others. She discusses the challenges of starting over, the nuances of Latino identity in politics, and why she’s betting big on digital. Tune in to hear how community, courage, and creativity are reshaping what leadership looks like below the Mason-Dixon line.

📍01:57 - From Venezuela to Georgia: Maria’s Migration Story
Maria shares her journey immigrating from Venezuela to Aruba to Georgia at just 13, and how her aunt and uncle became her second parents in the U.S.

📍04:27 - Campaigns, Community, and Catching the Political Bug
A college internship throws Maria into her first campaign, where she meets her husband, Rich, and others who help shape her career in politics.

📍11:26 - Starting Her Firm and Filling the Latina Leadership Gap
Maria explains why she stepped into entrepreneurship, the lack of Latina representation in consulting, and the values driving her firm.

📍22:06 - The Power of Digital: Video, Targeting, and Voter Reach
The group discusses the rise of paid and organic digital strategy, why video matters more than ever, and how Maria and Jake keep production in-house.

📍32:14 - Listening Before Labeling: Strategy with Cultural Competency
Maria unpacks why consultants must understand cultural nuance within communities of color—and why lived experience is just as critical as data.

🏆 Mamba Mentality Award
This week’s Mamba Mentality Award goes to Maria Andrade for her courage, resilience, and trailblazing example. From stepping into leadership roles she once doubted she could fill, to launching her firm, Maria’s grit and integrity are an inspiration to the next generation of Latina political leaders.

In Part Two of their conversation with political strategist Ebenezer, Rich and Kevin dive deeper into Ebenezer’s journey through campaigns, mentorship, and his rise to Executive Director of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus. They share raw truths about working in politics as Black men, the financial uncertainty of campaign life, and the power of mentorship in sustaining long-term political careers. Ebenezer reflects on pivotal races, personal sacrifices, and his vision for the future of Georgia politics.

📍 00:00 - Jumping Back In & Introducing Ebenezer’s Story
The crew kicks off Part Two by reintroducing Ebenezer, setting the stage for a conversation about his journey, their bond, and the lessons learned on the campaign trail.

📍 02:29 - The Brutality and Intimacy of Local Races
Ebenezer explains the unique challenges of municipal campaigns where personal relationships and whispers can make or break a candidate, compared to statewide or federal races.

📍 10:34 - Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Entering Political Consulting
Kevin and Rich emphasize that political consulting isn’t learned from textbooks but from mentorship, sponsorship, and relationship-building, with Ebenezer crediting them for teaching him the ropes outside of his PWI degree.

📍 22:20 - Surviving Financial Uncertainty in Political Careers
They discuss the instability of campaign income, off-year struggles, and how mentorship helped Ebenezer navigate periods without paychecks while staying committed to political work.

📍 36:17 - From Campaigns to Leading the Georgia House Democratic Caucus
Ebenezer shares his pride in becoming Executive Director, Georgia’s shifting political landscape, the push for Democratic majority by 2026, and why elevating Southern Democrats is key to reframing the party’s brand.

🐍 Mamba Mentality Award
This episode’s Mamba Mentality Award goes to Ebenezer’s father, for his lifelong example of resilience, faith, and leadership that shaped Ebenezer’s commitment to community. Special recognition also to Ebenezer himself, for pushing through financial and professional uncertainty to build a purposeful political career.