<![CDATA[Closing the Gap-People First Politics]]>This country was founded on the ideology of “we the people”. That doesn’t work if the people don’t know what's going on. Knowledge is power, and it's time we take our power back. The first step starts with closing the gap. 

Closing the Gap is an online campaign to allow people to connect with their politicians, understand civics and governmental processes, and learn how to be active participants in politics beyond election day. 

Join us here with this podcast where you'll get interviews from politicians, educators, activist and more. Each giving an insight into the behind the scenes of their field and answering some of your burning questions about politics and civics in the United States.

]]>https://www.instagram.com/closingthegap__/Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sat, 30 May 2026 09:18:40 GMTThu, 05 Feb 2026 16:10:01 GMT60Eliana Pinckney<p>This country was founded on the ideology of “we the people”. That doesn’t work if the people don’t know what's going on. Knowledge is power, and it's time <b>we </b>take our power back. The first step starts with closing the gap. </p><p></p><p>Closing the Gap is an online campaign to allow people to connect with their politicians, understand civics and governmental processes, and learn how to be active participants in politics beyond election day. </p><p></p><p>Join us here with this podcast where you'll get interviews from politicians, educators, activist and more. Each giving an insight into the behind the scenes of their field and answering some of your burning questions about politics and civics in the United States.<br /></p>episodicEliana Pinckneyepandmp2013@gmail.comno<![CDATA[Deon Tedder: Political Accessibility, Youth and Black Political Participation - Closing the Gap]]>It was an honor to have SC Senator Deon Tedder as our first in person guest for Closing the Gap! Deon Tedder has devoted his life to public service and advocating for the underserved. A graduate of South Carolina State University and the University of South Carolina Law School, Deon lives in North Charleston and serves his community as an attorney. In this interview, we discuss Tedders political accomplishments, future goals and inspirations while also getting a mini lesson on the legislative branch and government functions. We also took some time to get to connect personally with Senator Tedder, getting to know the man behind the political action. We hope you enjoy this episode of Closing the Gap!

Follow Senator Deon Tedder:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deontedder_esq/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deonteddersc/

X: https://x.com/deon_tedder

]]>1576dfb2-f51a-4b95-a9f7-f90d2297f10dTue, 31 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT<p>It was an honor to have SC Senator Deon Tedder as our first in person guest for Closing the Gap! Deon Tedder has devoted his life to public service and advocating for the underserved. A graduate of South Carolina State University and the University of South Carolina Law School, Deon lives in North Charleston and serves his community as an attorney. In this interview, we discuss Tedders political accomplishments, future goals and inspirations while also getting a mini lesson on the legislative branch and government functions. We also took some time to get to connect personally with Senator Tedder, getting to know the man behind the political action. We hope you enjoy this episode of Closing the Gap!</p><p></p><p>Follow Senator Deon Tedder:</p><p>Instagram: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/deontedder_esq/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/deontedder_esq/</a></p><p>Facebook: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/deonteddersc/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/deonteddersc/</a></p><p>X: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/deon_tedder" target="_blank">https://x.com/deon_tedder</a> </p>no00:25:273Deon Tedder: Political Accessibility, Youth and Black Political Participation - Closing the Gapfull<![CDATA[Joe Cunningham: Activism Outside of the Office, DEI, and Democratic Party Dynamics - Closing The Gap]]>In this episode of Closing The Gap, we connect with former US House Representative, Joe Cunningham. Cunningham served in the US Congress from 2019 to 2021 and followed his term with a candidacy to be South Carolina governor in 2022. Despite not currently holding office, Joe Cunningham remains socially and politically active, consistently speaking out about the political climate of the U.S.

Throughout this interview, I had the opportunity to talk to Joe about his time in office, his opinions on the current political climate, and how he thinks we can close the gap between politicians and the people!

Follow Joe!

Follow Closing The Gap!
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/closingthegap__/

Like, follow and share this podcast! More interviews coming soon!

]]>43e1ba3b-3110-45c1-8adc-74c8437a1267Wed, 25 Feb 2026 22:03:33 GMT<p>In this episode of Closing The Gap, we connect with former US House Representative, Joe Cunningham. Cunningham served in the US Congress from 2019 to 2021 and followed his term with a candidacy to be South Carolina governor in 2022. Despite not currently holding office, Joe Cunningham remains socially and politically active, consistently speaking out about the political climate of the U.S. </p><p></p><p>Throughout this interview, I had the opportunity to talk to Joe about his time in office, his opinions on the current political climate, and how he thinks we can close the gap between politicians and the people!</p><p></p><p>Follow Joe!</p><ul><li>Instagram: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/joecunninghamsc/?hl=en" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/joecunninghamsc/?hl=en</a> </li><li>Facebook: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/RepJoeCunningham" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/RepJoeCunningham</a> </li><li>TikTok: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@joecunninghamsc" target="_blank">https://www.tiktok.com/@joecunninghamsc</a> <p></p></li></ul><p>Follow Closing The Gap!<br />- Instagram: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/closingthegap__/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/closingthegap__/</a> </p><p></p><p>Like, follow and share this podcast! More interviews coming soon!</p>no00:24:132Joe Cunningham: Activism Outside of the Office, DEI, and Democratic Party Dynamics - Closing The Gapfull<![CDATA[Senator Brad Hutto: Education Reform, Civic Engagement and Humanity - Closing The Gap]]>In this first episode of Closing The Gap, we meet Senator Brad Hutto in a new light. We hear the South Carolina Senator tell us the motivation behind him running for office, explain the importance of civic engagement and DEI at a state level, and give us a couple of personal antidotes from his time as a Senator.

]]>b7c41080-a62b-434f-91a8-8b33b0775b8eThu, 05 Feb 2026 16:12:25 GMT<p>In this first episode of Closing The Gap, we meet Senator Brad Hutto in a new light. We hear the South Carolina Senator tell us the motivation behind him running for office, explain the importance of civic engagement and DEI at a state level, and give us a couple of personal antidotes from his time as a Senator.</p>no00:32:541Senator Brad Hutto: Education Reform, Civic Engagement and Humanity - Closing The Gapfull