Strive, Don’t Settle

Trey reflects on the importance of character and accountability in leadership, calling out the entitlement and misconduct that have made headlines in South Carolina politics. He contrasts that behavior with the humility and hard work of public servants who go unnoticed, and reminds listeners that we should never settle for representatives who fail to lead with decency. Trey also shares his perspective on the ongoing government shutdown and why Americans deserve better from those elected to keep government running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trey explains why Republican efforts to reopen the government haven’t gained more traction, pointing to the power of the media to decide which stories get attention. He also answers questions on immigration enforcement and what defines a criminal in the eyes of the law, and ends on a lighter note about his lifelong loyalty t o the South Carolina Gamecocks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Life really is a compilation of your decisions, including the ones you regret and wish you could do over.”   Trey reflects on life, time, and the value of accepting where we are instead of longing to go back. After a round of golf with friends and his son, he shares how aging brings both peace and perspective. Trey reminds listeners that contentment comes not from rewriting the past, but from appreciating the moments still left to live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Anger is your enemy. Fear is your enemy. Lack of preparation is your enemy."   Trey answers questions on preparation and timing, highlighting his own time in both Congress and the courtroom,  as well as Arch Manning's college football performance so far this season. Plus, Trey shares his insight on the ongoing government shutdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trey takes a hard look at South Carolina’s criminal justice system, using his home state as an example of how politics, policy, and priorities shape public safety. He explains why prosecutors face impossible caseloads, how judges are chosen, and what it really means to be tough on crime. Trey also closes with a personal reflection on his longtime friend, former DNI and current CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Technically, the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court does not have to be a lawyer." This week, Trey explains how it's possible for a judge to not need a law degree. He answers questions on whether state and local leaders can interfere with federal law enforcement, and weighs in on how college sports are changing under the new NIL era. Plus, Trey shares a hopeful update on last episode's conversation about living with balance issues - and the importance of finding help when an illness feels invisible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"It's a non-fatal disease that can actually wreck your life." Trey sits down with the Director of the Vestibular Program in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Habib Rizk, to uncover the power of the vestibular system - the tiny network inside your head that helps you balance, move, and navigate the world. They discuss what happens when the vestibular system malfunctions, leading to debilitating, and often misunderstood vestibular disorders. Trey and Dr. Rizk also dissect the challenges of diagnosing these invisible illnesses and why awareness, empathy, and patient advocacy matter more than ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trey explains how judges are chosen to oversee major cases, including the upcoming trial tied to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and why courtroom experience matters more than tenure on the bench. He also answers questions about whether a federal judge could ever overrule a declaration of war, and gives his unfiltered take on Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ recent sideline controversy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trey revisits his thoughts on one of the most foundational principles in the American justice system — due process. He breaks down why every person in the United States, even those guilty of the most horrific crimes, is entitled to fair treatment under the law. He explains the difference between procedural and substantive due process and shares why he believes the conversation surrounding this constitutional right is crucial to have in the world today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"How do we get back to prioritizing fairness as a virtue?" Trey explores how the public can restore their faith in the Department of Justice, answering if it's possible to avoid politically motivated prosecutions. Plus, Trey answers questions on his relationship with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and reveals key character details from his debut novel The Color of Death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices