Small Business "Backbone" Podcast

by Frank Knapp

Season 1

Crisis with access to capital for small businesses explained by former U.S Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary, Antonio White--Backbone" Podcast

Community Development Financial Institutions provide capital and technical assistance to rural and underserved small businesses, farmers, and affordable housing projects using federal and large private financial institution funds. There are over 1,400 of these mission-driven community lenders in the U.S. Now, the Trump Administration is planning on terminating federal staff at the CDFI program. Antonio White, former U.S. Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary, says that the current Administration is intent of “wiping America of any remnant of a perceived diversity, equity and inclusion programs.” CDFIs, that have great bipartisan support, have been caught up in this effort and the Administration is wrongfully targeting them as corporate welfare and DEI says White. White insists that Congressional leaders need to step up to defend CDFIs and the great work they do in community development and providing local banking in communities where traditional financial institutions have abandoned.

S1 · E43

Oct 26, 2025

25:48

Protecting the "Rule of Law" is goal of national small business organization

The rule of law is the bedrock of a strong economy is a top concern of a relatively new national small business coalition, Integrity Matters. Audrey Roofeh, who founded the organization this past April, told podcast host Frank Knapp that when she heard many complaints from some of her consulting clients about how their federal contracts had been cancelled, and they would not receive payment for services already provided. Roofeh talked about the two main goals of Integrity Matters: 1) Protecting the Rule of Law and 2) Defend Independent Institutions. Roofeh argues that small business owners have an important role to play in educating the public about the need to defend democratic norms and economic stability.

S1 · E42

Oct 10, 2025

21:15

SC GOP state Senator defends “freedom of speech”. Criticizes government silencing efforts

In a recent opinion editorial in the Charleston Post and Courier, South Carolina state Senator Sean Bennett (R-Dorchester County) wrote: "ABC’s suspension of the late-night host after his crude remarks on the murder of Charlie Kirk was greeted by some with applause. Even President Donald Trump called it 'great news for America.' I cannot agree." Senator Bennett talks with podcast host Frank Knapp about his passion to defend freedom of speech and his criticism of federal government efforts to silence opinion it deems unacceptable. Senator Bennett, who chairs the Senate Ethics Commission, shared his concern that the country is in a scary place on polarization and the demonization of people who don’t agree with us. He points to causes including political campaigning, lack of teaching civics at all levels of education, and social media, which he says that he would eliminate if it was in his power. The Senator ends his opinion editorial with this: "Free speech will not survive on sentiment alone. It needs citizens who know why it matters, leaders who will defend it even when unpopular and institutions that will teach its roots in our civilization."

S1 · E41

Oct 9, 2025

23:37

National Guard network expresses concerns on misuse of state armed forces

Christopher Purdy, founder and CEO of The Chamberlain Network, talks with podcast host Frank Knapp about the National Guard being inappropriately used by the Trump Administration. Knapp, CEO of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce, is also the managing director of the Secure Growth Initiative, a national small business coalition focusing on the need for positive immigration reform. Purdy gives the background of the National Guard: history, purpose, chain of command and authority of Governors and the President. He says that when the members of the Guard are federalized, they become part of the active military, which has legal limits on law enforcement activities within the country. Purdy is concerned about how misuse of the National Guard will negatively impact the Guard in moral, community trust, and readiness. He worries that members of the National Guard will start not renewing their contracts with the Guard and employers will start being uncomfortable in hiring a Guardsman if the National Guard becomes politicized.

S1 · E40

Oct 6, 2025

25:13

More than 12 million small business owners and employees are facing a dramatic rise in health insurance premiums, unless Congress acts

Affordable health insurance is facing a crisis if Congress refuses to extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits in the Affordable Care Act. Matt McGough of KFF talks with podcast host Frank Knapp about how these tax credits make health insurance more affordable and why over 12 million Americans, many of whom are small business owners and their employees, will likely not be able to afford health insurance through the ACA if this happens. This is a looming disaster for health care, the economy, and potentially for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.

S1 · E39

Sep 22, 2025

21:18

Lt. Governor Evette talks about her background, McMaster’s surprise ask, issues, and her take on her gubernatorial opponents

Pamela Evette, candidate for Governor, tells podcast host Frank Knapp about her surprise when Governor Henry McMaster called her to his office and asked her to be his running mate as Lt. Governor—something they had not previously discussed. The Lt. Governor position has enabled her to promote technical training as well as hard and soft skills for the state’s youth. She has used her office to start a statewide initiative to promote youth employment, which she says teaches personal fiscal responsibility and character development. As Governor, Evette sees as her priority to create the best opportunities for our youth. Lt. Governor Evette also believes South Carolina should work toward the elimination of the state income tax. Replacing the $14.5 billion the state gets from the income tax would require a comprehensive look at how to do that. When pointed out that she has not generated a lot of publicity from attacking her opponents, she says that she never though being nice was bad. The Lt. Governor has said that to voters that “you can choose from a menu of career politicians who say pretty things, but cant and will never deliver.” That line, she says, was aimed at all her opponents.

S1 · E38

Aug 28, 2025

30:29

Karen Riordan leading association of nonprofits

Karen Riordan, president and CEO of Together SC (formerly the SC Association of Nonprofit Organizations) talks with podcast host Frank Knapp about how she got from the smallest state in the nation, Rhode Island, to running a SC association. She describes the extensive services her 28-year organization provides to the 1000 nonprofits in their network. In addition to direct services, Together SC within the last year has begun advocacy at the state and federal level, supporting or opposing policy that impacts nonprofits. Particular policy being supported include access to healthcare, economic development and affordable housing. Riordan says that SC Senator Tim Scott has been thanked by many nonprofits for his leadership in moving his Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act of 2025. Together SC is very vocal on its concern about an anit-DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) bill passed by the SC House this passed session. Riordan agrees that the state can have any policy it wants for itself and local government receiving state funding. But the state should not be telling private nonprofits that they cannot use private donations to engage in work that is considered promoting DEI. Knapp shared that the SC Small Business Chamber of Commerce has the same position against the state telling private businesses that they cannot have a DEI policy if they want to bid on any state contracts.

S1 · E37

Aug 21, 2025

23:57

Rep. Hamilton Grant—drum major to state legislator—leadership counts

First elected in 2024, Representative Hamilton Grant of Richland County went into his first year as a legislature with no expectations. He cites his leadership experience, including being a drum major at South Carolina State University, as his preparation for serving as a legislator. His business experience working with small business lending needs has given him an understanding that entrepreneurs are having more difficulty in obtaining loans. This is particularly true in rural and underserved communities. He particularly points out the difficulties black churches experience. Rep. Grant has sponsored legislation to help small businesses survive when the businesses are harmed by road construction projects that go beyond the initial completion date. His bill would establish a loan program for these businesses that would be administered by the SC Department of Commerce.

S1 · E36

Aug 20, 2025

26:16

First-term Senator Ed Sutton talks liquor liability, energy and childcare access

Senator Ed Sutton, an active reserve Air Force pilot, experienced his first session in the legislature that turned out to be more contentious than usual. He tells podcast host Frank Knapp that his Charleston district probably has more bars and restaurants than any other and he wanted to help them with the rising cost of liquor liability insurance. He did vote to pass the bill that largely addressed the issue but says that if his constituent small businesses do not see premium relief soon that he and others will have to revisit the issue. Senator Sutton says that he voted against the big energy bill that passed because provisions that protected consumers from paying for energy costs driven by data centers and a requirement that data centers report how much water they are using were stricken from the bill. He also is a co-sponsor of a bill to increase childcare access in the state by providing higher tax credits to businesses and individuals for using childcare centers.

S1 · E35

Aug 11, 2025

21:34

Rep. Heather Bauer sees the need for a stronger Democratic Caucus on important issues

Representative Heather Bauer shares her story about how a high school guidance counselor/ volleyball coach turned her life around by opening the door for her going to college. Now in her third year in the SC House where she is in the minority party, she believes that bipartisanship is important for being successful on legislation. However, Rep. Bauer also believes that the House Democratic Caucus should be doing a better job standing up for a legislative agenda that the public agrees with. “There is no fight…we’re not focused on the right issues”, she says and suggests that this issue could be discussed by the House democrats come January. Rep. Bauer also has a strong opinion of the House not taking action on the State Treasurer who the Senate voted to remove. She also talks about her marial arts background and desire for a black belt.

S1 · E34

Jul 1, 2025

24:38

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