The Carolina Cabinet

Hosted by Peter Pappas
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

The Carolina Cabinet is a conservative talk radio podcast hosted by Peter Pappas. The show discusses the latest political news and issues from a Republican perspective. We interview guests from all walks of life, including politicians, activists, and experts. The Carolina Cabinet is a must-listen for anyone who wants to stay informed about the latest conservative news and commentary. This podcast is targeted towards Republicans, conservatives, and anyone who is interested in conservative political news and commentary.

  1. 23h ago

    School Board Race Deep Dive: Quincei Lovejoy on IEPs, Funding Priorities, and Parental Voice

    Welcome back to the Carolina Cabinet, Cumberland County's smartest hour of talk radio. Host Peter Pappas sits down with Quincei Lovejoy, a CPA, financial planning manager at Fayetteville PWC, and one of 16 candidates for three at-large seats on the Cumberland County Board of Education. Lovejoy explains why her own family's experience with the IEP process pushed her to file, and says a parent asking for an evaluation should get one in under 30 days. She and Peter get into school safety beyond locked doors — bullying, mental health, and the SROs who have become bouncers — and how discipline works when a student is covered by an IEP. Peter asks the CPA about the numbers: 1,200 fewer students this year, families leaving for charters and Opportunity Scholarships, the cost of rebuilding E.E. Smith, and a $670 million budget. She gives credit where it's due, to the IB and AP programs and a superintendent whose district cut its low-performing schools from 27 to 20, and closes with her case for a shake-up on the board: trust, but verify. Find all of our candidate conversations at thecarolinacabinet.com. 00:00 Intro 00:17 Meet Quincei Lovejoy 03:12 Why she's running 03:25 The IEP process 06:56 Supporting teachers and staff 09:23 Safety is more than locked doors 10:02 IEP protections and discipline 13:00 Counselors and staffing 13:45 Enrollment, budgets and vouchers 16:13 What's working: IB, AP and EC 17:10 Low-performing schools and the superintendent 17:51 Career and technical education 18:57 1,200 fewer students 20:24 Families voting with their feet 24:50 E.E. Smith and the cost of new schools 26:31 Working across board factions 27:57 School closures and transparency 30:07 Trust, but verify 33:32 Time for a change

  2. 2d ago

    Dr. Kimberly Hardy on Running for NC-7, Healthcare, and Listening to Local Communities

    Welcome back to the Carolina Cabinet, Cumberland County's smartest hour of talk radio. Host Peter Pappas sits down with Dr. Kimberly Hardy, an associate professor of social work at Fayetteville State University and the Democratic nominee for Congress in North Carolina's 7th District. Hardy talks about her decade as a school social worker, beating a six-term incumbent in the 2020 NC House primary before losing to Diane Wheatley, and why she says a candidate's platform should be shaped by the people she meets. Peter asks the state party's second vice chair whether she can stand up to the party she helps run. On policy, Hardy makes the case for a single-payer health system and against the new Medicaid requirements, then turns to the district itself: Cumberland County's Tier 1 neighbors, the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and the toll debate, PFAS, farm tariffs, and college costs for HBCU and military-affiliated students. They close on where two people on opposite sides of the table can still agree. Hardy faces Republican Rep. David Rouzer, a Libertarian and an independent on the November ballot. Find all of our candidate conversations at thecarolinacabinet.com.

  3. 6d ago

    Rep. Diane Wheatley on School Funding, Healthcare, and Accessible Leadership in Cumberland County

    Welcome back to the Carolina Cabinet, Cumberland County's smartest hour of talk radio. Host Peter Pappas sits down with State Rep. Diane Wheatley, who has represented NC House District 43 since 2021.   Wheatley talks about growing up in a military family — born at Fort Campbell, the daughter of an Army paratrooper — and the path that led her from the Cumberland County Board of Education to Raleigh. Peter presses her on bringing state tax dollars home, the 8% average teacher raise in the new state budget, whether school vouchers take money from public schools, and whether anyone is coordinating the school board, the county commissioners, and the local delegation.   A registered nurse, Wheatley explains why her biomarker-testing bill passed the House and never got a Senate hearing, defends the delegation's role in 911 consolidation, and makes her case for another term — hospital growth, rural health care, and staying accessible to constituents.   Wheatley faces Democrat Janene Ackles in November. Find all of our candidate conversations at thecarolinacabinet.com.

  4. Sep 25

    Greg West’s Journey Improving Schools and Running for Cumberland County Commissioner

    Welcome back to another edition of Carolina Cabinet, Cumberland County's smartest hour of talk radio! In this episode, host Peter Pappas sits down in the studio with Greg West, a longtime public servant and current candidate for Cumberland County Commission at Large. With 24 years of experience on the school board, Greg West shares insights from his decades in education, discusses the challenges and victories throughout his tenure—including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic—and explains how his background as a builder and broker shapes his vision for county government. Together, they dive into everything from the nuances of at-large elections and the crucial relationship between quality schools and community growth, to pressing issues like economic development, infrastructure, and navigating partisan politics at the local level. Whether you care about schools, economic opportunity, or the future of Cumberland County, this conversation is full of candid perspectives and thoughtful discussion about what it means to serve—and the challenges and opportunities facing the community today.

  5. Sep 23

    Bryan Moore on Athletics, Academics, and Accountability in Public Education

    Welcome back to the Carolina Cabinet, Cumberland County’s smartest hour of talk radio. In this episode, Peter Pappas sits down with school board candidate Bryan Moore for an in-depth discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing local education. From the urgent need for greater transparency and communication in school board operations to a push for trade programs and hands-on career pathways for students, Bryan Moore brings fresh ideas shaped by his experience as both a parent with children currently in school and a longtime athletic booster. The conversation tackles issues like underfunded athletics, the importance of community engagement, discipline in classrooms, bus driver shortages, and how strong schools are key to local economic growth. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or concerned citizen, this episode is packed with candid insights into the future of education in Cumberland County. Tune in as Peter Pappas and Bryan Moore explore what it takes to build better schools—and a stronger community.

  6. Sep 22

    Folk Fest Friday, Arena Fallout, and North Carolina Veterans in Focus on Carolina Cabinet

    Welcome to the Carolina Cabinet, Cumberland County's smartest hour of talk radio. Host Peter Pappas and co-host Laura Mussler are joined by Miles McKeller-Smith, Director of Public Relations for the Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County, and Tanner Port of the VFW Department of North Carolina.   Miles previews the 48th annual International Folk Festival — opening on a Friday for the first time, with El Centro Hispano performances on Hay Street Friday night, the Parade of Nations Saturday at 10 a.m., and a free afternoon in Festival Park.   Then the news: Cumberland County closes the Crown Arena and Crown Theatre after shelving the downtown event center, and Peter asks why the citizens' board that runs them wasn't consulted. A state appeals court rules on who controls North Carolina's elections board, Fayetteville credits its youth curfew for a drop in violent crime, Regional Acceptance cuts 253 jobs in Pitt County, and a new poll shows where the state Supreme Court race stands.   In the closing block, Tanner Port explains the bipartisan push to give the state 20 acres of Fort Bragg for a new home for 85 displaced veterans — now waiting on the U.S. Senate — and why a federal judge's ruling against Veterans Guardian matters to every veteran filing a VA claim. His advice: start with your county Veteran Service Officer or VA.gov. It's free.   Stick around for our interview with State Rep. Diane Wheatley, released as its own episode.

  7. Sep 21

    Glenn Adams: Why Cumberland Needs Open Dialogue, Not Closed Sessions

    Welcome back to Carolina Cabinet, Cumberland County's smartest hour of talk radio. In this episode, host Peter Pappas and co-host Laura Mussler sit down with returning guest Commissioner Glenn Adams for an unflinching look at local leadership, big projects, and the future of the Cape Fear region. They dig into the challenges and controversies surrounding public projects like the Crown Event Center, school board responsibilities, economic development, and the promise (or pitfalls) of new infrastructure. With candid discussion on term limits, transparency in government, and running unopposed, Adams shares his drive for public service and what keeps him motivated to keep showing up—no matter the opposition. Whether you agree or disagree, this conversation is all about real talk and keeping the doors open for dialogue in Cumberland County.

  8. Sep 21

    PFAS Progress, Judicial Races, and School Board Candidate Transparency with the Cabinet

    Welcome to another lively edition of the Carolina Cabinet, recorded live and delivering Cumberland County's smartest hour of talk radio. Host Peter Pappas and co-host Laura Mussler are joined by Commissioner Glenn Adams for a wide-ranging discussion on the issues shaping Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, and beyond. The conversation kicks off with a Greek Festival recap before diving into Cumberland County's $161.5 million PFAS settlement with Chemours and what it means for local residents. The panel tackles tough questions about delivering clean water, the challenges of infrastructure funding, and whether North Carolina's Golden Leaf tobacco-settlement model could make the money last. The episode also examines a high-profile criminal case, the politics of a 16-candidate school board race, the new policy letting students leave school for religious instruction, economic development in Fayetteville, and the ongoing saga of downtown parking. Rapid-fire updates include 911 consolidation, this fall's judicial races, and efforts to secure a new state veterans home. It's a packed show of candid commentary, news analysis, and behind-the-scenes insight—giving a voice to conservative perspectives in Cumberland County and bringing the latest headlines to your doorstep.

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About

The Carolina Cabinet is a conservative talk radio podcast hosted by Peter Pappas. The show discusses the latest political news and issues from a Republican perspective. We interview guests from all walks of life, including politicians, activists, and experts. The Carolina Cabinet is a must-listen for anyone who wants to stay informed about the latest conservative news and commentary. This podcast is targeted towards Republicans, conservatives, and anyone who is interested in conservative political news and commentary.

Information

  • Creator
    Hosted by Peter Pappas
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    234
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hosted by Peter Pappas
  • Show Website
    The Carolina Cabinet