The Roundtable Talk Podcast

Roundtable Talk Podcast
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

Roundtable Talk is a conservative, community-minded conversation from Hoke County, North Carolina. Hoke County is a fast-growing community just outside Ft. Bragg, and part of what constitutes the fifth-largest city by population in North Carolina. Connect and learn more at www.RoundtableTalkPodcast.com

  1. 5d ago

    Roundtable Talk | 165 | Hoke County: Do the Numbers Add Up?

    Hoke County taxpayers paid more than $21,000 connected to a commissioners' trip to a national conference in New Orleans. Do the expenses match the county's own policies? That's the question Ruben Castellon and Chris Holland tackle in Episode 165 of the Roundtable Talk Podcast. The hosts work through reported lodging, airfare, meal per diems and meeting reimbursements and compare those numbers with the travel regulations discussed during the program. They identify several differences they believe deserve further explanation—including why lodging costs varied, why commissioners reportedly received identical meal and meeting amounts, and how conference-provided meals may factor into reimbursement. The timing adds another dimension to the discussion. Hoke County commissioners recently reduced funding for the school district by approximately $3 million, prompting Ruben and Chris to ask whether sending multiple commissioners to a national conference was necessary. The episode also explores: North Carolina's new released-time religious instruction requirement and what it could mean for Hoke County SchoolsQuestions surrounding implementation, transportation and instructional timeRecent controversy involving county government and zoningCommissioner travel policies and taxpayer accountabilityThe difference between legitimate government training and unnecessary spendingThe importance of documentation, receipts and transparencyWhy parents should remain involved with Hoke County SchoolsWhy local elections and individual votes matter Ruben and Chris aren't presenting the travel questions as settled findings of misconduct. They're asking something more fundamental: When public money is spent, should taxpayers be able to clearly see where it went, why it was spent, and whether the rules were followed? Sponsors: Raeford GunsNorth State Journal (Hoke County edition)The LIBRE InitiativeChristian 105.7 FM.

  2. Aug 18

    Roundtable Talk | 164 | A Major Second Amendment Update

    How much power should government agencies have? That's one of the central questions in this episode of Roundtable Talk. Ruben Castellon and Chris Holland begin by examining a recent federal court decision that challenges suppressor registration requirements under the National Firearms Act and discuss what the ruling means for gun owners, constitutional rights, and the future of Second Amendment protections. The conversation also explores: The latest federal court ruling on suppressor registrationWhy North Carolina gun owners still face legal hurdlesExecutive agencies versus congressional authorityConstitutional limits on federal rulemakingLocal school funding and Hoke County budget prioritiesGovernment accountability at every levelWhy informed voting matters more than party loyaltyWhether discussing federal courts or county commissioners, the message remains the same: informed citizens build stronger communities. If you care about constitutional government, responsible leadership, and understanding the issues behind today's headlines, this episode offers thoughtful discussion from both the national and local perspective. Sponsors: Raeford GunsNorth State Journal (Hoke County edition)The LIBRE InitiativeChristian 105.7 FM.

  3. Jul 28

    Roundtable Talk | 163 | Campaigns and Common Sense

    Election season has arrived. Chris Holland and Ruben Castellon preview the 2026 Hoke County ballot, discuss campaign strategy, explain why local elections matter, examine campaign finance controversies, and review major Second Amendment court developments affecting North Carolina voters. Sponsors: Raeford GunsNorth State Journal (Hoke County edition)The LIBRE InitiativeChristian 105.7 FM.

  4. Jul 14

    Roundtable Talk | 162 | July 9, 2026

    In this episode of Roundtable Talk, Ruben Castellon and Chris Holland break down the largest county budget in Hoke County history and examine the portion designated for public education. They discuss the relationship between the Hoke County Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education, including who controls local school funding and how lottery money may be used for capital projects. The conversation also covers proposed and approved pay increases for teachers, assistant principals, state employees and law-enforcement personnel, along with changes included in the North Carolina state budget. Ruben and Chris question whether county budget documents provide enough detail for ordinary citizens to understand where local, state and federal funds originate and how they are allocated. They also point to conflicting language concerning the county property-tax rate and discuss the importance of elected officials verifying documents before signing them. The conversation concludes with a look at the Hoke County Board of Education election, the candidates who have filed, party affiliation, North Carolina’s primary system and why local elections deserve close public attention.Roundtable Talk brings the discussion home to Raeford and Hoke County, connecting statewide decisions with their local impact. Sponsors: Raeford GunsNorth State Journal (Hoke County edition)The LIBRE InitiativeChristian 105.7 FM.

  5. Jun 30

    Roundtable Talk | 161 | Vetoes Overridden, Truth Defended – DEI, Taxes & Title IX in North Carolina

    Roundtable Talk Podcast | 161 | June 25, 2026 Ruben Castellon and Chris Holland break down four major Raleigh veto overrides, a property tax relief bill, the defense of women's spaces, and a Guilford County COVID-shot lawsuit headed back to court — all from right here in Raeford. Sponsors: Raeford GunsNorth State Journal (Hoke County edition)The LIBRE InitiativeChristian 105.7 FM.

  6. Jun 16

    Roundtable Talk | 160 | June 11, 2026

    Sponsors: Raeford GunsNorth State Journal (Hoke County edition)The LIBRE InitiativeChristian 105.7 FM.

  7. May 26

    Roundtable Talk | 157 | Students, Scholarships & Smart Policy – A Look at What's Working in Hoke County

    In Episode 158 of the Roundtable Talk Podcast, hosts Ruben Castellon and Chris Holland open with good news from Hoke County Schools — celebrating outstanding athletes, dedicated coaches, a Rockfish Middle School Teacher of the Month, and seniors racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships, including one student awarded over $500,000. As Chair of the Hoke County Board of Education, Ruben puts out a call for parents and especially teachers to weigh in on 22 new discipline and behavior policies currently posted for public comment. The hosts also break down the new driver's education commitment policy, then turn to Raleigh, where two constitutional amendments — capping the state income tax rate at 3.5% and authorizing statewide property tax guardrails — are headed to the November 2026 ballot. Plus: data center regulations, Memorial Day plans, and America 250 celebrations in Raeford. Sponsors: Raeford GunsNorth State Journal (Hoke County edition)The LIBRE InitiativeChristian 105.7 FM.

  8. May 12

    Roundtable Talk Podcast | 156 | Teachers, Taxes & the Truth Behind the May Day Rally

    “Leadership failed at the school level when the mission to educate children stopped for activism.” — Ruben Castellon In Episode 156, hosts Ruben Castellon and Chris Holland sit down at the roundtable to break  down the recent May Day rally that closed school districts across North Carolina. Was it a legitimate teacher protest or a political rally in disguise? Sponsors: Raeford GunsNorth State Journal (Hoke County edition)The LIBRE InitiativeChristian 105.7 FM.

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Roundtable Talk is a conservative, community-minded conversation from Hoke County, North Carolina. Hoke County is a fast-growing community just outside Ft. Bragg, and part of what constitutes the fifth-largest city by population in North Carolina. Connect and learn more at www.RoundtableTalkPodcast.com

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