The Roundtable Talk Podcast

Hoke County voters are turning out in numbers that could reshape the conversation heading into Election Day. But what does the surge actually mean?

In Episode 168 of Roundtable Talk, Ruben Castellon and Chris Holland examine early-voting figures showing a dramatic increase over the 2022 midterm elections. Republican, Democratic, and unaffiliated turnout have all risen, with unaffiliated voters showing the largest percentage increase.

Are these voters signaling dissatisfaction with incumbents? Are political allegiances changing? Or is something else driving the unusually high participation?

We explore those questions before turning to broader concerns about constitutional freedoms, civic education, political ideology, and America's preparedness for possible disruptions.

We also discuss emergency supplies, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and the importance of understanding the rights Americans sometimes take for granted.

As November 3 approaches, the conversation returns to a fundamental question:
Are Americans paying enough attention to the decisions that will shape their future?

Sponsors:

• North State Journal (Hoke County edition)
• The LIBRE Initiative
• Christian 105.7 FM.

Ralph Carter for NC House discuses his platform for running for NC House District 48 (Hoke & Scotland counties). Also, information of candidates running for school board.

Sponsored by:
North State Journal, The LIBRE Initiative - North Carolina, Christian 105.7 WCLN FM.


Tagging: What's Happening Hoke, What's Happening Hoke Discussion Group, The Voices of HOKE COUNTY, Hoke County GOP, Rockfish Chamber.

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Sponsors:

• North State Journal (Hoke County edition)
• The LIBRE Initiative
• Christian 105.7 FM.

What happens when economic relief today creates another bill tomorrow?

In Episode 166 of the Roundtable Talk Podcast, Ruben Castellon and Chris Holland dig into the economic and political issues dominating the conversation heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

The discussion begins with a proposed $5,000 payment to Americans and quickly moves into a larger question: where does government money actually come from, and what happens when additional spending collides with inflation and an already-expensive cost of living?

Ruben and Chris discuss grocery and gasoline prices, oil production and refinery capacity, tariffs and international trade, taxes on tipped income, government spending and competing claims about the economic records of the Trump and Biden administrations.

The conversation expands into socialism, higher education, artificial intelligence, foreign aid, cultural influence overseas and growing distrust of traditional media. They also make the case for thinking beyond immediate economic pain and considering how today's policies could affect future generations.

Plus, the guys turn their attention home to Hoke County with election information, early-voting reminders and several upcoming community events around Raeford.It's a wide-ranging Roundtable conversation about money, government, culture and the choices facing voters this fall.

Sponsors:

• North State Journal (Hoke County edition)
• The LIBRE Initiative
• Christian 105.7 FM.

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 Schools
• Questions surrounding implementation, transportation and instructional time
• Recent controversy involving county government and zoning
• Commissioner travel policies and taxpayer accountability
• The difference between legitimate government training and unnecessary spending
• The importance of documentation, receipts and transparency
• Why parents should remain involved with Hoke County Schools
• Why 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:

• North State Journal (Hoke County edition)
• The LIBRE Initiative
• Christian 105.7 FM.

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 registration
• Why North Carolina gun owners still face legal hurdles
• Executive agencies versus congressional authority
• Constitutional limits on federal rulemaking
• Local school funding and Hoke County budget priorities
• Government accountability at every level
• Why informed voting matters more than party loyalty

Whether 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:

• North State Journal (Hoke County edition)
• The LIBRE Initiative
• Christian 105.7 FM.

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:

• North State Journal (Hoke County edition)
• The LIBRE Initiative
• Christian 105.7 FM.

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:

• North State Journal (Hoke County edition)
• The LIBRE Initiative
• Christian 105.7 FM.

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:

• North State Journal (Hoke County edition)
• The LIBRE Initiative
• Christian 105.7 FM.

Sponsors:

• North State Journal (Hoke County edition)
• The LIBRE Initiative
• Christian 105.7 FM.

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:

• North State Journal (Hoke County edition)
• The LIBRE Initiative
• Christian 105.7 FM.