The Roundtable Talk Podcast

Sponsors:

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

Streaming live from Christian 105.7 (WCLN), Ruben Castellon and Chris Holland sit down with Rockfish Chamber of Commerce president Erlene Harper for a practical look at how a small chamber drives big impact.

We cover: what a chamber really does (advocacy, education, networking), opportunities for micro-businesses and pop-ups, veterans advocacy, and the path toward group insurance. Erlene walks us through Backpack Buddies—a trusted-food-source program delivering 120 weekend meal bags each week to local students—plus how community forums and committees (government affairs, environmental) keep residents informed and involved. We also discuss the recent book-sale/fall-festival dispute, why clarity matters, and how to join or support the mission. 

Highlights:

• Chamber benefits for 1–50-employee businesses
• How “trusted food source” standards protect families
• Practical on-ramps: events, training, internships, advocacy
• Ways to connect: Facebook Messenger or email (as mentioned in-episode)

If this conversation helps, share it with a neighbor, small-business owner, or school leader who cares about Rockfish and Hoke County.

Sponsors:

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

Ruben and Chris unpack Hoke County’s $115,000 refund tied to gaming-machine licenses after a legal clampdown and zoning rollback. They press for transparency, suggest FOIA as a tool, and even call out how poor livestream audio erodes public trust. Plus: clear, parent-friendly NC DMV updates, and a quick look at fall parades, festivals, and the Hoke Native American Scholarship Foundation banquet—ending with a teaser for America250 plans next episode.

Sponsors:

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

Watch past episodes on YouTube, catch the live stream from the WCLN studios, and follow along for next week’s America250 conversation.

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.

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.

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.

Welcome to the Roundtable Talk Podcast episode 136
Sponsored by: 

• Raeford Guns
• Hoke County Edition of North State Journal
• Christian 105.7 WCLN FM.

And supported by our friends at:

• Rockfish Chamber
• What's Happening Hoke
• Raeford-Hoke Chamber of Commerce
• Americans for Prosperity,

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.