Real Talk with Riggin

Real Talk with Riggin is where honest conversations meet unfiltered perspectives. Hosted by longtime broadcaster and straight-shooter Faune Riggin, the podcast dives deep into the issues that matter most—politics, community, culture, and the stories shaping everyday life in Southeast Missouri and beyond. Each episode brings in guests ranging from policy analysts to everyday people with extraordinary stories, offering insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

With her trademark candor and curiosity, Riggin asks the tough questions, challenges assumptions, and gives her audience the context they need to think critically. Whether it’s national policy, local events, or personal experiences, nothing is off the table.

If you’re ready for a podcast that cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of the matter, this is Real Talk with Riggin.

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Episodes

Friday Oct 03, 2025

President of the Genesis 123 Foundation, Jonathan Feldstein, is urging people to reflect on and commemorate October 7 this year with meaningful acts of remembrance and solidarity. He emphasizes the importance of honoring the lives lost and supporting those still impacted by the tragic events, while also standing strong against hate and terror. Feldstein encourages individuals and communities to gather in prayer, share stories of resilience, and engage in charitable acts that uplift survivors and their families. By doing so, he says, we not only preserve the memory of October 7 but also reaffirm a commitment to unity, healing, and hope for the future.

Friday Oct 03, 2025

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has joined First Liberty Institute in challenging a controversial city ordinance that banned a prayer vigil organized by Charlie Kirk on the downtown green. The ordinance, which critics argue unfairly restricts religious gatherings in public spaces, has sparked national attention and debate over free speech and religious liberty. Garrett Bell, Associate Counsel at First Liberty, emphasized that the case is about protecting the constitutional right of citizens to gather and pray peacefully in public, warning that if left unchallenged, such restrictions could set a dangerous precedent for religious expression across the country.

Thursday Oct 02, 2025

A new report highlights how trial lawyers overwhelmingly lean liberal, raising concerns about the influence of their political donations and advocacy on the legal system and public policy. Executive Director of the Alliance for Consumers O. H. Skinner explains that this imbalance has far-reaching consequences, shaping litigation trends, fueling regulatory overreach, and impacting everyday consumers. According to Skinner, the findings underscore the need for greater awareness of how trial lawyers’ political activity drives an agenda that often prioritizes ideology over fairness and consumer interests.

Thursday Oct 02, 2025

Government schools are failing America’s children, national research shows, and Sheri Few, President at USPIE, says the data underscores just how broken the system has become. Few argues that declining academic performance, political indoctrination in classrooms, and the erosion of parental rights are leaving students unprepared for the future. She stresses that real reform is needed to restore education to its true purpose—teaching children the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive—rather than advancing agendas that distract from learning.

Thursday Oct 02, 2025

Teachers who openly express delight in murder have no place in the classroom, according to Alfonso Aguilar, Senior Director of Federal Affairs for Defending Education. Aguilar stresses that educators are entrusted with shaping the minds and values of young people, and anyone who glorifies violence undermines both the safety of students and the integrity of the teaching profession. He argues that such behavior is a clear sign of being unfit for the job, as it betrays the fundamental responsibility of teachers to model respect, compassion, and civic responsibility.

Wednesday Oct 01, 2025

Freedom Revealed: A Simple Elegant System When DEI Meets Political Reckoning — After the shocking death of Kirk, author Donald Wilkie explores a framework for understanding how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) collide with the deeper currents of political accountability. In Freedom Revealed, Wilkie argues that a truly free society requires not just the rhetoric of inclusion, but transparent standards of power and consequence—where marginalized voices are not just heard, but are integral to shaping who holds authority, and where leaders are accountable not only through laws, but through moral reckoning. When DEI efforts are untethered from these systems of responsibility, they risk becoming symbolic rather than transformative. Kirk’s fate, Wilkie suggests, forces us to confront what freedom really demands—not just diversity of appearance or voice, but a justice that is woven into the very architecture of our political institutions.

Wednesday Oct 01, 2025

Corporate media outlets are increasingly under fire for their portrayal of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with critics saying the coverage demonizes the agency while simultaneously emboldening groups like Antifa. MRC Senior Research Analyst Bill D’Agostino argues that this slanted narrative not only undermines ICE’s mission but also encourages hostility toward law enforcement, fueling division and unrest.

Wednesday Oct 01, 2025

Cape Parks and Recreation invites the community to experience the thrills and chills of the Haunted Hall of Horror, guided by Recreation Division Manager Penny Williams. This annual event promises spine-tingling scares, eerie effects, and plenty of Halloween fun for those brave enough to enter. Designed to entertain thrill-seekers of all ages, the Haunted Hall of Horror has become a seasonal favorite, offering a spooky celebration that brings the community together for frightful festivities.

Wednesday Oct 01, 2025

Mercy Southeast is inviting the community to a free health event featuring Cancer Center Director Simone Lampkin. The event will offer valuable information on cancer prevention, early detection, and the latest treatment options, along with resources to support patients and families. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, connect with local healthcare professionals, and learn practical steps for improving overall wellness. Mercy Southeast encourages everyone to attend and take advantage of this chance to gain knowledge that could make a life-saving difference.

Tuesday Sep 30, 2025

The Resilience Advantage: A Small Business Guide to Preparing for Floods, Heatwaves, Wildfire, and Other Climate Disasters with Co-Author Robert McNee, PhD, offers practical strategies and expert insights to help entrepreneurs safeguard their operations against the growing risks of extreme weather. McNee highlights the importance of proactive planning, resilience-building investments, and community collaboration to ensure businesses not only survive natural disasters but also recover and thrive in their aftermath.

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