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.

Listen on:

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Episodes

Monday Jan 05, 2026


The Ten Commandments monument has returned to Kentucky’s State Capitol grounds, marking a significant moment in the ongoing national debate over religious liberty and public expression. First Liberty Institute attorney Roger Byron discusses the legal journey behind the monument’s restoration, explaining how the move aligns with constitutional principles and long-standing historical precedent. Byron highlights why the monument’s presence reflects the role of the Ten Commandments in the development of American law and emphasizes what this decision could mean for similar displays across the country.

Monday Jan 05, 2026

A new Conservation Country video takes a close look at the controversial push to nominate the Okefenokee Swamp for UNESCO World Heritage status, featuring insight from CFACT President and Founder Craig Rucker. In the video, Rucker explains why international designation could threaten local control, economic activity, and responsible land use around one of America’s most unique natural treasures. He argues that federal and international oversight tied to UNESCO status may bring unintended consequences for nearby communities while doing little to improve conservation outcomes already in place. The report urges policymakers and the public to carefully weigh the long-term impacts of the nomination before surrendering authority over the iconic Georgia swamp.

Friday Dec 19, 2025

Legal challenges to President Trump’s executive orders terminating certain political appointees and banning transgender individuals from military service have been rejected, allowing the policies to remain in force. Mike O’Neill, Vice President of Legal Affairs at Landmark Legal Foundation, explains why the courts upheld the administration’s authority, pointing to the president’s broad constitutional powers over the executive branch and the military. O’Neill discusses the legal reasoning behind the rulings, the limits of judicial intervention in personnel and national security decisions, and what these outcomes signal for future executive actions facing constitutional challenges.

Friday Dec 19, 2025

Ring in the New Year for a meaningful cause at the New Year’s Eve Benefit for St. Jude, chaired by Pam Danennmueller. This special event brings the community together to celebrate while supporting the life-saving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food. Under Pam Danennmueller’s leadership, the benefit promises an evening of fellowship, generosity, and hope, turning a night of celebration into an opportunity to make a real difference for children and families facing the fight of their lives.

Friday Dec 19, 2025

China’s growing threat to the world economy is coming into sharper focus, and few voices are better positioned to explain it than Bill Walton, former Chairman and CEO of a $10 billion NYSE-traded investment company, successful investor, and nationally known radio host. Walton warns that China’s state-controlled economic model, massive industrial subsidies, intellectual property theft, and weaponization of trade have distorted global markets and undermined fair competition. From supply chain manipulation to mounting debt and real-estate instability, he argues Beijing’s policies pose systemic risks that extend far beyond its borders, threatening growth, stability, and national security worldwide. Walton emphasizes that understanding these dangers is critical for investors, policymakers, and business leaders seeking to protect the global economy from the consequences of China’s increasingly aggressive economic strategy.

Friday Dec 19, 2025

Let’s Restore Reality to the Boardroom focuses on the growing disconnect between corporate leadership and the principles of shareholder value, fiduciary duty, and free enterprise. Executive Director of the Free Enterprise Project at the National Center for Public Policy Research, Stefan Padfield, explains how ideological activism and political agendas have increasingly overtaken sound business judgment in corporate boardrooms. He discusses why returning to reality—profitability, accountability, and respect for shareholders—is essential for economic stability and long-term growth, and outlines practical steps investors and leaders can take to push back against politicized corporate governance and refocus companies on their core mission.

Thursday Dec 18, 2025

Total Load Theory explains how a child’s challenges are often the result of multiple stressors—biological, neurological, environmental, emotional, and educational—adding up and overwhelming their ability to function. Patricia S. Lemer, a leading authority on applying a holistic model of care to autism, ADHD, learning differences, and mental health conditions, emphasizes that behaviors and learning struggles are not isolated problems but signals of an overloaded system. By identifying and reducing the total “load” through targeted supports such as appropriate therapies, nutrition, sensory integration, and individualized educational strategies, families and professionals can help children regain balance, improve regulation, and reach their full potential.

Thursday Dec 18, 2025

Investigative Reporter Kendall Tietz of Defending Education warns that Minnesota’s public schools are moving backward, pointing to growing segregation, the use of race-based quotas, and the expansion of gender ideology in classrooms. Tietz says policies promoted as “equity” are often resulting in students being divided by race, academic standards being lowered, and parental concerns being dismissed. She argues that instead of focusing on core academics and equal opportunity for all students, school districts are prioritizing ideological agendas that undermine merit, transparency, and trust, leaving families frustrated and students less prepared for the future.

Thursday Dec 18, 2025

The Riverside Regional Library in Jackson is spreading holiday cheer by hosting a Christmas Movie event for the community. Programming Librarian Emily Sechrest says the festive screening is a great way for families and friends to come together and enjoy a classic holiday film in a warm, welcoming setting. The event highlights the library’s commitment to offering fun, free programs that bring people of all ages into the library while celebrating the spirit of the season.

Wednesday Dec 17, 2025

As the New Year approaches, psychiatrist Dr. Carole Lieberman encourages people to set realistic resolutions that focus on progress rather than perfection. She says many resolutions fail because they are overly ambitious or rooted in guilt, which can quickly lead to frustration and burnout. Instead, Dr. Lieberman advises choosing small, achievable goals—such as making modest lifestyle changes or improving daily routines—that build confidence and momentum over time. By setting clear expectations and practicing self-compassion, she says individuals are far more likely to stick with their resolutions and turn them into lasting habits in the year ahead.

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