Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff
300 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 559 ratingsIndependent Americans is a weekly news show hosted by Paul Rieckhoff. He’s a fighter, a patriot, and an independent political and media force to be reckoned with. After serving as a soldier in Iraq in 2004, Rieckhoff emerged as one of the most dynamic political and social leaders in America. In every episode, he breaks down the most important issues facing our country. And he interviews the most influential and compelling people. He’s taking on Republicans, Democrats—and everyone in between. If you’re in the angry middle, Independent Americans reminds you that you’re not alone. We’re all in this together. Join the Independent Americans movement and subscribe now. Produced by Righteous Media.
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Episodes
175. Summer Situation Report Special. The January 6 Hearings. Ukraine Plays Mother-May-I. Democrats Popularity Tanks as Inflation Soars. 23 Senators Vote No on Veterans. More Closed Primaries. Squid Game America, March For Our Lives and John Cena.
June 16, 2022 21:28 - 38 minutesThe battle on January 6th, 2021 was one that the good guys and gals won. Thankfully. Heroes like Officer Caroline Edwards sacrificed their bodies, their futures, and their lives, to win that battle. They successfully defended The US Capitol that day. They defended our country. And after the first few hearings held by the bi-partisan January 6th Committee, we can all see the truth now. It was a brutal, extended, coordinated, unprecedented battle. And it was a battle that the good guys and gals...
174. Admiral James Stavridis. Gun Violence As a National Security Issue. How Long Will Ukraine’s War Last? Our Enemies Celebrate The Jan 6 Hearings. McConaughey’s Bullseye. Is America’s Next War In The Arctic? Are Vets the Future of Independent Politics?
June 09, 2022 07:01 - 1 hour“There is no constitutional barrier to gun responsibility. Keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous people is not only the responsible thing to do, it is the best way to protect the Second Amendment. We can do both.” That’s from legendary actor Matthew McConaughey. Born in Uvalde, Texas. Speaking for America. And finally, a powerful, reasonable, likable voice for responsible gun owners. This time is different. And he is different. Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckho...
173. Fred Guttenberg. Losing a Child in a School Shooting. Is Uvalde Different? “Good Guy with a Gun” Myth Implodes. Should We See Photos of The Dead? Raising Gun Buying Age. What Biden Can Do. The Pain of The Survivors. Will Fred Run For Office?
June 02, 2022 12:31 - 1 hourAfter the recent mass shooting at an elementary school in Texas, and seeing Fred Guttenberg share his heartbreak and outrage on TV over and over again, our host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) asked an important question: “How many more times are we going to do this to Fred?” And sure enough, it happened again. And again. And again–with multiple shootings occurring the same day as this recording–including one at a healthcare facility in Tulsa with multiple fatalities. This is America’s new fo...
172. Bonnie Carroll. How Do We Make Sense Of All This? 19 Kids Massacred In Texas. Our Nightmare Normal. Ukrainian Children And Families Of The Fallen. Finding Hope In Tragedy. Memorial Day 2022 In A Broken America.
May 26, 2022 07:01 - 55 minutes"They f***ing failed our kids again." How many more times? How many more times? That’s our friend and a conscience for America, Fred Guttenberg. His 14-year-old daughter Jaime was murdered in the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on February 14, 2018. Fred is again a conscience for America, a hero, a helper. But he shouldn’t have to keep doing this. It’s just not fair. To our children, to our fellow citizens, to him. He joined us back in Ep99 for one of our most powerful pods ever. Fr...
171. John Opdycke. Opening Primaries For Independents. Who Are Independents? Millions Blocked From Voting. Taxpayers Are Funding Closed Primaries. New Maine Law Opens Primaries. Is Nebraska The Future? Massacre in Buffalo. Ukraine Wins Eurovision.
May 19, 2022 07:01 - 1 hourHuge primaries happened this week in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Oregon and Kentucky. And millions of independent voters (the fastest growing segment of the electorate) were shut out completely. Just like they’re shut out of primaries in dozens of states across America. And will be shut out of the Presidential primaries in 2024. Democrats and Republicans are squabbling and battling and our children and neighbors continue to be slaughtered in mass shootings. This is America in 2022. Putin i...
170. Nolan Peterson. Former US Special Forces Pilot Turned War Reporter. Final Stand at Azovstal. Inside the Ukrainian Air War. Are Foreign Fighters Making a Difference? Bono Stands By Ukraine. Remembering Oleksandr Makhov. The American Dream 2.0.
May 12, 2022 07:01 - 1 hourWitnesses are calling the Avostal plant in Mariupol a living hell. There are reports that the massive complex has been bombarded 34 times in just the past 24 hours. The Russians continue to attempt to storm the plant. But the Ukrainians aren’t backing down. 100 civilians, more than a thousand soldiers, and 500 wounded remain at the Azovstal plant. The city and plant were supposed to fall weeks ago. But like with so many other moments in this war, Ukraine has defied the predictions. The Azovs...
169. Iryna Solomko-Bonenberger and Adrian Bonenberger. A Ukrainian-American Love Story. Evacuating Your Parents From Ukraine. American Initiative vs American Bureaucracy. The War on Women Rages On. The Roe v Wade Decision Rips Through Mother’s Day.
May 05, 2022 07:06 - 1 hourRight now in America, there’s a war being fought. A war on women. And right now, we’re losing. And losing sucks. So maybe the Democrats could learn a thing or two from the Ukrainians. The Ukrainians that are fighting — and winning — against overwhelming odds. And maybe we could all learn something from them. Something important. Something we all need to be reminded of. The value of freedom. The value of democracy. And of the horrible price of tyranny when that freedom is taken away. As we pas...
168. Evan McMullin. Independent Candidate for Senate. The Democrats Just Endorsed Him. Can Utah Save America? Taking on Mike Lee, Trump & Putin. The Intelligence Fight in Ukraine. Gut Check Time for Mitt Romney. Trevor Reed, Mike Zacchea and The General.
April 28, 2022 07:47 - 1 hourGarry Kasparov said, “easy is over.” And it’s more true by the day. The war in Ukraine is grinding on, inflation is dragging down wallets, Jan 6 revelations continue to pour out, Biden is failing to find traction, and Trump is rising again. Easy IS over. And the fight will be long. The fight in Ukraine–and the fight in the US. The war for the soul of America continues. And in 2022, the most pivotal battle for that soul is also the most important battle for Independent Americans in a generatio...
167. UKRAINE WAR REPORT: Steve Schmidt. The Politics of Ukraine. The Political War Behind the War In Ukraine and the War Over Masks. Why Leave the GOP to Become a Democrat? Malcolm Nance Joins the Fight. Celebrating 420.
April 21, 2022 07:04 - 46 minutesWhat’s the political landscape like now? How will Ukraine impact the midterm elections? And the 2024 presidential? Will there be a viable independent candidate to provide an alternative to Biden and Trump? Or to capture enough votes to swing it one way or another? On this week of 420, the day where the world celebrates cannabis. Joints aren’t the only thing being burned down. Our norms, our unity, elements of our founding values are being torched. In 2020, it’s all on fire. For two months o...
166. UKRAINE WAR REPORT. Behind the Scenes With Frontline Leaders on Ukraine. Matt Gallagher. Quan Nguyen. Joe Cirincione. Chris Fussell. Seth Harp. Bonus Content.
April 14, 2022 07:01 - 38 minutesWe’ve been focused on the War in Ukraine since before it started. But you’ve never heard our bonus content, that has until now been Patreon exclusive. It’s a little lighter than our regular stuff—and will help you get an idea of how the people on the front lines and in the center of the pressure cooker are keeping themselves sane and focused. From the food they miss back home, to the drinks they’re looking forward to, to memories of times that seem like a million years ago, these clips will t...
165. UKRAINE WAR REPORT: Seth Harp. Investigative Reporting in Ukraine. Inside the Radical, Far-Right Azov Battalion. The Ukrainian Foreign Legion Doesn’t Exist. Is Bucha Just the Beginning? Why Did 97 Soldiers Die at Fort Bragg in Two Years?
April 07, 2022 07:01 - 1 hourUkraine remains under attack. Civilians are still dying. Bucha, a suburb of Kiev, is the first of what could be many that reveal the scope and scale of war crimes. And it could get worse. Russian chessmaster Garry Kasparov said it–and I’ve been repeating since the war began. EASY IS OVER. The tide may have turned. But the flood is just starting. The flood of pain and loss. And flood of sadness and need. The flood of weapons. The flood of blood. Wartime is here. Not just for Ukraine. But for e...
164. UKRAINE WAR REPORT: Chris Fussell. Former Navy SEAL DEVGRU Commander Analyzes The Battlefield. All Hail Saint Javelin. What Do the Dead Russian Generals Mean? Ukraine’s Military Leadership Advantage. Putin’s Judo Background. Sean Penn vs Will Smith.
March 31, 2022 07:01 - 1 hourMillions of civilians are caught in an unimaginable hell that continues to unfold in Ukraine. But what’s really happening on the battlefield? What weapons are making a difference? How are the Ukrainian and Russian militaries critically different? What critical missions in/around Ukraine might American Special Forces get tasked with? We’ve all seen lots of retired generals on cable news. And we’ve all seen quick videos on social media of tanks getting blown up. In this episode, we’re going de...
163. UKRAINE WAR REPORT: Joe Cirincione. The Russian Nukes Episode. Understanding the Reality. From Nuke Strikes to Nuke Plants to Loose Nukes. Biden in Poland. US Allows 100k Ukrainians—Slights Millions of Afghans. RIP Madeleine Albright, Taylor Hawkins.
March 28, 2022 07:01 - 1 hourThe war in Ukraine has shifted into a new phase. Putin is quickly becoming more and more isolated. And more and more brutal. But Ukraine is on the offensive. And more and more by the day, the mighty Ukrainians are looking like they can win this thing. Almost single-handedly. On behalf of the world. But make no mistake. It can get worse. MUCH worse. Especially in Ukraine. Worse than the targeting of schools and churches. Worse than the shelling of civilians flying. Worse than shooting missi...
162. UKRAINE WAR REPORT EXCLUSIVE: Quan Nguyen. American Veteran in Kyiv. From Refugee in Vietnam, to Marine in Iraq, to Humanitarian in Ukraine. The Humble Hero Leading Task Force 824. What He’s Doing to Help. 4 Marines Killed in Norway Osprey Crash.
March 24, 2022 07:33 - 1 hour“We can’t help everybody…but just knowing that you were able to be part of somebody’s future and helping them escape. Who knows, that person could be the person that cures cancer.” - Quan Nguyen Quan Nguyen is a leader of action. And a true helper. And when the war in Ukraine started, the American combat veteran left his family in Utah, got on a flight, and linked up with a friend in Lviv to do what he could to help. He’s put down his rifle, risked his life, and is now helping children who ar...
161. UKRAINE WAR REPORT EXCLUSIVE: Matt Gallagher. The American Veteran and Author Went to Ukraine to Support the Fight. Why Did He Go? What Did He See? What Do Ukraine Forces Need Now? What’s His Message for Biden? What Does He Tell His Kids?
March 18, 2022 23:06 - 1 hourAn unknown number of American veterans have heard the call and boldly volunteered to join the fight in Ukraine. Matt Gallagher (@MattGallagher0) is one of them. Utilizing what he learned as a US Army Scout Platoon Leader in Iraq, Matt spent the last few weeks training Ukrainian civilians in how to fight and survive in Lviv. But Matt is not just any veteran. He is the internationally-recognized author of the novels Empire City and Youngblood, the class Iraq war memoir Kaboom, and a finalist fo...
160. UKRAINE WAR REPORT. Jason Dempsey, PhD. Remembering Brent Renaud. Putin is the Bully at the Bar. Zelensky Challenges Congress. A Defense of Biden’s Strategy. The Kids Are Not Alright. The Battle for Kiev. The War Story Behind The Cranberries’ Zombie.
March 17, 2022 07:01 - 1 hourAs the war in Ukraine rages on, and just days after American journalist Brent Renaud was killed, President Zelensky delivered a historic address to the United State Congress. He again called on America and President Biden to enforce a no-fly zone. And to send MiG fighter jets. And our government has said they still will not. That may change. But for now, today, after the standing ovation from Congress, Zelensky got a big fat American NO to his top requests. But he didn’t leave empty handed. H...
159. UKRAINE WAR REPORT. Rep Adam Kinzinger. America’s no-fly zone stiff-arm. Will Congress vote to declare war on Russia? US veterans join the fight. WTF is up with the MiGs to Poland? NOW will he leave the Republican Party? The new test of the AUMF.
March 10, 2022 15:44 - 1 hourThere are only hard choices left now. Not just for Ukraine. But for everyone who cares about freedom, liberty and humanity. President Zelensky and the people of #Ukraine are crying out for a no-fly zone. But the US government and NATO are giving them the stiff-arm. While Putin continues to slaughter civilians and commit war crimes. The time for talk is over. And our guest in this episode is a man of action. A combat-tested pilot. A political dog fighter. And a political Maverick. He’s back. ...
159. UKRAINE WAR REPORT. Rep Adam Kinzinger. America’s no-fly zone stiff-arm. Will Congress vote to declare war on Russia? US veterans join the fight. WTF is up with the MiGs to Poland? NOW will he leave the Republican Party? How Putin is like LeBron.
March 10, 2022 15:44 - 1 hourThere are only hard choices left now. Not just for Ukraine. But for everyone who cares about freedom, liberty and humanity. President Zelensky and the people of #Ukraine are crying out for a no-fly zone. But the US government and NATO are giving them the stiff-arm. While Putin continues to slaughter civilians and commit war crimes. The time for talk is over. And our guest in this episode is a man of action. A combat-tested pilot. A political dog fighter. And a political Maverick. He’s back. ...
158. Malcolm Nance: UKRAINE WAR REPORT. Easy is Over. Behind the Frontline With the Ukrainian Army. NATO Rejects a No-Fly Zone. MWRs (Men With Rifles). American Vets Join Zelensky’s International Legion. Will Someone Kill Putin? Should Someone Kill Putin?
March 05, 2022 01:29 - 1 hourUkraine remains under siege. Putin’s forces continue to advance and kill countless civilians. And Russia is going dark. Today, Twitter, Facebook and other forms of social media were shut down by Putin all across Russia. We have the latest. And now is definitely a time to stay vigilant. Because Putin must be stopped. But how? Garry Kasparov explained it better than anyone should have to when he said, “If Putin is not stopped now, not prevented from destroying Ukraine and committing genocide ...
158. UKRAINE WAR REPORT. Malcolm Nance. Easy is Over. Behind the Frontline With the Ukrainian Army. NATO Rejects a No-Fly Zone. MWRs (Men With Rifles). American Vets Join Zelensky’s International Legion. Will Someone Kill Putin? Should Someone Kill Putin?
March 05, 2022 01:29 - 1 hourUkraine remains under siege. Putin’s forces continue to advance and kill countless civilians. And Russia is going dark. Today, Twitter, Facebook and other forms of social media were shut down by Putin all across Russia. We have the latest. And now is definitely a time to stay vigilant. Because Putin must be stopped. But how? Garry Kasparov explained it better than anyone should have to when he said, “If Putin is not stopped now, not prevented from destroying Ukraine and committing genocide ...
157. UKRAINE WAR REPORT. Bianna Golodryga. Are We Already at War with Russia? How to Talk to Kids About Ukraine. Is NATO Obsolete? American Vets Join the Fight. No-Fly Zone No-Go. State of the Union Fail. Biden’s 9/11. Can America be Counted on Anymore?
March 03, 2022 08:13 - 1 hourThe fight of our time is here. For Ukraine, for Europe, for the US, for our collective future. Now, more than any other time in our lifetime, is a time for us all to stay vigilant. And now is also a time for us to fight. In whatever way we can. The war in Ukraine is the most significant global moment of conflict since 9/11. Maybe since World War Two. And we will focus on it on this show until further notice. We’re going to talk to analysts, politicians, fighters, and leaders. And we’re going...
156. Russia Invades Ukraine. Jehriko Turner and Don Elivert. Introducing The B Dorm Podcast. Race, Politics, Culture, Friendship, Fun. White People Saying The N Word. Joe Rogan, Trevor Noah, MLS and Notorious B.I.G.
February 24, 2022 08:01 - 59 minutesYesterday was the last day of peace on the European continent for a long time to come. We are on the brink of world war. And will be for some time to come. This is the dawning of a new day of war in Europe. War between a dictator and an alliance of free nations. A war between Russia and the world. And a war between Russia and the US. A new kind of war the likes of which we’ve never seen (because it’s not “cold” if they wage cyber attacks and attack our elections). Meanwhile, earlier today. I...
155. Ana Marie Cox. Everybody’s Not OK. Pandemic Drinking. The COVID Mental Health Crisis. Alcoholics Anonymous As a Model for Governing America. The Church of Media Personalities from Rogan to Maddow. Sober Questioning & Self Care. Austin, Texas, USA.
February 17, 2022 08:01 - 1 hourWe are all tired as hell right now. After the last few years of….ALL OF IT….we’re all depleted. From the pandemic, to the political drama, to the possible new world war with Ukraine…it never seems to end. And mid-February can be the hardest time of year–even in the best of times. So here we are. The no-shit is that these are definitely not the best of times. Many of us are exhausted, beaten-down, and wounded. None of us is unchanged. And the global post-COVID mental health crisis is just gett...
154. Dan Lamothe. Damning New Reporting on the Afghanistan Debacle. Military Leaders Clashed with the State Dept as Kabul Fell. Biden Blocks Media Embeds for Ukraine. Where Are The Whistleblowers? The Washington Post Military Reporter On His Latest Work.
February 11, 2022 08:01 - 44 minutesThere is breaking news that you need to hear about. And so we’ve got a special episode to tear into it. Because especially in this already wild winter of 2022, now is a time to stay vigilant. The US withdrawal from Afghanistan was filled with carnage, tumult and political spin. But after months of denying the facts on the ground, the truth about what really happened in those fateful days is finally starting to come out. New documents reveal the U.S. military was intensely frustrated with the ...
153. Molly McKew. Ukraine In the Crosshairs. Cyberwar with Russia Has Already Started. Putin’s Love of F&*%ery. Red Dawn 2022. Redefining War. The Klitschko Brothers On The Front Lines. The Russian Influence & Information Warfare Expert Is Back.
February 10, 2022 08:01 - 55 minutesAmerican diplomats are boycotting the Olympics, the Cincinnati Bengals are in the Super Bowl, and Russia is threatening war. It kinda feels like the 1980s again. And it is very much a time to stay vigilant. Especially with regard to Ukraine. While the world watches to see if Putin will invade the country, the attacks have already begun. But not the conventional kind with bombs and tanks. Cyberwarfare is the new forward edge of modern combat. And Russia has already started waging it against Uk...
152. JW Cortés. A Bloody January For Law Enforcement. 30 Cops Shot in One Month. Inside the NYPD Officer Ambush. Police As a Political Chew Toy. Cops of Color in the Middle. Fatal Funnels, Punxsutawney Phil, Roger Waters & The Washington Commanders.
February 03, 2022 08:01 - 1 hourIt was a very bloody January in America for law enforcement. At least 30 cops were shot nationwide. From California to Montana to NYC. It feels like Groundhog Day every day. And in 2022, police are the hottest political chew toy in America. A space previously reserved for troops and vets. In a powerful new #IndependentAmericans, we dig into it. Hard. With a guest who’s been on all sides of the issues. We look deeper, we look with experience, and we look for solutions. Beyond the partisanship...
151. Michael Smerconish. Defining “Independent''. Analyzing Independent Candidates From Gary Johnson to Bloomberg to Schwarzenegger to Yang. How To Be Independent in Media. How F*#ked is Biden with Independents? Neil Young vs Joe Rogan. NFL OT Sucks.
January 27, 2022 08:01 - 1 hourAs we all saw this weekend, NFL overtime sucks. A score on the opening drive should NOT end the game. It’s just not fair. The system is broken. Badly. But it’s not just the NFL OT system. The American political system is broken too. Badly. And so is the media. Badly. And the stakes there are so much higher than in football. And in this episode, we’re staying focused on the media (like we did last episode with Soledad O’Brien). But we’re also zooming out into the bigger picture of where this ...
150. Soledad O’Brien. The Stupid Has Infected the Media. Shooting Fireballs At Everyone From CNN to Fox to MSNBC to Joe Rogan. The Naughty Centre: Now Open for Boris Johnson, Madison Cawthorn, Joe Biden. Laura Ingraham and more.
January 20, 2022 08:01 - 1 hourThe stupid is rampant in America. It continues to be the only thing in America more contagious and rampant than the omicron variant. And it’s especially widespread in the media. So this episode, we’re digging into it. We’re overdue for a conversation on the state of the American media. The American media that far too often fails the American people. And especially Independent Americans. We often feel politically homeless. We’ve covered that early, often and with regularity on this show. But ...
149. Congressman Adam Kinzinger. Is He Running for President? Will He Leave the Republican Party? Are We Facing an American Insurgency? What Is He Naming His Baby? Ted Cruz, Ray Epps, Ukraine & Afghanistan. Diapers vs Bottles.
January 13, 2022 08:01 - 48 minutesIt’s a dark, cold time in America. In many ways. But even in the darkest, coldest times, there are always helpers. Sources of light to warm our spirits and guide us out of the cold. And one of those sources is our guest in this episode: Congressman Adam Kinzinger (@AdamKinzinger). The 43-year-old Illinois Republican Congressman, Air Force combat veteran, political maverick, and fighter of the good fight is the man of this moment in American politics. He’s catapulted to the forefront of Americ...
148. EXCLUSIVE: Noah Shachtman. Rolling Stone’s Editor-in-Chief. January 6: One Year Later. Navarro’s 100 Congressmen to Overturn the Election. Reviving Rolling Stone. Exposing Eric Clapton, Marilyn Manson, Joe Manchin. Music, Politics and Independents.
January 06, 2022 08:01 - 1 hourIt’s a new year. It’s a new variant. It’s a new winter. And a new anniversary. It’s the first anniversary of the January 6th insurrection. And it is definitely a time to stay vigilant. Army vet, activist and host, Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) digs into all of it. And we’re joined by Rolling Stone’s new Editor-in-Chief, Noah Shachtman (@NoahShachtman). He’s tasked with reviving the iconic American magazine founded by Jann Wenner and built by the legend of Hunter Thompson. The former bass pl...
147. NEW YEAR’S SPECIAL. THE BEST GUEST ADVICE OF 2021. BRADLEY WHITFORD, ADMIRAL MIKE MULLEN, BROOKE BALDWIN, REX CHAPMAN, MONTEL WILLIAMS AND MORE.
December 30, 2021 08:01 - 26 minutesOver the years of hosting Independent Americans and Angry Americans, host Paul Rieckhoff has had the extremely rare opportunity to ask a lot of the world’s smartest people a lot of really important questions. And maybe no question is more important than asking each one, “What is your best advice?” And as you look back on a wild 2021 and forward towards an uncertain 2022 we thought this would be a good time to put it all together. It’s a rare glimpse into some of the brightest minds in enterta...
146. COVID Christmas & Festivus Special. Inside NYC As the Variant Hits. The Winter of Omicron Is Here. Jason Alexander (Rewind)
December 23, 2021 08:01 - 1 hourIt’s a COVID Christmas. Again! Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the latest on the variant: how it’s finally hit his home, how NYC is again under siege from the virus, and how the US Army might deliver a Christmas miracle we all need right now. And we’re resharing a hugely popular, classic conversation for you to enjoy as you travel over the river and through the woods, if you’re in isolation with COVID, or if you’re hard at work while everyone else is celebrating. It’s a rewind to a fan favorite ...
145. Chuck Todd. Why Does The Media Suck? Affirmation vs Information. Joe Rogan, Ben Shapiro & the Hyper-fragmentation of News. Predicting 2024 Nominees. Four Parties vs Two. January 6th Subpoenas. Hosting Meet The Press From Home. SFC Alwyn Cashe’s CMOH.
December 16, 2021 08:01 - 1 hourYeah…Santa is coming very soon. But before he does, we’ve got some pretty wild political news happening in America. And we wanna give you an early holiday gift of great content. And a very high-profile guest. Unless you haven’t already read the title, you know who it is. He’s the host of Meet The Press, one of the most influential and iconic political shows in America. He’s the host of Meet The Press Daily on MSNBC, and he’s the Political Director at NBC. On this show in the last year, we’ve ...
144. Tavis Smiley. Race, Politics and Media in America. What is “Progressive”? Sympathy vs Empathy. Dr. King’s Message for 2021. The Doors That Carlos Watson’s Ozy Media Closed. Remembering Bob Dole.
December 09, 2021 08:12 - 1 hourIn the last 11 months especially, it’s been easy to lose hope. From the pandemic, to the racial injustice, to the betrayal of Afghanistan, to the disintegration of the Republican Party, to the ineptitude of the Democratic Party. From coast to coast, there’s a loss of hope across America this holiday season. But in this moment, when the enemies of America seem to be chomping at the bit, we’ve got to keep the hope. And like Bob Dole, who overcame almost dying on the battlefield in Italy in Wor...
143. Dr. Vin Gupta. The Omicron COVID Variant. What We Need to Know and Do. Preparing Yourself For a Tough Winter. The Military’s Struggle to Fully Vaccinate. National Guard Units Refuse the Shot Order. Handling Stress in the Pandemic.
December 02, 2021 08:01 - 44 minutesIn just a few weeks, Santa will be back. The lights are up, the sales have started, and the elves are on the shelves--and hanging from light fixtures, dangling from curtains and zip lining across living rooms around the world. And Santa will soon be here. But not before we all prepare to receive a very different kind of holiday visitor. Yes, Santa is back. But so is the coronavirus. And it’s new and improved in the form of the omicron variant. Throughout this pandemic and our war against the...
142. Thanksgiving Special. Meet The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, FDNY (Ret.). Courage, Leadership, Perspective, Songs. Inside 9/11 and the Deutsche Bank Fire with Firefighter Hero Rich Naviasky.
November 25, 2021 08:01 - 58 minutesThis Thanksgiving, Independent Americans is bringing you a special holiday treat of new content. Paul has a few things to say (he always does) and then introduces you to the powerful and inspiring new podcast from Righteous Media: The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, FDNY (Ret.). We’re extremely excited about this new show and we think you will be too. Welcome to the first ever episode of the Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, FDNY (Ret.). It’s the hottest podcast in America, literally...
141. Joe Cirincione. The Marshall Islands, the Western Shoshone Tribe, the Atomic Vets: America’s Secret Nuke Past. The Rich and Powerful Test While the Rest of Us Die. Inside the New Series on ViceTV.
November 18, 2021 08:01 - 1 hourNow is still a time to stay vigilant. Especially when it comes to national security. Ukraine says that Russia has amassed 100,000 troops near their border. Along with tanks, armored personnel vehicles and artillery. NATO has issued a warning. America has issued a warning. And Russia is denying they plan to invade Ukraine. War is very possible. And you were probably focused instead on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers lying about being vaccinated. Or maybe, understandably, you were ...
140. Shad Meshad. Remembering Max Cleland. Veterans Day Special. Celebrating a True American Hero. The Mad Man and The Cowboy. The Creation Of The Vet Centers. Stronger At The Broken Places. The Doobie Brothers. Taking It To The Streets.
November 11, 2021 08:01 - 1 hourSenator Max Cleland was a true American hero. One of the finest, most selfless leaders of our time. He was a titan. And his tremendous impact was second only to his huge heart. Even in these last few difficult months before he died, he was a fighter—and a happy warrior. And Max’s passing comes the week of Veterans Day. Max defined what it means to be an American veteran. And what it means for veterans to continue to serve after they take off the uniform. And after tragedy. He’s the godfather ...
139. Scott MacFarlane. Jan 6 Insurrection Arrest and Trial Update: How Many are Still at Large? Why Are They Allowed to Go to Mexico For Vacations? Kids Cleared for the Vaccine. Independents Flex Power on Election Day. Why Yang is Not an Independent.
November 04, 2021 07:40 - 1 hourThis Election Day was just the latest painful reminder of how badly the two major parties are failing the American people. But it also underscored the growing importance (and number) of independents in America. And Rieckhoff is digging into all of it--from Virginia to New Jersey, and from Joe Manchin to Andrew Yang and his new “Forward” party. And 11 months ago, a group of traitors, fools and domestic terrorists tried to capture and kill the Speaker of the House and the Vice President and sac...
138. Matt Zeller. America’s Halloween Nightmare. 196 Americans Abandoned in Afghanistan. 23 Million Without Food. What is “Operation Resettle Allies''? Over the Horizon = Over the Rainbow. The “Disappointing Biden” Costume. The Real Winnie the Pooh Story.
October 28, 2021 07:01 - 1 hourEveryone who has seen a Halloween movie knows you can’t run from Michael Myers. The only way to defeat the terror of Michael Myers is to fight him--to take him head on. And the same is true about the horror show that is Afghanistan. If you run from the truth, it will chase you down, it will drag you down, it will cut you into little pieces, and it will come for your friends, and just keep coming. Like Michael Myers, the truth doesn't die. And the fight for it around Afghanistan won’t die eit...
137. Arian Moayed. Stewy from “Succession.” Why is “Succession” So Important? Kendall Roy is like the Taliban. Saying “No” to Playing a Terrorist. From Escaping Iran to Acting in Spiderman. Lessons Learned from Robin Williams. Remembering Colin Powell.
October 21, 2021 07:05 - 1 hourHBO’s Succession is a global phenomenon. And a reflection and exploration of our tumultuous times. And Arian Moayed (@ArianMoayed) is in the center of all of it. He is an actor, activist and American success story. A powerful creative force, a voice for the voiceless, and a key piece of the best show on television. Arian Moayed is the Iranian-born, award-winning actor and co-founder and Board Chair of Waterwell (@Waterwell), a civic-minded and socially conscious non-profit theater and educat...
136. Jeremy Butler. Extremism in the Military and Veterans Community. Testifying Before Congress via Zoom. Race and the Military. The American Mental Health Crisis. Shatner in Space. Veterans Day 2021.
October 14, 2021 07:01 - 1 hourFall is here, the leaves are changing, Halloween is just a few weeks away, it’s been 10 months since domestic terrorists tried to overthrow our government, and now is still a time to stay vigilant. Because while the world was focused on William Shatner and his trip to space, and on Jon Gruden’s inexcusable words that got him fired as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, or on Dave Chappelle’s new Netflix special, or on the major league baseball playoffs, there was a critical hearing happening...
135. Milo Ventimiglia. Actor and Activist. From Vietnam to Afghanistan to This Is Us. A Whole New Reason Senator Joe Manchin Sucks. Hollywood’s Biggest Union Strikes. The Fight for the Global War on Terror Memorial. Celebrity Tourists in War Zones.
October 07, 2021 07:01 - 1 hourMilo Ventimiglia (@MiloVentimiglia) is an actor, director and producer. And one of the hottest stars in America. He’s also a really nice, hard-working and fascinating guy. And a guy with very strong opinions about everything from Afghanistan, to Senator Joe Manchin’s obstructionism, to a strike in Hollywood by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union. Milo is a fighter who stands up for what he believes in--not just in the roles he plays--but also in real life. A...
134. Bradley Whitford. The Iconic Actor and Activist. The Handmaid’s Tale and The Taliban. Biden and Hollywood. What Would Commander Lawrence Do With Senators Sinema and Manchin? General Milley Under Fire. Is Afghanistan a “Strategic Failure”?
September 30, 2021 07:01 - 1 hourFrom The West Wing, to Get Out, to Transparent, to The Handmaid’s Tale. For a generation, Bradley Whitford (@BradleyWhitford) has shaped the world’s understanding of politics--through the lens of entertainment. But Bradley doesn’t just play politics. He lives it. At this precarious time in American history, art and politics are merging and colliding in powerful ways. He’s deeply involved in politics--and in causes he cares about. From climate change, to standing up for IATSE (the union that ...
133. Zainab Salbi. The War on Women In Afghanistan. The Reality of American Drone Strikes. Why Doesn’t Biden Get It? Recognizing The Taliban Is Like Gilead from Handmaid’s Tale. Women’s Rights Under Fire From Kabul to Texas. Finding Peace In Trying Times.
September 23, 2021 07:01 - 1 hourWith Afghanistan now firmly in the hands of the Taliban, a full-scale war on women is underway inside that country. Women are being forcibly married, hunted, beaten and killed. Our President and many in Congress want to turn the page. But Zainab Salbi is on the front lines of the fight—and refuses to allow it. We continue the Independent Americans deep dive into Afghanistan and all the ways it’s impacting the world, national security and American politics, with a focus this episode on the 14...
132. Admiral Mike Mullen. The Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs on The Next 9/11, Gen. Milley’s Call to China, the Afghanistan Debacle. The Sept 18 Threat to Washington. Lessons Learned, Taking Accountability for Failure & Lady Gaga’s Giant Egg.
September 16, 2021 07:01 - 1 hourThe 20th anniversary of 9/11 has now passed. Afghanistan remains a mess. The delta variant is ripping through thousands of unvaccinated lives. And there is new, looming domestic terrorism threat facing our Capitol this week. It’s all a painful reminder that our fun, vaccinated summer of 2021 is almost over. Fall is coming in fast. And it’s definitely a time to stay vigilant. There have been 46 Presidents of the United States. There have been only 20 Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. And...
131. Rob Serra, FDNY (Ret.). 9/11 SPECIAL. Did America Forget? First-Responder Health Issues. The Great American Betrayal of Afghanistan. Professor Rieckhoff Goes Back to School. The Firefighters Podcast. Hockey Heroes Take Over MSG.
September 09, 2021 07:01 - 1 hourNever forget is the mantra of 9/11. It was on bumper stickers, repeated by Presidents, and hashtagged for two decades now. Twenty years later, has America forgotten? Have we forgotten the lessons of 9/11? Have we forgotten what happened that day? Have we forgotten all that happened after? Have we forgotten about the public officials who said the air was clear at Ground Zero, the islamophobic attacks that happened across america, the rapid passage of the Patriot Act, the people snatched off s...
130. Congressman Peter Meijer. THE END OF THE AFGHANISTAN WAR? Not for the Afghans. 13 US Troops Killed. Our Allies Left to Die. Biden Spikes the Ball. The Great American Betrayal of Afghanistan. Is the Future of the GOP Peter Meijer or Donald Trump?
September 02, 2021 07:52 - 52 minutesAfter 20 years, all US troops are now out of Afghanistan. Is that a good thing? Is the war really over? What happens now to our Afghan allies left behind? Will there be any accountability for failure in Washington? After gripping episodes with Matt Zeller, Jane Horton and Kristen Rouse, the newest episode is keeping our focus squarely on Afghanistan. The military pieces, media coverage, political spin, humanitarian need, the human story--we’re digging into all of what is happening right now. ...
129. Kristen Rouse. CHAOS IN AFGHANISTAN. Inside the “Digital Dunkirk” Rushing to Save Afghan Allies. The Taliban Clamps Down. The Humanity of the Afghan People. Questioning The Humanity of America. What Happens after Biden’s August 31st Deadline?
August 26, 2021 07:01 - 1 hourWe’ve all seen the disturbing images of thousands of people scrambling to get out of the Karzai Airport in Afghanistan. Who will live? Who will die? Who is making it onto American planes? And who is not? What the hell is really happening on the ground? Independent Americans continues our unique focus on the collapse of Afghanistan with an urgent new conversation with an inspiring American leader who’s working night and day to save lives. Army Veteran and humanitarian Kristen Rouse is leading...
128. DISASTER IN AFGHANISTAN. Jane Horton. How Do Families of Fallen Troops Feel? The Gold Star Families Perspective From A Wife Who Lost Her Husband There. What Happens to Women Under Taliban Rule? Saving Our Translators. Biden’s Blundering Betrayal.
August 19, 2021 07:01 - 41 minutesAs Afghanistan continues to spiral into a humanitarian disaster, Americans have been riveted by the events unfolding, US troops are going back in, and the President has finally appeared in public to address the chaos. It’s all getting worse fast. There are many questions. And many voices. But there is one vital group that you probably haven’t heard from. Until now. How would you feel right now if someone you loved was killed in Afghanistan? What if your son, your daughter, your brother, your...