Over the years we’ve brought you some of the best voices on the biggest subjects. From Stephen Colbert to Pete Buttigieg to Rachel Maddow the guests have been important voices to hear from at critical times for our country. And this year we’ve taken some time away from the usual dumpster fire of partisan news to focus on the issue that is nearest and dearest to our hearts. The stick that stirs our drink. Independents. And specifically why we think independents are not only an important constituency but the key to solving our country's political stagnation and gridlock. So as you listen to the rhetoric and divisive partisan media as the fall midterms approach, consider this a primer. Independents 101. It will make you a smarter voter. And it will make you a smarter citizen. Hear from the political mavericks that are challenging the status quo and seeking to redefine what it means to be political. Redefining what it means to be patriotic. Redefining the future. Get the full versions of the following episodes wherever you get your podcasts or at the links below: Episode 144 - Tavis Smiley Episode 149 - Congressman Adam Kinzinger Episode 151 - Michael Smerconish Episode 168 - Evan McMullin Episode 171 - John Opdycke Episode 177 - Lindsay Church Every episode of Independent Americans hosted by Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) breaks down the most important news stories–and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s independent content for independent Americans. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and veterans issues. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. Stay vigilant, America. And grab a vacation when you can. -Get extra content, connect with guests, attend exclusive events, get merch discounts and support this critical show that speaks truth to power by joining our IA community on Patreon. -Check out Rieckhoff’s America! Playlist mentioned on the show. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers on Twitter. And share yours. -Also check out new episodes of other Righteous Media podcasts including the B Dorm Podcast, The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra and Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed. Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. Righteous is an independent, American, Veteran-owned and led content company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As the summer heats up and we all plummet headlong into the danger zone, we’ve got the real Top Gun. The real Maverick (actually, call sign Krusty). The fighter pilot that went head-to-head with al Qaeda and the Taliban, and then came home to go head-to-head with Mitch McConnell. Marine Corps fighter pilot Amy McGrath (@AmyMcGrathKY) flew 89 combat missions. And ran one of the most-watched 2020 Senate races in America. She is a trailblazing combat veteran, a former Naval Academy professor and a mother of three. And now she is leading the fight to protect women’s reproductive health and rights in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Roe decision. She’s a fighter, and after joining us way back in Episode 17 in 2019, Amy is back to join our Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) for an important conversation and, more importantly, a plan. A plan to help stem the tide. A plan to fight. A plan for change. In advance of Independence Day, Amy stood with fellow veteran Allison Jaslow and Paul Rieckhoff to launch Operation Liberty: a plan to protect American troops, veterans, and our national security after Roe. Amy outlines the new effort and explains the devastating impacts the Roe decision will have on women and nonbinary service members and veterans. She also responds to the latest mass shooting on July 4, breaks down the status of the air war over Ukraine, and explains the political landscape in her home state of Kentucky–to include the potential of a run by UK basketball legend and past pod guest, Rex Chapman. She also shares if she likes the new Top Gun movie more or less than the original. And why. Every episode of Independent Americans hosted by Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) breaks down the most important news stories–and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s independent content for independent Americans. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and veterans issues. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. Stay vigilant, America. -Get extra content, connect with guests, attend exclusive events, get merch discounts and support this critical show that speaks truth to power by joining our IA community on Patreon. -Watch video of Paul and Amy’s conversation here. -Check out Rieckhoff’s America! Playlist mentioned on the show. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers on Twitter. And share yours. -Also check out new episodes of other Righteous Media podcasts including the B Dorm Podcast, The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra and Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed. Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. Righteous is an independent, American, Veteran-owned and led content company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this Independence Day 2022, everything is different now. It’s a very dark moment in American history. And Friday, June 24, 2022 was a very dark day. So this July 4th, after the overturning of Roe vs Wade, hundreds of millions of Americans aren’t feeling like they have much independence right now. In this episode, we’re gonna talk about Roe from an angle you won’t get anywhere else. How will the Roe decision impact the military and veterans? How will it impact our national security, military recruiting, and the lives of troops stationed in all 50 states and around the world? This Independence Day, everything is different now. And we’ll dig into Roe, the blockbuster latest January 6th hearings, John Wood launching an independent Senate bid in Missouri, a big decision from the Supreme Court you probably didn’t hear about, how Sean Penn is fighting for fighter jets for Ukraine, and why this might be the most dangerous Pride month ever. This Independence Day, everything is different now. But leaders continue to rise to the moment. Leaders like our inspiring guest, Lindsay Church. Lindsay is an American badass. A fighter. An organizer. A patriot. Soon to be a parent. And an expert on the impact of Roe on the military, veterans, LGBTQ people and more. Lindsay Church (they/them) is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Minority Veterans of America, a non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to creating an equitable and just world for the minority veteran community – veterans of color, women, LGBTQ, and (non)religious minorities. Lindsay has nearly a decade of experience rooted in veteran’s advocacy and grassroots organizing. They have facilitated agency-wide cultural competency trainings, provided Congressional testimonies, and speaks on myriad issues related to the equity and inclusion for minorityand underrepresented communities. They’ll break down the unique threats facing women, LGBTQ people and their families. And why some queer familes like Lindsay’s are rushing to get a lawyer and updated their passports. Lindsay is a leader for the people. ALL people. Their people. Your people. Our people. ALL PEOPLE. We’ve come far in the last decade, but have so much further to go. But brave LGBTQ military and veteran leaders have been on the front lines, made unimaginable sacrifices, paved the way, and made our country stronger. And Lindsay is one of those leaders. They represent the best of what our country is—and what it can be. This Pride month, we at Righteous Media and Independent Americans again celebrate these leaders. But we’ll also honor them by continuing the fight. Which is more urgent now than ever. And we’ll dig deep into all of it in an urgent, timely and extremely informative new pod. Every episode of Independent Americans hosted by Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) breaks down the most important news stories–and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s independent content for independent Americans. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and veterans issues. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. Stay vigilant, America. -Get extra content, connect with guests, attend exclusive events, get merch discounts and support this critical show that speaks truth to power by joining our IA community on Patreon. -Watch video of Paul and Lindsay’s conversation here. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers on Twitter. And share yours. -Also check out other Righteous Media podcasts including the B Dorm Podcast, The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra and Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed. Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. Righteous is an independent, American, Veteran-owned and led c...
This is a fiery episode. Veterans lungs are on fire. America’s forests are on fire. Our conversations are on fire. Children and black people and LGBTQ people are UNDER FIRE. The United States is on fire. Our country is burning… in ways big and small. And the country is dying, literally, for leaders who can run into the fires, put them out with solutions, and help us find a path through the damage and through the smoke to better days. That’s what the Ukrainian people have now in Zelensky. And that’s what America is thirsting for this summer. As radicals and weaklings hijack and dominate our politics, America is looking for leaders with common sense that can break through. Leaders who can speak the truth, understand the moment, and channel the emotion. And especially, the anger and disappointment of this moment. But will a populist leader emerge to fight all our fires? How did the fire of Trumpism start in the first place? Where is it burning hottest now? Will the new Congressiona...
The 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 won. Maybe barely. That battle is over. But in this black summer of 2022, a year and a half later, the war goes on. And this episode, we’re switching it up a bit. No guest this time. It’s just Paul Rieckhoff and you. And a quick update with what you most need to know about the last week or so in America. Soon, we’ll have more important, inspiring and iconic guests that are shaping what America was, what America is, and what America will be. Some VERY good guests. Guests who are making and breaking news. And culture. But sometimes this summer, we’re just gonna fire off a quick situation report, or SitRep, of things you should know, might have missed, or need to see from a new viewpoint. An independent viewpoint. This is one of those times. The January 6th Committee hearings (and video), Ukraine losing traction, progress on gun reform, veterans finally getting their due, a new round of primaries closed to independent Americans, Netflix making Squid Game a reality and much more. This is a fierce one. Every episode of Independent Americans hosted by Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) breaks down the most important news stories–and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s independent content for independent Americans. And delivers a healing dose of the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and veterans issues. This is another insightful pod to help you stay vigilant. Because vigilance is the price of democracy. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans will continue to be your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. Stay vigilant, America. -Get extra content, connect with guests, attend exclusive events, get merch discounts and support this critical show that speaks truth to power by joining our IA community on Patreon. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers on Twitter. And share yours. -Also check out other Righteous Media podcasts including the B Dorm Podcast, The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra and Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed. Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. Righteous is an independent, American, Veteran-owned and led content company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“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 (@PaulRieckhoff) has often said Matthew McConaughey could win if he ran for Governor of Texas. Especially if he ran as an independent. Lots of folks didn’t take him seriously as a politician. Maybe that changed this week. He’s not going away. And this issue isn’t going away. Not in America. And not on this show. Because gun violence is not just a public safety issue. It’s not just a public health issue. It’s a national security issue. And every time Americans kill other Americans, our enemies are celebrating. And this is another hot summer in America. Another summer of fire. A summer fire that could clear the brush, or burn us down. And the violence is not going away. The heat is not going away. The fire is not going away. And stakes have never been higher. This episode, we’re bringing back one of the best leaders and strategic thinkers in America, and in the world, to help break it down and guide us through the fire. Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Admiral Jim Stavridis (@stavridisj). Author of the new book, To Risk It All: Nine Conflicts and the Crucible of Decision, Admiral Stavridis spent more than thirty years in the US Navy, rising to the rank of four-star admiral. He commanded at NATO and previously commanded US Southern Command, overseeing military operations through Latin America. At sea, he commanded a Navy destroyer, a destroyer squadron, and an aircraft carrier battle group in combat.. He has published eleven books, including 2034: A Novel of the Next World War, with Elliot Ackerman, and is chief international analyst for NBC News and a contributing editor for Time. He is vice chair, global affairs, and managing director of the Carlyle Group and the chair of the board of the Rockefeller Foundation. He’s a leader, a teacher and a voice of reason. His vision for the future is as clear as his knowledge of history. And he goes deep on gun violence in America as a national security threat, what the likeliest scenarios for Ukraine are, and then a look at where the next wars might unfold. The answer might surprise you. Every episode of Independent Americans hosted by Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories–and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s independent content for independent Americans. And delivers a healing dose of the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. -Get extra content, connect with guests, attend exclusive events, get merch discounts and support this critical show that speaks truth to power by joining our IA community on Patreon. -WATCH the full video of this conversation with Paul and Admiral Stavridis here. And share it with your friends and family. -Get a copy of To Risk It All: Nine Conflicts and the Crucible of Decision. Or listen to the audiobook for free now by joining Audible Plus. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers on Twitter. And share yours. -Also check out other Righteous Media podcasts including the B Dorm Podcast, The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra and Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed. Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. Righteous is an independent, American, Veteran-owned and led content company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After 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 forever war. This is our tragic and horrible new normal. A normal where schools are war zones — and people in actual war zones are sending condolences to us. A new normal where an overwhelming 88% of people favor some sort of action on gun violence but are held hostage by 12% that don’t. None of it makes any sense, and as Americans continue to kill Americans daily, our enemies are celebrating. They’re celebrating the division sown by politicians that care more about their grasp on power th...
"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. Fred is angry. And we should all be angry. Because if you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. But being angry isn’t enough. Thoughts and prayers aren’t enough. We have to be like Fred, and turn that righteous anger into positive impact. This week, in an address to the nation, President Biden was focused, measured, empathetic, righteous and strong. After all the tragedy he’s experienced himself, this week is a moment Biden is built for. We need him to be at his best now more than any other time in his Presidency. Because mass shootings are–and continue to be–our greatest national security threat. This IS a national security issue. And it’s time to start treating it like one. Ukraine is sending America condolences. That’s how bad it is. For the last couple of years this show has highlighted the ways that our political system is broken. We’ve explored how partisan primaries push us further apart, how elections are designed to make independents fail, to convince people that the choices we face are binary. Us or them. Red blue. Good bad. And most importantly, we’ve explored how the system is designed to divide. And during those years, our political system has continued to devolve. Failure after failure. By both parties. On almost every single issue. In poll after poll, the truth is obvious. The politicians aren’t representing the will of the people on either side of the aisle. From gun control to women’s reproductive rights to our schools, nothing that our broken binary system touches survives. Now more than ever, this is a time for change. Now more than ever, this is a time for Independent Americans. And as America mourns the latest horrible tragedy, we’ve got a perfect voice to help us all navigate the pain. Bonnie Carroll (@Bonnie_at_TAPS) is a true helper and she has helped to guide so many people through similar awful journeys. Grief is an unbearable burden and Bonnie and the amazing volunteers that she works with at TAPS help the survivors to learn how to carry that weight. They’re helpers. And as we head into another Memorial Day weekend with heavy hearts, we all could use some help. As the war in Ukraine rages on, TAPS is there, helping them deal with the grief. Helping them navigate their pain. And she takes time out to join us for a very special episode, to help us all as we struggle to process the seemingly endless cycle of senseless violence that has occurred over the past few weeks. Every episode of Independent Americans is independent light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s content for the 42% of Americans that call themselves independent. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and vets issues. This is another pod to help you stay vigilant. Because vigilance is the price of democracy. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics and inspiration. -Get extra content, connect with guests, events, merch discounts and support this show that speaks truth to power by joining us on Patreon. -WATCH video of Paul and Bonnie’s conversation. -Check #LookForTheHelpers on Twitter. And share yours. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. -Hear other Righteous pods like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm. Independent Americans is power...
Huge 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 is losing in Ukraine. But his agenda is winning in Buffalo. In El Paso. In Charleston. And most of all, in Washington DC. The broken two-party duopoly that George Washington warned us about continues to propel the problem. And ALL of our problems. The parties can’t find a way forward to solutions. On school shootings, on immigration, on the pandemic, on education, on the future. And in America in 2022, as our fellow Americans continue to die daily–in a hospital bed due to COVID, or in a supermarket due to a radical with a rifle–stakes have never been higher. America is broken. Because our politics are broken. But there is a path to fixing it. And this episode, we’re gonna explore it with a leader who’s dedicated his life to it. John Opdycke (@jbopdycke) is the President of Open Primaries. Open Primaries is a non-profit focused on a movement of diverse Americans who believe in a simple, yet radical idea: No American should be required to join a political party to exercise their right to vote. We’re digging into who independent Americans really are. Why millions of independents are blocked from voting In America. Why is the taxpaying public funding non-public primaries? Can Evan McMullin (our recent guest on this show) really win the Senate seat in Utah this fall? Will there be a viable independent alternative to the Democratic and Republican candidates for President in 2024? This is an episode about solutions. And about how we can all be a part of them. Every episode of Independent Americans is independent light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s content for the 42% of Americans that call themselves independent. And delivers the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and vets issues. This is another pod to help you stay vigilant. Because vigilance is the price of democracy. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics and inspiration. -Get extra content, connect with guests, events, merch discounts and support this show that speaks truth to power by joining us on Patreon. -WATCH video of Paul and John’s conversation. -Check #LookForTheHelpers on Twitter. And share yours. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. -Hear other Righteous pods like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm. Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. America’s next great independent media company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Witnesses 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 Azovstal plant in Mariupol has become the latest symbol of Ukrainian strength, defiance and toughness. This is their Alamo. And they will fight to the last man or woman to defend it. Like they will for every other inch of their land. And we dig into the latest. EASY is over. This is the long haul now. The artillery and trench battles in the East are grinding into what could devolve into a stalemate that could last months, even years. This is where the war could turn into an even more brutal and horrfying grinder. You will want to turn away. You will feel a need to turn away. Putin WANTS you to turn away. But you can’t. Ukraine is the fight of our time. A fight for all times. And Memorial Day, summer break in America, Roe vs Wade, The NBA playoffs, the midterm elections—none of that is a good enough excuse to turn away from the fight of our time. The fight for all time. It’s not just the people of Ukraine who must stay focused. It’s not just just our leaders in Congress and our president that must stay focused. Every single independent American who loves freedom must stay focused. This is a time to stay vigilant. And in this high-impact episode we’ve got a guest who is changing the past, present and future not only of Ukraine, but of America. Another leader who knows both worlds–the US and Ukraine. He has spent the last 8 years of his life living in Ukraine. And has spent the last 3 months on the front lines of the war helping us all stay connected—and stay vigilant. He’s an American special forces veteran, a combat journalist, and the husband of a Ukrainian–who is telling the story of this war—-through his life in it: Nolan Peterson (@NolanWPeterson). A former U.S. Air Force Special Operations pilot and veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Nolan Peterson is Senior Editor for Coffee or Die Magazine, an acclaimed war correspondent, and a globetrotting travel writer whose adventures have taken him to all seven continents. And he breaks down what’s happening now in Ukraine now: in the skies, among families, inside Mariupol, inside the units of foreign fighters–and into the future. He tells us all how to Stand by Ukraine. Check out all his recent articles from the war in Ukraine. Every episode of Independent Americans is independent light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s content for the 42% of Americans that call themselves independent. And delivers the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and vets issues. This is another pod to help you stay vigilant. Because vigilance is the price of democracy. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics and inspiration. -Get extra content, connect with guests, events, merch discounts and support this show that speaks truth to power by joining us on Patreon. -WATCH video of Paul and Nolan’s conversation. -Check #LookForTheHelpers on Twitter. And share yours. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. -Hear other Righteous pods like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm. Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. America’s next great independent media company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...