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Retired U.S. Army General Mark Hertling returns for a must-hear conversation with host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff), just in time for Veterans Day and the Marine Corps birthday. As America faces political gridlock, rising division, a historic government shutdown, and critical questions about military readiness, Gen. Hertling offers hard-hitting analysis and real-world leadership lessons that matter… Continue reading 370. General Mark Hertling. Dissecting The Democrat Shutdown Strategy. Veterans Week Special: Why Hegseth and Trump Are Firing So Many Generals. Why We Need 1M Drones. Army Women’s Hoops, Referee Role Models and Rieckhoff Gets a Super Bowl Ring. 

Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff)  welcomes back the dynamic, outspoken sports and culture powerhouse Joy Taylor (@joytaylortalks) for a raw, timely, and uplifting Football Friday. In an America buffeted by division, a government shutdown, and mounting mental health struggles, Joy and Paul unpack the meaning behind vulnerability, authenticity, sports as society’s mirror, and the… Continue reading 369. Joy Taylor. Things are F**king Hard Right Now. Sports & Politics Collide Again. Mental Health, Suicide & Sadness. How Trump Uses Sports Culture. Football Friday: Is Anyone in the NFL Great? Shutdown Cancels NFL Veterans Day. Football Saved My Life.

Your host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) welcomes dynamic, influential and highly-successful (yet humble) Axios CEO Jim VandeHei (@JimVandeHei) for an unfiltered look at the election aftermath, democracy’s crossroads, and how Americans can reclaim control from broken institutions and divisive algorithms. And they also dig into the potential expansion of Trump’s military strikes on Venezuela, whether a… Continue reading 368. Jim VandeHei. Venezuela War Powers Act Vote. Can Congress Finally Stop Trump on Something? The Shutdown Slams Vets & National Security. Axios Leadership Lessons Learned. Being a Good Leader. Diaper Diplomacy, Fatherhood & 6 Rules for the Modern Man. 

Whew. It’s the day after Election Day. And we all probably feel a little hung over. It was an emotional day/month/year. But it’s finally over. And on this day after, as the dust settles and the partisan spin begins, we’ve got a pod to help you cut through the corporate and partisan media and propaganda… Continue reading 367. Sami Sage. Mamdani Wins. And So Does Trump. Divided America Divides Even Deeper. The Far Left’s Moment Overshadows Big Wins by Women Vets Sherrill and Spanberger. Zohran’s NYPD Problem. Prop 50 Passes.  Betches, Sabrina Carpenter and Coffee. 

In this Election Day special, we’re bringing a take unlike any other you’ll hear. Your host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) digs in with John Opdycke (@jbopdycke), President of Open Primaries and a Godfather of the independent reform and open primaries movement, for a smart, fast and urgent conversation about what’s really happening today in elections nationwide.… Continue reading 366. John Opdycke. Our Broken Election Day. The Parties Rigged the Game and Screw  Independents—NYC is Proof. CA’s Terrible Prop 50 and a New Fight in Maryland. We Decide Elections–But Not the Narrative. Taking Kids to Vote. Wisdom From Kurt Vonnegut. 

Fan favorite, award-winning author and journalist Sebastian Junger returns to Independent Americans for a consequential conversation with Paul Rieckhoff. He’s always one of our favorites that pulls no punches. On the eve of a divided nation’s Election Day, and NYC’s race for Mayor dominating global attention, Junger and Rieckhoff take a raw, honest look at… Continue reading 365. Sebastian Junger. The Divisive Mamdani Moment. NYC’s Rorschach Test For a Divided America. Manosphere Monday. Rieckhoff Shares Who He’s Voting For and Why. A Tense Election Day Eve. IVA’s 2025 Endorsements. Halloween, World Series and ICE Raids.

Congress is shut down. War drums are beating on the Venezuela coast. Federal workers and troops are on the brink, and democracy is on the ropes. Happy Halloween! Ugh. It’s many more tricks than treats this year. For that—and this Football Friday—your host Paul Rieckhoff welcomes a guest right at the center of the storm:… Continue reading 364. Congressman Ro Khanna. Will Trump Bomb Venezuela For Halloween? Can Congress Stop Trump’s New War? Is Impeachment an Option? Will Democrats Cave on the Shutdown? Rare Bi-Partisanship on Boat Strikes and Epstein. Friday Football Picks.

In today’s powerful new episode of Independent Americans with your host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) , featuring the return of Lt Colonel Alex Vindman—a national security expert, Ukraine insider, and unwavering patriot. This timely interview dives deep into America’s fractured politics, threats from abroad, and the vital ways community and vigilance can help repair our union.… Continue reading 363. Lt. Colonel Alex Vindman. Trump’s Giant China TACO. The Real House of Dynamite Scenario. No TikTok Deal–And Xi is Thrilled About it. Putin’s New Nuke Threat. Are the US Venezuelan Strikes Illegal? Ukraine Groundwar Update. Do Halloween for America. 

In this special episode of Independent Americans, your host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) is joined by his old friend and colleague, John Reid, who is now the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia—and the first openly gay candidate from a major party for statewide office in state history. John opens up about the cutthroat realities… Continue reading 362. Republican for Virginia Lt Governor John Reid. A Historic Run for a Gay GOP Candidate. Debating an AI Opponent. Personal Attacks and Bullet Proof Vests. Shutdown Insanity: Troops on Food Stamps. Team Rubicon Steps Up Again.

Everything is about national security. Especially right now. From troops in US streets, to strikes on boats in the Caribbean, to Ukraine and Putin, to Trump’s crazy and now regular speeches to military audiences. There’s lots of chaos and drama. But the chaos and drama about war and conflict are most important. And it sounds… Continue reading 361. Will Hurricane Trump Hit Venezuela Next? Barbara Starr. Trump’s Destructive Troop Speech. Melissa Hits Jamaica. Hegseth Hits More Boats. Is NYC’s Election a Flashpoint? WTF: Billionaire Gives $130M to Pay Troops!? Ohtani’s World Class Leadership.