375. Kevin Baron. Countdown to Conflict in Venezuela. Pieces In Place for a Showdown. US Marines in Shootout in Haiti. Manosphere Monday: Fearless Fathering. Teaching Kids Chaos is the New Normal. Ivy Football Stunner, Landman & F1’s Surprising Finale.

On this explosive daily drop, Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff)  welcomes national security reporting innovator, dad of three boys, and former head of Defense One, Kevin Baron for an unfiltered conversation on the looming military showdown in Venezuela, unpredictable moves by the Trump administration, Pentagon power grabs, and the chaos among America’s allies. Baron… Continue reading 375. Kevin Baron. Countdown to Conflict in Venezuela. Pieces In Place for a Showdown. US Marines in Shootout in Haiti. Manosphere Monday: Fearless Fathering. Teaching Kids Chaos is the New Normal. Ivy Football Stunner, Landman & F1’s Surprising Finale.

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374. Venezuela Boat Strikes are Trump’s WMD. Vets Week Wrap Up: Democrats Falling for Trump’s Headfakes. 70% of Americans Don’t Want War with Venezuela. End of an Era – MSNBC Becomes MSNow. Football Friday, Jameis Winston and Thanksgiving is Coming!

Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) wraps a tense, emotional Veterans Week with a no-holds-barred, guest-free episode—breaking down urgent national security issues, political accountability, and the looming prospect of military conflict in Venezuela. Drawing from his week traveling, deep connections to the veteran community, and decades of political activism and media, Paul brings listeners a… Continue reading 374. Venezuela Boat Strikes are Trump’s WMD. Vets Week Wrap Up: Democrats Falling for Trump’s Headfakes. 70% of Americans Don’t Want War with Venezuela. End of an Era – MSNBC Becomes MSNow. Football Friday, Jameis Winston and Thanksgiving is Coming!

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373. On Venezuela: Show Me the Dope with Henry Rollins. The Cost of War and the Power of Art. The Fight for the Soul of America. Don’t Mess with Banksy. The Wisdom of Bob. Lessons from Walter Reed and the USO. What Losing the East Wing Really Represents.

We’re back with part two of Paul Rieckhoff’s (@PaulRieckhoff) epic conversation with punk rock icon, activist, and truth-teller Henry Rollins in this raw, urgent, and fiercely independent discussion of the true cost of war, creative protest, and the power of showing up. From the lessons of helping injured veterans to finding hope through art and… Continue reading 373. On Venezuela: Show Me the Dope with Henry Rollins. The Cost of War and the Power of Art. The Fight for the Soul of America. Don’t Mess with Banksy. The Wisdom of Bob. Lessons from Walter Reed and the USO. What Losing the East Wing Really Represents.

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372. It’s Time To Bring Back Punk Rock with Henry Rollins. A Constant State of Protest. I Hate the Division. Like a Vial of Nitro. Following Joan Jett into a Hot Zone. Minor Threat, Fugazi and How Punk Rock Fought Nazis. Henry on Fetterman’s Wardrobe.

We’ve got a special Veterans Week treat for this episode as Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) welcomes back legendary artist, activist, and punk rock icon Henry Rollins for a fiercely honest conversation about division in America, the state of democracy, and the enduring need for vigilance. From stories of Rollins’s global travels to his reflections on what… Continue reading 372. It’s Time To Bring Back Punk Rock with Henry Rollins. A Constant State of Protest. I Hate the Division. Like a Vial of Nitro. Following Joan Jett into a Hot Zone. Minor Threat, Fugazi and How Punk Rock Fought Nazis. Henry on Fetterman’s Wardrobe.

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371. Kristen Rouse. This Veterans Day Feels Different. Beyond the Parades. IHOP, Bloomin’ Onions & Free Stuff. A Rare Day of Unity in America. Are Vets Now in the Rear View? Teaching our Kids About All of This. Independent Veterans are Ready to Lead.

On this special Veterans Day episode, Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) sits down with renowned veterans advocate Kristen Rouse for a candid, timely, and moving conversation. With honesty and heart, Paul and Kristen break down how Veterans Day 2025 feels different—exploring the evolving challenges, divisions, threats, and opportunities facing America’s veterans and those who… Continue reading 371. Kristen Rouse. This Veterans Day Feels Different. Beyond the Parades. IHOP, Bloomin’ Onions & Free Stuff. A Rare Day of Unity in America. Are Vets Now in the Rear View? Teaching our Kids About All of This. Independent Veterans are Ready to Lead.

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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. 

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. 

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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.

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.

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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. 

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. 

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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. 

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. 

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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. 

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. 

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