Category: Episodes

Independent U.S. Senate candidate from Idaho, Army veteran and telecom leader Todd Achilles returns to Independent Americans for a hard-charging Football Friday that cuts through the chaos. Todd and host Paul Rieckhoff break down Trump’s unauthorized boat strikes and the unfolding Signalgate scandal, why Secretary Hegseth is “fundamentally unfit,” and how Congress has surrendered its… Continue reading 389. Todd Achilles – Independent Veteran for Senate. Everybody’s Pissed Off. The View from Idaho. Hegseth, SignalGate, Venezuela & ICE. Flags Lowered for Spec Sarah Beckstrom. The 2X2 Matrix. The Need for the Fulcrum. Friday Football on the Smurf Turf. 

Retired Brigadier General Shawn A. Harris is back on the front lines—this time in politics. From his grass-fed cattle farm in Rockmart, Georgia to the halls of the Pentagon, Harris joins Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) to break down SignalGate, the deadly US boat strikes, the War Powers fight and the growing danger of… Continue reading 388. Brigadier General (Ret) Shawn Harris. Can He Win MTG’s Old Seat? 1/6 Bomb Suspect Captured. Boat Strikes and Venezuela. SECDEF has Lost the Confidence of the Brass. Putin Sending Ukrainian Children to North Korea. Football Coaches and Second Chances.

In this urgent episode ripped from the top political and national security headlines, host Paul Rieckhoff talks with the only truly Independent Senator and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee: Maine’s Angus King. King returns to the show to answer tough questions, share the latest from inside the Senate, and break down Hegseth’s “kill… Continue reading 387. Independent Senator Angus King. Does Hegseth Need to Go NOW? War Crimes Hearings When? Why Did ADM Holsey Resign? SignalGate Investigation Finally Done. Can The Senate Stop Trump on Venezuela? His Disgusting New Attack—on Somalis. Sabrina Carpenter.

Paul Rieckhoff catches up with scholar-warrior Dr. Jason Dempsey, a veteran whose career spans deployments in Afghanistan, work inside the White House, and now powerful advocacy and research on the state of America’s military. The two dive into headline events—recent attacks, controversial military decisions, and the dangerous rise of performative “tough guy” politics. Dempsey unpacks… Continue reading 386. Jason Dempsey. Is Hegseth Going Down Over This? Why Double-Tapping is Wrong. Spotlight on Adm. Bradley. No Scapegoats. Afghani Experience: Trauma, Transition and Empty Promises. “Driscoll is Measuring Drapes.” The Kids Are OK. Tree Lighting Week. 

In this must-hear breaking news episode, host Paul Rieckhoff and Washington Post Pentagon reporter and returning guest Dan Lamothe dig into the shocking September 2 “drug boat” strike that allegedly included a second “double tap” hit on survivors in the water—and why this may become the first real legal and political test of Trump’s controversial… Continue reading 385. Dan Lamothe. Washington Post’s NATSEC Reporter Caught in the Crossfire. Who Gave the Double Tap Order? Is it a War Crime? Hegseth & Trump vs the Press. Laura Loomer & Deskgate. Are Venezuela Strikes Imminent? WV Gov Posts Incorrect Troop Deaths. 

In this classic April 2021 conversation, Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff sits down with actor Jon Bernthal for a raw, unfiltered look at America at a breaking point—through the eyes of a storyteller who has spent years playing warriors, cops and complicated men on the edge. They dig into service, violence, fatherhood, justice and what… Continue reading 384. Jon Bernthal (Replay).  The Iconic Actor Gets Real About America at a Crossroads. Defining Toughness, and Insurrectionist Using The Punisher Skull. George Floyd, Fatherhood, Sativa, DMX, Pitbulls. Biden’s Afghanistan Drawdown.

This special Thanksgiving edition brings you part two of a dynamic Independent Veterans of America Winners Circle Town Hall featuring IVA 2026 Senate candidates Ty Pinkins of Mississippi and Dan Osborn of Nebraska—two independent veterans who are taking on entrenched incumbents, big money, and a broken two-party system.​ From New York City on Thanksgiving Day,… Continue reading 383. Paul Rieckhoff. Part Two: The 2025 IVA Winners Circle Town Hall. The Rise of Service-First Politics. From Mechanic to Movement Leader in the Heartland.  Grassroots Veterans Challenge Big Money Politics. A New Home for Politically Homeless Patriots.

As we head into Thanksgiving we’ve got a special Veterans Day “Winners Circle” town hall that brings together Independent Veterans of America (IVA) candidates who are changing American politics from the ground up. Independent Americans host and IVA founder Paul Rieckhoff moderates a powerful, unfiltered conversation with two newly‑elected independent veterans—Mike Procuk (Frederick County, VA… Continue reading 382. Paul Rieckhoff. Part One: The 2025 IVA Winners Circle Town Hall. Independent Veteran Candidates Share Their Victories and Challenges. Open Primaries and Ranked Choice vs A Stacked Deck. How an Independent Fulcrum Can Be the Leverage to Fix Our Future

Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) rips through one of the most urgent, dangerous stories in American politics right now: Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth’s unprecedented weaponization of the Department of Defense and FBI against Senator Mark Kelly and five other members of Congress, and millions of military retirees—just days before Thanksgiving.  Coming to you… Continue reading 381. Paul Rieckhoff. If They Do It to Sen Mark Kelly, They Can Do It to You: The Threat to 2M Military Retirees. The FBI & Pentagon: Trump’s New Dual Political Attack. Ukraine on the Edge. 68 Boxes of 9/11 Info. Chiefs v Cowboys. Duffle Blog For The Win.

Next week in Tennessee, the biggest and most important election since Election Day is happening. And it could be a key bellwether for the mid-term elections next year. But most of America doesn’t know it’s happening. Or that an independent veteran is running in it. But this fascinating and intense race is a reflection of… Continue reading 380. Jon Thorp. Independent Veteran Running in TN-7 Special Election Next Week. Trump’s Biggest Test Since Election Day. Running Against Both Extremes. Why He Left the GOP. Facing Down Democrat Super PACs BS. Hegseth and Trump Go After Senator Kelly.