{"id":5750,"date":"2025-08-21T07:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T07:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/348-aaron-mankin-replay-losing-your-face-in-combat-debating-sara-huckabee-sanders-in-high-school-how-to-survive-70-surgeries-aarons-playboy-mansion-story-scars-are-not-forever-operat\/"},"modified":"2025-08-21T07:01:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T07:01:00","slug":"348-aaron-mankin-replay-losing-your-face-in-combat-debating-sara-huckabee-sanders-in-high-school-how-to-survive-70-surgeries-aarons-playboy-mansion-story-scars-are-not-forever-operat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/348-aaron-mankin-replay-losing-your-face-in-combat-debating-sara-huckabee-sanders-in-high-school-how-to-survive-70-surgeries-aarons-playboy-mansion-story-scars-are-not-forever-operat\/","title":{"rendered":"348. Aaron Mankin (Replay). Losing Your Face in Combat. Debating Sara Huckabee Sanders in High School. How to Survive 70 Surgeries. Aaron\u2019s Playboy Mansion Story. Scars Are Not Forever. Operation Mend. No Excuse Not to Serve."},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/playlist.megaphone.fm\/?e=ANA6772752987\" width=\"100%\" height=\"210\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Our August break continues and we\u2019re throwing it way back to <a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/34-aaron-mankin-losing-your-face-in-combat-debating-sara-huckabee-sanders-in-high-school-how-to-survive-70-surgeries-aarons-playboy-mansion-story-scars-are-not-forever-colonel-vindman\/\"><u>Episode 34<\/u><\/a> with Aaron Mankin. A true American hero, Aaron Menken joined Paul Rieckhoff at the Classic Car Club in New York for an incredibly powerful conversation. Having survived a catastrophic IED explosion in Iraq that left him with severe burns and countless injuries shares the story of his journey to recovery with Paul in this riveting conversation. This is about more than just survival\u2014it&#8217;s about choosing hope over despair and we\u2019re sure it will leave you feeling inspired.<\/p>\n<p>Aaron\u2019s injuries have meant he\u2019s had to endure over 70 surgeries to reconstruct his face and body, but he\u2019s lifting up others by turning his recovery into a mission to inspire others. He talks about the extraordinary support of Operation Mend at UCLA, a program that not only rebuilt his face but also helped restore his soul. With his trademark humor, he recalls a memorable encounter at the Playboy Mansion, where he found himself in a room with more plastic surgery than any place on Earth.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a masterclass in turning trauma into purpose. The importance of gratitude and service, and a unique look at how you define a leader and a patriot. His powerful message is a must-listen interview with a man who has every reason to be angry but chooses to be happy and inspire others instead. And people like that are why we built this show.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/NzYQ5muFq44\"><u>WATCH video of Paul and Aaron\u2019s conversation.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<p>-Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/independentveteransofamerica.org\/\"><u>Independent Veterans of America<\/u><\/a> and all of <a href=\"https:\/\/independentveteransofamerica.org\/candidates\/\"><u>the IVA candidates<\/u><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/independentamericans\/posts\"><u>Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community<\/u><\/a> of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Check the hashtag <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search?q=%23LookForTheHelpers&amp;src=typed_query\"><u>#LookForTheHelpers<\/u><\/a>. And share yours.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Find us on social media or <a href=\"http:\/\/www.independentamericans.us\"><u><a href=\"http:\/\/www.IndependentAmericans.us\" rel=\"nofollow\">http:\/\/www.IndependentAmericans.us<\/a><\/u><\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/merch\/\"><u>And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch<\/u><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Check out other Righteous podcasts like <a href=\"https:\/\/thefirefighters.us\/\"><u>The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra<\/u><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/unclemontel.us\/\"><u>Uncle Montel &#8211; The OG of Weed<\/u><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/bdorm.us\/\"><u>B Dorm<\/u><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led <a href=\"https:\/\/righteous.us\/\"><u>Righteous Media<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ways to listen:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Spotify: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Apple Podcasts: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\/id1457899667\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\/id1457899667<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Amazon Podcasts: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\"><u><a href=\"https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff<\/a><\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ways to watch:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>YouTube: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@independentamericans\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@independentamericans<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Instagram: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Social channels:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>X\/Twitter:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/indy_americans\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/x.com\/indy_americans<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>BlueSky:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/indyamericans.bsky.social\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/indyamericans.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Facebook:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/megaphone.fm\/adchoices\">megaphone.fm\/adchoices<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our August break continues and we\u2019re throwing it way back to Episode 34 with Aaron Mankin. A true American hero, Aaron Menken joined Paul Rieckhoff at the Classic Car Club in New York for an incredibly powerful conversation. Having survived a catastrophic IED explosion in Iraq that left him with severe burns and countless injuries&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/348-aaron-mankin-replay-losing-your-face-in-combat-debating-sara-huckabee-sanders-in-high-school-how-to-survive-70-surgeries-aarons-playboy-mansion-story-scars-are-not-forever-operat\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">348. Aaron Mankin (Replay). Losing Your Face in Combat. Debating Sara Huckabee Sanders in High School. How to Survive 70 Surgeries. Aaron\u2019s Playboy Mansion Story. Scars Are Not Forever. Operation Mend. No Excuse Not to Serve.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5751,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-episodes","entry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0c72425a3ec7df2bc68ea529cd0d68c7.jpg",800,800,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0c72425a3ec7df2bc68ea529cd0d68c7.jpg",800,800,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0c72425a3ec7df2bc68ea529cd0d68c7.jpg",800,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0c72425a3ec7df2bc68ea529cd0d68c7-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0c72425a3ec7df2bc68ea529cd0d68c7-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0c72425a3ec7df2bc68ea529cd0d68c7.jpg",750,750,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0c72425a3ec7df2bc68ea529cd0d68c7.jpg",800,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0c72425a3ec7df2bc68ea529cd0d68c7.jpg",800,800,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0c72425a3ec7df2bc68ea529cd0d68c7.jpg",800,800,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/author\/admin\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/category\/episodes\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Episodes<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Our August break continues and we\u2019re throwing it way back to Episode 34 with Aaron Mankin. A true American hero, Aaron Menken joined Paul Rieckhoff at the Classic Car Club in New York for an incredibly powerful conversation. Having survived a catastrophic IED explosion in Iraq that left him with severe burns and countless injuries&hellip;&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5750","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5750"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5750\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5751"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5750"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}