NEW EPISODE · MAY 22, 2026 · EP 530
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Vol. V · No. 530Sunday Edition
Righteous MediaSince 1776. Est. 2019

Episode 195

Election Special

Election Day is almost here. And America is divided.

The Brief

→ Four things from today’s episode
01

Breaking. Tulsi Gabbard resigns as DNI — personal reasons, or the latest Iran defection after Joe Kent?

02

Why Cuba is next. Raul Castro charged with murder, Nimitz in the Caribbean, Stephen Miller on Fox — the same playbook used on Iran and Venezuela

03

Trump downplays the 13 American service members killed in Ir. Trump downplays the 13 American service members killed in Iran and says he 'gets a kick' out of the coverage

04

The $14 billion Taiwan arms sale put on pause because Iran i. The $14 billion Taiwan arms sale put on pause because Iran is becoming a sucking chest wound

Election Day is almost here. And America is divided. America is scared. America is angry. 

But independent Americans are in a unique position to make an impact. We will decide the election in so many races all across the country. And at least one of us, Evan McMullin in Utah, could be elected Senator. 

America is on edge, but we can help bring them down off that edge. Help them see over it. Help them move around it. And we have the perfect guest to guide us through this Election Day week. To ground us. To calm us all down with some sobering reality. Some history. Some perspective. And some wisdom. 

Ken Burns (@KenBurns) is a truly important, inspiring and iconic American who is shaping what America has been, what it is, and what it will be. He is an exceptionally wise, insightful and trusted leader that we all need to hear from right now. A man who understands history–and the historic nature of these times. The perfect guest to take us into the most important election in our lifetime. 

He’s the visionary mastermind behind the greatest stories of our country—of our people–of our history—and of our future. The Civil War (1990), Baseball (1994), Jazz (2001), The War (2007), The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (2009), Prohibition (2011), The Roosevelts (2014), The Vietnam War (2017), and Country Music, and now, The US and the Holocaust–a new six-and-half-hour documentary directed and produced by Ken Burns and his longtime partners Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein. They describe it as a deep dive into “America’s response to one of the greatest humanitarian crises in history.” He’s also the author of the new book, Our America: A Photographic History

He’s a historian. He’s a documentarian. He’s a master storyteller. He’s a patriot. He’s our mirror. And he’s a conscience for us all. 

We’ve had professors of Nukes. 

Professors of War. 

Professors of Business.

Professors of Politics. 

And now, we’ve got a professor of history. And an expert on America. It’s a conversation from inside his New Hampshire home that will help you get smarter, predict better, and of course, stay vigilant. Because eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. The most important election day in our lifetime is definitely a time to stay vigilant. Welcome to Election Week 2022. With the great Ken Burns.

Every episode of Independent Americans hosted by author, activist and social entrepreneur Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) is the truth beyond the headlines–and light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s content for the 42% of Americans that proudly 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 veterans issues. This is another 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.