NEW EPISODE · JUNE 15, 2026 · EP 550
550 EPISODES SUBSCRIBE →
Vol. V · No. 550Monday Edition
Righteous MediaSince 1776. Est. 2019

Episode 205

Nolan Peterson

  The chaos is real. The news is overwhelming.

The Brief

→ Four things from today’s episode
01

Why a UFC event at the White House will cost taxpayers an es. Why a UFC event at the White House will cost taxpayers an estimated $10-12M in security and overhead alone

02

"Wasteful barbaric desecration". the WBD framing for how this money could feed hungry American families instead

03

The Orbán parallel. how corruption, not ideology, ultimately toppled Hungary's strongman

04

Paul on training in MMA in the military. and why a lifelong UFC fan still calls this the bastardization of the people's house




 

The chaos is real. The news is overwhelming. 

It’s a new year. But it’s the same old chaos. But it seems to be even worse. 

But nowhere is it worse than in Ukraine. 

In Ukraine, it’s a new year. And the same war. 

And in the midst of all the madness. This is the most important madness. And we’re gonna dig into it.

He has spent the last 8 years of his life living in Ukraine. And has spent the last year on the front lines of the war helping us all stay connected—and stay vigilant. 

He’s an American special forces veteran, a combat journalist, and the husband of a Ukrainian–who is telling the story of this war—-through his life in it: Nolan Peterson (@NolanWPeterson). 

A former U.S. Air Force Special Operations pilot and veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Nolan Peterson is Senior Editor for Coffee or Die Magazine, an acclaimed war correspondent, and a globetrotting travel writer whose adventures have taken him to all seven continents. 

And he breaks down what’s happening now in Ukraine now: in Kiev, in Mariupol, in Bucha, in bunkers, in Ukrainian hearts–and into the future. He tells us all how to Stand by Ukraine. Check out all his recent articles from the war in Ukraine. 

And as mentioned in the pod, here’s how you can send your own customized artillery shell to Russia with love. 

Previous appearance: Episode 170 – May 12, 2022

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. 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.