NEW EPISODE · AUGUST 13, 2026 · EP 599
599 EPISODES SUBSCRIBE →
Vol. V · No. 599Friday Edition
Righteous MediaSince 1776. Est. 2019

Episode 97

SPECIAL DISPATCH: Wayne Smith

We finally have a new president. A president who wants to be a uniter.

The Brief

→ Four things from today’s episode
01

Rob learns another FDNY firefighter has died of a 9/11 illne. Rob learns another FDNY firefighter has died of a 9/11 illness 30 minutes before recording — and drops the running count: 257 FDNY, close to 500 NYPD, thousands of civilians

02

Why "never forget" has become a punchline. and what it should actually mean

03

The moral injury connecting sick 9/11 responders and abandon. The moral injury connecting sick 9/11 responders and abandoned Afghanistan veterans: same broken promise, same government

04

Rob on the 13 shot glasses lining bars after Kabul. "Where the fuck were the glasses for the last 20 years?"

We finally have a new president. A president who wants to be a uniter. A president we all hope can reach beyond partisanship. No matter how hard it will be. 

This post-inauguration special of The Dispatches features an important conversation with a leader who is a national voice of reason — Wayne Smith—a man we call, “The Oracle.” He joined us back in Episode 63 of Angry Americans in June of last year, and he’s here again to help us get some perspective on one of the most turbulent times ever. What do we make of this week? What is our place in history? What’s next? How do you reconcile with someone who tried to kill you?  

They’re heavy questions and the solutions aren’t easy, but helpers like Wayne Smith can help us all find the way. 

We made it through the election. We made it through the inauguration. We made it through 4 years of Trump. And we made it through an insurrection attempt and domestic terrorist attack on our Capitol. But we made it through. And our flag is still there. 

The war is on. This is your update. This is The Dispatches.

Our host, Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) is an Army infantry and Military Police (MP) veteran, he’s fought an insurgency in Iraq, he’s guarded against violent mobs and terror attacks, and he’s set up check-points in New York City after 9/11. 

The Dispatches is powered by Righteous Media.

See video of this conversation with Wayne Smith and a range of music, political, business and media players from Chuck D to Jeffrey Wright to Medal of Honor Recipient Flo Groberg to Sarah Jessica Parker to Stephen Colbert to Meghan McCain to Mayor Pete Buttigieg on the Righteous Media YouTube page. It’s political, social and industry diversity like no other show in America. 

Righteous Media is your trusted, independent source for news, politics, culture and inspiration. It’s a smart, fun and no-BS perspective like nowhere else in the media.