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Yes, my friends, FESTIVUS is back! 

A Festivus for the rest of us. 

And so is our annual Festivus special!

With the man himself! 

The legend. The iconic actor who played George Constanza on Seinfeld–friend of this show—conscience for America—and a very proud new grandfather! The American treasure–and American icon: Jason Alexander (@IJasonAlexander)!
Every guest on this show has shaped America’s past, is impacting America’s present, and is driving America’s future. And Jason continues to help us understand ourselves, our past, and our future. A future that has a whole new perspective for him with the recent birth of his first grandchild. 
 He is of course best known for his role as George Costanza in maybe the greatest television series of all time, Seinfeld. He was nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. He won a Tony Award. And he’s a truly inspiring, fascinating and entertaining man. 
 He’s defined American culture and entertainment for decades. And, all the while, he’s been deeply committed to his craft—to his family—and to his country. He’s raised money for charities. He’s fought for causes and candidates. And when his sister was struck with a devastating disease, he fought for her–and for others like her facing the same terrible disease. 
 If you’ve watched him, you love him. And you may feel like you know him. But you really don’t. In this episode, you’ll learn that the man behind the characters is even more amazing. And you’ll love him, respect him, and admire him even more. Just like the last two times he’s joined us. It’s the perfect holiday conversation. For whatever holiday you celebrate.
 Previous Jason Alexander Festivus appearances:
December 19, 2019 – Episode 38
December 18, 2020 – Episode 90  
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 50% 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. 
-Join the movement. Sign up to get our regular breakdowns of the independent news you need to know. 
-Learn more about Operation Independents. 
-Hook into our exclusive Patreon community 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. 
– WATCH video of Paul and Jason’s conversation here.
-Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours. 
-Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get a cool, new IA hoodie sweatshirt just in time for the holidays. 
-Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed and B Dorm. 
Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. America’s next great independent media company.

  Tis the season, to remember all the people on the front lines this holiday. When so many are celebrating. So many are standing guard. The French remember that. It’s why 80 years later, when French president Macron comes to the US for a state visit; he meets with and thanks American veterans who were part of the greatest generation that liberated France. The Ukrainians know that now. Help will come. From America, help will come.  America is about remembering that helping others is required. And that helping is contagious. Even when America needs help ourselves. The spirit of America—and the spirit of not being the world’s police, but being a helper, being a global citizen, being a good neighbor. We must continue to set the example. From America, help will come.  And our guest this week has a unique perspective on what that means— and what all of it means. As one of the first journalists allowed to enter and report on the capture of Saddam Hussein, later covering the conflict in Gaza as well as the Arab Spring. He understands the middle east. He understands America. He understands Georgia. And his unique perspective will help shed light on the Georgia special election results, the growing American insurgency, revolution in Iran, as well as the war in Ukraine. He’s Ayman Mohyeldin (@AymanM).  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.  -Join the movement. Sign up to get our regular breakdowns of the independent news you need to know.  -Learn more about Operation Independent.  –Hook into our exclusive Patreon community 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.  – WATCH video of Paul and Ayman’s conversation here. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get a cool, new IA hoodie sweatshirt just in time for the holidays.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. America’s next great independent media company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  As we approach our 200th episode of this show, it’s time to take all our learning, all our allies, all our resources and focus on winning. Winning for America. And winning for America’s future.  And our conversation with our guest in this episode is a major step toward doing that.  It’s time to bring independents together.  It’s time for Americans to unite too.  And in this episode, you’re finally gonna hear from Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang). Candidate for President. Candidate for Mayor. Patriot, activist and father. And now, co-founder of the Forward party.  You’re gonna hear his plan for independents. And how he’s working to meet this moment. And in the weeks and months to come, you’ll hear from other top and rising leaders about what they’re doing to meet this moment–and specifically to unite and empower independents to protect, defend and improve our country.  But before we get to Andrew’s plan, it’s time for you to hear about mine.  As we’ve long discussed on this show, in this moment, we are at war. We are at war against enemies foreign and domestic. And we are at war for the soul of America. And if you want to win a war, you need a war plan.  Like every plan, it will change. That’s good design. It’s always evolving in response to changes on the ground. As the only saying goes, no plan will survive enemy contact. So I expect it to evolve. I expect it to adapt, improvise and overcome. It’s far from perfect. But I also learned we can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. And with stakes as high as they are in America right now, we don’t have any more time to waste. So it’s time to stop revising and editing and start executing. And in some ways, we already have been.  Independent Americans is not just a podcast. Not just a brand. It’s a movement. And every good movement needs a plan. And now, I’m ready to finally share with you mine.  I’ve talked about it a bit for the last few months. And teased a few pieces. And now, as the election is finally over, the year is almost at an end, and we reach Episode 200, my early Christmas gift to everyone is my strategy. My plan. My plan to build an Independent political infrastructure to save America. And it’s called Operation Independents. 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.  -Join the movement. Sign up to get our regular breakdowns of the independent news you need to know.  –Hook into our exclusive Patreon community 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.  – WATCH video of Paul and Andrew’s conversation here. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get a cool, new IA hoodie sweatshirt just in time for the start of the cold season.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. America’s next great independent media company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  As we enter the holiday season, we reflect. We reflect on the good and the bad. The things we’re grateful for and the things we wish had never happened. The last bunch of years has been challenging for all of us. From the chaos of our politics, to the immeasurable losses we suffered from COVID, to the seemingly endless string of mass shootings, we’ve all been through a lot. But no one has experienced the pain we’ve all experienced more than children. They’ve been subjected to a level of uncertainty that no other group of children has had to experience. From COVID cancellations and ambiguous school policies, to social media pressure, to whatever weird stuff hasn’t hit our radar yet — the kids are not all right.  And so as many of us gather together with our families, we wanted to take some time to reflect and to get some answers and ideas on how to move forward past the trauma we’ve all just experienced. And we’ve got a returning guest that’s the perfect voice to hear from on all of it. Anya Kamenetz (@Anya1Anya) joined us in Episode 57 in May of 2020 to break down the beginnings of the pandemic’s effect on children. And now that we’ve moved past it, she’s back to share the lessons learned and what we can expect going forward. Even if you don’t have kids this is one that you probably need to hear.  From Richard Fierro, the heroic veteran who prevented the loss of many more lives in the Colorado Springs shooting, to the war in Ukraine, to Kari Lake refusing to accept the election results in Arizona — the news doesn’t quit. And neither do we. So while you cook your turkey, tofurkey or whatever else you’re eating this thanksgiving Thursday, we put together this special episode that is jam packed with the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. We hope it can warm your belly as you drive, ride, or lounge this Thanksgiving season.  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.  -Read the New York Daily News OpEd by John Opdycke and Sal Albanese on the pivotal role of independents in New York’s elections here. -Join the movement. Sign up to get our regular breakdowns of the independent news you need to know.  –Hook into our exclusive Patreon community 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.  – WATCH video of Paul and Anya’s conversation here. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get a cool, new IA hoodie sweatshirt just in time for the start of the cold season.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. America’s next great independent media company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

   Welcome to the return of President Mayhem. Welcome to the end of Election Season 2022. Sorta. And welcome to the beginning of Election Season 2024. The Democrats now have the Senate. The Republicans have the House. America is deeply divided. And Trump is back. And so is Joe Walsh. After joining us in Episode 176 in June of 2022, the former GOP Tea Party leader-turned-anti-Trumper independent Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) is back with Paul to break down all the latest and most important political news.  A self-proclaimed reformed political gang-banger, the former Republican Congressman, cable news pundit, and radio talk host, Joe takes us inside his old party as it becomes engulfed in a civil war. He also breaks down the flaws in the Democratic party, if he thinks anyone can beat Trump, and why he declined an invitation to join Andrew Yang’s new Forward Party.  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.  -Join the movement. Sign up to get our regular breakdowns of the independent news you need to know.  Hook into our exclusive Patreon community 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.  – WATCH video of Paul and Joe’s conversation here. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get a cool, new IA hoodie sweatshirt just in time for the start of the cold season.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. America’s next great independent media company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  The most important election of our lifetime is finally over. Sorta. And the final contest may be just beginning.  America is divided. And half the country is not happy this week. Again. Anger and division is the story of our lives in America now. And if you’re feeling like it’s not, just wait a few more days. Because President Mayhem is back. Trump is back. And we all know what that means for our politics. But what does it mean for 2024? What does it mean for a likely match up against Biden? What does it mean for a possible run by an independent candidate for President? And what does this midterm election mean? What is its place in history? Is this history repeating itself? Or are we starting over? Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) is the perfect person to ask. He’s the winner of an Emmy award, serves as NBC News Presidential Historian, and contributes to the PBS NewsHour. He is the author of nine best-selling books, including Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America, 1789-1989, Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy (co-authored with Caroline Kennedy) and two volumes on President Lyndon Johnson’s secret White House tapes. Beschloss also has the largest Twitter following of any historian on earth. And in a Twitterverse filled with bots and hate and nastiness, he remains a reason to be on that website. Pouring out historic photos and perspective. He’s also a father…and a generous, kind and nice man.  On the pod recently we’ve had a Professor of Nukes.  Professors of War.  Professors of Business. Professors of Politics.  We’ve had a professor of history.  And now, we’ve got another. Michael Beschloss is a truly important, inspiring and iconic American that is shaping what America has been, what it is, and what it will be. And a truly independent American.  It’s a conversation that will help you get smarter, predict better, and of course, stay vigilant. Because eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. And this week, we saw what can happen if we’re willing to pay that price. Is this history repeating itself? Or are we starting over? Welcome to Veterans Week. Welcome to the end of Election Season 2022. Welcome to the beginning of Election Season 2024.   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.  –Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community 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.  – WATCH video of Paul and Michael’s conversation here. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. America’s next great independent media company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. 
-Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community 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. 
– WATCH video of Paul and Ken’s conversation here.
-Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours. 
-Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch. 
-Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed and B Dorm. 
Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. America’s next great independent media company.