56. David Aldridge. Sports After Coronavirus. Michael Jordan and The Last Dance. The Virtual NFL Draft. The NBA Biosphere Scenario. Remembering Pat Tillman. Stupid Infects Georgia. The VA Scrambles. #StayFrosty

What is the future of sports after the coronavirus? Will the NBA play again this season? How will sports look in our new normal? David Aldridge (@DavidAldridgeDC) is one of the best and most respected sports writers in America. He’s a basketball icon that’s been in on our TV for decades covering the NBA for ESPN, TNT and now, for The Athletic. He’s also an astute observer of the intersection of sports, culture, politics, race and economics. David has interviewed Presidents and received the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Curt Gowdy Media Award for his contributions to basketball. He’s a tenacious advocate for his hometown of Washington, DC and has interviewed President Barack Obama, Steph Curry and Michael Jordan.  Angry Americans has always focused on the interaction of politics, sports and culture. And as our the war against the coronavirus drags on, sports is one of the things people everywhere miss the most. With concerns from players about safety, and pushes from politicians to restart leagues, David helps us all understand the biggest challenges and the bigger picture of sports in the world of COVID-19. And as the hit ESPN documentary about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bull, The Last Dance, captivates audiences everywhere, the NFL draft goes virtual, Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski head to Tampa, and as we recognize the 16th anniversary of the death of NFL player and Army Ranger, Pat Tillman, David’s wisdom will leave you enlightened.  And as the country is ripped by the coronavirus and political division over how and when to shutdown and re-open sports and everything else, independent activist, author and Army veteran @PaulRieckhoff breaks it all down with a kick. Rieckhoff tears into the politicians who are putting politics ahead of people, drills into the exposure of our national security, and continues to hold the White House, Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense accountability for leadership failures, political nonsense and a rising death toll. It’s a another powerful episode of the show that’s been featured in Variety, NPR, The New York Times, MSNBC and CNN. From front edge of the evolving war against the virus in New York City, to Georgia, to Washington, DC, to North Korea, Angry Americans is the most interesting and independent podcast in America for politics, news and culture. This episode Angry Americans is powered by the awesomeness of BRAVO SIERRA. BRAVO SIERRA (@BravoSierra_USA) is the military-native performance wellness company that’s built for the pandemic. They deliver high-quality grooming essentials that are formulated with clean ingredients and made in the USA. And BRAVO SIERRA leads by example. 5% of all sales goes to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs for active-duty U.S. Military service members, veterans and their families. Go to www.BravoSierra.com/AngryAmericans to get a FREE trial set of their products now. And Angry Americans listeners can use the special discount code ANGRY at checkout for 15% off on all orders.  You can now get exclusive access to the people, events and content behind Angry Americans by joining us on Patreon. You can help keep this important content coming–and get unique connections to powerful information and one-in-a-lifetime opportunities to meet guests like Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Meghan McCain and Henry Rollins. Angry Americans is connecting, uniting and empowering people nationwide–and is powered by Righteous Media. Watch the Conversation: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rieckhoff on Cuomo 4/23/2020

  Angry Americans host Paul Rieckhoff joins CNN’s Chris Cuomo to discuss the VA’s lack of preparation and planning for the Coronavirus.   If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. Especially now. But this show is about more than being angry. It’s also about being active, informed and vigilant. It’s bigger than any party–and truly about putting our country first. If that’s a side you want to join, join our Angry Americans Patreon community and get special behind-the-curtain access to our host, Paul Rieckhoff, our dynamic guests, and discounts on Angry Americans merch and exclusive extra content not available anywhere else. Angry Americans is your independent source for news, politics, culture and inspiration with the hard-hitting perspective you can only get here. Join us now! Join the Righteous  

AP: VA medical facilities struggle to cope with coronavirus

Angry Americans host Paul Rieckhoff sounds the alarm on the VA in this April 23, 2020 AP news article. “There has been a failure of leadership at VA, and veterans, VA employees and the public are suffering as a result,” said Paul Rieckhoff, founder and former head of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and now host of the podcast “Angry Americans.” Read more here: https://www.wwnytv.com/2020/04/23/va-medical-facilities-struggle-cope-with-coronavirus/   If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. Especially now. But this show is about more than being angry. It’s also about being active, informed and vigilant. It’s bigger than any party–and truly about putting our country first. If that’s a side you want to join, join our Angry Americans Patreon community and get special behind-the-curtain access to our host, Paul Rieckhoff, our dynamic guests, and discounts on Angry Americans merch and exclusive extra content not available anywhere else. Angry Americans is your independent source for news, politics, culture and inspiration with the hard-hitting perspective you can only get here. Join us now! Join the Righteous  

CHEF TOM COLICCHIO: COVID19 SPECIAL DISPATCH

We are now a world at war. The coronavirus is the enemy we all face. And we are all united in our fight against that enemy. The Dispatches is a new quick-hit pod hosted by Iraq war veteran, author and activist Paul Rieckhoff that gives you news and information you can use in the fight to protect those around you, kill the virus and help win the war. In less than 30 minutes.  The next edition of the Dispatch checks-in with the American celebrity Tom Colicchio. Former Host of Top Chef, Tom is the recipient of five James Beard Foundation Awards for his culinary achievements and is on the front lines right now advocating for restaurants and their workers. Colicchio joined us for a longer conversation in Episode 8 of Angry Americans–one of our earliest episodes and one that definitely set the bar. More than one month after our natio waged war against the virus, Tom is back to give us his update live from NY on how the restaurant industry is going to be impacted. He breaks down the federal relief loan programs and their conundrums, and gives insights for how to navigate the pending economic breakdowns we’re likely to see in the months to come. Tom talks community feeding centers and more ideas on how government can be more responsive in this crisis era. This Dispatch is packed with the same integrity, information, inspiration and impact you get from every episode of Angry Americans. The war is on. This is your update. This is your dispatch.  The Dispatch is a production of Righteous Media. Watch the Conversation: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

55. Jeffrey Wright. Westworld and COVID19. Fighting the Virus in Brooklyn. Rallying for Restaurants. Ebola in Sierra Leone. The Slave Behind Jack Daniels Whiskey. Trump vs The WHO. Stupid Hits South Dakota. The VA Secretary is MIA. #StayFrosty

Jeffrey Wright [50:40] is one of the finest actors in the world. He’s also one of the most tenacious activists. He’s a patriot. He’s an organizer. He’s a voice for the voiceless. He’s a powerful critic of Donald Trump. And he’s deep in the fight vs the coronavirus right now.  From Angels in America to Basquiat to Syriana to Casino Royale to The Hunger Games to Boardwalk Empire to Classical Baby to Westworld. Jeffrey Wright (@JFreeWright) has played Martin Luther King Jr. and Colin Powell. He’s played artists and scientists. And he’s everyone’s favorite Host, Bernard Lowe. He’s won a Golden Globe, an Emmy, a Tony. And he’s a driven supporter of causes ranging from veterans with mental health injuries to miners in Sierra Leone.  And as the war against the coronavirus expands, Jeffrey Wright is a critical global face for two prongs of our collective experience. His neighborhood in Brooklyn is being hammered by sickness and death. Sirens are wailing constantly outside his home. And he’s using his unique talents to rally support for his community through a bold new effort called #BrooklynForLife! At the same time, the HBO show he stars in is at the top of the world’s stay-at-home binge list. Westworld is a global phenomenon–giving so many of us a break from the non-stop news cycle around the coronavirus. But also providing a warning about our weaknesses and painting a picture of a dystopian potential future. It’s a candid, inspiring, unpredictable and extended conversation–with one of the most recognized faces on the planet. You’ll hear sides of Jeffrey Wright you’ve never heard before. His thoughts as a father, his experience in Africa fighting another deadly virus, his thoughts on potential VP options for Biden, his stories of glory as a college lacrosse star–and you’ll even meet his pet turtles. And as the stupid continues to spread faster across American even faster than the virus, independent activist @PaulRieckhoff breaks it all down with this trademark insight, wit and candor. He rips into how a skyrocketing number of veterans are dying from COVID19 at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Pentagon’s struggles to contain outbreaks, a flood of anti-lock-down state capitol protests, and the line of endorsements coming to Joe Biden. Angry Americans is powered by BRAVO SIERRA. BRAVO SIERRA (@BravoSierra_USA) is the military-native performance wellness company. They deliver high-quality grooming essentials, formulated with clean ingredients and made in the USA with local partners. And 5% of sales go to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation quality of life programs for active-duty U.S. Military service members, veterans and their families. Go to www.BravoSierra.com/AngryAmericans to get a FREE trial set of their products now. And Angry Americans listeners can use the special discount code ANGRY at checkout for 15% off on all orders.  Every episode of Angry Americans creates ways for you to turn your righteous anger into positive impact. In this pod, it’s supporting Jeffrey Wright’s Brooklyn For Life! team on the front lines of helping healthcare heroes and businesses at a local level. And friend of the pod Tom Collichio’s (@TomColicchio) Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) at the national level. Tom joined us on the pod back in Episode 8 and is continuing his important activism. It’s a powerful episode of the show that’s been featured in Variety, NPR, The New York Times, MSNBC and CNN.  For video of the conversation in this episode with Jeffrey Wright –and for past conversations with Rachel Maddow, Chris Cuomo, Rosie Perez, Henry Rollins, Meghan McCain, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Samantha Bee and more– join the Angry Americans community now. Angry Americans is connecting, uniting and empowering people nationwide–and is powered by Righteous Media. Watch the Conversation: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rieckhoff on TRMS 4/14/2020

  Angry Americans host Paul Rieckhoff appears on TRMS on 4/14/2020 to discuss the VAs failure to prepare for COVID-19.   If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. Especially now. But this show is about more than being angry. It’s also about being active, informed and vigilant. It’s bigger than any party–and truly about putting our country first. If that’s a side you want to join, join our Angry Americans Patreon community and get special behind-the-curtain access to our host, Paul Rieckhoff, our dynamic guests, and discounts on Angry Americans merch and exclusive extra content not available anywhere else. Angry Americans is your independent source for news, politics, culture and inspiration with the hard-hitting perspective you can only get here. Join us now! Join the Righteous  

54. Jake Wood. COVID-19 vs Team Rubicon. Disasters vs Veterans. Navy Secretary Modly vs the USS Theodore Roosevelt and Captain Crozier. The Rapid Spread of Stupid. President Mayhem Won’t Wear a Mask. Sanders is Finally Out. Biden Gets Three Dragons.

The only thing spreading faster in America than coronavirus, is stupid. It started inside the White House, spread to Fox News, into Congress, out to Governors nationwide. And now, the infection has spread to a new group: the United States Navy. Thousands of brave sailors on the USS Theodore Roosevelt are the epicenter of an American military struggling globally to respond to COVID-19. Scores on the ship have tested positive, their commander, Captain Bret Crozier, was fired for standing up for their health-only to test positive himself, and Acting Navy Secretary Modly flew thousands of miles to disrespectfully lecture them, only to be forced to resign himself. While America is at war against the virus our the Navy rank-and-file are at war with their disconnected civilian leadership. @PaulRieckhoff breaks it all down, analyzes how the Department of Veterans Affairs is also flailing to respond to outbreaks and deaths nationwide, digs into what Bernie Sanders dropping out means for independent and national defense voters, and reports from the center of the front lines in New York City. It’s the hottest pod in America for politics, news and culture.  When disasters do hit, #LookForTheHelpers. [56:20] And our guest this pod is one of America’s greatest: Jake Wood (@JakeWoodTR), CEO and Co-Founder of Team Rubicon–the most innovative disaster response organization in the world. Jake served in the Marine Corps as a Scout-Sniper, with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, is a nationally recognized social entrepreneur and keynote speaker whose awards include being named a CNN Hero, the Heinz Award, Goldman Sachs’ 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs, The Grinnell Prize, and the Chronicle of Philanthropy Forty Under 40. He is also the author of Take Command: Lessons in Leadership: How to Be a First Responder in Business. Jake is a master of disasters. When others run out, he runs in. For the last decade, he’s led Team Rubicon in deploying over 100,000 veterans with medical and rescue skills to disasters around the world. Now, they are building field hospitals, testing for COVID-19 and helping the needy in over 70 locations across the United States. Jake will tell you what it’s like to operate in a disaster zone and fight the coronavirus. He’ll share how he’s right now leading forces on the ground in communities nationwide, tell you what’s getting in his way, and give you some hope. It’s an inspiring and important conversation everyone should hear right now. It’ll prepare you to survive and thrive in the face of the virus.  Angry Americans is powered by BRAVO SIERRA. BRAVO SIERRA (@BravoSierra_USA) is the military-native performance wellness company. They deliver high-quality grooming essentials, formulated with clean ingredients and made in the USA with local partners. And 5% of sales go to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation quality of life programs for active-duty U.S. Military service members, veterans and their families. Go to www.BravoSierra.com/AngryAmericans to get a FREE trial set of their products now. And Angry Americans listeners can use the special discount code ANGRY at checkout for 15% off on all orders.  Every episode of Angry Americans offers ways to turn your righteous anger into positive impact. This time, it’s supporting Team Rubicon’s urgent call to action. It’s a powerful episode of the pod that’s been recently featured in Variety, NPR, The New York Times and CNN.  For video of the conversation in this episode with Jake Wood –and for past conversations with Chris Cuomo, Rosie Perez, Henry Rollins, Rachel Maddow, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Samantha Bee and more– join the Angry Americans community now. Angry Americans is connecting, uniting and empowering people nationwide–and is powered by Righteous Media. Watch the Conversation: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DISPATCH: CORONAVIRUS WAR UPDATE. CHRIS FUSSEL.

We are now a world at war. The coronavirus is the enemy we all face. And we are all united in our fight against that enemy. The Dispatches is a new quick-hit pod hosted by Iraq war veteran, author and activist Paul Rieckhoff that gives you news and information you can use in the fight to protect those around you, kill the virus and help win the war. In less than 20 minutes.  Our first ever Dispatches checks-in with Chris Fussell–former U.S. Navy SEAL, best-selling author and the president of McChrystal Group. Chris is the co-author of Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World. He joined us for a longer conversation in Episode 50 of Angry Americans–one of our most compelling episodes yet. One month after that conversation, our war against the virus is now fully expanded across America. And Chris is back to give us his update on how the battlefield is evolving, grade the leadership of President Trump and Governor Cuomo, share how you can better prepare your family in the face of the latest threats, and weigh-in on the controversial firing of Captain Bret Crozier–the Navy Commander who spoke up to defend his crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier.  This Dispatches is packed with the same integrity, information, inspiration and impact you get from every episode of Angry Americans. The war is on. This is your update. This is your dispatch.  The Dispatches is a production of Righteous Media. Watch the Conversation: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

53. Dr. Paul Haser. Inside a Brooklyn Emergency Room: The Front Lines of the Coronavirus War. The USS Roosevelt vs COVID-19 and Trump. Governor DeSantis is an Asshole. 13 Veterans Dead in Holyoke, MA. The FDNY needs masks. Remembering Marvin Gaye.

More than ever before, we should all listen to the doctors. And celebrate the doctors. In this vital episode, we talk with one of those brave fighters in the expanding war against the coronavirus. A hero who is right now fighting COVID-19 and saving lives. Dr. Paul Haser is a brilliant and heroic emergency surgeon at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York–a front line in our global war against the coronavirus. One that this week became a war zone. [1:10:30] Dr. Paul Haser takes us inside. He’ll show you what the face of our enemy looks like. He’ll tell you what it’s like to operate on someone who’s tested positive for COVID-19. He’ll explain what you can do to protect yourself. And what you can do to support the heroes like him, and all the incredible medical professionals risking their lives for us.  Prior to the fight against COVID-19, Dr. Haser volunteered in Haiti after the catastrophic earthquake of 2010. He also served at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany–the only forward-stationed medical center for U.S. and Coalition forces–where he treated combat injuries and performed the first endovascular aortic graft implantation procedure ever, saving the life of an American sniper with a piece of shrapnel next to his heart. Now, Dr. Haser is on the forward edge of our fight against the coronavirus, inside one of the hardest hit hospitals in the world. A dangerous place, deep behind the lines, surrounded by the enemy. This is a conversation everyone needs to hear now.  Our host, independent activist and Iraq Veteran Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) leads this vital episode and breaks down the most urgent political, defense and veterans news you need to know–with equal doses of snark and funny. He gets an update from 9/11 hero FDNY firefighter Rob Serra (@SerraRob) about a critical and outrageous shortage of masks facing NYC firefighters. Rieckhoff also digs into how COVID-19 has taken out a US Navy aircraft carrier, how the number of dead veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs is rising, which Governors and Mayors are costing American lives, and how unlikely leaders like Dolly Parton are heroically stepping up to help. It’s important, informative and inspiring.  This episode of Angry Americans is powered by BRAVO SIERRA. BRAVO SIERRA (@BravoSierra_USA) is the military-native performance wellness company. They deliver high-quality grooming essentials, formulated with clean ingredients and made in the USA with local partners. And 5% of sales go to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation quality of life programs for active-duty U.S. Military service members, veterans and their families. Go to www.BravoSierra.com/AngryAmericans to get a FREE trial set of their products now. And Angry Americans listeners can use the special discount code ANGRY at checkout for 15% off on all orders.  And as with every episode of Angry Americans, this pod is about action. Rieckhoff offers ways to turn your righteous anger into positive impact. It’s a powerful episode of the pod that’s been recently featured in Variety, NPR, The New York Times and CNN.  For video of the conversation in this episode with Dr. Paul Haser –and for past conversations with Chris Cuomo, Rosie Perez, Henry Rollins, Rachel Maddow, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Samantha Bee and more– join the Angry Americans community now. Angry Americans is connecting, uniting and empowering people nationwide–and is powered by Righteous Media. Watch the Conversation: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

52. Flo Groberg. How to be a Hero in the War vs Coronavirus. The Medal of Honor Recipient From Inside Seattle. The Department of Veterans Affairs and Pentagon Get Slammed By COVID19. Cuomo vs Trump for the Soul of America. #StayFrosty

As coronavirus spreads across the world, this fiery pod comes to you from deep inside the two American epicenters of outbreaks: Seattle and New York. We may find a vaccine to protect us from the coronavirus, but there is still no vaccine for stupid. And it continues to spread even faster than the virus itself. Stupid is highly contagious. And it’s rampant inside the White House. But this episode is an antidote. It brings you news you can use, a tone to inspire and a conversation to empower.  [1:03:40} Captain Florent “Flo” Groberg (@FlorentGroberg) is a Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, best-selling author of 8 Seconds of Courage: A Soldier’s Story from Immigrant to the Medal of Honor, Chief of Staff at Boeing, and a human motivational machine. He’s the first foreign-born recipient of the nation’s highest military honor since the Vietnam war. He’s a great immigration success story. He served on the front lines of America’s wars. And on one fateful day in 2012 in Afghanistan, Flo was badly wounded by a suicide bomber attack, after saving the lives of many in his unit. He answered the call when the moment came—and that 8 seconds changed his life forever. It took four of his friends. It shattered his body. It pounded his mind. But he dug deep. Physically. Mentally. He’s candid about how hard it can be. He knows isolation. He knows depression. He knows struggle. And as we all face the prospect of self-isolation and COVID-19, this is a must-listen for all Americans.  Flo struggled through an incredibly painful, lonely, long recovery. Just like we will as a nation now after coronavirus. But just like America will, Flo rose up. And he overcame the adversity. Now, he teaches and inspires others. And he’ll teach and inspire you. From inside a locked-down New York City, Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) talked to Flo on National Medal of Honor Day from his home in Seattle. There he continues to lead his community now–as his home has become the front line in the war against the coronavirus. He’s insightful, he’s passionate, he’s real. And it’s exactly the kind of conversation we need right now–to lift us up and help us through this.  Meanwhile, the military and Department of Veterans Affairs struggle to get a handle on the virus, Trump wages war against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, Bernie Sanders refuses to drop out, cops and firefighters are struggling to get protective gear, the porn industry is stepping in to help, and DJ D-Nice is launching amazing virtual house parties on Instagram attended by Michelle Obama, Mark Zuckerberg and our host, independent activist and Iraq Veteran Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff). Paul takes you through the issues you need to know about–issues that often aren’t covered in the mainstream media but affect all of us.  This episode is possible thanks to support from the awesome folks at Bravo Sierra. Bravo Sierra believes the U.S. military established the original wellness lifestyle – optimized physical and mental fitness, founded on a unifying ethos of respect, service and integrity. Bravo Sierra (@BravoSierra_USA) develops critical innovation performance products in direct collaboration with those that deserve it most – our active duty service members. Bravo Sierra has pioneered a business model that directly contributes 5% of all sales to Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs dedicated to the well-being of U.S. service members, veterans and their families. For behind-the-scenes video with Flo Groberg, Chris Cuomo, Rosie Perez, Henry Rollins, Rachel Maddow, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Chef Tom Colicchio, Samantha Bee and more, join the Angry Americans community now. Angry Americans is connecting, uniting and empowering people of all backgrounds nationwide–and is powered by Righteous Media. Watch the Conversation: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices