Category: Episodes

Winter is here. And we’ve got one last very hard month of 2020. But as the weather turns cold, our country is burning with the virus. With the pandemic surging nationwide, our independent host, Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) breaks it down and rips into the most under-reported story in America: Trump’s ongoing purge of the Pentagon. Our national security is under attack from within. Trump’s hidden war against our warriors–and our Department of War–is escalating. Another top Pentagon official is out: this time the Director of the Pentagon’s Defeat-ISIS Task Force. And our lame-duck Commander-in-Chief is now threatening to veto the defense budget–an urgent, annual bi-partisan budget that has passed for the last 59 years. All this while the Defense Department prepares to help deliver the coronavirus vaccine nationwide–and as the pandemic hits our veterans especially hard.  We need a doctor to help us understand what’s really happening. In this urgent episode, we talk with one of the bravest doctors in one of the hardest hit hospitals. A hero who has been fighting the virus and saving lives non-stop since the earliest days of the pandemic. Dr. Paul Haser [22:44] is a brilliant and heroic emergency surgeon at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York–a front line in our war against the coronavirus. In the past, Paul volunteered as a surgeon in Haiti after the catastrophic earthquake and served at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany–the only forward-stationed medical center for U.S. and Coalition forces–treating combat injuries. Now, Paul’s hospital is a critical battle field in the war against the virus. In March, it was a beachhead. It was our Pearl Harbor–the first place to get hit by the virus. Now, as the virus has consumed our entire country, that beachhead has become occupied territory. If Brooklyn was once Pearl Harbor. Now, it’s occupied France. And Dr Paul Haser is leading the resistance. He’s an important and inspiring American leader that can break down this moment and leave you informed and inspired.  If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. Angry Americans remains 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.  You can also watch video of this conversation with Dr Haser and an incredible range of music, political, business and media players from Rachel Maddow to 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.  Join us for an exclusive Angry Americans Cocktail Hour Zoom on December 7th by becoming a member of the Angry Americans Patreon community. You’ll also get unique access to our amazing guests, our dynamic host, merch discounts, and exclusive content. Angry Americans is possible thanks to our Patreon supporters, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and Tommy John.  Angry Americans empowers independent Americans and is powered by Righteous Media.  Get more involved:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/AngryAmericans Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angryamericansus Instagram: https://instagram.com/angryamericansUSA And YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrlrGIJcmgIsJQgOR1ev-ew/featured Watch the Conversation: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2020 has been a feast of insanity and stress. But even in a pandemic, there is still reason to be thankful. And this Thanksgiving season, after 86 episodes of Angry Americans, we’re extremely thankful for all the important, inspiring and iconic guests that have joined us. And few have been more popular than Rachel Maddow (@Maddow). [9:10] Loved by the left, often attacked by the right, but respected by all, Rachel recently disclosed on national TV that her partner of over 25 years was hit exceptionally hard by COVID. She courageously shared her story—and issued a warning to all before the holidays. It was a brave, powerful, important moment that had the country buzzing.  This Thanksgiving, our Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) offers brief reflections on the most tumultuous year of our lifetimes, and presents a replay of a fantastic, fascinating and heart-warming conversation recorded last year pre-pandemic with Rachel Maddow in New York City inside a garage at the Classic Car Club Manhattan. Rachel breaks down what it’s like to interview presidential candidates, analyzes the media, and talks about her rise to national prominence and international fame. And she also shares her perspective on fishing, the story of her first car, and what really makes her happy–even when times are tough.  It’s the perfect conversation to reflect on how much has changed in American in 2020, how much needs changing, and how much we can all still be thankful for. Whether you’re driving across the country, keeping it small with your pod, or working a double-shift on the front-lines of the pandemic, it’s a conversation that will leave you with the 4 I’s that serve as the main course of the dinner table in every episode: information, integrity, inspiration and impact. Pour yourself a glass of something good, pull up a chair, join our extended Righteous Media family, and sit down for a heart-warming double helping of delicious holiday-time content.  Angry Americans remains 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. You always meet powerful, inspiring iconic guests in raw conversations and join a unique and powerful community.  You can join us for an exclusive Angry Americans Cocktail Hour Zoom on December 7th if you become part of the Angry Americans Patreon community. You’ll also get unique access to our amazing guests, our dynamic host, merch discounts, and exclusive content. Angry Americans is possible thanks to these Patreon supporters and Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey.  You can also watch this conversation with Rachel Maddow and an incredible range of music, political, business and media players ranging 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.  Angry Americans empowers independent Americans and is powered by Righteous Media.  Twitter: https://twitter.com/AngryAmericans Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angryamericansus Instagram: https://instagram.com/angryamericansUSA And YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrlrGIJcmgIsJQgOR1ev-ew/featured Watch the Conversation: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As America faces power fights like we’ve never seen before, the legendary founder of Public Enemy joins us to explore and explain fighting the power: 2020 style. This is Chuck D–a voice of consciousness, outrage, inspiration and action for over 35 years—unplugged and uninterrupted. Just when our country needs it the most.  Chuck D (@MisterChuckD) [35:37] is one of the most iconic and important American artists of the last century. He’s an activist, organizer, inspiration, and the ultimate angry American. He’s testified before Congress, co-hosted a political radio show with The Daily Show Founder, Liz Winstead and MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, and collaborated with artists ranging from Prince, to Anthrax, to Sonic Youth, to Rage Against the Machine, to Gary Clark Jr., to Logic, to Sheryl Crow.  Chuck is the powerful, driving force behind arguably the most disruptive hip hop group in history. Born in the intersection of culture and politics, the hip hop trailblazers have interpreted the righteous anger of millions worldwide for decades. In the late 80s and early 90s, their first four albums went gold or platinum. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and honored this year with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.  Our host, Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff), and Chuck have been friends for almost two decades. And this is Chuck from inside his home, raw, candid, and without commercial interruption. Chuck and Rieckhoff know how to throw punches. And their conversation will give you advice on fighting the power (and living life) that will leave you inspired for the tough fights ahead. Chuck is a real and fascinating creative mind that breaks down the results of the election, sizes up Joe Biden and Donald Trump, and offers analysis on why New Yorkers (and Trump) are uniquely powerful right now. If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. And few artists in American history have been more angry than Chuck D. But more than almost anyone else, Chuck’s work and life is a demonstration in how to turn that anger into positive impact, and history-making art. Chuck is a perfect guest for these times–and this is an essential episode.  And Rieckhoff rips into the issues and headlines you need to know about–from the deepening partisan divide in America, to the chaos at the Pentagon, to Trump’s assault on the election results, to the pandemic’s hidden impact on the military and veterans. Most podcasts simply break down what happened. Angry Americans will prepare you for what happens next.  Angry Americans 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. You’ll meet powerful, inspiring iconic guests in raw conversations and join a unique and powerful community.  You can join us for an exclusive Cocktail Hour Zoom if you become part of the Angry Americans Patreon community. You’ll also get unique access to our amazing guests, our dynamic host, merch discounts, and exclusive content. Angry Americans is possible thanks to these Patreon supporters and Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey.  You can also watch this conversation with Chuck D and a wide range of music, political, business and media players ranging from Jeffrey Wright to Susan Rice 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.  Angry Americans empowers independent Americans and is powered by Righteous Media.  Get more:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/AngryAmericans Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angryamericansus Instagram: https://instagram.com/angryamericansUSA And YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrlrGIJcmgIsJQgOR1ev-ew/featured Watch the Conversation: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“We expect panic,” that’s what a Russian hacker involved in attacks on America is predicting.   As Election results unfold all across our political battlefield, there’s a massive war happening nationwide that most Americans can’t see. Hackers, cyber terrorists and information warriors from Russia and around the world are taking shots at your election machines, your electrical grid, your hospital and your laptop. Right now, as the heat in America continues to rise, our enemies are strategically starting fires and adding gasoline all across the web. From your local election system, to your Facebook page, to the hospital you depend on for COVID care, to Donald Trump’s iPhone. America’s enemies are waging a complex and expansive war against you and everyone else in America as you read this. And it won’t stop when the election is called. It will expand. The misinformation and cyber threats facing America have never been greater. And we’ve never been more fragile. Independent host Paul Rieckhoff guides you through it–and breaks down the election results with a special focus on national security.  As cyber threats swirl all around us, our guest is a guardian on the watchtower: information warfare and Russian influence expert, Molly McKew. [21:50] McKew has traveled the world studying, analyzing and advising on the most urgent cybersecurity, misinformation and technology-based threats. An adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service, McKew teaches Russian hybrid warfare. She also serves on the board of the Stand Up Republic Foundation as an advisor on countering disinformation, lead author of the Defusing Disinfo blog, and the creator of Great Power–a guide to asymmetric conflict like cyber, information, and economic warfare. McKew graduated from Stanford with a BA in Russian Language, History, and Culture, and the London School of Economics with an MSc in Russian/Post-Soviet Studies. She was awarded the Order of Honor by the President of Georgia for her service in defense of Georgian democracy. The future is here. It’s fascinating. And it’s dangerous. McKew is a thoughtful, sharp, experienced voice to break down how attacks and bad actors are impacting our elections now. And how they might impact you and your family in the days to come. She’s also got incredible stories from her journey’s around the world, a special sword on her wall, and a fun favorite drink answer. It’s a must-listen Angry Americans episode that will prepare you for the precarious days ahead after the most turbulent election ever. If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. Especially now. In times of crisis, Angry Americans is your trusted source for independent news, politics and inspiration. It’s a unique, fun and hard-hitting perspective like nowhere else in the media. You’ll learn from influential guests in candid and entertaining ways you won’t on any other show. And Rieckhoff rips into the news headlines in a way that will leave you grounded, prepared and inspired.  Join our Angry Americans Patreon community and get unique access to Rieckhoff, our dynamic guests, cool merch, and exclusive content. This show is possible thanks to these Patreon members and support from Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey.  Join the movement at AngryAmericans.us or YouTube. You can see this conversation with Molly McKew and other political, foreign policy, national security and media players ranging from Stephen Colbert to Jeffrey Wright to Meghan McCain to Mayor Pete Buttigieg to Susan Rice to Sarah Jessica Parker. It’s political, social and industry diversity you can’t find on any other show in America.  Angry Americans is powered by Righteous Media.  Twitter: https://twitter.com/AngryAmericans Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angryamericansus Instagram: https://instagram.com/angryamericansUSA And YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrlrGIJcmgIsJQgOR1ev-ew/featured Watch the Conversation: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Election Day finally hits America, so does the pandemic. Voter turnout is soaring–and so are COVID cases. It’s the scariest Halloween in recent history. But we’ve got no tricks in this episode–it’s all treats. We’ve got useful, thoughtful, candid analysis and recommendations from one of the brightest public health minds in America.  Dr. Vin Gupta (@VinGuptaMD) [10:05] is a helper and a patriot. He’s the guy you wish was your personal doctor right now. He’s a public health physician, an Air Force officer, a professor, an NBC News analyst, and true voice of reason. Since the pandemic hit, Dr. Gupta has emerged as a true superstar that Americans of all backgrounds respect and trust. He’s young, brilliant and working every day on the front lines of the pandemic on a range of critical fronts from seeing patients, to appearing on national TV, to guiding tech giant Amazon.  Dr Gupta has spent 15 years working worldwide to improve public health for organizations including the US Centers for Disease Control, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the Harvard Global Health Institute, the World Health Organization, and the Pentagon’s Center for Global Health Engagement. He’s also a Major in the United States Air Force Reserve Medical Corps, where he serves as a critical care aerospace physician with the 446th Aeromedical Staging Squadron based at Joint-Base Lewis McChord. Gupta has assisted with bolstering the emergency health crisis response capabilities of partner nations in Africa as part of the US State Department’s African Peacekeeping Rapid Response Partnership initiative. He’s also the Principal Scientist at Amazon, where he provides clinical and strategic leadership to the company’s COVID-19 response work. Dr. Vin Gupta joins our host, Army veteran, activist and author, Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) for a must-hear conversation that will leave you better informed and ready for what comes after the election—no matter who wins.  In these trying times especially, Angry Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics and inspiration. We deliver a unique, independent and hard-hitting perspective like nowhere else in media. You’ll hear influential, fascinating guests like Dr Vin Gupta in ways you won’t on any other show. And Rieckhoff breaks down our crazy times like nobody else.  If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. Especially now. Join our Angry Americans Patreon community and get special access to our host, our dynamic guests, discounts on merch, and exclusive content not available anywhere else. This episode is possible thanks to those Patreon members and support from Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey.  Join the movement at AngryAmericans.us or our YouTube page. You can watch this entire conversation with Dr. Vin Gupta and a range of foreign policy and national security leaders like Malcolm Nance, General Mark Hertling, Ambassador Susan Rice, Medal of Honor Recipients David Bellavia and Florent Groberg. And, a refreshing diversity of voices ranging from Stephen Colbert to Jeffrey Wright to Meghan McCain.  Angry Americans empowers truly independent Americans and is powered by Righteous Media.  Twitter: https://twitter.com/AngryAmericans Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angryamericansus Instagram: https://instagram.com/angryamericansUSA And YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrlrGIJcmgIsJQgOR1ev-ew/featured Watch the Conversation: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Trump’s time at Wrestlemania and subsequent induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, to rumors of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson running for President, to Linda McMahon’s run for the Senate, to Jesse “The Body” Ventura’s surprise independent election as the Governor of Minnesota, American politics and wrestling have been intertwined for decades now. And they’ve never looked more similar than right now. Every day is like a political battle royale. And Trump is like the worst heel ever–fighting with anyone and everyone–even blaming his recent COVID infection on Gold Star families.  WWE legend Mick Foley (@TheRealMickFoley) is one of the greatest and most beloved professional wrestlers of all time–and our first guest that has his own action figure. In 2013, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame (the same year as Donald Trump). He’s played Mankind, Dude Love, and Cactus Jack. But his best and most important character that Mick Foley plays is himself. He’s also a two-time best-selling author, a father of four, a dedicated supporter of the military and veterans charities, a constant source of support for children’s causes, and an inspiration to millions worldwide. He even grows a beard every year to play Santa Claus. But he’s been silent on the 2020 election–until now. Mick Foley enters the ring to break his silence exclusively on Angry Americans to speak out about the election, the state of affairs in America, Donald Trump, Joe Biden and whether or not he thinks The Rock will run for President one day.  In the wake of Trump’s diagnosis with COVID, the spread of the virus throughout the White House, and the first and only VP debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris, it’s an episode that lays the political smackdown you need. Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) is our referee, making sense of these times, sharing information that empowers you, and leaving you with stories and wisdom that will inspire you.  With less than a month until the most important election in American history, and Trump sidelining more of our military leadership than our enemies ever have, Angry Americans is your independent source for news, politics, culture and inspiration. You’ll meet powerful, fascinating guests like Mick and always get a unique, independent and hard-hitting perspective like nowhere else in the media. This episode is possible thanks to those Patreon members and support from Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. Uncle Nearest is the most awarded American whiskey or bourbon of 2019 and 2020.   If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. Especially after all this madness. But this show is always 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, tag into 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.   Join the movement. Download this episode now. And at AngryAmericans.us or on our YouTube page, you can watch this entire conversation with Mick Foley and recent episodes with Stephen Colbert, Mayor Pete Buttigeig, Jeffrey Wright, Meghan McCain and more.  Angry Americans empowers independent-minded Americans everywhere and is powered by Righteous Media.   Follow Angry Americans on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AngryAmericans On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angryamericansus On Instagram: https://instagram.com/angryamericansUSA And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrlrGIJcmgIsJQgOR1ev-ew/featured Watch the Conversation: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices