Category: highlights

  For 243 episodes, your host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) has reminded us all to #StayVigilant. This weekend was a stark reminder of what that means and why it is important. The horrifying attacks on the Israeli people shocked us all. And times like this are too important to wait to get the information you need. So this episode is a special Quick Response Content (QRC) delivery of what you need to know with a returning favorite guest— Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Buttigieg is one of the most important voices in American politics–and a leader that’s had unique appeal for independent Americans. He’s also the only combat veteran serving in the cabinet outside of the Secretary of Defense. In this all new episode, you’ll again get to hear Buttigieg asked questions he’s never been asked before and get a peek behind the curtain. He joins us as news continues to pour out of the Middle East. He’ll share what he’s doing to protect American transportation from terror attacks—and also sound off on Trump’s shocking threats against General Mark Milley, Senator Tommy Tuberville’s STILL ongoing hold on military promotions, whether he’ll run for President alongside Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a new program for vets he just launched to help them transition into being civilian truck drivers, and what he’s learned from being the dad of two young twins.  Other shows focus on what’s happening. This show focuses on what’s next.  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 49% 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.  Previous appearances by Pete Buttigieg: Episode 183 – 8/11/22  Episode 37 – 12/12/19 -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 Pete’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

Instead of one amazing guest and conversation, you’re gonna get 4! Our paid Patreon supporters always get a special extra piece of content after every show. And in this episode, we’re gonna share FOUR! From four of our recent, and most popular guests. We’ve been on a tear of booking lately, and these four clips are from four of the most interesting, most dynamic and most inspiring we’ve had.  Rachel Maddow. Chef Robert Irvine. Governor Wes Moore. General Barry McCaffey.  Rachel will share a book recommendation. The music she’s listening to. And her favorite drink to make nowadays! Chef Irvine shares his favorite drink, his very first car, and pancakes or waffles—to include a secret ingredient for amazing pancakes that I have tried–and is indeed amazing!  Wes Moore shares his favorite thing about being Governor of Maryland. He shares a workout tip. AND, his favorite easter candy!  And General Barry McCaffrey will share some wisdom—about his favorite music to listen to—what he likes to watch on TV—why we both love Dolly Parton–and how he stays in fighting shape at age 80! It’s a fun break from the hard hitting seriousness of the last few weeks of episodes–and the news.  And Paul also breaks down the 20th Anniversary of the Iraq War, the VA’s motto change, two more state-level wins for the independent movement, the Oscars, and Aaron Rodgers going to the Jets. Welcome to Independent Americans, Episode 214.  Every episode of Independent Americans breaks down the most important news stories–and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. Stay vigilant, America.  -Join our Paul Rieckhoff and Independent Americans listeners from around the world on Zoom THIS AND EVERY FRIDAY at 12PM ET for a special and free lunch Q&A. We’ll celebrate the end of another crazy week, take your questions and share some community. -Get extra content, connect with guests, attend exclusive events, get merch discounts and support this critical show that speaks truth to power by joining our IA community on Patreon.  -Find us on social media and www.IndependentAmericans.us. Where you can also get some very cool IA merch.  -As mentioned on the show, learn more about the engine for independents that is Operation Independents.  –Here’s the full clip of Paul on MSNBC with Stephanie Ruhle on The 11th Hour.  -Be sure to check out Episode 69 with Norman Lear. -Wanna advertise on the show and support the independent movement? Hit us up! -Also check out new episodes of other Righteous Media podcasts including the B Dorm Podcast, The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra and Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed.  Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. Righteous is an independent, American, Veteran-owned and led content company.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  As chemicals continue to circulate in Ohio, Chinese spy satellites roam overhead, mask mandate divisions linger, and 9/11 first responders again have to descend on Washington to demand healthcare support, this is not an easy time to trust in government. America is hungry for competence. And hungry for leadership. And our guest this week is bringing it back. Big and fast.  He’s the fastest rising star in politics since Barack Obama. And he may be coming on even faster.  But can he get independents? Can he be the kind of next generation leader that can unite all kinds? We’ll find out. The guard is changing in American politics.  Nancy Pelosi. Soon, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, Jimmy Carter…and others. They’ll be leaving the field.  And a new generation, with new kinds of skills and ways to play the game, are taking the field.  The Tom Bradys and Payton Mannings will all be gone soon.  And it’ll be a new generation of next generation QBs leading the way. QBs who can move and lead and win in ways we’ve never seen before. The days of Aaron Rodgers are soon coming to an end, and the days of Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts are here.  They’re making Chiefs and Bills and Bengals and Eagles fans out of all of us. Just like some, special Dems and Republicans can get us independents to vote for them. Despite how we feel about their team—err, party.  These guys (and gals) can score with their arms AND their feet. And lead and inspire and bring a new excitement that we haven’t seen in a generation.  And that’s what Wes Moore is bringing to politics. He’s a Democrat—with toughness. Young, but experienced. Visionary, but humble. And he’s coming. Harder and faster to the forefront than anyone we’ve seen in American politics since Barack Obama. The comparisons are easy. But also, appropriate. Wes Moore is changing the game, faster than it realizes it’s changing. And still, it’s not fast enough. Especially for all of us who are sick of the same old leaders, the same old partisanship, the same old nastiness. The same old shit.  Wes Moore is the new stuff. The hot stuff. And the good stuff.  He’s truly a phenomenon. He’s a combat veteran and the newly-elected Governor of Maryland. He’s already a favorite of many as a candidate for President. And he’s our guest. Candid, fast and fun—with his old friend, and our host, Paul Rieckhoff. This is Wes Moore like you haven’t heard him before.  Past Wes Moore appearances: Episode 10 – June 6, 2019 • Episode 105 – March 11, 2021 And Paul will break down the latest from East Palestine, Ohio, Flint, Michigan, Washington, DC and the annual explosion of Peeps mutations.  Every episode of Independent Americans breaks down the most important news stories–and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. Stay vigilant, America.  -Join our Paul Rieckhoff and Independent Americans listeners from around the world on Zoom THIS AND EVERY FRIDAY at 12PM ET for a special and free lunch Q&A. We’ll celebrate the end of another crazy week, take your questions and share some community. -Get extra content, connect with guests, attend exclusive events, get merch discounts and support this critical show that speaks truth to power by joining our IA community on Patreon.  – Watch video of Paul and Wes’s conversation here on our YouTube channel. -Find us on social media and www.IndependentAmericans.us. Where you can also get some very cool IA merch.  -Wanna advertise on the show and support the independent movement? Hit us up! -Also check out new episodes of other Righteous Media podcasts including the B Dorm Podcast, The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra and Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed.  Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. Righteous is an independent, American, Veteran-owned and led content company.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From The West Wing, to Get Out, to Transparent, to The Handmaid’s Tale. For a generation, Bradley Whitford (@BradleyWhitford) has shaped the world’s understanding of politics–through the lense of entertainment.  But Bradley doesn’t just play politics. He lives it. At this precarious time in American history, art and politics are merging and colliding in powerful ways. He’s deeply involved in politics–and in causes he cares about. From climate change, to standing up for IATSE (the union that represents workers in film and television), Bradley’s a guy who cares deeply, and is not afraid to throw a punch. He’s earned three Emmys, been a figure in our film, TV and stage universe for a generation, and appeared in classics ranging from Adventures in Babysitting to Billy Madison to Scent of a Women to Revenge of the Nerds 2. After joining us way back in Episode 27 (one of our top episodes ever), the iconic actor and activist is back.  This is a fun, wide-ranging and candid episode. This is Bradley Whitford and Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) chopping it up on all kinds of issues. Bradley takes you on set in Toronto and inside the Emmy Awards. It’s an insider’s look at Hollywood and politics at the highest levels. And another powerful conversation that’s about more than just politics, news and culture. It’s about America–and about all of us.  Bradley talks about why The Handmaid’s Tale is so groundbreaking, about how Gilead is like Afghanistan, and about how he thinks Commander Lawrence would deal with Senators Krysten Cinema and Joe Manchin. We’ll also dig into his month in isolation in Canada, if he thought the Emmys this month should have been held inside during a pandemic, his Joe Biden in Hollywood story, and what he wants to clarify from his last visit to our show.  It’s another conversation that keeps it real. The kind to help you stay vigilant. Because eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. Our host, national security and political analyst and Army veteran Paul Rieckhoff takes you behind the scenes for candid conversations with top leaders from all backgrounds. It’s a bold and blunt perspective you won’t find anywhere else on the media landscape.   You can support the show and join our dynamic community of listeners by joining the IA Patreon community. You’ll get access to events, guests, merch discounts, and exclusive content. And you’ll help us keep speaking independent truth to power.    You can also WATCH the full conversation with Bradley and Paul here: Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. On social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.    Stay vigilant, America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With America disrupted and divided like never before in our lifetime, what better time to sit down with the American icon, punk rock legend, thought-leader, author, political activist and spoken-word master, Henry Rollins (@HenryRollins). Henry is one of the most interesting, most experienced, most entertaining, most thought-provoking activists in the world. And a conscience for America.  [40:02] Henry Rollins has been a music and cultural innovator for three decades. From his early days as the front man for Black Flag and The Rollins Band, to films to TV to books to hosting his own radio and TV show, Henry is a voice of power, insight and clarity. He’s journeyed around the world as a curious traveller, a musician and and touring for his music and spoken word shows. He’s seen over 100 countries, been to war zones, won a Grammy, and acted alongside Al Pacino. He’s an activist for gay rights, freeing of the “West Memphis Three”, legalization of cannabis and has performed for US troops on USO tours in Djibouti, Kuwait, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan (twice), Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Honduras, Japan, Korea and the United Arab Emirates. If you love Henry Rollins, this will give you a fix like you’ve never had before. If you don’t know Henry Rollins, welcome to a ride you won’t forget. He’s a great American success story. And he’s known our host, Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff), for almost two decades. And before a live audience in Hollywood on Valentine’s Day, they candidly, rapid-fire rip through topics ranging from Henry’s epic breakout moment on a New York stage in 1981, to how technology is ruining dating to his analysis on all the leading candidates.  Join the Angry Americans community for free now for upcoming event tickets and behind-the-scenes video with guests like Henry Rollins, Meghan McCain, Ambassador Susan Rice, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Bradley Whitford, Sarah Jessica Parker, Tulsi Gabbard, Rachel Maddow, Samantha Bee and more.  Angry Americans is connecting, uniting and empowering independent people nationwide. It’s changing the podcasting landscape. And powered by Righteous Media. Watch the Conversation: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This captivating episode of Angry Americans explores the intersection of celebrity and politics, and features an intimate interview with one of the most beloved Americans of all time. Someone who is shaping the future of entertainment and culture worldwide. And offers listeners a rare peek behind the curtain at elections past–and the upcoming 2020 race for President. Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) sits down with American icon and global superstar, Sarah Jessica Parker, for an expansive, no holds barred interview. Rooted in a friendship that spans over a decade, this uninterrupted and candid interview was recorded with the legendary star of Sex and the City from her living room floor in New York City. From humble upbringings in Ohio, to her first car, to parenting in the Trump era, to hosting Barack Obama in her home, to whether or not she’ll run for political office and who she’s endorsing for President, this is a fascinating, personal side of Sarah Jessica Parker few have heard until now. The episode also takes aim on an issue that has Paul Rieckhoff and countless other Americans angry nationwide: electric scooters. If you live in or have visited one of the 125 cities in this country with scooters, you’re not gonna wanna miss this. One word: Gremlins. Finally, Angry Americans explores the urgent story of Austin Tice, an American journalist and Marine veteran who has been held captive in Syria for over 6 years. This episode is a defining installment of the new podcast that was recently featured in Variety Magazine and is making waves nationwide. It’s about much more than just being angry. So hit that download button now, and step inside an innovative show that really matters. It’s a show that will take you behind the scenes of American politics and empower you with information for your next conversation at work, on Facebook, or at your dinner table. A show that will give you hope–and leave you inspired. This episode of Angry Americans is sponsored by SimpliSafe. SimpliSafe is home security that knows it feels good to fear less. This is award-winning 24/7 protection that protects your home through it all. Through blizzards. Blackouts. And burglars. SimpliSafe has won awards from all the tech experts that count. Go to www.SimpliSafe.com/AngryAmericans now for a free 60-day trial–uniquely for Angry Americans listeners. And for behind-the-scenes videos from the show, photos of the Sarah Jessica Parker interview, Peter Berg crashing a race car driving simulator, Willie Geist eating Peeps and drinking whiskey and more: AngryAmericans.us and #AngryAmericans. Join the movement now. Angry Americans is connecting, uniting and empowering Americans nationwide. And it’s powered by Righteous Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices