Two Personal: Leaving X, Sexiest Man Alive & Vote Joy

In this week’s episode of Two Personal, Joy Taylor responds to the recent trend of X users leaving the platform to join Threads and Bluesky. She proposes a “National Shut the F Up Day” and explains why this would benefit America. In response to People Magazine naming John Krasinski the sexiest man alive, Joy talks about traits that can make someone sexy. Then, Joy and Paul Rieckhoff dive into a candid chat about today’s social landscape. They explore how veterans are shaping political conversations, why community matters, and what it takes to make real change happen. Paul shares raw insights about military service, leadership, and why everyday people need to step up and get involved in democracy. The core message? Hope isn’t just a feeling—it’s an action. Later, Joy responds to a viewer’s question in this week’s “Never Too Personal” segment. Joe reaches out to ask for dating advice after an illness changed his life, and Joy responds with a compassionate message about self-confidence. Catch the latest episode every Wednesday on YouTube or your favorite podcast app, and join the conversation on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @TwoPersonalShow! #TwoPersonal #JoyTaylor #breakups #innerpeace #selfcare #people #sexiestmanalive #JohnKrasinski #wicked #arianagrande #veterans #election2024 #election #veterans #independentparty #independents

Majority 54: Independent Americans

Jason Kander and special guest Paul Rieckhoff discuss Trump’s cabinet so far and where his first 100 day policies are shaping up to land. Jason and Paul then report on the Gaetz Ethics Committee Scandal, Trump & Musk’s love fest, and Fox’s new love for politics in sports. This and more on the podcast that helps you, the 54% of the country that votes for progress in every election, convince your conservative friends and family members to join our majority. This is Majority 54!

RawStory: ‘Total distraction’: War veteran swats away GOP strategist’s ‘bait’ during tense exchange

An Iraq War veteran flatly rejected what he felt was a deflection by a Republican strategist during a tense segment on CNN on Tuesday night. Paul Rieckhoff joined CNN’s “NewsNight” with Abby Phillip to discuss new bombshell reporting in The Atlantic that former Marine General John Kelly, who served as Donald Trump’s longest-running chief of staff, that Trump repeatedly called slain soldiers “losers.” Rieckhoff noted that amid speculation a lot of anti-Trump reports have come from dubious sources, but not this time. “He’s going on the record,” said Rieckhoff of Kelly. “You’re hearing his voice. He wants everybody in the world to hear his voice.” Rieckhoff finished by noting that one of the only key figures in the first Trump administration not to speak out against the former president is retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis, who served as Trump’s defense secretary from 2017 to 2019. At this point, Scott Jennings, a senior political commentator who served as special assistant to former President George W. Bush, posed a question. “What do you think of the way [President Joe] Biden and [Vice President Kamala] Harris have treated the families of the Abbey Gate soldiers?” asked Jennings. But Rieckhoff swatted away the question. ALSO READ: ‘He’s mentally ill:’ NY laughs ahead of Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally “I’m not going to go into a different topic. No-no,” he said, shaking his head. As Jennings started to protest, Rieckhoff continued. “If this was your show and you want to ask me questions we can line them up but that’s a total distraction.” As Jennings again tried to protest, Rieckhoff again insisted, “No-no. I’m not going to take the bait on that.” “I’ve been very vocal about — I’ve been very vocal about Abbey Gate and other issues. We’re talking about one singular issue,” said Rieckhoff. Read the rest here

90 Days with Ana Marie Cox – Day 33 – Paul Rieckhoff

Welcome to Day 33 of “90 Days with Ana Marie Cox.” Today Ana talked to activist and veteran Paul Rieckhoff about white men in the middle, the VP debate, two-party politics and then spar over the future of the Democratic party. I had a very spirited discussion with my old friend Ana Marie Cox for her 90 Days election podcast. If you’re a hardcore Democrat, you’re probably gonna hate it. But I break down why I think Walz and the Dems lost the debate, what they need to do IMMEDIATELY to get more independents to vote for Harris, and lay out the true power and potential of the independent movement—that too many don’t understand and respect. This discussion is important. Especially if you’re in Democratic leadership and wanna hear some hard truth. Or, if you want to hear what I think is the true future of American politics. We also talk a tiny bit about football and Star Wars.

KNX: Military veterans react to growing controversy around Donald Trump’s visit–and videoing–to Arlington National Cemetery

Monday’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery by former president Donald Trump was already causing some grumbling … over concerns that the hallowed grounds of a military cemetery were being used for political purposes. But then came reports that Trump staffers got into a verbal and physical altercation with an official at Arlington … who was attempting to stop those Trump staffers from taking pictures in a restricted area of the cemetery. Now it’s a full blown controversy. Paul Rieckhoff is a former Army infantry officer and combat veteran of Iraq … 20 years ago he founded the Iraq-Afghanistan Veterans of America … and went on to found the Independent Veterans of America. Listen here.

MSNBC Op-ed: Kamala Harris got Democrats excited. Mark Kelly can help them win.

The last few weeks have given the country a massive dose of perspective. From the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump to President Joe Biden’s stepping aside, politicians and voters have endured weeks of political turmoil. Now, with the Democratic nomination in her sights, all eyes turn to Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate search. Outside of finding a Republican like former Rep. Adam Kinzinger or an unaffiliated leader like Adm. William McRaven, Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona is the best pick for the Democrats — especially if they want to attract incredibly important independent voters. First off, Kelly is the only name being publicly floated with military experience. That is big. First off, Kelly is a Navy combat pilot with significant military experience. That is big. Plus, he’s an astronaut, which means bipartisan respect and exciting star power (and cool stories). He’s more than prepared to be commander in chief if called upon. But despite his decades of leadership, Kelly isn’t a Washington insider. Kelly is from Arizona, of course, and would bring a somewhat maverick spirit to the ticket in the style of fellow Arizonan John McCain. He is married to the universally beloved and politically experienced former Rep. Gabby Giffords. He’s a straight, white, tough man who can talk guns, abortion and the border, and he is moderate by modern Democratic Party standards — which is critical. Read the rest here: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/kamala-harris-running-mate-arizona-vet-mark-kelly-rcna164194

The Michael Smerconish Program: Paul Rieckhoff on 3rd Party Candidates After New Hampshire

Independent voters, like the two of us, played a powerful role in the New Hampshire primary, driving support for Nikki Haley and Dean Phillips. Neither won. But both overperformed and showed the challenges both Trump and Biden will face this November if they are indeed the Democratic and Republican nominees. Could 2024–finally–be the year in which independent voters get some respect? Or will they continue to suffer the same fate as Rodney Dangerfield in a political culture driven by partisan actors with unlimited budgets and powerful algorithms? Read the rest of Paul Rieckhoff’s exclusive Op-Ed on Smerconish.com, “Will Anyone Listen to Independents After New Hampshire?” The Michael Smerconish Program, 02/05/24.

MSNBC: Why I hoped (and sort of believed) that Norman Lear would live forever

Don’t miss Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff’s conversation with the great Norman Lear in Episode 69. Like Norman, it’s a classic we’ll cherish always. By Paul Rieckhoff, political and national security analyst and U.S. Army infantry combat veteran I hoped (and kinda believed) that Norman Lear would live forever.  Norman was a national treasure. A truly great man. And a great man in a time when they are increasingly hard to find. A great philanthropist. A great innovator. A great visionary. A great father. A great veteran. A great American. And a truly great friend. Norman always had my back, our back, and America’s back. He was always there for us. All of us.  One of the true honors of my life will forever be that I was able to call Norman a mentor. And even more so, a friend. If you were lucky enough to call Norman a friend, you uniquely know what I mean.  Norman embodied kindness. His wisdom, his loving toughness, his heart for people—was as deep as the deepest seas.  There’s no person I’ve met in my life that I was more excited for my kids to meet than Norman Lear.  Because he is the example for all of us.  And Norman was a patriot. In the finest and truest and most important of ways. And in ways most people never saw—and maybe often didn’t understand. Especially in Hollywood in times when it wasn’t popular. Norman loved the country he served as a young man in WW2 so deeply—and enough to constantly and bravely challenge it and fight and work to make it better. And enough to buy a copy of the Declaration of Independence and use it as a tool to get young people to vote. Norman was a guardian of our democracy for a century.  And just so kind. Norman showed me and countless others what it meant to be a humble leader—and in all the time I’ve known him, what it meant to be an elder.  Norman was an early and longtime IAVA Board Member, donor, advisor, and forever a dedicated and passionate supporter of his fellow veterans. And especially, for my new generation. And in the earliest of days of the Bush administration and the Iraq war, when many were too afraid to jump in, to take a stand, or to even back us. He was literally the first person of power in Hollywood to welcome me and my fellow vets in a big and public way. He issued a call to action for all of Hollywood. And a generation in entertainment has followed.  I was honored to know Norman, to work alongside him on so many issues and causes, to be in his home, to have him on my show once (for his birthday!), and most of all, just to see him. To hug him. To be around him. And to often get a phone call from him out of the blue when he wanted to talk about something, check in on America, or work a big idea—like combining Veterans Day and Election Day. Or just to tell me he loved me and supported me.  Norman also of course taught me “over and next.” His rule for a good life that I refer to almost daily—and has gotten me through some of my hardest times.  Damn, it sucks that Norman is gone. Because the world needs his wisdom and contagious love now more than ever. But his name (and especially his voice) always makes me smile and feel warm. Even now. And if anyone was ready to go, it was Norman Lear. And it was because he was a man who defined what it is to have a life well-lived. And because he knew that he had squeezed all he could out of this life and left a legacy for all of us to be inspired by.  But he would also want us all to fight even harder now against the forces of evil, racism, fascism, repression and hate. He taught us all how to love and how to fight. And he knew how badly that’s needed in our world right now.  We love you, Norman. Thank you for all you’ve given to all of us. And to this beautiful world that you made immeasurably more beautiful. We will all carry on and move forward with your love in veins and your example in our heart.  You’re the only exception to your own rule. There’s no “over and next” when it comes to you, my friend. You’ll be with us and people around this world forever. And there will never be anyone else like you. We love you, Norman.  Paul Rieckhoff is an independent activist, US Army infantry combat veteran, the host of Independent Americans, President of Righteous Media, Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and the author of “Chasing Ghosts: Failures and Facades in Iraq, A Soldier’s Perspective.” He’s also been a frequent guest on MSNBC for the last two decades.  Don’t miss the original post on MSNBC which includes a great video piece

CNN Opinion: Combine Election Day with Veterans Day and give democracy a boost

Veterans Day has been recognized as a federal holiday each November 11 since 1938, but it means little for most Americans beyond a day off from work. Attendance at Veterans Day events is regrettably low—and declining rapidly. And so is the veterans’ population in America. World War II’s “Greatest Generation” is almost entirely gone. And the Korean and Vietnam War generations are aging. Over the next 20 years, the overall population of veterans like me will drop dramatically from about 19 million people to roughly 13 million. If, as they often say in politics, demographics is destiny, the social, economic and political power of veterans is about to fall off a cliff. https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/10/opinions/opinion-veterans-day-election-day-combine-rieckhoff/index.html

Angry Planet: A Righteous Conversation About Mark Milley

Paul joins the Angry Planet podcast to break down Trump’s threats against Mark Milley: Paul Rieckhoff is a veteran with a lot to say about the state of the world. He came on Angry Planet to help us understand what happened when former President Donald Trump and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley crossed paths. What does it mean to swear allegiance to the Constitution above all, rather than to any particular commander-in-chief? What do you do if that person at the top wants you to do something unlawful, and who gets to judge what is unlawful? https://shows.acast.com/warcollege/episodes/a-righteous-conversation-about-mark-milley