NEW EPISODE · SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 · EP 629
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Vol. V · No. 629Tuesday Edition
Righteous MediaSince 1776. Est. 2019

Episode 456

Sebastian Junger

In this all-new episode of Independent Americans, Paul Rieckhoff hits all the breaking news and most urgent topics with bestselling author of The Perfect Storm and Tribe , war reporter, and documentarian Sebastian Junger for

The Brief

→ Four things from today’s episode
01

Andrew Yang’s CNBC warning that AI researchers are freaked o. Andrew Yang’s CNBC warning that AI researchers are freaked out because models are “breaking containment” — and Congress is gone until November

02

Why Trump makes his biggest moves when Congress is on break. Why Trump makes his biggest moves when Congress is on break and his poll numbers are underwater

03

Reaper drones being repositioned to Southern Command and why. Reaper drones being repositioned to Southern Command and why Cuba is still on Trump and Rubio’s vision board

04

Joint Chiefs chair Dan Cain telling troops to prepare to wag. Joint Chiefs chair Dan Cain telling troops to prepare to wage and win wars “on and around the moon”



In this all-new episode of Independent Americans, Paul Rieckhoff hits all the breaking news and most urgent topics with bestselling author of The Perfect Storm and Tribe, war reporter, and documentarian Sebastian Junger for a raw, unflinching conversation about the unfolding war in Iran, a US Senator snapping the arm of a protestor, the follies of regime change wars, the human costs of American adventurism, Trump and Hegseth’s nasty brand of fake-leadership, courage, patriotism, and what it really means to live — and almost die — for something bigger than yourself. 

Together, Paul and Sebastian dig into the cost of America’s forever wars, the invisible wounds carried by veterans and journalists, and the hard truths most politicians would rather ignore. Paul and Sebastian dig into the real cost of our forever wars, the invisible wounds carried by veterans and war reporters, and why so many Americans feel unmoored and alone in their own country right now. If you’re sick of the spin and hungry for a tough, honest, independent conversation about where we go from here, this one’s for you.​