Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

It’s a perfect way to end 2020 and start 20201. 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.  If you love Henry, this will give you a fix like you’ve nev...

Whew! We made it. 2020 is almost over. Finally. But before it is, we want to celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Festivus and the entire holiday season with one little present of a pod for all our good little angry Americans all around the world. Our host Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) has coordinated with Santa for one last holiday gift for you: a special holiday episode with some of our best guest...

Festivus is here again! And so is the great Jason Alexander. Star of stage and screen, winner of Tonys and Golden Globes, loved worldwide as George Constanza on Seinfeld, and insightful dropper of knowledge. Festivus is a secular holiday, made famous by the show Seinfeld and is celebrated on December 23, as an alternative to the pressures and commercialism of the Christmas season. Like this show (...

The anniversary of the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor was this week. And almost exactly 79 years later, American is experiencing a Pearl Harbor loss of life from the pandemic every single day. And just like after Pearl Harbor, our national response will be led by America’s military. It’s the Department of Defense (and the Department of Veterans Affairs) that will help distribute and administer...

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 hid...

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 respe...

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 importan...

No matter what Tucker Carlson or your crazy uncle says, Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the 2020 election for President of the United States. Yes, he did it. Yes, we did it. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won. America won. We won. Trump lost. Authoritarianism lost. Trumpism lost. History is made. The good one won. The bad guy lost. Yes, there is reason to celebrate. But that shit’s over. This is n...

“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 a...

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 patr...

“We are solvers of problems--as Americans.” -Chuck Hagel.  These are tough times in America. And it’s time to listen to our toughest leaders. Leaders like Chuck Hagel.  Chuck Hagel [13:26] is a true American success story--and has been an independent voice of reason on our political landscape for a generation. Hagel served as the 24th Secretary of Defense from February 2013 to February 2015. He wa...

For years now, we’ve all been focused on November 3. 2020. Election Day, 2020. Everyone is understandably obsessed over primaries, swing states, turnout, voter suppression, down-ballot races, and Russian attacks. And we’ve all been focused on Election Day, November 3, 2020. But few are talking about what happens on November 4. Few are talking about The Day After Election Day.  Armed protests, civi...

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...

The first debate between Trump and Biden was a disgusting mess. But what did it really mean for the election? And for America? Will it change anything? Will it move independents and Republicans? What is the future of the Republican party if Trump loses? Former New Jersey Governor, Environmental Protection Agency Chief and current Chairwoman of Republicans and Independents for Biden , Christine Tod...

“Fear is the mind killer. If you’re laughing you’re not afraid.” Wise words in this groundbreaking new episode from a truly iconic guest: Stephen Colbert ( @StephenAtHome ). [06:14] Stephen joins us from his home--uninterrupted and unedited in this fun, candid and inspiring episode. As we enter the most trying and important fall of our lifetime, Angry Americans is bringing in the big guns to get y...

9/11 First Responder and retired New York City firefighter Rob Serra ( @SerraRob ) represents the best of us. He’s a helper. A leader who runs into danger when others run out. And for the last six months, he’s been hunkered down in his basement. He’s leading this time by keeping himself safe from COVID19 so he can be there for his family. 9/11 toxin exposures have left his body battered and his im...

Trump has been caught by his own words. Demeaning the military, disrespecting our Generals, downplaying the virus, and lying to the American people. But what happens now? How is the Pentagon reacting? Will this moment be his Waterloo? Can President Mayhem survive the onslaught of bad news--especially when so much of it is focused on his fractured relationship with the military he commands? Nobody...

We’ve had some amazing guests join the pod over the last year and a half. And every single one of them has gotten “The Car Question”. As we end an epically crazy summer, and roll into a chaotic and daunting fall, our host Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ), shares pieces of some of the most fun conversations we’ve ever had: Rosie Perez , Henry Rollins , Stephanie Ruhle , Norman Lear , Meghan McCain...

If anyone has a right to be angry it’s Fred Guttenberg. [10:31] He suffered a terrible loss when his 14-year-old daughter Jamie was shot at Parkland, Florida’s Stoneman Douglas High School. Despite his pain, he emerged the very next day. He spoke at a vigil addressing his community. It was carried nationally and the entire country was riveted by what he said. And he has not stopped ever since then...

Our host, combat veteran, author and renowned independent activist Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) rips into a weird and historic Democratic National Convention with a focus on national security, military and veterans affairs. Rieckhoff has himself attended every Democratic and Republic convention since 2004. He breaks down the winners and the losers--and how the democrats missed a massive oppor...

As the pandemic, the 2020 election and Black Lives Matter protests dominate new headlines, America’s national security is more vulnerable than at any other time in recent memory. Our military has been weakened, our troops have been politicized, our people are sick, our country is divided, and our enemies are celebrating. Everyone is talking about the upcoming election. Few are talking about how to...

Former NBA star ( @RexChapman ) [17:53] has quickly become one of the single most popular and beloved figures on Twitter. Rex was a basketball superstar. He took the Kentucky Wildcats to the Sweet 16. And played for the USA national team in the Pan-AM games.  He was an NBA lottery pick, going #8 overall in the 1988 draft. He electrified America in the dunk competition, and played for 12 seasons fo...

Trump still refuses to address Russia paying bounties to kill American troops, the pandemic continues to spread across the military and veterans community especially, baseball has shut down right after opening day, and schools nationwide are in limbo. If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. Independent activist, Army veteran and renowned social entrepreneur Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhof...

If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. And Norman Lear ( @TheNormanLear ) is understandably angry. [57:52] A true icon and a dedicated patriot, the legendary creator of All in the Family, Maude, Good Times, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son and over 100 other TV shows has defined American television, culture and race-relations for generations. He’s a decorated World War Two veteran that f...

The frontman for the legendary rock band, Linkin Park ( @LinkinPark ), Mike Shinoda ( @MikeShinoda ) is a true creative genius. [1:01:10] His groundbreaking work spans genres, geography and generations. Mike has performed with brilliant icons ranging from Jay-Z to Paul McCartney. Throughout his career Mike Shinoda has found ways to channel his righteous anger into positive impact. And to connect,...