Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Retired U.S. Army General Mark Hertling returns for a must-hear conversation with host Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ), just in time for Veterans Day and the Marine Corps birthday. As America faces political gridlock, rising division, a historic government shutdown, and critical questions about military readiness, Gen. Hertling offers hard-hitting analysis and real-world leadership lessons that...

Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff )  welcomes back the dynamic, outspoken sports and culture powerhouse Joy Taylor ( @joytaylortalks ) for a raw, timely, and uplifting Football Friday. In an America buffeted by division, a government shutdown, and mounting mental health struggles, Joy and Paul unpack the meaning behind vulnerability, authenticity, sports as society’s mirro...

Your host Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) welcomes dynamic, influential and highly-successful (yet humble) Axios CEO Jim VandeHei ( @JimVandeHei ) for an unfiltered look at the election aftermath, democracy’s crossroads, and how Americans can reclaim control from broken institutions and divisive algorithms. And they also dig into the potential expansion of Trump’s military strikes on Venezuela,...

Whew. It’s the day after Election Day. And we all probably feel a little hung over. It was an emotional day/month/year. But it’s finally over. And on this day after, as the dust settles and the partisan spin begins, we’ve got a pod to help you cut through the corporate and partisan media and propaganda and better understand what the hell just happened. It’s moments like this especially when indepe...

In this Election Day special, we’re bringing a take unlike any other you’ll hear. Your host Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) digs in with John Opdycke ( @jbopdycke ), President of Open Primaries and a Godfather of the independent reform and open primaries movement, for a smart, fast and urgent conversation about what’s really happening today in elections nationwide. Our elections are dominating n...

Fan favorite, award-winning author and journalist Sebastian Junger returns to Independent Americans for a consequential conversation with Paul Rieckhoff. He’s always one of our favorites that pulls no punches. On the eve of a divided nation’s Election Day, and NYC's race for Mayor dominating global attention, Junger and Rieckhoff take a raw, honest look at democracy under fire, political extremism...

Congress is shut down. War drums are beating on the Venezuela coast. Federal workers and troops are on the brink, and democracy is on the ropes. Happy Halloween! Ugh. It’s many more tricks than treats this year. For that—and this Football Friday—your host Paul Rieckhoff welcomes a guest right at the center of the storm: Democrat Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17), a powerful leader at the intersection...

In today’s powerful new episode of Independent Americans with your host Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) , featuring the return of Lt Colonel Alex Vindman—a national security expert, Ukraine insider, and unwavering patriot. This timely interview dives deep into America’s fractured politics, threats from abroad, and the vital ways community and vigilance can help repair our union. With fresh persp...

In this special episode of Independent Americans, your host Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) is joined by his old friend and colleague, John Reid, who is now the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia—and the first openly gay candidate from a major party for statewide office in state history. John opens up about the cutthroat realities of running for office, the personal attacks h...

Everything is about national security. Especially right now. From troops in US streets, to strikes on boats in the Caribbean, to Ukraine and Putin, to Trump’s crazy and now regular speeches to military audiences. There’s lots of chaos and drama. But the chaos and drama about war and conflict are most important. And it sounds like Trump and Hegseth want more.  Former CNN National Security reporter...

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) launches “Manosphere Monday” with Barstool Sports’ Connor Crehan, former co-host of Zero Blog Thirty and host of Bold American Pod ( @BoldAmericanPod ). Host Paul Rieckhoff and Connor dive into a wide-ranging, candid conversation that bridges the military, sports, politics, and American parenthood. Together, they unpack today’s headlines...

Episode 359 of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff )  delivers an unflinching look at the crisis facing the Democratic Party and the state of American politics. Former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison joins Paul for an urgent, candid, and often funny conversation about the future of the Democrats, the failure of leadership on both sides, and how to fight back against extremism witho...

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) brings you the most real, raw, and independent perspective you can get, all from deep inside America’s chaos. In Episode 358, host Paul Rieckhoff broadcasts straight from his kitchen in a no-holds-barred solo episode tackling the latest madness from Washington and beyond. From President Trump literally destroying parts of the White House...

357. Dan Lamothe. Hegseth’s War On The Pentagon Press Corp. The Media Walkout You Missed. Trump’s Propaganda Plan Rolls On. Artillery Shells Send Shrapnel Over CA Highway. More Strikes on Venezuelan Boats. Hegseth & Platner’s Nazi Tattoos. Govs vs Trump.  The Pentagon press corps has walked out. The briefings have stopped. And the most powerful military in the world is being wielded in ways few Am...

Join host Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff )  for candid, high-energy conversations with four trailblazing independent Senate candidates: Ty Pinkins (MS), Todd Achilles (ID), Brian Bengs (SD), and Dan Osborn (NE). Powered by Righteous Media, this episode pulls back the curtain on the lives, values, and humor driving the next wave of American politics. Discover why these independent candidates have...

America is facing unprecedented division and anxiety, but this is also a moment of new possibilities and bold leadership. In this powerful episode, your host Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) continues the Meet the Independent Candidate series with Ty Pinkins—army veteran, lawyer, lifelong Mississippian, and independent candidate for US Senate. Pinkins shares his compelling personal journey from t...

The summer has come to a close in a crescendo of chaos. Political violence, confusion and anger are the defining features of the American vibe. And the American vibe, it ain’t good. Tension everywhere as new cities are added to the target list seemingly daily. Memphis, LA, New York, Chicago. And now a government shutdown when things couldn’t get any more fraught. It’s a good time to stay frosty an...

This continues to be THE podcast for independent and unaffiliated Americans. No other show is focused on independents and independent elected leaders and candidates like we are. Why do America’s biggest states leave us with so few choices? Independent candidate for California Governor, businessman and author Ethan Penner, joins our Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) for a raw and insightful convers...

Fall is just around the corner, kids are back in school, football has kicked off and your host Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) is here to continue to tear into the future of independent politics. And American politics. This week, we’ve got a great conversation with Maine State Senator Rick Bennett, a lifelong Republican and former state party Chair who has recently declared his independence from...

If you’ve listened to this show over the years, chances are that you’ve heard our guest. If you haven’t, get ready for a solid dose of the straight up good stuff. Rob Serra ( @SerraRob ) is back for the annual 9/11 episode and this one hits hard. Host and founder Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) was there at Ground Zero on 9/11. So was Rob. It was famously his first day on the job. Yes, you read...

We’ve got one last look back before we plunge into the future. This week we’re taking it way, way back to Episode 26 with the amazing inventor Dean Kamen. From Episode 26 - September 26, 2019: Dean Kamen is one of the greatest inventors of our time. He invented the Segway, the first drug infusion pump , and the Slingshot–a water purification device that requires no filters, can turn almost any kin...

Our summer break continues as we knock out our housekeeping and get things ready for a busy fall. And before we get back to all new episodes we’ve got another great look back at a favorite with the great actor Jeffrey Wright. He digs into his role on WestWorld, his time in Hollywood and the roles he loves to take on, and he shares the story of Nearest Green and what has become not only an inspirat...

Our August break continues and we’re throwing it way back to Episode 34 with Aaron Mankin. A true American hero, Aaron Mankin joined Paul Rieckhoff at the Classic Car Club in New York for an incredibly powerful conversation. Having survived a catastrophic IED explosion in Iraq that left him with severe burns and countless injuries shares the story of his journey to recovery with Paul in this rivet...

Our throwback August continues as we go way back to Episode 33 with Paul’s fascinating conversation with the sole living Medal of Honor Recipient from the Iraq War. It’s a hell of a distinction–and a hell of a conversation. Take some time and listen to this timeless talk about war, humanity and the drive to push forward, even after horrific loss. From inside the very cool Classic Car Club in Manha...

Our August break is continuing with a replay of one of our favorite chats we’ve ever recorded. This one is really fun.  Over the next few weeks we’ll be re-sharing conversations with some of our favorite guests as they share their stories of independence, integrity, information, inspiration and definitely impact. We’re kicking the series off with a conversation with comedy legend Sam Bee. And if y...