The Porcupine Report with Eric Brakey

A difficult election raises fresh questions about the future of liberty in New Hampshire and the influence of national politics on local progress. Eric Brakey and Henry from the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance offer a candid perspective on political disappointment, accountability, and the challenges of protecting the state’s freedoms. Grassroots organizing, strong communities, and a commitment to i...

Eric welcomes the Free State Project’s newly elected board chair, Pedro Serra, for a conversation about building liberty in New Hampshire. They explore how the state’s independent spirit and engaged community create opportunities for individuals to make a lasting difference. With Election Day approaching, they highlight civic participation, grassroots activism, and the importance of stepping outsi...

Eric sits down with longtime Free State activist and State Representative Dan McGuire to reflect on two decades of the Free State Project, New Hampshire politics, and the movement's growth. They discuss what makes New Hampshire's citizen legislature unique, the impact dedicated individuals can have, and the many ways people contribute to advancing liberty beyond elected office. The convers...

Eric Brakey welcomes political commentator Jack Hunter to the Porcupine Report for a candid discussion about the state of American politics and the future of the liberty movement. They explore growing frustration with the Republican Party, shifting political alliances, and what the upcoming midterm elections could mean for advocates of limited government. Despite their concerns about the national...

What does it really feel like to live in New Hampshire’s growing liberty community? Eric sits down with Dennis Pratt to talk about why experiencing the Free State firsthand can be so different from simply hearing about it from afar. They explore the communities, friendships, affinity groups, and opportunities that have developed as thousands of liberty-minded people have made New Hampshire home. D...

Stephen Nass joins Eric to talk about the opening of a new Shell clubhouse in Rollinsford and a new initiative aimed at expanding the community. The Shell is proposing a $100 annual membership—just $8.33 a month—if 250 people commit, a significant reduction from the current $50 monthly membership. Stephen explains the idea behind the new model, plans for the clubhouse, and the broader goal of crea...

Eric talks with Mike Sertic, president of the Advocates for Self-Government, about liberty, political identity, and what self-government can look like in practice. They explore the history and impact of the World’s Smallest Political Quiz, changing political attitudes, and the limitations of the traditional left-right spectrum. The conversation also looks at New Hampshire’s growing liberty communi...

Eric welcomes Ryan Minniti of Live Free Academy to explore what it means to “exit and build” in an increasingly centralized and surveilled world. They discuss practical ways individuals can build greater independence through stronger communities, privacy technology, alternative currencies, local food systems, and more self-sufficient ways of living. The conversation also looks at the opportunities...

The votes are in, and New Hampshire’s 2026 primary election has set the stage for November. State Rep. Michael Granger joins us live to break down the results, the races that caught his attention, and what they could mean for the political landscape across the Granite State. We’ll look at key contests from the top of the ticket to the State House and discuss where New Hampshire politics goes from...

Eric returns from a busy month of travel and outreach with an update on the Free State Project’s efforts to connect with liberty-minded people beyond New Hampshire. He reflects on the Tom Woods Cruise, the growing interest in the Free State movement, and the importance of building relationships with potential future movers. Eric also responds to recent media coverage and criticism while looking ah...

Eric shares his journey from grassroots activism and elected office to his work building the Free State Project during a talk at the  Midwest Peace and Liberty Festival in Michigan . He explores how concentrating liberty-minded people in one place has helped create both political influence and a growing culture centered on individual freedom, voluntary cooperation, and community. The discussion hi...

Eric is joined by David Fite and Ryan Brennan to discuss the growing liberty movement and the importance of building strong, connected communities beyond New Hampshire. David and Ryan share how the Midwest Peace and Liberty Festival has grown from a gathering of friends into a hub for libertarians across the region, and how it connects with the broader Free State movement. They also discuss creati...

Eric talks with Jody Underwood of EdOpt about New Hampshire’s newly expanded homeschooling freedom and the growing range of educational options available to families. They discuss Education Freedom Accounts, private and charter schools, microschools, and the misconceptions that often keep parents from exploring alternatives to traditional public education. They also contrast New Hampshire’s approa...

Eric talks with Nikki Sunshine about the upcoming Family Planning Weekend, an event designed to introduce prospective movers to New Hampshire's family-focused community and opportunities. They also discuss why New Hampshire has become a destination for families seeking greater freedom, stronger communities, and more choices when it comes to raising children. Along the way, they explore the uni...

Speaking at the Libertarian National Convention in Grand Rapids, Eric shares how the Free State Project has transformed New Hampshire into a proving ground for libertarian ideas by encouraging thousands of liberty-minded people to relocate and get involved in their communities. He explains why he believes concentrating activists in one state has produced meaningful political, cultural, and economi...

Eric talks with Australian libertarian activist Jordan Dittloff to discuss the state of liberty movements in Australia and the United States. The conversation explores Australia's increasingly centralized political climate, the lasting impact of COVID-era policies, and why New Hampshire's Free State Project stands out as a unique model for building real-world communities around shared valu...

Eric sits down with entrepreneur and freedom advocate Eduardo Alexander to discuss the growing push for decentralization and the future of liberty-oriented communities. Their conversation explores concerns about centralized political and financial power, the migration of freedom-minded individuals to places like New Hampshire and Puerto Rico, and the role emerging technologies may play in creating...

Eric sits down with longtime Free State activist and State Representative Dan McGuire to reflect on two decades of the Free State Project, New Hampshire politics, and the movement's growth. They discuss what makes New Hampshire's citizen legislature unique, the impact dedicated individuals can have, and the many ways people contribute to advancing liberty beyond elected office. The convers...

Eric reflects on the 2026 Porcupine Freedom Festival, sharing how this year's decentralized format brought together liberty-minded people from across New Hampshire and around the country. He discusses the growth of community initiatives, the role of philosophy in the Free State movement, and why events like PorkFest continue to strengthen the culture of liberty. The episode also highlights upc...

As PorcFest 2026 approaches, Eric welcomes Brian Becker, Free State Project IT Director and founder of the Warehouse clubhouse in Weare, New Hampshire, for a conversation about the movement’s continued growth and this year’s decentralized festival format. They discuss how Free Staters are building communities, events, and institutions across the state, creating new opportunities for activism, netw...

Eric talks with Kitty Michelotti and Eowyn Osborne from Latitude Learning about this year’s Family Freedom Field Day at PorcFest. They discuss how the event keeps family programming alive in PorcFest’s new decentralized format, with activities for kids, teens, and parents throughout the day. The conversation also highlights Latitude Learning’s child-led, freedom-oriented approach to education, wit...

Eric talks with Paul Dans about the future of the conservative movement, the influence of the administrative state, and the ongoing debate over America's role in the world. They explore the rise of populist politics, tensions within the Republican Party, and the challenges of translating political victories into lasting institutional change. The discussion also examines the relationship betwee...

Eric shares a recent appearance alongside Carla Gericke and Jason Sorens on the political game show “Are You Smarter Than a Politician?”, where the conversation turns into a fast-moving debate about liberty, decentralization, surveillance, gun rights, free speech, and the future of America. Blending humor, audience interaction, and political philosophy, the episode explores why New Hampshire has b...

Eric sits down with William Kostric, co-founder of The Quill, to talk about the early days of the Free State movement and how one underground liberty clubhouse helped shape a growing network of communities across New Hampshire. William also shares stories from the history of The Quill, including its survival through COVID, the “Save the Quill” effort, and the challenges of building decentralized c...

Adam McGuire joins Eric to share how NorthFest, part of PorcFest: Spontaneous Order, is bringing people to New Hampshire’s North Country for three days of community, entrepreneurship, and liberty focused culture. The conversation explores what makes the region unique, from affordable living and strong family oriented values to the growing network of Free Staters and business owners putting down ro...