The Porcupine Report with Eric Brakey

Eric welcomes Sean Themea, Chief of Staff at Young Americans for Liberty, for a spirited discussion on building a national youth-driven liberty movement. Themea shares his journey from New Hampshire to Texas and details YAL’s strategy of creating “Liberty Lighthouse States,” with New Hampshire at the forefront. They discuss the impact of student activism on issues like school choice, free speech,...

Eric welcomes Keith Bessette, founder of Free State Acoustics, for a lively discussion on music, liberty, and the upcoming Freedom Palooza festival. Keith shares his journey from Florida to becoming a regular in New Hampshire's liberty scene, emphasizing how community and creativity are thriving among Free Staters. They dive into the evolution of PorcFest, the role of music in the movement, and th...

Representative Michael Granger dives into how Free Staters played a critical role in eliminating New Hampshire’s mandatory vehicle inspection requirement. He outlines the creative grassroots tactics that mobilized public support, including a targeted flyer campaign that generated hundreds of personal testimonies to lawmakers. Granger also highlights the Free Staters’ influence on expanding univers...

Eric shares his reflections on this year’s Porcupine Freedom Festival and introduces his featured speech, Revolution in the Granite Gulch, delivered Saturday morning at the event. He gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at PorcFest 2025, including the emotional return of Ross Ulbricht, the growing momentum of the Free State Project, and the cultural shift toward liberty in New Hampshire. Eric...

With Eric at PorcFest this week, please enjoy his talk from PorcFest 2024 about his journey from neoconservative to libertarian activist, sparked by Ron Paul's influence. He recounts his transformation from a war-supporting teenager to a key player in the Ron Paul Revolution, including his leadership in the dramatic takeover of the 2012 Maine Republican Convention. Brakey describes how that ex...

Matt Kibbe joins the Eric to discuss his documentary Off the Grid with Thomas Massie , highlighting the congressman's off-the-grid lifestyle and principled stand for liberty. Kibbe explains how Massie’s independence from Washington power structures gives him the courage to challenge establishment narratives, including Donald Trump’s big-spending policies. They explore the growing tension withi...

Ross Ulbricht, creator of the Silk Road and a central figure in the early crypto movement, is now a free man—and will be making his first-ever PorcFest appearance this month ! Eric and guest Martha Bueno reflect on the long road to Ross's release, highlighting the libertarian community's unwavering support over more than a decade. They introduce Mothers Against Cruel Sentencing , co-founde...

Aaron Day joins the show to share his journey into the liberty movement, including his early business ventures, his political activism in New Hampshire, and how federal overreach radicalized him. He focuses on the threats posed by central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and how current stablecoin regulations are paving the way for digital financial control. Aaron also discusses the persecution of...

Eric welcomes four special guests to explore the excitement surrounding this year’s PorcFest, taking place June 16–22. Representing Edge, Pirate Chain, Destination Freedom, and Anarchapulco, the guests introduce the  Exit Lounge —a dynamic collaboration centered on privacy, cryptocurrency, and personal sovereignty. Together, they share their vision of empowering individuals through decentralized f...

Executive Director of Citizens for Sound Money, Daniel Diaz, joins the program to discuss the nationwide push to restore gold and silver as legal tender. Daniel shares major legislative victories in states like Florida and Missouri, the role of sound money in protecting economic freedom, and the legacy of the late Jim Forsythe. He also explains the practical benefits of legal tender laws and the f...

Joshua Groth and Josh Swift join the Porcupine Report to share their unique journeys into the world of Bitcoin and personal freedom. Groth, an adventure athlete, explains how discovering Bitcoin gave him the power to save, invest in his future, and rethink what truly matters. Swift recounts the incredible story of finding a long-lost bitcoin wallet—first connecting with Groth at PorcFest and, with...

Eric shares the stage with Jack Hunter and Jp Cortez at YALCON Atlanta to discuss the legacy of Dr. Ron Paul. They emphasize how Ron Paul’s campaigns significantly reshaped American political discourse—especially within the Republican Party—by introducing anti-war, pro-liberty, and sound money ideas. They marvel at the way his presence was disruptive but transformative, catalyzing a new generation...

Eric Brakey speaks with Young Americans for Liberty student activists at Westfield State University in Massachusetts, sharing powerful insights on how to effectively fight for liberty—and why New Hampshire is the best place to do it. The conversation included engaging questions from the audience, sparking thoughtful discussion and deeper exploration of the liberty movement.

Executive Director of the Sound Money Defense League, Jp Cortez, joins Eric to discuss his work with sound money and Ron Paul’s influence through his longstanding advocacy for it. Jp highlights the growing global shift toward de-dollarization and alternative stores of value like gold, silver, and Bitcoin. He also emphasizes grassroots efforts and local political engagement over federal lobbying. T...

Seasoned Porcupine Report guest Jack Hunter joins Eric to share in the excitement for the upcoming Porcupine Freedom Festival, where he’ll return as a featured speaker. Together, they dig into current hot topics, including Cory Booker’s 25-hour performative Senate speech—which pales in comparison to past substantive filibusters like Rand Paul’s 2013 stand against John Brennan’s CIA nomination and...

Amy Norris joins the program to talk about all things PorcFest! She discusses her experiences at the event, the diverse groups people who attend, and the key themes explored there, such as personal freedom, voluntary exchange, and self-sufficiency. She shares memorable moments and interactions from the festival, illustrating the community-driven atmosphere and how PorcFest provides a space for peo...

Corey DeAngelis is a prominent advocate for school choice. He joins the Porcupine Report to discuss the growing momentum of education freedom policies across the U.S., particularly in New Hampshire. Corey notes the rapid expansion of school choice in the last few years, with 15 states adopting universal programs as well as how pandemic school closures awakened parents to problems in public educati...

Our latest guest on the Porcupine Report, Jody Underwood, is an advocate for education freedom and founder of Ed Opt . She shares her journey within the Free State movement and her experience serving on the Croydon School Board. She explains the variety of educational options available in New Hampshire, including homeschooling, learning centers, charter schools, private schools, and the Education...

Tom Woods and Eric recap the recent Tom Woods Cruise, which included stops in places like Prospera, Honduras, a hub for libertarian free cities. The cruise featured discussions on liberty, a pitch contest, and a concert by Broadway performer Clifton Duncan. Tom also discusses the rise of populist sentiment and how libertarians can use it to push their ideas forward. He emphasizes that while educat...

Eric joins Matt Kibbe to discuss New Hampshire's emergence as a hub for libertarian policies and highlights the Free State Project's success in attracting thousands of libertarians to the state, resulting in legislative wins like abolishing income taxes and expanding school choice. Eric emphasizes the importance of community-building, which helped residents resist government overreach duri...

Eric joins The Way Forward Podcast to discuss the Free State Project’s goal of concentrating libertarians in New Hampshire to create a politically influential community, emphasizing localism over federal engagement. He critiques the challenges of libertarian success in federal politics, highlights New Hampshire’s relative freedom during COVID-19, and distinguishes libertarianism from conservatism....

Partner Relations Director for Emergent Order Foundation, Ivy Karns, joins the program to tell the true crime story of P’Nut the squirrel, killed by government thugs in New York. P’Nut was rescued by Mark Long and became an internet sensation, amassing over 500,000 followers. His fame helped fund an animal sanctuary, P’nuts Freedom Farm, which Mark and his wife founded in 2023 in Pine City, New Yo...

Eric is joined by Representative Michael Granger to give an update on the latest liberty-driven initiatives in New Hampshire including Defend the Guard, Right to Work Legislation, Education Freedom Accounts, and State Budget Cuts. Michael’s outlook for this year in the State House is determined and mission-driven, with a focus on long-term, incremental victories for the liberty movement.

Jay Noone is a homesteader who runs a homeschool co-op for kids to learn farming in the Free State. Jay moved to New Hampshire as part of the Free State Project in 2016. A proud father of two, Jay started raising cows, pigs, and chickens while starting his kids program to prepare the next generation to live a self sufficient lifestlye. Part of Jay’s vision is to build confidence in children by tea...

Carla Gericke joins the program once again to celebrate the pardoning of Ross Ulbricht by Donald Trump, emphasizing the relentless activism of his mother, Lyn Ulbricht. She recalls how the Free State Project and many libertarians have supported Ross’s cause for over a decade, organizing events, spreading awareness, and pressuring politicians to act. Carla and Eric renew their hopes for similar out...