Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Independent Veteran candidate, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, PhD, ultra-marathon champion, and living kidney donor Matt Cavanaugh is a damn impressive leader. And he joins Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff from Colorado’s 5th district for an unfiltered, high-energy conversation on why “America is not okay” and why he believes voters are trapped in another “Alien vs. Predator” election where, if either major party wins, the people lose. From NORAD’s backyard in the shadow of Pikes Peak, he makes the case that his home turf—majority independent, home to five military bases and Team USA—is the best district in America for an independent veteran Congressional candidate to break through.​ Cavanaugh explains why his campaign logo features a buffalo and how American bison running straight into the storm became his metaphor for political courage in a district that’s ready to send an independent veteran to Congress. He tears into gerrymandering, shutdowns that burned billions, and a political class that left every newborn with six-figure national debt stapled to their birth certificate, while calling for a new generation of “rational vertebrates” with the backbone to stand up for Article One of the Constitution.​ Matt and Paul also fly into Matt’s living kidney donation—why he voluntarily gave a kidney at Walter Reed to a stranger in Seattle, how that transplant chain saved eight lives and saves taxpayers far more than it costs, and how serving others from combat to transplantation to running for office is his answer to these “times that try men’s souls.” Paul opens the episode with a rapid-fire breakdown of Trump’s marijuana order and “war dividend” troop checks, the Trump–Kennedy Center rename push, the rising risk of war near Venezuela, Ukraine’s 1,390th day of full-scale war, and major movement on extremism inside the Coast Guard, plus culture, sports, and hope—from Avatar and SpongeBob to Football Friday picks, polar bears, skiing with kids, and New York City marathon memories. It’s a fierce and fun way to close out a wild week.  Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about his campaign for Congress. -Get a copy of his book Best Scar Wins and take a  minute and read more about his experience of becoming a kidney donor. -Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the holidays.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul welcomes back CBS News national security coordinating producer (and Marine infantry veteran) James LaPorta, one of the most tenacious and respected reporters in the national security and veterans’ space. From the CBS bureau in Washington, LaPorta brings exclusive reporting, deep sourcing and hard-won combat perspective as Paul rips through a wild 48 hours: Trump’s lie-filled prime-time address and new “warrior dividend” checks, a dignified transfer at Dover, rising tensions in Venezuela, new Ukraine aid, Trump’s sinking approval and fresh mass shootings in Sydney and at Brown University. LaPorta then walks listeners through what’s really happening off the coast of Venezuela—carrier strike groups, Marine Expeditionary Units, submarines and air sorties lighting up flight trackers—and why the U.S. posture is “unprecedented” and eerily reminiscent of the run-up to Iraq. The conversation digs into the escalating war over truth: new Pentagon efforts to restrict press access and punish basic reporting, conspiracy theorists like Laura Loomer moving from Infowars-style harassment into official briefing rooms, and what that means for accountability and safety. In an exclusive segment, LaPorta reveals new details on 18 Navy SEALs disciplined after racist memes targeted a Black teammate, what command climate surveys show about repeated harassment, and how it collides with Trump Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s push to “de‑woke‑ify” the force and downplay symbols like nooses and swastikas. Paul and James connect it all to recruiting, morale and trust—especially for troops of color and Jewish service members—while talking about FOIA as a weapon for regular citizens and the need to “FOIA and Find Out.” They close with signature IA humanity: LaPorta on Parkland, his Ghostbusters‑obsessed son and a day with the original Ecto‑1, and Paul on watching The Mandalorian with his son as a reminder to keep finding “something good” in anxious times. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of https://youtu.be/thjhZczozlYhttps://youtu.be/thjhZczozlY. -Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the holidays.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this moving and important episode, Paul Rieckhoff sits down with his old friend, acclaimed and courageous director Craig Renaud to discuss his HBO documentary, Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud, which honors his brother Brent, a brave and renowned journalist killed in Ukraine in 2022. Reflecting on two decades of shared history covering global conflicts, they explore the soaring cost of war and the increasingly dangerous environment for reporters. The conversation highlights a troubling shift toward restricted press access and state-led propaganda, emphasizing why "unflinching, human" truth-telling is more vital—and perilous—than ever for both troops and democracy. This conversation is as powerful as it gets. Craig shares raw, deeply personal reflections on making a film about his brother’s murder, how the editing room became a place of grief and healing, and why he felt a duty to show the reality of Brent’s death exactly the way Brent would have wanted: unflinching, human, and in service of others caught in the crossfire. It’s a story that reveals the soaring cost of war, a brutally dangerous new era for reporters, and why truth-telling now takes more courage than ever. From the Arkansan National Guard in Iraq, to the war on drugs, to the war in Ukraine, Craig has seen it all. And documented it.  This is the kind of conversation that transcends politics and party. This is the kind of conversation that everyone should have to hear. This is the kind of conversation that reminds us of the price that is paid by the vigilant—and why we can never forget them and should always celebrate the best parts of them. It’ll give you many reasons to be more thankful this holiday season.  Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -WATCH the Trailer for Armed Only with a Camera. -WATCH the epic documentary film from the Renaud Brothers Warrior Champs. -Learn more about the Brent Renaud Foundation and the important work they are doing. -Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the holidays.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a huge and news-making show. Recorded just before Kelly’s pivotal meeting with Hegseth in Washington. When Donald Trump used the power of the presidency to call for Senator Mark Kelly’s execution, he crossed a dangerous new line—and sent a chilling message to millions of veterans and every American who dares to speak out. In this all–new episode, Independent Americans host and Army veteran Paul Rieckhoff sits down with the Arizona Senator, Navy combat pilot and astronaut for a raw, unfiltered, and urgent conversation about retribution, free speech, and the future of American democracy.​ Just hours before his first face-to-face meeting with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth since Hegseth and Trump launched an unprecedented military investigation into Kelly.  Senator Kelly explains why Trump’s move is not just an attack on him, but on every retired service member who might now think twice before speaking his/her mind. He breaks down how Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are trying to weaponize the Uniform Code of Military Justice against political opponents, and why he refuses to be silenced—even if that means facing a “kangaroo court” in uniform.​ Rieckhoff presses Kelly on the looming risk of a new war with Venezuela, what Trump might do while Congress is out of session, and why the administration still hasn’t offered any clear legal or strategic justification for putting American troops in harm’s way. Kelly connects the dots between Trump’s past calls to kill the families of terrorists, shoot protesters in the legs, and “just kill people,” and the dangerous culture now spreading inside the Pentagon.​ This is a critical, behind-the-scenes briefing with the Senator on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees who is directly in Trump’s crosshairs—and who is still showing up to hold this White House to account. It’s also a powerful message to every independent, veteran, military family, and engaged citizen about courage, oversight, and what it really means to stay vigilant in this moment. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the holidays.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a weekend of atrocities from the Hanukkah massacre in Sydney to another campus shooting at Brown University, new American combat deaths in Syria, Trump’s escalating boat strikes, looming conflict with Venezuela and brutal VA job cuts, Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff turns to someone who can help us breathe, process and fight forward: democracy and respect advocate, Baratunde Thurston.​ Baratunde is an Emmy-nominated thought-leader, writer, comedian, technologist, culture critic and host of PBS’s America Outdoors, as well as the creator of How to Citizen and Life with Machines, his new YouTube/AI series exploring how we live well with powerful technology. In this wide-ranging “Manosphere Monday” conversation, Paul and Baratunde unpack how to stay calm in all this chaos, how to citizen in a time of mass shootings and democratic backsliding, and why our real power is collective—not just a vote every two to four years.​ They dive into the toxic “manosphere” model of masculinity and Baratunde’s devastating description of Pete Hegseth as chasing dominance instead of service, strength and restraint. They contrast that with the leadership of others who embody courage, compassion and a longer view of democracy and the planet.​ Is AI a Christmas present or dastardly coal in our stocking? Baratunde breaks down AI in plain language: why AI itself isn’t taking your job, why AI is really about power and the human leaders making choices, and how we can “activate multiplayer mode” instead of being kept in fearful single-player mode. He explains how AI can help with everyday problems—from home repairs to navigating systems—while also forcing us to ask deeper questions about what we value, what education is for, and how we want to live. It’s smart, useful and fun.  Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Read Baratunde’s thought provoking latest on Atmos.Earth about America needing a Declaration of Interdependence.  -Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the holidays.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices