Podcasts about veterans affairs

900K Independents Blocked Out. Spencer Pratt is Out in LA. Trump Cries Foul. America 250 is Bigger Than Trump.  Trump showed up at Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden and got booed loud enough that he had to lie about it on the tarmac. Hours later, news broke that an Iranian drone shot down a US Army Apache gunship off the coast of Oman — the pilots rescued, in a first-of-its-kind operation, by an American sea drone. And while the MAGA machine drags the NBA, the UFC, and America 250 into its political circus, four states are running primaries today that disenfranchise nearly a million independent voters, including roughly 450,000 independent veterans in Nevada alone. Paul Rieckhoff is solo on the mic for episode 545, delivering the kind of no-BS morning briefing the cable nets won't. This one moves fast and hits hard: drone warfare as the new normal in Iran and Ukraine, the difference between a closed primary, an open party primary, and the all-candidate open primary that actually respects independents, the Graham Plattner problem in Maine, Trump previewing his attack on November's election results, and a French flyover at the Statue of Liberty that's a reminder America 250 doesn't belong to Trump. If you're tired of partisans weaponizing every NBA scuffle and every foreign policy crisis, this is the briefing that meets the moment — righteous anger, rigorous analysis, and a path forward. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Make the switch to Noble mobile and save money the easy way. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky   -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 Far Left & Right Dominate Another Rigged Primary Day. Knicks/Spurs Back at MSG. Hilton Beats Steyer in CA. Jimi Hendrix Gets His Way. It's a Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Wednesday and Paul is sounding the alarm. Game four of the NBA Finals tips off tonight at Madison Square Garden, but the real story is bigger than basketball. A Spurs fan got jumped in New York. Young men across America are jobless, hopeless, and furious. Trump has already named New York and Chicago as cities he wants to send troops into. Steve Bannon is calling ICE airport operations a dress rehearsal for the fall elections. And Pete Hegseth just flew to Gitmo with conspiracy-pusher Laura Loomer in tow — not the Washington Post, not even Fox — because Cuba is next and they aren't even hiding it. Paul connects the dots between a potentially violent summer at home, CENTCOM's ongoing strikes inside Iran, the rigged primary system that just disenfranchised hundreds of thousands of independents in California and Maine, and the open primaries fight quietly unfolding in Lower Manhattan under Mamdani's new charter commission. This is a no-BS warning to the angry middle: stay out of the fistfights, stay out of the extremist groups, look out for the young men in your life, and refuse to give Trump the excuse he's desperate for. Righteous anger, channeled into real impact. Stay vigilant. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Make the switch to Noble mobile and save money the easy way. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Congress is finally showing a spine. After months of all gas and no brakes, the unauthorized Iran war has become the breaking point — and for the first time in this administration, Republicans, Democrats, and the Angry Middle in between are unified in opposition. The country does not want another regime-change war. The country does not want a new forever war. And the politicians, as usual, are behind the people they claim to lead. Paul Rieckhoff lays out why this moment matters and why the pushback can't stop at Iran when Cuba, Greenland, and Mexico are already in the rhetorical crosshairs. Then there's the deeper rot. The nominee to run the DNI — the traffic cop for every piece of intelligence flowing from our allies and our own agencies — has no experience and, in Paul's read, no intelligence. Scott Bessent is brawling with Bill Pulte on Capitol Hill. Ebola is spreading in Africa. Putin is slamming into Ukraine. Iran is hitting Kuwait. The World Cup is coming to American soil with a national security apparatus staffed by wannabe tough guys and unqualified loyalists. Americans feel less safe because they are less safe — and this briefing connects every dot. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Big Trump Immigration Bill Funded. Remembering D-Day. As Hegseth Contaminates That Too. Iran and Israel Back at It. Achilles Strong in Idaho. 7'4 Mayor Greg Ostertag (I). The Bears are Leaving Chicago?!?  New York City is buzzing. For the first time since 1999, the NBA finals are back at Madison Square Garden, and Fat Joe says it's the greatest unification the city has seen since 9/11. Then Trump announced he's coming — and everything he touches suffers. No sitting president has ever crashed an NBA finals game, for good reason: the security footprint swallows the event, the watch parties outside the Garden get shut down, and the working-class fans who can't afford an $8,000 nosebleed seat get pushed out of their own city's celebration. Paul Rieckhoff opens Manosphere Monday solo with a no-BS breakdown of why this is the new normal — UFC at the White House, the World Cup, the 2028 Olympics — and why the last island of American culture just got contaminated. From there, the briefing widens: Pete Hegseth turning the 82nd anniversary of D-Day into an anti-immigration grievance speech, Kristen Welker revealing Trump for who he is on Meet the Press, the Iran-Israel ceasefire that isn't a ceasefire, a direct Iranian missile hit on the main US air command center in Qatar that the government still won't talk about, $70 billion in new ICE funding rolling toward the House, and the independent veteran candidates — Achilles, Bodnar, Osborn — quietly running the most underreported political story in America. Plus a closing note on Greg Ostertag, the seven-foot NBA legend who just won a mayor's race in Mount Vernon, Texas — as an independent. Joy is resistance. So is vigilance. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pentagon Hires Jan 6 Insurrectionist. A Soldier Died in Iraq and Nobody Noticed. CBS Fires Scott Pelley. Trump's UFC Event is Off The Rails. Knicks Win!! The House finally did its job. By a 215-208 vote on the War Powers Act and a 218-204 vote authorizing $8 billion in military financing for Ukraine, Congress this week told Trump no on Iran and yes on Kyiv. It's shamefully overdue, it's mostly symbolic on Iran, and it took a handful of Republicans with actual integrity — Fitzpatrick, Massie, Barrett, Davidson, and Don Bacon among them — to make it happen. But on day 1559 of Russia's full-scale invasion, with more than 700 Ukrainian children dead and an American sergeant just killed in a training accident in Iraq that almost nobody noticed, this is the closest thing to good news Washington has produced in months. In this solo briefing, Paul walks through the votes, the cost, and the rot underneath them: a convicted January 6th rioter now assigned to the Pentagon's irregular warfare and counterterrorism section, the firing of Scott Pelley and the slow death of 60 Minutes, the disappearance of Tulsi Gabbard, the UFC turning into a political circus, and the Maine Senate race where Graham Platner's Totenkopf tattoo and a damning New York Times report have Democrats doing their best Biden 2.0 impression. He closes with Karen Lee Matthews' honorable independent run in California's 23rd, a reminder of where TAPS and the 988 crisis line fit in, and why the Knicks winning Game One actually matters for a country that desperately needs something to root for together. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Most Dangerous Summer. Iran, Ukraine, Ebola, And The World Cup.  Rubio Says The War Is Over - Who Won? Bessent's “Short-Term Blip” Is Bs. The lid is blown off. Secretary of State Marco Rubio went up to Capitol Hill to declare victory over Iran — defense industrial base destroyed, missile launchers gutted, conventional navy wiped out — and within 24 hours Tehran hit the Kuwaiti airport. That's the summer we're walking into. Paul Rieckhoff breaks it all down from the MSNBC desk: the war that supposedly isn't a war, the war powers vote that may or may not matter, and a White House that has stopped pretending Congress exists. This is exactly the moment the rigged two-party system was built to obscure — and exactly the moment the Angry Middle needs the no-BS briefing. From there the conversation widens into the full threat picture: Putin slamming Ukraine, an Ebola outbreak in Africa, the World Cup and America 250 about to flood the homeland with soft targets, and a Treasury Secretary telling working families that grocery prices are a "short-term blip." Paul names the Republicans who are finally breaking from Trump now that the $1.8 billion insurrectionist slush fund got killed, the independent veterans like Dan Osborn making real ground in Nebraska and Montana, and the LA mayor's race where running against the entire system is suddenly the winning play. If you've been waiting for someone to connect Iran, gas prices, and a lame-duck presidency in one rigorous briefing — this is it. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

90 Days In - Is The Iran War Illegal? RFK & Hegseth Unfit for Office? Elk Camps & the Rural Health Care Crisis.  The day after Montana's 2026 primary, Paul sits down with Colonel Mike Eisenhauer — a 25-year Army veteran, Bronze Star recipient, and practicing interventional cardiologist who is now running as an independent for Congress (https://eisenhauerforcongress.com/) in Montana's massive 2nd District. While the Republican incumbent ran unopposed and three Democrats fought over a primary their party hasn't won statewide in decades, Eisenhauer was outside the rigged two-party system entirely, gathering nearly 13,000 verified signatures to earn his spot on the November ballot. This is what it actually takes to break through when the machine is designed to keep you out. The conversation covers the affordability crisis crushing Montana families, the gutting of rural healthcare under the so-called big beautiful bill, the illegal and unauthorized war in Iran, congressional abdication under the War Powers Act, and why Eisenhauer — alongside Green Beret Seth Bodnar's Senate run — may be proof that Montana is ground zero for the independent movement. Paul and Mike also get into RFK Jr., right-to-repair, Trump accountability, the day after a huge primary day, the NBA Finals and why a doctor's diagnostic framework might be exactly what a broken Congress needs.  -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brutal Russian Attack Hits Kyiv. Tulsi Gabbard's Replacement Has No Experience. Mamdani Cancels Bedtime.  It's primary day in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota — and depending on your zip code, you either get a real vote or you get told to sit down and shut up. Paul Rieckhoff cuts through the noise on the biggest primary day of the cycle so far, breaking down why California's open primary is what real democracy looks like, why closed primaries in places like New Jersey and New York are a rigged scam dressed up in public money, and why 17 million independents across 16 states are once again being locked out of the elections their taxes fund. He names names: Karen Matthews in CA-23, Seth Bodnar going independent in Montana, Rebecca Bennett taking on the missing-in-action Tom Kean Jr., Deb Haaland in New Mexico, and the partisan hacks — Brad Lander chief among them — who say they love democracy but fight open primaries every step of the way. Then the briefing goes wider. Trump just lost a Senate fight over an outrageous $1.8 billion slush fund to pay out January 6th insurrectionists and Oath Keepers — proof that pressure works when even moderate Republicans break ranks. But he's already nominated Bill Pulte, a home-building heir with zero intelligence experience, to replace Tulsi Gabbard at DNI. Overnight, Russia killed a three-year-old boy in Dnipro after the U.S. delayed air defense missiles to Ukraine. Paul closes with the culture beat — Mamdani, the NBA Finals, a Cruz-Gillibrand bet — and a reminder that the independent movement isn't moving the needle, it is the needle. Country over party. People over politics. Light over heat. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump wants his face on the money. Not on a coin after he's gone. Not on a statue some future generation can decide to keep or tear down. On a live, circulating $250 bill — while he's still in office and while it's still illegal under federal law to put a living person on US currency. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent went on television and called it nothing untoward. The Angry Middle is calling it what it actually is: a strongman vanity project at a moment when most Americans can't scrape $250 together for groceries, gas, and rent. In this conversation, Paul and the crew break down the legacy push — the commemorative coin, the Trump-branded passports out of DC, the National Park Pass swap, the Kennedy Center rebrand, the arch on the White House lawn — and why this is all gas, no brakes executive ego dressed up as patriotism. They get into the Republican holdouts (Tillis, Cassidy, Cornyn) who Trump has already purged and who are about to hand him an embarrassing no vote, the ten-year design timeline that makes the whole thing a fantasy anyway, and the cabinet-meeting sycophancy culture that produces ideas this absurd. Then a hard left turn to the Knicks Finals — and a non-partisan plea to keep both Trump and Mamdani out of Madison Square Garden before they jinx the whole run. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Host James-Christian Blockwood interviews Soraya Correa, President and CEO of  the National Industries for the Blind and former Chief Procurement Officer at the US Department of Homeland Security,  and Greg Giddens, of Potomac Ridge Consulting, and former Chief Acquisition Officer at the US Department of Veterans Affairs, on how federal acquisition enables mission outcomes beyond compliance. Giddens describes procurement as a strategic bridge between government missions and private industry, with compliance baked into the process, and argues acquisition should be involved early and represented at the C-suite. Correa says the FAR rarely blocks results; problems often come from how regulations are interpreted, and effective reform depends on curiosity, planning for change, and calibrating risk to mission urgency. Both stress change management through clear, transparent communication of the “why,” early wins, shared credit, and teamwork, learning from imperfect procurements and solving issues collaboratively. Correa advises emerging leaders to build relationships early, stay close to customers and staff, challenge constraints with solutions, and lead with courage rather than fear. Giddens advises industry to understand the process, persist through obstacles, engage early within boundaries, and tailor solutions to agency needs.00:00 Build Relationships Early01:31 Acquisition as Strategy03:30 Smart Reform Mindset05:35 Change Management Playbook07:13 Leadership Skills Today09:17 Customer and Team Trust10:00 Learning From Failure12:10 Seat at the Table13:09 Courage Over Fear15:45 Advice for IndustryManagement Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. Support the Podcast Today at: donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comFollow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

Fifty thousand troops. Zero reporters on a ship. Zero reporters on a base. That's the reality of the Iran deployment under Trump and acting secretary of culture war Pete Hegseth — and it's the kind of information vacuum that's never existed in modern American conflict. Paul is joined by ABC News chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz, one of the most respected and trusted voices in military journalism, for a no-BS briefing on what happens when the Pentagon shuts the press out of a shooting war. This is a conversation about more than access. It's about trust — the trust the American public places in a non-political military, the trust troops place in journalists who actually show up, and the trust that gets shredded when a defense secretary turns a West Point graduation into a culture war rally. Paul and Martha walk through the Memorial Day lines that got crossed, why embeds matter, what the rank and file actually think about the politics being shoved down their throats, and why the easiest way to stop the truth is to never let anyone see it in the first place. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(9) Francis Rose details the Department of Veterans Affairs' ambitious rollout of a new electronic health record system in Michigan, aiming for a seamless "enlistment to grave" digital history for every member of the military.1913 GETTYSBURG 50TH

SCHEDULE THE JBS, 5-29-26.457 THE AMBROSIAN ILIAD.(1) Jeff Bliss discusses the Los Angeles mayoral race between incumbent Karen Bass, who faces criticism over homelessness and crime, and unconventional candidate Spencer Pratt, who utilizes social media and "guerrilla campaigning" to gain traction.(2) Jeff Bliss highlights Las Vegas's pursuit of an NBA team to complete its status as a global sports capital, while the Fertitta family acquires Caesar's Palace, consolidating power among the city's casino billionaires.(3) Professor Richard Epstein analyzes the legal history of birthright citizenship and Donald Trump's executive order, arguing that the 14th Amendment has been misinterpreted and that the child's status should depend on the parent's.(4) Professor Richard Epstein describes the Trump administration's $1.776 billion "slush fund" as a fraudulent private agreement, noting that despite its likely illegality, legal standing requirements make it difficult for anyone to successfully challenge.(5) Jim McTague reports on Lancaster County's economy, noting record-breaking gasoline sales at Costco despite rainy weather, the rise of retirement-driven healthcare, and local "Luddite" opposition to a proposed data center in Columbia.(6) Veronique de Rugy discusses a proposed California tax on billionaires, warning it will drive high earners away and reduce state revenue, while a competing initiative seeks to protect regular citizens' savings from taxation.(7) Bob Zimmerman examines a massive Blue Origin rocket explosion that has grounded the New Glenn program and delayed NASA's Artemis missions, leaving SpaceX as the only viable private partner for immediate lunar goals.(8) Bob Zimmerman discusses mysterious subsurface changes in the sun and conflicting data regarding water ice at the lunar South Pole, while highlighting Mars' "brain terrain" as evidence of significant near-surface ice deposits.(9) Francis Rose details the Department of Veterans Affairs' ambitious rollout of a new electronic health record system in Michigan, aiming for a seamless "enlistment to grave" digital history for every member of the military.(10) Francis Rose explores the security risks of electronic health records, explaining how nation-states like China seek bulk data for espionage and how the government utilizes "zero trust" technology to deter sophisticated machine-speed hacks.(11) Gene Marks reports from Nashville that mid-market companies are aggressively adopting AI to supplement labor shortages rather than replace workers, while also navigating the complexities of receiving refunds for previously paid tariffs.(12) Gene Marks questions surveys claiming 93% small business growth and dismisses claims that AI will eliminate white-collar jobs soon, asserting that human workers will naturally adapt to new technology as they have historically.(13) Henry Sokolski argues that no inherent "right to enrichment" exists under the NPT, warning that Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional power plants create dangerous targets and risk a "hot spot" of nuclear-armed nations.(14) Henry Sokolski discusses Russia's "gray warfare" tactics against NATO, including drone provocations and sabotage of European infrastructure, warning that the United States is not taking these threats seriously enough compared to Europe.(15) Conrad Black discusses Alberta's threat to secede from Canada if the federal government blocks oil pipelines, detailing the political maneuvering between Premier Danielle Smith, indigenous groups, and Prime Minister candidate Mark Carney.(16) Lorenzo Fiori reports on a record-breaking Italian heat wave and the poor market reception of Ferrari's new electric vehicle, while noting that affordable Chinese EVs are rapidly becoming the top-selling cars in Italy.

Let us know what you think of the show and what we can do better! Social media can make you feel surrounded and alone at the same time, and veterans often get hit hardest by that whiplash. I sit down with Jenna Carlton, a former U.S. Navy aerographer's mate and the creator behind The Millennial Veteran, to talk about the double-edged reality of online community: it can save you on your worst day, but it can also drag you into outrage, anxiety, and burnout if you don't set boundaries.We get into what Jenna learned after service while studying politics and interning with the U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs, including how influence, ego, and access shape veteran policy. From there, we pull the camera back to the real problem many of us see every day: younger veterans trying to navigate transition with limited local connection, confusing benefits systems, and the pressure to “advocate” nonstop online. We talk about a healthier model for veteran advocacy, one rooted in empathy, coalition-building, and showing up in real places like VSOs and local meetings.Jenna also shares the story behind her Veteran Workbook, a guided journaling tool designed to help veterans process experience, rebuild structure, and move into the next chapter with intention. Her current work as a housing navigator for homeless veterans brings the conversation into the loneliness epidemic, romance scams, and exploitation that can leave even high-income disabled veterans without stable housing. We close with hope and action, including her Women Veterans Workbook launch and what happens when women veterans create spaces where honesty is allowed.If this resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who's navigating transition, and leave a review so more veterans can find it. Where have you found real community when the internet wasn't enough?Stories of Service presents guests' stories and opinions in their own words, reflecting their personal experiences and perspectives. While shared respectfully and authentically, the podcast does not independently verify all statements. Views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the host, producers, government agencies, or podcast affiliates.Support the showVisit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTERRead my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.comWatch episodes of my podcast:https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

Preview for Later Today: Francis Rose provides updates on Veterans Affairs' implementation of AI-driven electronic health records. He observes a decrease in reported systemic failures compared to previous years, indicating much improved technological integration across various federal agencies.

Indy Duggan Out of Mich Gov Race. New Indy in Illinois Gov race. QB Jaxon Dart Endorsed Trump. Trump Attacks Colbert. Hochul Misses a Layup. Lander & Mamdani Attack Open Primaries in NYC. RIP, Rob Base.  It's episode 535 and Paul Rieckhoff is flying solo on a Friday — no guest, just a no-BS rapid-fire briefing on a week where the wheels kept coming off. Trump is still dangling a tentative Iran deal that looks suspiciously like the Obama agreement he tore up, while the Strait of Hormuz stays closed, the regime stays in place, and the nukes stay unsecured. Fourteen wounded American troops are at Walter Reed. The president walked the same halls for his own physical and didn't stop in. Meanwhile, a Russian drone hit an apartment building in Romania — NATO territory — and the silence from this White House has been deafening. From there Paul takes the briefing into Pete Hegseth's culture-war speech at West Point and his cheesy green-screen propaganda videos pitching a $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget, Trump's jealous AI dumpster video attacking Stephen Colbert, Jaxon Dart's locker-room-dividing endorsement, and a revealing sidewalk confrontation outside his kids' public school with Brad Lander — who openly admitted he opposes open primaries. This is the rigged two-party system in full color, and the Angry Middle is the story. Paul closes with what's still working: game sevens, the Spurs, 500 kids headed to a Mets game, and the reminder that joy is still a form of resistance. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The State of American Media in this Time of War. Pentagon Blackout: Why No Reporters Embedded with Troops is a Loss for Everyone. How is America Right Now? The Hero Next Door - Stories from the Wars America Forgot. Martha Raddatz has spent decades doing the work most of Washington can't or won't — getting on the ground, walking with troops, sitting across from presidents, and refusing to look away. And she's known Paul for two decades. The morning after she received the Lifetime Achievement Emmy, ABC News' Chief Global Affairs Correspondent returns (previous appearance on episode 61) to the show to talk about the state of journalism, the blackout on military coverage, and her new book The Hero Next Door. This is the conversation that doesn't happen on cable news anymore, because the access has been cut, the embeds are gone, and the briefing room has been handed to the MAGA machine. Paul and Martha go deep on the propaganda Pentagon press corps, the eerie silence around 50,000 troops staged near Iran, the bridge between civilians and the military that keeps collapsing, and the human cost of forever wars that most Americans have tuned out. Martha shares the stories of the veterans in her book — a paralyzed Marine Raider turned founder, an Army doc operating on the wounded in Dnipro — and makes the case that curiosity, empathy, and a touch of outrage are still the only way to get to the truth. Martha Raddatz is in a class of her own. This episode shows why. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Straddling Multnomah and Clackamas counties, the Willamette National Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Oregon for military veterans, their spouses and dependent children. Even though it won’t reach capacity for 15 years, The Department of Veterans Affairs is already planning for expansion by possibly acquiring roughly 300 acres of farmland southeast of Salem.   Per reporting by the Salem Reporter, the agency announced last September it was conducting an environmental assessment of the property, a functioning vineyard located in the unincorporated community of Macleay. Residents there have expressed concerns to VA officials about impacts on water usage, traffic and the rural character of their farming community.     Earlier this month, Marion County Commissioners sent a letter to the VA echoing those concerns and urging the agency to find an alternative site. Gov. Tina Kotek has also now gotten involved by writing directly to VA Secretary Doug Collins to work with the commissioners to find a different location.    The Salem Reporter’s Hailey Cook has been following these developments and joins us to share more details.  

The Department of Veterans Affairs is getting bipartisan praise for its resumed rollout of a new Electronic Health Record; a multibillion-dollar project that has run into myriad problems since it began under the first Trump administration. The VA rolled out the system to new sites last month after a three-year pause on deployment. Groups representing VA employees, however, say the latest facilities to adopt the new EHR are dealing with problems. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The spin machine is at full tilt. The Strait of Hormuz still isn't clear, oil is hovering around $90, gas is pushing $5 a gallon heading into summer, and the president of the United States is telling Americans not to worry while his cabinet takes turns praising him on camera. Paul Rieckhoff joins Connell McShane on News Nation for a no-BS breakdown of what's actually happening — and what the MAGA machine doesn't want you to see. This is the Angry Middle's morning briefing on a presidency that doesn't seem to care about the midterms, a sycophant circle that can't tell the boss the truth about small business or gas prices, and a Ukrainian military that's holding the lines, hitting oil refineries inside Russia, and forcing Putin to cancel parades. Paul lays out why the next six months in Ukraine may be the real turning point of this war, why Trump's distance from working Americans is going to bleed into 2026 congressional races, and why a cabinet built on flattery is bad for any democracy — Republican, Democrat, or independent. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 Good Grief Camps Hope for the Next Generation. If We Stop, We Die: Ukraine's Trauma. Memorial Day is not a sale. It's not a barbecue. It's a debt. In this special episode, Paul sits down with Bonnie Carroll — Medal of Freedom recipient, veteran, and founder of TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) — for the 31st annual National Military Survivors Seminar and Good Grief Camp in Arlington. Bonnie has spent three decades building the community that catches Gold Star families when the country looks away, and she brings the kind of clear-eyed, hope-forward leadership the Angry Middle is starving for. This conversation covers the ground most cable hits won't touch: the kids who grow up at TAPS and come back as mentors, the undiagnosed traumatic brain injuries showing up in autopsies of veterans lost to suicide, the moral injury still rippling out of Afghanistan, and the families on the front lines in Ukraine that TAPS helped stand up. Bonnie also explains why TAPS stays fiercely apolitical, what the Love Lives On Act would change for surviving spouses, and how she keeps going when the hits keep coming. If you've felt tired, isolated, or unsure how to honor this day, this is the briefing for you. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this special Memorial Day episode of John Solomon Reports, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces and law enforcement. John Solomon opens the show with heartfelt reflections on the sacrifices of our veterans and the importance of honoring those who have given their lives for our freedoms. This episode features an adapted television special from Real America's Voice, focusing on a unique group of veterans who not only served their country but also returned to protect their communities as police officers.We kick off with an exclusive interview with VA Secretary Doug Collins, who shares positive developments at the Department of Veterans Affairs, including progress on addressing the needs of Marines affected by toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune. Collins emphasizes the importance of putting veterans first and highlights the ongoing efforts to improve healthcare access and reduce backlogs within the VA system.The episode also features Congressman Gabe Evans, who discusses the challenges faced by police officers in today's society, particularly regarding health risks and the lack of a safety net for those injured in the line of duty. Evans shares his personal experiences and insights on how community support can make a difference for our heroes in blue.Additionally, we hear from Chris Gregorio, a veteran and former police sergeant, who emphasizes the sense of duty and service that drives many veterans to pursue careers in law enforcement. He sheds light on the current climate for police officers and the critical support needed to ensure their well-being.Later, we are joined by Bob Bemis, a former state trooper and director of training at the Wounded Blue, who shares his inspiring journey of resilience after a life-changing injury. Bob's story underscores the importance of community support and the vital role organizations like the Wounded Blue play in helping injured officers navigate their recovery.Join us in honoring our heroes this Memorial Day and consider supporting the Wounded Blue by visiting thewoundedblue.org to learn how you can help make a difference in the lives of those who have served.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's Memorial Day weekend. Americans are visiting Arlington, honoring generations who stepped forward with integrity, sacrifice, and honor. And days before that solemn marker, the President of the United States floated cash payouts to the domestic terrorists who violently attacked the Capitol on January 6th. Not a pardon. A payout. Paul Rieckhoff and the panel break down why this isn't a tantrum or a distraction — it's strategy. Call it Plan C: when the military won't move and ICE is uncertain, you incentivize the insurrectionists themselves. You signal to every desperate, despised foot soldier that violence against the government will be rewarded. From there the conversation pivots to the other sucking chest wound of the week: House Republican leaders scrapping the Iran war powers vote because they didn't have the votes. Congressman Pat Ryan, a West Point grad and combat veteran, says out loud what veterans across the country are feeling — a generation of chicken hawks is sending other people's kids to die again, with Cuba teed up next and an aircraft carrier already in position. The panel maps the fracture lines: Massie carving out an anti-war, anti-tariff, pro-transparency lane; the manosphere abandoning the regime-change crowd; and the 45% of Americans who are independent and unaffiliated, looking for someone — anyone — who will speak for the angry middle. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cuba's Castro Charged with Murder. Here Comes the Next Regime Change War. Panel Approves Trump's Stupid Arch. GOP Revolt Over Slush Fund for Domestic Terrorists. Indy Bennett Makes Ballot in Maine. Until Next Time, Stephen Colbert.  It's Memorial Day weekend, and Paul Rieckhoff is in no mood to soft-pedal. Tulsi Gabbard has resigned as Director of National Intelligence — the second Trump appointee to defect over Iran in months — and the administration is already telegraphing its next war. The Justice Department just charged Raul Castro with murder. The USS Nimitz arrived in the Caribbean the same day. Stephen Miller is on Fox doing the warm-up act. Meanwhile, the president is downplaying the 13 American service members killed in Iran, pausing a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, ignoring Ukraine, and telling a Coast Guard Academy audience he won't be leaving in 2028. This is a solo briefing for the angry middle, delivered with the urgency the moment demands. Paul walks through the GOP mutiny finally pushing back on Trump's $1.8 billion slush fund for January 6th insurrectionists, the three-plan scheme to disrupt the 2026 midterms, and the independent veterans — from Rick Bennett in Maine to Karen Matthews in California — fighting brutal ballot-access barriers to give the 45% of Americans without a party a real choice. He closes with a Memorial Day reflection on TAPS, the Good Grief camps, and a tribute to Stephen Colbert as a true patriot and conscience for America. This is what no-BS analysis sounds like when the stakes are this high. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump Plummets in Polls with Independents, $5 Gas, and War With Iran He Can't Spin. We're Not The Spoilers! The Surging Knicks. $1.8B for Insurrectionists and Violent Proud Boy Extremists? Is Cuba Next? Memorial Day Pain is a Reminder. The Real Spoilers are the Parties. Thank you, Stephen Colbert.  Trump is in the 20s with independents, gas is over five bucks a gallon in some states, Memorial Day is about to remind Americans of the human cost of his Iran war, and Cuba is looming over the horizon. Meanwhile the administration is funneling what looks like $1.8 billion in taxpayer money to January 6 insurrectionists and violent Proud Boy extremists — including a reported $2-to-5 million ask from Enrique Tarrio. Paul Rieckhoff calls it Plan C: if the military won't invoke the Insurrection Act and ICE can't carry the water, you green-light the angry mob and promise pardons in advance. This is what corruption looks like, and it's the most immediate threat to free and fair elections this fall. In this special quick-fire episode, Paul takes you out of the studio and into the streets of Midtown Manhattan with highlights from two back-to-back media hits — one left of center on MSNOW, one right of center on NewsNation — same independent read on both. He breaks down why ten thousand Americans are walking out of the Republican and Democratic parties every single week, why Thomas Massie just got elevated by Trump's attacks, why the Democrats are the actual spoilers in Senate races in Nebraska, Montana, and South Dakota, and why the rigged two-party system is finally cracking. Plus a Memorial Day shout-out to Stephen Colbert on his last show, and yes — a Knicks pick. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

JD Vance Really Sucks. War Powers Act on Iran Finally Advances. Senator Redneck Will Be Governor Redneck. Zelensky Promises More Strikes in Russia—GOOD. Knicks Miracle Comeback.  Congressman Tom Massie lost in Kentucky last night — sort of. Trump and the MAGA machine spent tens of millions to take out the GOP Congressman who crossed him, and in the process made Massie a household name with a ready-made presidential-grade platform: no war in Iran, no tariffs, no Trump, and no stopping the release of the Epstein files. Paul Rieckhoff opens Episode 528 with a no-BS solo briefing on what last night's primaries really mean, why JD Vance is lying about Ukraine, why January 6 rioters may now go from prisons to pardons to payouts, why James Murdoch buying Vox Media's podcast network should put every independent voice on alert, and why the NY Knicks comeback and leadership is bigger than basketball.  Then Paul sits down with Dr. Karen Matthews (https://www.matthewsforcongress.com/) — Navy veteran, radiologist, small business owner, and independent candidate in California's 23rd district. CA-23 isn't Gavin Newsom's California. It's Reagan's California: working class, libertarian-leaning, a third independent, with one of the best VAs in the country and a slice of Fort Irwin inside its lines. Matthews lays out why the incumbent doesn't show up, why the Democrats have given up, and why California's open primary on June 2nd may be the single biggest day for the independent movement in years. This is what the angry middle sounds like when it stops complaining and starts running. It'll leave you inspired.  -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Massie vs Trump. San Diego Mosque Attackers Murder 3. LIRR Strike Deal. Another Buffalo Heartbreaker. Wemby Dazzles.  It's Tuesday, May 19th — a huge primary day in Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Alabama — and 3,557,000 independent Americans are being locked out of the elections deciding their representation. Paul Rieckhoff runs a solo briefing on the closed-primary problem nobody in the rigged two-party system wants to talk about: taxpayer-funded elections, run in public schools by public poll workers, that exclude anyone who refuses to put on a jersey. With 93% of House races and 80% of Senate races already decided by primaries, this isn't a procedural quirk — it's a structural assault on representative democracy. Paul also unpacks the Trump-versus-Tom Massie proxy war in Kentucky, including the Secretary of Defense leaving his post to campaign against a sitting Republican congressman, the Georgia governor's race chaos between Burt Jones and Brad Raffensperger, and Trump's ever-expanding billion-dollar White House construction project that's quietly morphed from a ballroom into something that sounds a lot more like a bunker. He closes with the heroism of Amin Abdullah at the San Diego mosque shooting, a Long Island Railroad strike resolved in workers' favor, and the young helpers showing up across America when it counts. Righteous anger, patriotic hope, and a clear-eyed look at why the independent movement is the only path forward. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump's Approval Drops to 37%. Reporting Isn't Treason. Ebola Outbreak Global Health Emergency. Ukraine Hits Moscow. LIRR Goes on Strike. Trump Wins Again: Takes Out Cassidy.  It's Manosphere Monday and Paul Rieckhoff is broadcasting from high above New York City with a solo briefing built for the angry middle. The New York Times has confirmed that Navy SEALs escorted Cash Patel and nine others on what the Pentagon itself called a 'VIP snorkel event' next to the underwater tomb of the USS Arizona — one week before Memorial Day. Paul says if anything is impeachable, this is. Meanwhile the administration has quietly stood up a $1.8 billion fund to pay off allies of the president, Pete Hegseth is openly campaigning for House Republicans in Kentucky, ICE is banging on doors without warrants, and Trump's approval has cratered to 37%. From there the briefing widens out: U.S. combat operations in Nigeria most Americans will never hear about, an Ebola outbreak the WHO is tracking while we sit outside the organization, classified intelligence about Cuban drones being shaped into a pretext for war, Ukraine hitting a Moscow oil refinery, and a Senate purge that just took out Bill Cassidy. Paul closes with a Memorial Day call to action, a tribute to Wells Crowther — the man in the red bandana — and a reminder that 45% of this country is now independent. We're not politically homeless. We're free. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it take to sit with someone in the hard moments, and then do it again, and again? Secretary Doug Collins has answered that call as a pastor, an Air Force chaplain deployed to Iraq, a U.S. Congressman, and now as the 12th Secretary of Veterans Affairs.    In this candid conversation, Ryan Manion and Secretary Collins talk about the real progress happening at the VA, and why veteran-to-veteran connection is a lifeline that saves lives. As Memorial Day draws near, Secretary Collins shares what the day truly means to him — and why honoring those we've lost is less about grief than it is about carrying their legacy forward through how we live and serve. CONNECT with The Resilient Life Podcast: Instagram  SUBSCRIBE  Get the latest video podcast on YouTube Get the latest audio podcast CONNECT Ryan Manion on Social Media: Facebook - Twitter - Instagram - LinkedIn   LEARN about Travis Manion Foundation   MEET Secretary Doug Collins Instagram

This podcast episode delves into the intricate and multifaceted experiences of veterans as they navigate their transitions from military to civilian life. Our discussion underscores the profound impact of camaraderie among veterans, emphasizing the critical role of community in providing support and understanding during these challenging transitions. We are joined by Jim Letner, a Vietnam War veteran, who shares poignant insights into his journey, including the psychological complexities associated with hyper-vigilance and the long-term effects of service-related experiences. As we address the issues of PTSD and the often-unseen struggles faced by veterans, we highlight the importance of seeking help and engaging with supportive networks. This episode serves as a vital reminder of the necessity for awareness and advocacy in the ongoing dialogue surrounding veteran care and support. The podcast delves into the intricate experiences of veterans as they navigate the complexities of life post-military service. The discussion is enriched by the insights of Jim Letner, a Vietnam veteran and former radio host, who shares his personal journey from being drafted into the Army to serving as a radioman during significant military campaigns. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by veterans, including the societal stigma that often accompanies their return. Letner recounts the harsh realities of reintegrating into civilian life, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll that military service can have, particularly for those returning from combat zones like Vietnam. The conversation also addresses the pervasive issue of PTSD and the importance of community support, emphasizing how veterans can benefit from shared experiences and camaraderie as they seek to transition successfully into civilian roles. Throughout the dialogue, there is a strong focus on the need for awareness and understanding of veterans' issues, particularly in relation to the Veterans Affairs system. Letner discusses the challenges veterans face when seeking assistance, often encountering bureaucratic obstacles that can hinder their access to necessary services. The podcast highlights the critical role of organizations like the Veterans Transition Resource Center (VTRC) in providing support, advocacy, and resources to veterans, fostering a sense of belonging and community. By sharing these stories, the podcast seeks to educate listeners on the sacrifices made by veterans and the ongoing struggles they face, ultimately fostering a deeper appreciation for their service and the complexities of their experiences in and out of uniform.Takeaways:The podcast serves as a platform for veterans, supporters, and volunteers to share insights about their experiences and transitions after military service.The importance of camaraderie among veterans is emphasized as a critical aspect of their shared experiences and support systems.Guest Jim Letner discusses the challenges faced by Vietnam veterans, particularly in terms of public perception and the treatment upon returning home.Hyper vigilance is identified as a significant issue for veterans, impacting their daily lives and relationships after combat service.The Veterans Transition Resource Center (VTRC) aims to assist veterans by providing resources to navigate their post-service challenges, including benefits and community support.There is a call for increased awareness and education regarding veterans' issues, including PTSD and the long-term effects of service-related experiences.Links referenced in this episode:vtrc.usCompanies mentioned in this episode:VAVeterans Transition Resource CenterPTSD Foundation of AmericaWar Built FoundationWe Care Foundation

The pigs are at the trough. Trump's expected overseas real estate income has tripled to $430 million in his second term. Eric Trump is doing deals in China while Taiwan goes unmentioned and Iran keeps arming the people killing Ukrainians and Americans. Nvidia's CEO is being paraded around as the administration floats opening AI chip markets to Beijing. Don Jr. is tied to a drone company that just landed a Pentagon contract — inside a defense budget heading toward $1.5 trillion, a 40% spike with no apparent guardrails on family conflicts of interest. This isn't politics. It's a national security fire sale, and the Angry Middle smells it. This solo briefing connects the dots the legacy press keeps siloed: the foreign income filings, the Saudi-linked licensing deals, the Pentagon trough, Kash Patel's reality-TV FBI tour, and the lesson from Hungary — that corruption, not ideology, is what finally moved Orban's voters. With 45% of Americans now independent and 60% of young people unaffiliated, the rigged two-party system is on notice. The question isn't whether people are furious. It's whether that fury gets channeled into November, into independent veteran candidates, and into the structural reforms — the Raskin list and beyond — that should already be law. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Truth is the first casualty of war, and this week we're watching it die in real time. Paul Rieckhoff delivers a no-BS briefing on Trump's second swing at Iran — a strike that his own intelligence community is signaling fell short of the objectives Marco Rubio publicly laid out. Where is the enriched uranium? Where are the missile sites? If the administration can't show us, we can't believe them. And while the spin machine ramps up to attack the press and call dissenters traitors, Iran can become a sucking chest wound for the United States — with 41% of the Navy in the Gulf, the Army forced to cut training, and Hegseth on the Hill asking for a $1.5 trillion blank check Congress never authorized. The real winner this week isn't in Tehran or Washington — it's in Beijing. Rieckhoff lays out why China holds the strong hand as America gets sucked deeper into a fight with no off-ramp, why NATO and Israel are quietly recalculating, and why Trump's collapse with independent voters — barely 24% approval — is a down-ballot disaster for Republicans heading into 2026. He also unpacks the rise of independent veteran candidates like Dan Osborn in Nebraska, where Democrats are now dropping out to clear the field. If you're in the angry middle and exhausted by the rigged two-party system, this is the briefing you need. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens after rock bottom?In this conversation, Jesse Tylre Williams shares her journey through addiction, trauma, and rebuilding her life—again and again.With over 17 years of sobriety, she speaks about what most people don't see: not quitting, but staying clean. The daily work, the environment you choose, and the responsibility that comes with starting over.We explore:Why addiction is often a response, not the real problemThe difference between stopping and sustaining recoveryWhat “nobody is coming to save you” actually meansWhy the messy middle is where real change happensHow rebuilding is possible at any ageThis is not about the fall or the comeback.It's about the work in between.=========================================*Guest*Jessie Tylre Williams is a Canadian-born author, entrepreneur, and advocate with 17 years of sobriety. She spent three years touring Canada raising PTSD awareness for Veterans and First Responders, earning a Commendation Medal from the Minister of Veterans Affairs. A Nashville TCMA award-winning musician and co-author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Transforming Pain Into Purpose, she founded Second Faze Real Estate & Property Management in Bucerías, Mexico — building a successful company from the ground up in a country where she didn't speak the language. Her debut memoir, Rising Above Hell, chronicles her survival of addiction, abuse, and trauma.Connect:https://www.jessie-williams.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessie-tylre-williams-601b7548/https://www.instagram.com/jessietylre/https://www.facebook.com/JessieTylrehttps://www.amazon.com/stores/Jessie-Tylre-Williams/author/B0B8B6DWPP=========================================*Host — Khudania Ajay (KAJ)*Independent journalist | 20+ years in media, leadership & storytelling | 2,500+ long-form conversations

Hantavirus Outbreak Climbs to 11: Here We Go Again? Mamdani Shamefully Slashes Veterans Services. California's June Open Primary is Huge Opportunity the Indys. RIP, Donald Gibb AKA Ogre. World Cup Halftime Show.  Paul Rieckhoff closes the week with a solo briefing on a scoreboard the cable shows won't put on screen. Trump returned from Beijing with no real wins, while a confidential U.S. intelligence assessment — first reported by The Washington Post — details how China is exploiting the war in Iran to gain ground on the United States militarily, economically, and diplomatically. Xi looked Trump in the eye and warned that mishandling Taiwan would lead to a clash with America. Trump, asked about promised arms sales to Taiwan on the flight home, sounded ready to sell them out the same way he sold out Ukraine. That's not partisan spin. That's the read from the no-BS chair. From there, Paul walks through a 30-hour Russian missile and drone barrage on Kyiv, Hegseth canceling a U.S. brigade deployment to Poland (a gift-wrapped present to Putin), a new hantavirus cluster on a cruise ship that's giving early-COVID déjà vu, and Mayor Mamdani's shameful 13% cut to the NYC Department of Veterans Services right before Memorial Day. He also flags California's June open primary as a once-in-a-cycle chance for independents to actually move the needle, salutes Ukraine's drone operators schooling NATO at a Swedish exercise, remembers Donald Gibb, and closes with Harrison Ford's commencement call to the next generation. Righteous anger, patriotic hope, and a reminder that we're all in this together. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join Paul for Veterans Meeting the Moment in New York this Monday. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky   -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Minnesota Military Radio, we're joined by leaders from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to discuss career opportunities, Veteran mental health resources, and Memorial Day weekend events across the state. Guests include: Ray Douha, Director, CareerForce Veterans Employment Program Shannon Sprouse, Senior Veterans […] The post Minnesota Veterans Career Fair, Mental Health Resources, and Memorial Day Events appeared first on Minnesota Military Radio.

The Breakout YouTube National Security Star on How Do We Know What's True? The Drone War is War Now. Independent Media and War Coverage. Air Force Saves 11 After Plane Crash. Who can we believe on national security? That's the question driving this conversation. Paul sits down with Preston Stewart — West Point grad, two-tour Afghanistan combat veteran, field artillery officer, and the independent national security analyst who has built a million-plus YouTube following by cutting through the spin. They open with Iran, where the ceasefire is buying time but solving nothing, where Iran's missile and drone capacity is far less degraded than the White House claims, and where the Strait of Hormuz remains a loaded gun aimed at the global economy. Then they widen the aperture to Xi Jinping flexing on Taiwan, a Chinese regime that plays a hundred-year game while Washington burns through munitions in months. From there it's Ukraine — where, for the first time since 2022, Kyiv has the momentum, hammering Russian air defense, oil refineries, and logistics deep behind the lines with homegrown long-range drones. Preston breaks down the kinetic sanctions strategy, the magazine-depth problem haunting the Pentagon, the terrorism threat we've quietly back-burnered, and the domestic deployments Trump is telegraphing for the World Cup summer. It's a no-BS conversation about what's actually happening on the modern battlefield, why independent veteran voices are filling the vacuum corporate media left behind, and why staying focused — on Iran, on Ukraine, on Taiwan — is now an act of citizenship. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The conditions service members live in directly affect Military readiness and national security. It's the responsibility of Congress to authorize military funding to ensure the warfighter has what they need in combat and at home. Every decision impacts the strength of the force and their families.In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with Representative Mike Levin, who serves California's 49th District and sits on the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs to discuss the policies and decisions shaping today's military bases. From investments in infrastructure at Camp Pendleton to broader oversight of Veterans Affairs, Congressman Levin outlines why improving living conditions, facilities, and support systems is essential to maintaining a ready and capable force.Our conversation explores the responsibility of leadership to develop a culture where reporting substandard conditions is encouraged. We also discuss the broader role of Congress in overseeing military operations, and the importance of transparency, strategy, and accountability when American forces are deployed.Congressman Levin shares his perspective on the war with Iran, his views on the need for checks and balances, and the growing divide that has made bipartisan governance more difficult. He emphasizes that strong institutions require leaders willing to put mission over politics and to ensure that the constitutional framework guiding military action is upheld.This is a conversation about leadership, accountability, and the systems that support those who serve. It is about ensuring readiness not just on the battlefield, but across the entire force.Highlights:0:00 Introduction1:53 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast3:19 California's 49th District6:34 Improving Military Housing14:25 Status of the Iran War19:37 Is Iran A Direct Threat To The US?22:08 Iran's State Sponsorship of Terrorism25:20 Negotiating with Iran28:41 Bridging the GapQuotes:“It is imperative that we treat our veterans and military families with absolute respect.”“We've got real issues with barracks.”“We're not looking for the Ritz Carlton. We're just looking for a decent place.”“The average member of the military needs a decent place where they can live.”“The challenge is the lack of clarity about what they're being asked to do.” “They didn't brief us on what the plan was going to be.”“It's a war that is unauthorized. It is a war without a clear exit plan.”“What damage have we done to our allies around the world? A lot.”“We know less today than we did before the war began.”“The question is whether or not the military has actually made it a worse problem or has it actually ameliorated the problem.”“The Iranians have been a horrible regime.”“I don't think the President has enough people around him telling him what he needs to hear, not what he wants to hear.”“Use of military force should be last resort always.”“I am personally never going to see the other side as my enemy. I see them as my political opponent.”“Running the United States is not an easy challenge.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by OneBrief; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of guests and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Army Cuts Training - Short Billions of Dollars From Iran and Border. Producer Prices Jump 6%. Dem Wins Nebraska Senate Primary-Will Drop Out to Support Independent Dan Osborn. Jason Collins, RIP.  China is having a very good week. Trump landed in Beijing after a True Social tirade calling Barack Obama "the most demonic force in American politics," the Pentagon is asking for $1.5 trillion with no accountability, and new classified intel shows Iran has regained operational access to 30 of 33 missile sites around the Strait of Hormuz. The forever-war machine that was supposed to be "fast and easy" is now a sucking chest wound — bleeding the Army of $4-6 billion in training dollars, driving diesel up 13%, and handing Xi Jinping leverage he didn't have to earn. Paul Rieckhoff lays out the morning briefing with no-BS clarity, then rides into a conversation with the kind of leader the angry middle has been waiting for. Our Meet the Independent Candidates Series continues as Brian Bengs returns — the Navy and Air Force veteran, former Air Force Academy law professor, and independent candidate for U.S. Senate in South Dakota — joins from the trailer outside the house he's still trying to finish. He talks about the cowboy code, the Bushido code, and why every public servant needs a creed. He breaks down why Mike Rounds' refusal to do his constitutional job on the Iran war is a systemic failure, why 98% of Rounds' money comes from corporate PACs while Bengs runs on small-dollar donors, and why the path is suddenly clearer for independent veterans like Dan Osborn in Nebraska and Bengs in South Dakota. This is what the rising independent veteran cavalry actually looks like — boots on the ground, talking to neighbors at the gas pump, riding for the brand of regular Americans. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Check out Brian's campaign and support him here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inflation Jumps 3.8%. Trump Disapproval on Economy Hits 70%! Senator McConnell is Not Well. Osborn Leads Ricketts in Nebraska. Mendoza Gives Trump the Stiff-arm. Kari Lake Appointed Ambassador to Jamaica!?  It's Testimony Tuesday and the corruption is on full display. Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine are on the Hill asking Congress for $1.5 trillion more for the Pentagon — a Christmas tree budget designed to bankroll the unauthorized Iran war and whatever comes next, whether that's Venezuela, Greenland, Mexico, or Cuba. Buried in the same hearing: the Pentagon's own CFO admitting the Iran tab is now $29 billion and counting, $4 billion more than Americans were told. Gas is up, beef is up, tomatoes are up 40%, inflation just hit a five-year high, and 70% of the country disapproves of Trump on the economy. The pigs are at the trough and the rest of us are getting screwed. Paul breaks down why the December defense vote is the real fight, why Hegseth's open defiance of Congress on Ukraine aid is impeachment-grade, and why FBI Director Crash Patel spending his testimony defending his sobriety is not a sign of a healthy republic. He hits the Mitch McConnell mid-hearing meltdown — fitness, not age, is the metric — calls out Kari Lake being shipped to Jamaica, flags Dan Osborn pulling ahead of Pete Ricketts in Nebraska, and closes with the people stepping up to be the vaccine: nurses on International Nurses Day, Ukrainian medics under shellfire, and the new Astronauts for America. Righteous anger, patriotic hope, no BS. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

RFK JR on Hantavirus: We're not worried about it. American Passengers Exposed Land in U.S. Body of an American soldier missing in Morocco recovered.  Iran is the worst ceasefire in history — announced, broken, and now on “life support” — and two-thirds of the country wants no part of this forever war. Paul Rieckhoff opens Episode 519 with a no-BS read on what happens when an administration runs all gas, no brakes into a third month of bombing: gas prices stay punishingly high, the Strait of Hormuz stays closed, and the Chinese sit back and smile as 41% of our Navy is tied down outside Iran. Now Trump is heading to Beijing for a trade fight with Xi, with Tim Cook and possibly Elon Musk in tow, while Taiwan quietly slides onto the table. From there it's a quick-fire briefing across the stories the cable nets are letting fall below the radar — ICE pulling a gun on a New York City teenager and dumping him bloodied across town, another lethal kinetic strike on an alleged drug boat off Venezuela with no accounting for the survivor, the loss of First Lieutenant Lamont Key Jr. during the African Lion exercise off Morocco, hantavirus quarantines at the only federally funded unit we have left, and a Russian Victory Day parade visibly hollowed out by Ukrainian drone pressure. Paul closes with Manosphere Monday's artist of the week — Ice-T, Army veteran and free-speech warrior — a Mother's Day salute to NYPD ESU officers who pulled a woman back from a Brooklyn ledge, and a reminder that the independent movement is the oxygen of this democracy. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Check out Paul on Piers Morgan Uncensored. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump ran as the anti-establishment wrecking ball. Two years back in Washington, he is the establishment — and Indiana voters know it. In this episode, Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the first real battle in the war for the soul of the Republican Party: Trump-backed challengers eating incumbents in a state Mike Pence used to own, while libertarian-leaning Hoosiers tell canvassers they don't want Washington's thumb on the scale, no matter whose thumb it is. The bigger story sits just outside the frame: 40% of Indiana is independent, locked out of a closed primary, and that's where the real action is for 2026 and 2028. From there, Paul looks two weeks down the road at Thomas Massie — the Kentucky congressman Trump is spending extraordinary political capital trying to destroy over Epstein files, deficit hawkishness, and opposition to a new Iran war. Is there still a place for a Massie or a Don Bacon inside the GOP, or does the independent lane finally crack open? Then Paul takes the case of Senator Mark Kelly to MSNBC: a decorated Navy combat veteran, astronaut, and Armed Services Committee member that Pete Hegseth is trying to demote for reminding troops they can refuse illegal orders. It's a direct attack on free speech for two million military retirees and a chilling signal to every active-duty service member watching. This is what the angry middle is up against — and why staying vigilant isn't optional. -WATCH full video of this episode here.  -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The White House wants you to believe the Iran war is winding down. A one-page memo. A ceasefire. A market bump. But missiles are still flying on both sides, an Apache just lit up six speedboats, and the regime that murdered tens of thousands of its own people — and 13 Americans — is still very much in charge. Paul Rieckhoff sits down for a no-BS solo briefing on Trump's Iran framework, the four goals the administration set on day one, and why only one of them — eliminating Iran's Navy — looks anything like accomplished. This is the analysis the cable shows won't give you: where is the enriched uranium, who actually wins if sanctions get lifted and U.S. forces pull back, and why the Iranian regime is openly betting it can wait Trump out the way insurgents waited out America in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Paul lays out the strategic picture, the political incentives behind spiking the ball early, and the one barometer that will actually tell us whether this ended in a win — the Iranian people themselves. If you're in the Angry Middle and tired of being sold easy answers about forever wars, this one is for you. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Deal Team Six?? Pentagon Releases UFO/UAP Files. Antisemitic Firebomber Gets Life. Stupid Tariffs Ruled Illegal. Dems Slammed in VA. Charlemagne vs Dana White. Bigfoot in Ohio. WNBA Season Begins. Happy Mother's Day!   The truce isn't a truce. The U.S. Navy is firing on Iranian-flagged oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, gas is climbing toward five bucks a gallon in Ohio, and Trump is on record saying he's fine with $200-a-barrel oil — as long as the war grinds on. Meanwhile, the administration is hauling Senator Mark Kelly back into court to silence a decorated Navy combat veteran and astronaut, sending a clear message to two million military retirees and every troop in uniform: shut up and fall in line. Paul Rieckhoff delivers a solo Friday briefing on what the MAGA machine is actually doing while you're trying to plan Mother's Day brunch. From the Pentagon's convenient new tranche of UFO files dropping the same week the Epstein files pressure builds, to Don Jr. and Eric landing Air Force drone contracts through their American Venture firm, to a Virginia court torching the Democrats' redistricting gambit — this episode lays out how the rigged two-party system keeps failing the angry middle. Paul also gets into Dana White's bogus apolitical act, Olivia Pichardo making NCAA D1 baseball history, and why the spirit of America's mothers — perseverance, humility, and the golden rule — is exactly the operating system this country needs right now.  -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Check out Tracy Bonham and Steady Buckets for Something Good. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kamikaze Dolphins. They're Still Hitting “Drug Boats”. Trump Wins Payback in Indiana. DJT's Workout Schedule. FDA Blocked Release of Research Finding Covid & Shingles Vax Were Safe. Colbert 2028? Ted Turner, RIP. Bye, Spirit!  They're playing name games to dodge accountability. Operation Epic Fury became Project Freedom overnight — and Congress still hasn't authorized a damn thing. In episode 515, Paul Rieckhoff delivers a solo briefing on Trump's Iran proposal, the unsecured Strait of Hormuz, the enriched uranium still sitting in Tehran, and a regime that's still very much in place. New name, same war. Same forever war. And the most powerful military the world has ever seen is being driven all gas, no brakes by one man with no one stopping him. From there Paul rips through the stories most cable shows are too scared or too distracted to cover: 180-plus people killed in extrajudicial boat strikes, a national debt now bigger than the entire U.S. economy, a $1.5 trillion defense budget request, the FDA suppressing vaccine safety data, kamikaze dolphin questions at the Pentagon, Russian strikes on a kindergarten in Sumi, and the fight for the soul of the GOP playing out in Indiana and Kentucky. He closes with a case for recruiting more independent celebrity candidates, a sendoff for Ted Turner and the cable news era he built, and a reminder that 45% of Americans are now politically homeless — and that's not a problem, that's the movement. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Showing the Democrat is the Spoiler. 250,000 Miles Meeting the People. Tomato Seeds and Philly's Hero Crossing Guard. Mississippi is showing the outage growing across America. It's supposed to be a lock for Republicans. Fifteen straight Senate losses for Democrats. Five straight gubernatorial losses. A state both parties have written off as settled. Ty Pinkins is inspiring as hell — Army veteran, three combat tours in Iraq, son of cotton-field workers — isn't buying it. On an inspiring Episode 514, he talks with Paul Rieckhoff to lay out why the rigged two-party system is finally cracking, why $89 to fill a tank is doing more political damage than any TV ad, and why a 27-year-old white Republican mechanic just told him he's voting independent for the first time in his life. The people of Mississippi have had enough of all of it.  This is a no-BS conversation about what's actually moving voters six months out from the midterms: the war in Iran, Trump's lies, Netanyahu's grip on American foreign policy, AIPAC money flowing to both his opponents, the stock-trading scandal swallowing Congress, and the quiet revolt of the angry middle that partisan polling refuses to measure. Pinkins makes the case that the Democrat in his race is the real spoiler, that corruption crosses every party line, and that fighting against overwhelming odds is the most American thing a candidate can do. If you're tired of hiring the same two failing contractors to patch the same leaking roof in our democracy, this one's for you. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars.   -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America.   -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here.   -Remember Independent is an Attitude.   -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky   -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.    -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.    Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.    And now part of the BLEAV network!    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to Day 2856 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – When Death Becomes Policy: How Christians Must Respond to a Dehumanizing System. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2856 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2856 of our Trek.   The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website   theologyinfive.com.   Today's lesson is titled:  When Death Becomes Policy: How Christians Must Respond to a Dehumanizing System. The biblical view of human life begins with the most foundational truth in Scripture: “God created man in His own image” (Genesis 1 verse twenty-seven). Unlike the surrounding cultures of the ancient Near East, where only kings reflected divinity, Israel declared that every human being bore the image of Yahweh. This principle shaped the covenant people's moral and legal systems. The Law commanded care for the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner. It forbade the sacrifice of children. Justice was not a privilege for the strong. It was a duty toward the weak. The prophets reinforced this ethic repeatedly. Isaiah, Amos, Jeremiah, and Micah rebuked rulers not merely for idol worship, but for oppressing the poor, neglecting the sick, and perverting justice. Human life was sacred not because of economic output, but because it belonged to the Creator. The first segment is: Jesus and the Early Church Jesus expanded and embodied this ethic perfectly. He healed the sick, welcomed the outcast, and affirmed the dignity of the forgotten. He did not divide people by status or function. He saw them as lost sheep, image-bearers in need of restoration. This was not sentiment. It was theology in action. The early Church followed His example with startling results. In a Roman culture where the disabled were abandoned, the elderly discarded, and infants exposed to die, Christians responded with radical mercy. They rescued infants from trash heaps. They nursed the sick during plagues, often at the cost of their own lives. And most notably, they created something the world had never seen before: the hospital. The first true hospital was founded in the late fourth century by St. Basil the Great in Caesarea, Cappadocia. The Basilias was a large complex that included housing for the poor, medical treatment for the sick, and care for lepers. It was not a tool of state power or military strategy, but a direct expression of Christian love for those society rejected. Basil believed that if Christ healed the broken, then His followers must do the same. Other Christians followed his lead. St. Fabiola in Rome founded one of the first hospitals in the West. Monasteries across Europe established infirmaries, not only for monks, but for pilgrims, travelers, beggars, and the dying. The very word hospital comes from hospitalis, Latin for “guest,” reflecting the belief that in caring for the sick, Christians were receiving Christ Himself. This was revolutionary. The Greco-Roman world had temples for the healthy and private physicians for the elite, but no institutions devoted to caring for the poor and dying until Christians built them. Their actions were not driven by utility. They were driven by conviction: life matters because it is made by God, seen by Christ, and destined for eternity. That is the root. That is the legacy. And when modern systems again begin to measure lives by what they cost instead of what they are, Christians must not be silent. They must remember who they are. The second segment is: Hospice Is Not the Enemy It is important to be clear: this is not an argument against hospice or genuine palliative care. Hospice reflects the biblical ethic of compassion. It affirms that life has value even in suffering, and that dignity is preserved not by hastening death, but by honoring a person's final days with comfort and presence. The danger arises when that sacred view of life is replaced by a cold calculation. Instead of seeing the end of life as a transition, society begins to treat it as a solution to systemic and financial problems. When the vulnerable are seen as obstacles, death becomes a policy tool, and compassion is used to justify elimination. The third segment is: A Troubling Shift in Canada Nowhere is this more visible than in Canada. What began as Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) for those suffering from unbearable physical pain has quickly expanded into something far broader. In 2016, just over 1,000 Canadians ended their lives through MAiD. By 2022, that number had surged to over 13,000. It is now reportedly the sixth leading cause of death in the country. Even more troubling is who is now eligible. Increasingly, MAiD is offered not to those with terminal illness, but to those who are poor, mentally ill, or socially isolated. Some have requested euthanasia because they cannot afford housing or support services. Others have been told that medical treatment is not available, but MAiD is. Doctors have reported being pressured to bring up euthanasia as an option, even in cases where it would never have been considered before. And some policy experts have openly acknowledged that the healthcare system is overloaded and needs a centralized solution. Quietly, and without ever officially declaring it, death is being presented as that solution. The fourth segment is: Death as an Economic Decision One of the most disturbing elements of Canada's MAiD system is how these deaths are recorded. In several provinces, including British Columbia and Ontario, official guidance instructs physicians to list the person's underlying illness or condition as the cause of death, even when the immediate act involved a medically administered lethal substance. This is not a clerical oversight. In British Columbia, the College of Physicians and Surgeons directs providers to list MAiD in Part I(a) of the Medical Certificate of Death, but the manner of death is still to be recorded as “natural.” The underlying illness remains the official cause. In Ontario, physicians providing MAiD are required to notify the Office of the Chief Coroner, and the death certificate process generally follows similar lines, emphasizing the condition rather than the procedure. At the federal level, Health Canada's monitoring and reporting system collects MAiD data separately, but the death certificates provided to families and registered in provincial statistics are shaped by these regional protocols. In public datasets and vital statistics, a MAiD death may appear indistinguishable from a natural death. The effect is not only statistical. It reframes euthanasia as a quiet extension of medical care, rather than a deliberate, policy-driven act of ending life. This framing can soften moral and public resistance, making it easier to expand eligibility without backlash. The fifth segment is: When Consent Looks Like Coercion While MAiD is legally defined as voluntary, the real-world conditions under which many of these decisions are made raise serious ethical concerns. Patients have increasingly reported seeking MAiD due to poverty, homelessness, mental illness, or chronic but non-terminal suffering. When essential care is delayed or denied, and when death is positioned as the one guaranteed option, consent begins to look less like a choice and more like surrender. In 2022, a Canadian Forces veteran suffering from PTSD and a traumatic brain injury approached Veterans Affairs for help. Instead of receiving mental health support, he was offered MAiD. A woman named Denise, suffering from multiple chemical sensitivities, chose MAiD because she could not find safe housing. She was not terminally ill, but her pleas for accommodation went unanswered. A man with a degenerative brain condition applied for MAiD after struggling to get the in-home care he needed. His doctor admitted that with proper support, he would not have sought death. A 51-year-old woman with long COVID applied due to unrelenting pain and fatigue. She said she would have preferred to live, but her condition had become intolerable without treatment options. Roger Foley, a man with a neurological condition, recorded hospital staff suggesting assisted death would cost less than long-term care. A woman with scoliosis and fibromyalgia applied after she could no longer afford her medications. Poverty, not disease, drove her request. A homeless man in Ontario with schizophrenia requested MAiD, saying he could not bear another...

Trump Pulls 5k Troops Out of Germany. We Are  Not Pirates. DHS Shutdown Finally Ends. More Bad Days for Hegseth. Ballroom & Arch Unpopular w/ Independents. Kids Save School Bus.  It's Manosphere Monday, May the 4th — International Firefighters Day, Star Wars Day, and Episode 512 of Independent Americans. Paul flies solo to break down a weekend where the fires Trump started are still burning. US warships and Apache gunships shot down Iranian missiles and drones and sank six Iranian speedboats in the Strait of Hormuz, blowing apart the four-week truce Trump called peace. He's already lining up the next match at Cuba ("we will be taking over almost immediately"), bragging that American troops are "like pirates," and yanking 5,000 troops out of Germany — including the bases that house European Command, Ramstein, and Landstuhl, the hospital every wounded American passes through. Putin is sending thank-you notes. The artist of the day is the Prodigy, because the firestarter is in the Oval. Then Paul digs into the cracks: Pete Hegseth getting fried by Republican Joni Ernst and Democrat Elise Slotkin in back-to-back hearings, Trump's net worth tripling to $6.5 billion while gas hits $4.25, brutal new polling showing Americans hate the arch and the signature-on-the-money stunt across every party line, the quiet withdrawal of Casey Means as Surgeon General nominee, and Chairman Dan Caine confirming Russia is actively helping Iran kill Americans. Plus: Heisman winner and Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza artfully passing on a White House visit, a stacked second round in the NBA and NHL, and a busload of Mississippi middle schoolers who saved themselves and their driver when she blacked out behind the wheel. Be a firefighter. Be a Jedi. Stay vigilant. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Ditch your expensive carrier and support Independent Americans! Make the switch to Noble Mobile. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.