Rephonic
Artwork for Independent Americans

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav
Iran
Donald Trump
Ukraine
ICE
United States
Iran War
Trump
Kalshi
Independent Americans
Trump Administration
Pete Hegseth
New York City
9/11
Pentagon
Cuba
Open Primaries
Veterans
National Security
Donald J. Trump
NATO

Independent Americans is a daily news show hosted by Paul Rieckhoff. He’s a fighter, a patriot, and an independent political and media force to be reckoned with. After serving as a soldier in Iraq in 2004, Rieckhoff emerged as one of the most dynamic political and social leaders in America. In every episode, he breaks down the most important issues facing our country. And he interviews the most in... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes637Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Daily NewsNewsPolitics

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Independent Americans

Latest Episodes

Hegseth calls the press treasonous. From Fordham to Imus to NewsNation. Preparation beats panic. And a love letter to NYC.

Pete Hegseth just labeled the press treasonous. The White House calls reporters the enemy of the state. And somewhere between ... more

Paul Rieckhoff is on the courthouse steps in Foley Square, filing suit against the state of New York. The question in front of the court is as old as the republic and as urgent as this news cycle: does the right to vote derive from citizenship, or fr... more

Paul Rieckhoff joins the MSNBC table with Nikki McCann Ramirez of Rolling Stone and former Harris senior advisor Mike Nellis to break down the political sucking chest wound of Trump's Iran war — and how it is bleeding into every corner of the 2026 mi... more

The number one threat to America isn't Donald Trump — it's AI. That's Paul Rieckhoff's argument on episode 635, and the New York Times just handed him fresh evidence: OpenAI's own technology went rogue this summer and meddled with three US government... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Fox News Rewind: 9/11
Fox News Rewind: 9/11FOX News Podcasts
The Lincoln Project
The Lincoln ProjectThe Lincoln Project

Recent Guests

Priya Sridhar
Pentagon reporter for Ms Now
Ms Now
Episode: Hegseth’s Hollowing Out Of The Pentagon. 80 Generals Purged. A Downed Jet, A $100k Missile, And A 60 Minutes Propaganda Play. Media Blitz Pod
Ben Shavatt
Executive Director, 9-11 Health Watch
9-11 Health Watch
Episode: 25 Years Later, The Truth Finally Drops. 170,000 Pages, A Seventh Bell, And Cancer Cases Tripling. If They Lied, They Should Go To Jail. Media Blitz Pod
Glenn Ignazio
9-11 veteran, Iraq War veteran
regular guest on the show
Episode: “The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Seen. And The Most Beautiful.” 9/11 - 25 Years Later With Connell McShane.
Rob Serra
FDNY firefighter, advocate for first responders
FDNY
Episode: 9/11 - 25 Years Later with Rob Serra. The Air Was Never Safe. Mamdani Docs Reveal What They Knew And When. Why Trump and All Politicians Should Stay Away.
Admiral Mike Mullen
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
U.S. Navy, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Episode: 25 Years After 9/11. Mamdani Drops Toxin Docs. “They Lied, We Died.” Plus: Mullen On Afghanistan. The Digital Dunkirk. Abbey Gate. Admiral Mike Mullen (Replay)
Pete Hegseth
Policy and national security figure, referenced as Defense Secretary pick and political actor
Political commentator and military affairs advocate
Episode: “Tactical Penetration” and Rieckhoff’s Unplanned Moment on the Moment with Katy Tur. JD Vance’s Gold Star Fumble. Hegseth’s Popularity Plummets. Media Blitz Pod
JD Vance
Senator candidate/author, mentioned in context of a JD Vance news conference
U.S. Senatorial race coverage
Episode: “Tactical Penetration” and Rieckhoff’s Unplanned Moment on the Moment with Katy Tur. JD Vance’s Gold Star Fumble. Hegseth’s Popularity Plummets. Media Blitz Pod
Nicole Wallace
NBC News anchor and political commentator
NBC News / MSNBC
Episode: Republicans Run From Hegseth. Lawler Breaks Rank. Pentagon Purge Continues. The Question Slotkin Asked That Nobody's Answering. Media Blitz Pod.
Admiral James Stavridis
Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander; author and commentator
NATO / Military and Defense commentator
Episode: Admiral James Stavridis Former NATO And SOUTHCOM Commander. (Replay) Trump's Iran Roller Coaster, Masked ICE Agents In The Airport Terminals, And The Looming Cyber Tower Nobody's Watching.

Host

Paul Rieckhoff
Host of Independent Americans

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • ENOUGH! Stop contributing to addiction!

    I used to love this podcast and listen to it all the time until Paul became a drug pusher. Now I turn it on and I’m bombarded with these ads and immediately feel so angry that I can’t listen to him anymore.

    How much money are you making from Kalshi Paul? No matter what happens you’re going to get rich so how am I supposed to even look at anything you say with any credibility?

    You are supposed to be a friend to us Veterans. Many of us struggle with addiction and I can’t believe how you think it... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Consumeroo
    United States15 days ago
  • Disappointed

    I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the Henry Rollins episode, until the Kalshi ad. Are you kidding me. Contributing to one of the things that is absolutely destroying this country is despicable. The fact that we can all go broke from the addiction of nonstop gambling in the palms of our hands is unreal. Anyone condoning this, in a time where we can barely afford groceries is selling out their own species. You should be ashamed of yourself.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    BrianC360
    United Statesa month ago
  • An Angry American

    I’ve been a loyal listener since the beginnings of the Angry Americans days until two months ago when the Kalshi ads started. As a veteran and Independent, this was my favorite podcast until this Kalshi era. The podcast has become an ad for the betting app in the worst way possible and at a time when we need to push back against corporate greed and influence. I kept checking back to see if Paul has come to his senses, but alas he has not. Such a shame.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JackV9
    United Statesa month ago
  • The acting AG approval

    January 6 criminals are being reimbursed under another fund.

    I think Trump is holding out for complete immunity his and his families companies for tax liability, civil or criminal including damages, which may be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Lee Esq
    United States2 months ago
  • Lost His Way

    Paul is a firecracker and true independent. But capitalism is alive and well at Independent Americans headquarters. Full of adds and light on original content. Seems Paul is more content with rebroadcasting his appearance on other shows than generating original segments for his own, and raking in the ad revenue on his own platform. I’ve been a listener for about 3 months and this last month has been a real letdown to the quality and content I came to expect from Paul.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    jimbob_isme
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Positive feedback highlights thoughtful guests and timely discussions on independent politics.
Mixed feedback on pacing and tone from a few critics.
Some listeners criticize frequent ad reads and perceived overuse of sponsor reads.
Many express value in nonpartisan, civics-focused perspectives for navigating current events.
Listeners appreciate candid, independent-leaning political analysis with veteran perspectives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#78
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#152
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#216
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#176
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#74
India/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#120
Norway/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Hegseth’s Hollowing Out Of The Pentagon. 80 Generals Purged. A Downed Jet, A $100k Missile, And A 60 Minutes Propaganda Play. Media Blitz Pod
Q: Priya, what are your sources telling you about the culture that Hegseth is creating in the Pentagon right now?
Sourcing indicates anger and frustration among senior officers, who feel disrespected and constrained, while concerns grow about meritocracy versus ideological loyalty and the impact on decision-making.
25 Years Later, The Truth Finally Drops. 170,000 Pages, A Seventh Bell, And Cancer Cases Tripling. If They Lied, They Should Go To Jail. Media Blitz Pod
Q: You didn't love the timing of this release. Why?
The timing mattered because accountability is essential, and releasing the documents is a step toward exposing truth and ensuring future safeguards, even if it feels politically charged or delayed.
Polygraphs, Purges, and the Snake Pit Inside Hegseth’s Pentagon. What is the Pentagon Doing About AI?
Q: Can you comment on the reports that Hegseth used polygraphs on staff and the implications for reporting from inside the Pentagon?
Lamothe explains that polygraphs have been discussed for military officers, with mixed reporting on whether appointees or officers are subject to them; the issue remains nuanced and contested, impacting how information is obtained and verified.
They Chose Wall Street Over The Firefighters: The Ground Zero Toxin Lie Exposed. Trump’s Prime-Time Flop Up Against The NFL. “Every Day Is Like A 9/11 For Ukraine.” Media Blitz Pod
Q: What do you think about the presidential primetime event against major sports programming and its potential impact on turnout?
The host suggests the event will likely underperform because it faces competition from football and other sports, and may only appeal to a narrow subset of supporters.
Republicans Run From Hegseth. Lawler Breaks Rank. Pentagon Purge Continues. The Question Slotkin Asked That Nobody's Answering. Media Blitz Pod.
Q: What will members of Congress do about this in the next two months?
The discussion suggests significant pressure on Congress to confront the leadership and demand transparency and action before the two-month window closes, with emphasis on strategic, principled responses over silence.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Independent Americans

What is Independent Americans about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A daily, independent-leaning political show that covers US politics, elections, and public safety with a strong emphasis on nonpartisan, citizen-focused perspectives. Episodes frequently feature veteran voices, policymakers, and notable political figures who discuss open primaries, electoral reform, and the role of independents in shaping policy. Noteworthy is how guests span veterans, journalists, former governors, and current lawmakers, with a consistent thread of accountability, civics, and pragmatic solutions beyond the two-party paradigm. The format often blends policy analysis with personal stories from public service, offering listeners a candid take on current events and grassroots political movement building.

Where can I find podcast stats for Independent Americans?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Independent Americans. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Independent Americans and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Independent Americans get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Independent Americans, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Independent Americans?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Independent Americans, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Independent Americans have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Independent Americans has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Independent Americans?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Independent Americans:

1. The Bulwark Daily
2. The Best People with Nicolle Wallace
3. Fox News Rewind: 9/11
4. The Lincoln Project
5. The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart

How many episodes of Independent Americans are there?

Independent Americans launched 8 years ago and published 637 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Independent Americans?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Independent Americans?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Independent Americans from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Independent Americans?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Independent Americans. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Independent Americans?

Recent guests on Independent Americans include:

1. Priya Sridhar
2. Ben Shavatt
3. Glenn Ignazio
4. Rob Serra
5. Admiral Mike Mullen
6. Pete Hegseth
7. JD Vance
8. Nicole Wallace

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days