Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media

Ukraine

Israel

Gaza

Hamas

Dean Phillips

Republican Party

Donald Trump

Russia

2024 Elections

New Hampshire Primary

Biden and Harris

Jason Alexander

Yemi Mobolade

United States

Kibbutz Kfar Aza

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Israel-Palestine Conflict

Hope

Leadership

Colorado Springs

Independent Americans is a weekly 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 i... more

933 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	370	Founded	7 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Latest Episodes

370. General Mark Hertling. Dissecting The Democrat Shutdown Strategy. Veterans Week Special: Why Hegseth and Trump Are Firing So Many Generals. Why We Need 1M Drones. Army Women’s Hoops, Referee Role Models and Rieckhoff Gets a Super Bowl Ring.

Retired U.S. Army General Mark Hertling returns for a must-hear conversation with host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff), just in time for Veterans Day and the Marine Corps birthday. As America faces political gridlock, rising division, a historic gove... more

10 Nov 2025 • 57 min

369. Joy Taylor. Things are F**king Hard Right Now. Sports & Politics Collide Again. Mental Health, Suicide & Sadness. How Trump Uses Sports Culture. Football Friday: Is Anyone in the NFL Great? Shutdown Cancels NFL Veterans Day. Football Saved My Life.

Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) welcomes back the dynamic, outspoken sports and culture powerhouse Joy Taylor (@joytaylortalks) for a raw, timely, and uplifting Football Friday. In an America buffeted by division, a govern... more

7 Nov 2025 • 1 hr 5 min

368. Jim VandeHei. Venezuela War Powers Act Vote. Can Congress Finally Stop Trump on Something? The Shutdown Slams Vets & National Security. Axios Leadership Lessons Learned. Being a Good Leader. Diaper Diplomacy, Fatherhood & 6 Rules for the Modern Man.

Your host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) welcomes dynamic, influential and highly-successful (yet humble) Axios CEO Jim VandeHei (@JimVandeHei) for an unfiltered look at the election aftermath, democracy’s crossroads, and how Americans can reclaim c... more

6 Nov 2025 • 44 min

367. Sami Sage. Mamdani Wins. And So Does Trump. Divided America Divides Even Deeper. The Far Left’s Moment Overshadows Big Wins by Women Vets Sherrill and Spanberger. Zohran’s NYPD Problem. Prop 50 Passes. Betches, Sabrina Carpenter and Coffee.

Whew. It’s the day after Election Day. And we all probably feel a little hung over. It was an emotional day/month/year. But it’s finally over. And on this day after, as the dust settles and the partisan spin begins, we’ve got a pod to help you cut th... more

5 Nov 2025 • 1 hr

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Recent Guests

Ro Khanna

California Congressman known for his insights on military, technology, and political accountability

U.S. House of Representatives

Episode: 364. Congressman Ro Khanna. Will Trump Bomb Venezuela For Halloween? Can Congress Stop Trump’s New War? Is Impeachment an Option? Will Democrats Cave on the Shutdown? Rare Bi-Partisanship on Boat Strikes and Epstein. Friday Football Picks.

Alexander Vindman

National security expert and former Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council.

Episode: 363. Lt. Colonel Alex Vindman. Trump’s Giant China TACO. The Real House of Dynamite Scenario. No TikTok Deal–And Xi is Thrilled About it. Putin’s New Nuke Threat. Are the US Venezuelan Strikes Illegal? Ukraine Groundwar Update. Do Halloween for America.

John Reid

Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and first openly gay candidate from a major party seeking statewide office in Virginia.

Republican Party

Episode: 362. Republican for Virginia Lt Governor John Reid. A Historic Run for a Gay GOP Candidate. Debating an AI Opponent. Personal Attacks and Bullet Proof Vests. Shutdown Insanity: Troops on Food Stamps. Team Rubicon Steps Up Again.

Jaime Harrison

Former chair of the DNC, a thoughtful public leader, and dedicated father and big NBA fan.

Democratic National Committee

Episode: 359. Jaime Harrison. Why Do The Democrats Suck So Much? Who Is Leading the Opposition Party? Can The Failocrats Stop Trump on ANYTHING? The Graham Platner Case Study. Friday Football (and NBA) Picks.

Ty Pinkins

Independent Senate candidate and military veteran

Independent candidate for Senate

Episode: 355. Ty Pinkins. Independent Veteran for Senate in Mississippi. America One Week Into the Government Shutdown. Are Unlawful Orders Coming? Running Independent in the Deep South. National Guard Troops Deployed to Chicago. Baseball Playoff Magic.

Ethan Penner

Independent candidate for Governor of California

Episode: 353. Ethan Penner. Independent for Governor of California. The Golden State in Crisis. Can He Really Win? Standing Up For The Center. A Bold Vision For Reforming The Tax System. Independents As a Source of Unity After The Kirk Assassination.

Rick Bennett

State Senator and candidate for governor of Maine

Episode: 352. State Senator Rick Bennett. Independent for Governor of Maine. Why He Left the GOP. Vacationland as a Bellwether for the Independent Movement. The Massive Drop in Canadian Tourism. Trump vs Governors. Leadership After The Charlie Kirk Assassination.

Aaron Mankin

Corporal in the Marine Corps and advocate for veterans

Operation Mend

Episode: 348. Aaron Mankin (Replay). Losing Your Face in Combat. Debating Sara Huckabee Sanders in High School. How to Survive 70 Surgeries. Aaron’s Playboy Mansion Story. Scars Are Not Forever. Operation Mend. No Excuse Not to Serve.

David Bellavia

First living Medal of Honor recipient from the Iraq War

Episode: 347. David Bellavia (Replay). The Sole Living Medal of Honor Recipient of the Iraq War. Combat is Not Like The Movies. Who’s A Bigger Threat - Libertarians or Liberals? Time Does Not Heal All Wounds. Live the Life You’re Supposed to Live.

Host

Paul Rieckhoff

Host of Independent Americans and prominent figure in political and social discussions, with experience as a soldier and activist.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 933 ratings

Great discussions
Real openness and excellent background info
Apple Podcasts
5
AnnSjstrm
Sweden5 months ago
Great guests
Excellent guests
Apple Podcasts
5
Mikerubin1954
United States7 months ago
Great Job
I’m writing to send you best regards. I’m at home in Iowa and doing okay, things are a whirlwind right now. I’m glad you brought up Corey Booker. I agree it’s nice to see pushback, just like Wisconsin winning this week.
Apple Podcasts
5
JoshTitler
United States7 months ago
Great podcast
Just found this after CNN interview. Only issue is sound. Seems as if you are speaking from across room and picked up by a distant mike. Am retired radio producer so find it frustrating.
Apple Podcasts
4
Jantully
Australia8 months ago
Great
Podcast Addict
5
Loftouserw
8 months ago

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Listeners Say

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

Some critique the sound quality, suggesting inconsistency in production, but overall, the podcast is noted for its compelling conversations and insights.

Feedback indicates a strong appreciation for the host's passion and engagement with relevant subjects, showing that it resonates well with an audience looking for truth and independent thought.

Listeners praise the podcast for its openness and honesty in discussing tough topics.

The variety of guests enriches the content and provides diverse perspectives on contemporary issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts	#135	United States/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts	#196	Germany/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts	#122	Chile/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts	#145	Sweden/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts	#178	Switzerland/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts	#217	Japan/News/News Commentary

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

362. Republican for Virginia Lt Governor John Reid. A Historic Run for a Gay GOP Candidate. Debating an AI Opponent. Personal Attacks and Bullet Proof Vests. Shutdown Insanity: Troops on Food Stamps. Team Rubicon Steps Up Again.

Q: How would you approach a potential Democratic governor if elected?

Reid states he would respect the will of the voters and aim for cooperation, focusing on common goals rather than obstruction.

Q: Why are you a Republican right now?

Reid cites his grounding in the principles of capitalism and his pro-life stance as reasons for remaining a Republican, despite acknowledging the party's current challenges.

Q: What is your take on the current government shutdown and its impact on military families?

Reid believes that both political parties share blame for the shutdown and emphasizes that it's impacting military personnel and their families who rely on SNAP benefits. He advocates for responsible leadership to solve the issue quickly.

359. Jaime Harrison. Why Do The Democrats Suck So Much? Who Is Leading the Opposition Party? Can The Failocrats Stop Trump on ANYTHING? The Graham Platner Case Study. Friday Football (and NBA) Picks.

Q: Who do you consider the leader of the Democratic Party right now?

Harrison discusses the lack of a clear leader within the Democratic Party at the moment, contrasting with the strong leadership during Obama's presidency.

359. Jaime Harrison. Why Do The Democrats Suck So Much? Who Is Leading the Opposition Party? Can The Failocrats Stop Trump on ANYTHING? The Graham Platner Case Study. Friday Football (and NBA) Picks.

Q: What do you think the state of the Democratic Party is?

Harrison describes the Democrats as rule-followers and highlights their struggles against a more aggressive Republican Party, emphasizing the need for them to adopt a more flexible strategy to combat opposition effectively.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
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Frequently Asked Questions About Independent Americans

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

The content revolves around current political dynamics, especially focusing on the independent movement and alternative perspectives on pressing issues facing America. It highlights critical discussions with various guests from diverse backgrounds such as veterans, politicians, and activists, often deepening the exploration of topics like political resilience, the partisan landscape, and the challenges individuals face in advocating for change. This approach emphasizes the podcast's commitment to discussions that transcend traditional party lines, resonating particularly with listeners looking for honest insights and independent viewpoints on contemporary issues.

Unique elements of the show include its focus on personal narratives from vet... more

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How many listeners does Independent Americans get?

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How many subscribers and views does Independent Americans have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Independent Americans?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Independent Americans:

1. The Michael Steele Podcast
2. To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes
3. The Lincoln Project
4. The Bulwark Podcast
5. Impolitic with John Heilemann

How many episodes of Independent Americans are there?

Independent Americans launched 7 years ago and published 370 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.

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What guests have appeared on Independent Americans?

Recent guests on Independent Americans include:

1. Ro Khanna
2. Alexander Vindman
3. John Reid
4. Jaime Harrison
5. Ty Pinkins
6. Ethan Penner
7. Rick Bennett
8. Aaron Mankin

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.

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