Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media

Ukraine

Israel

Gaza

Hamas

Republican Party

Donald Trump

Russia

2024 Elections

New Hampshire Primary

Biden and Harris

Jason Alexander

Yemi Mobolade

United States

Kibbutz Kfar Aza

Dean Phillips

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Hope

Israel-Palestine Conflict

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	374	Founded	7 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	NewsPoliticsNews Commentary

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Guests Host Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

374. Venezuela Boat Strikes are Trump’s WMD. Vets Week Wrap Up: Democrats Falling for Trump’s Headfakes. 70% of Americans Don’t Want War with Venezuela. End of an Era - MSNBC Becomes MSNow. Football Friday, Jameis Winston and Thanksgiving is Coming!

Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) wraps a tense, emotional Veterans Week with a no-holds-barred, guest-free episode—breaking down urgent national security issues, political accountability, and the looming prospect of military... more

Yesterday • 21 min

373. On Venezuela: Show Me the Dope with Henry Rollins. The Cost of War and the Power of Art. The Fight for the Soul of America. Don’t Mess with Banksy. The Wisdom of Bob. Lessons from Walter Reed and the USO. What Losing the East Wing Really Represents.

We’re back with part two of Paul Rieckhoff’s (@PaulRieckhoff) epic conversation with punk rock icon, activist, and truth-teller Henry Rollins in this raw, urgent, and fiercely independent discussion of the true cost of war, creative protest, and the ... more

13 Nov 2025 • 55 min

372. It’s Time To Bring Back Punk Rock with Henry Rollins. A Constant State of Protest. I Hate the Division. Like a Vial of Nitro. Following Joan Jett into a Hot Zone. Minor Threat, Fugazi and How Punk Rock Fought Nazis. Henry on Fetterman’s Wardrobe.

We’ve got a special Veterans Week treat for this episode as Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) welcomes back legendary artist, activist, and punk rock icon Henry Rollins for a fiercely honest conversation about division in America, the state of democrac... more

12 Nov 2025 • 48 min

371. Kristen Rouse. This Veterans Day Feels Different. Beyond the Parades. IHOP, Bloomin’ Onions & Free Stuff. A Rare Day of Unity in America. Are Vets Now in the Rear View? Teaching our Kids About All of This. Independent Veterans are Ready to Lead.

On this special Veterans Day episode, Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) sits down with renowned veterans advocate Kristen Rouse for a candid, timely, and moving conversation. With honesty and heart, Paul and Kristen break dow... more

11 Nov 2025 • 45 min

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Recent Guests

Kristen Rouse

An Army veteran and legendary veterans advocate, founder of the New York City Veterans Alliance.

New York City Veterans Alliance

Episode: 371. Kristen Rouse. This Veterans Day Feels Different. Beyond the Parades. IHOP, Bloomin’ Onions & Free Stuff. A Rare Day of Unity in America. Are Vets Now in the Rear View? Teaching our Kids About All of This. Independent Veterans are Ready to Lead.

General Mark Hertling

A retired American Army officer, commentator, and author

The Bulwark

Episode: 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.

Joy Taylor

Podcaster, sports powerhouse, and cultural expert

Episode: 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.

Jim VandeHei

Co-founder and CEO of Axios, a prominent figure in media and politics.

Axios

Episode: 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.

Sami Sage

Co-founder of Betches, a media and cultural dynamo

Betches

Episode: 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.

John Opdycke

True godfather of reform and open primaries

Episode: 366. John Opdycke. Our Broken Election Day. The Parties Rigged the Game and Screw Independents—NYC is Proof. CA’s Terrible Prop 50 and a New Fight in Maryland. We Decide Elections–But Not the Narrative. Taking Kids to Vote. Wisdom From Kurt Vonnegut.

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.

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	#118	United States/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts	#224	Canada/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts	#208	Italy/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts	#86	Austria/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts	#133	Chile/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts	#149	Ireland/News/News Commentary

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.

Q: Where are you and how are you?

Sami shares that she is in New York City and feels focused and reflective in this current era.

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.

Q: What are your thoughts on the toxicity that is rising and growing across this country?

There's a lot of anxiety, especially among serving officers, regarding their futures amidst political battles.

Q: How do you advise young people to confront the current moment as leaders?

The first element of leadership is self-assessment of your character, focusing on your values and beliefs.

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.

Q: What should we expect from Trump in relation to sports?

Trump's engagement with sports and athletes is strategic, utilizing high-profile events to maintain cultural influence.

371. Kristen Rouse. This Veterans Day Feels Different. Beyond the Parades. IHOP, Bloomin’ Onions & Free Stuff. A Rare Day of Unity in America. Are Vets Now in the Rear View? Teaching our Kids About All of This. Independent Veterans are Ready to Lead.

Q: How does this Veterans Day feel different?

It feels different because there's more complexity in how military uniforms are perceived, possibly making some people hesitant to celebrate.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Location
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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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What are the audience demographics for Independent Americans?

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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. To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes
2. The Bulwark Podcast
3. The Michael Steele Podcast
4. The Lincoln Project
5. Talking Feds

How many episodes of Independent Americans are there?

Independent Americans launched 7 years ago and published 374 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?

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What guests have appeared on Independent Americans?

Recent guests on Independent Americans include:

1. Kristen Rouse
2. General Mark Hertling
3. Joy Taylor
4. Jim VandeHei
5. Sami Sage
6. John Opdycke
7. Ro Khanna
8. Alexander Vindman

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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