America has had a hard few weeks. And definitely taken some Ls. And as one season ends, and another begins, we’re calling a big time pitcher out of our bullpen to help us make sense of it all. From Trump’s indictment, to Iraq at 20, to Ukraine’s urgent needs, to March Madness and the WBC. Matt Gallagher (@MattGallagher0) is back. He joined us last after just leaving Ukraine for Episode 161 in March of 2022.  One of the most important writers of our time, especially touching on issues of war and national security, Matt is the internationally-recognized author of the novels Empire City, Youngblood, the forthcoming Daybreak, the class Iraq war memoir Kaboom, and a finalist for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. His work has appeared in Esquire, ESPN, The New York Times, The Paris Review and Wired. He’s also co-editor of the short fiction collection Fire & Forget: Short Stories from the Long War. He’s a popular, funny and insightful voice—including on Twitter–on everything from politics and war to his beloved Cleveland Browns.  His new Esquire article digs into the Ukraine war in a way nobody else has before. And he’s gonna talk about it. And much more.  Matt was featured in Vanity Fair as one of the voices of a new generation of American war literature. A graduate of Wake Forest and Columbia, Matt is a 2021-23 fellow with the Tulsa Artist Fellowship, based in Oklahoma. He lives with his wife and sons in Tulsa and works as a writing instructor for NYU’s Words After War program– devoted to bringing vets and civilians together to study conflict literature.  Every episode of Independent Americans hosted by Paul Rieckhoff is the truth beyond the headlines–and light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s content for the 42% of Americans that proudly call themselves independent. And delivers the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and veterans issues. This is another pod to help you stay vigilant. Because vigilance is the price of democracy. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans will continue to be your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope.  -Get extra content, connect with guests, attend events, get merch discounts and support this show that speaks truth to power by joining us on Patreon.   - WATCH video of Paul and Matt’s conversation here. -Ready Matt’s latest Equire piece: “The Secret Weapons of Ukraine”  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers on Twitter. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. America’s next great independent media company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices