345. Stephen Colbert. Replay with the American Icon. Taking on Trump, The Supreme Court Battle, Breonna Taylor, Leadership After Loss, Stephen’s Dog Eating Ai Weiwei’s Art, Joking in the Face of Fear, Laughing at the Devil.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

Veteran, Daily News, National Security, Politics, News Commentary, News

4.6 • 907 Ratings

🗓️ 31 July 2025

⏱️ 62 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Producers note: Folks, if you’ve been following this show for a while now, you know we go hard. All of the time. From last week’s event in Washington DC to upcoming events later this year, to the non-stop news appearances (not to mention I make Paul walk around New York filming himself talking into a camera), to the multiple organizations he’s helping run (Independent Veterans of America, American Veterans for Ukraine, Operation Liberty), we keep the hammer down. But like Paul’s mentor Les Gelb taught him, if you don’t take a break you get stupid, and we don’t want to get stupid. So today, we’re taking a break. And throwing it back to one of our most popular guests and popular episodes with an American Icon that is in the headlines, and in Trump’s crosshairs. So this week we’re jumping in the Righteous Media time machine and traveling way way back to Episode 78 from September 24, 2020 with Stephen Colbert. It’s a great conversation and one we think you’ll enjoy revisiting. From Episode 78: “Fear is the mind killer. If you’re laughing you’re not afraid.” Wise words in this groundbreaking new episode from a truly iconic guest: Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome). [06:14] Stephen joins us from his home–uninterrupted and unedited in this fun, candid and inspiring episode. As we enter the most trying and important fall of our lifetime, Angry Americans is bringing in the big guns to get you through this trying time. And there are few bigger than Stephen Colbert. President Mayhem is sheer chaos. He’s doing anything and everything he can to disrupt our country, our unity and our day. And this conversation is the antidote. Stephen and host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) break down the current state of the country and what the future might hold. Stephen beams in from his home office and shares wisdom, jokes and some amazing stories. He talks about his trip to Iraq to visit the troops and why he shaved his head while he was there. His first car story is one of the best we’ve ever had. His answer to what makes him happy is heartwarming. But also painful. And expensive. This is Stephen Colbert like you’ve never heard him before. You’ll just have to listen. Because Independent Americans is built on the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. And this episode has it in spades. Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. It’s the truth beyond the headlines–and light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s built for the 49% of Americans that proudly call themselves independent and we’re proud to stand with you. -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. -NEW! Watch the video version of the entire podcast here. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch. -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 veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Power by Righteous Media.
0:16.3	Welcome to Independent Americans. Welcome to episode 345. I'm your host, Paul Reichoff. And welcome to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
0:29.5	Cadets are marching. The football team started practice this week, and my sons are here for baseball camp.
0:37.3	It's an incredible environment to be a part of because
0:40.1	you never know what you're going to see, you never know what you're going to experience, but you
0:43.3	know you will be surrounded by the sounds of service and dedication, duty, honor, and country.
0:50.7	That's what these cadets are all about.
1:00.6	Thank you. that's what these cadets are all about. Those cadets are working hard, like they always do, but I'm taking a bit of a break,
1:04.4	at least from our interviews.
1:05.6	And I'm bringing you one of our favorite interviews of all time.
1:09.0	From back in 2020, a man who has been in the news a lot
1:12.8	this week, the great Stephen Colbert, a man that I think is a true patriot who serves this country
1:19.1	in a different kind of way, but it holds the same values of honesty, integrity, and dedication
1:24.2	that generations of leaders from this place have embodied.
1:28.0	It was a really candid conversation during COVID where you could go inside Stephen's house.
1:33.1	You're going to see what he really thinks about Trump, what he thinks about the world,
1:36.9	and you'll get a side of Stephen Colbert you've probably never heard before.
1:40.5	His show might be canceled, but his voice is not.
1:44.3	So wherever you are this summer, I hope you're taking a bit of time to reflect and appreciate the freedom that we have in this country to speak our minds, like Stephen Colbert does, thanks to the men and women who serve here and around the world.
1:56.8	We'll be back with new episodes later this summer and some special surprises and some replays.
2:02.1	Be sure to check us out on YouTube and at independentamericans.us.
2:05.9	But I hope you enjoyed this quick look inside the history, tradition, and atmosphere of West Point.
	...

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