365. Sebastian Junger. The Divisive Mamdani Moment. NYC’s Rorschach Test For a Divided America. Manosphere Monday. Rieckhoff Shares Who He’s Voting For and Why. A Tense Election Day Eve. IVA’s 2025 Endorsements. Halloween, World Series and ICE Raids.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

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

4.6 • 907 Ratings

🗓️ 3 November 2025

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Fan favorite, award-winning author and journalist Sebastian Junger returns to Independent Americans for a consequential conversation with Paul Rieckhoff. He’s always one of our favorites that pulls no punches. On the eve of a divided nation’s Election Day, and NYC's race for Mayor dominating global attention, Junger and Rieckhoff take a raw, honest look at democracy under fire, political extremism, masculinity in crisis, and America’s struggle for unity. For our weekly installment of “Manosphere Monday,” this candid exchange explores the fallout of economic injustice, failing leadership, class tension, and the search for hope—along with Junger’s personal insights from fatherhood to combat reporting. And digs into the strengths and weaknesses of the three men running to be Mayor of New York and face down Trump .Timely, unfiltered, and fiercely independent. Sebastian also shares his unique perspective on democracy under threat, the challenges gripping masculinity today, Veterans Day next week, and the urgent need for unity amidst division. You’ll also hear insights on economic justice, leadership, fascism and lessons from the military that America needs now more than ever. And, what it was like to take his little girls trick or treating on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. Its independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode. -Learn more about Independent Veterans of America and all of the IVA candidates. -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. -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. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff/id1457899667 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff Ways to watch: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@independentamericans Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/indy_americans BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/indyamericans.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ Ways to listen:Social channels:

Transcript

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0:00.0	Powered by righteous media.
0:17.8	Welcome to Independent Americans. Welcome to episode 365.
0:23.6	I'm your host, Paul Reikoff.
0:24.8	It is Monday, November 3rd.
0:27.3	Hard to believe it, but it is Monday again,
0:29.6	which means here on Independent Americans,
0:31.6	now that we are daily,
0:33.0	it is Manosphere Monday.
0:34.7	It is Manosphere Monday.
0:47.8	Okay. Manosphere Monday. We're going to redo that every Monday.
0:50.0	Last week we had Captain Kahn's.
0:52.0	This week we've got another great guest coming up.
1:10.9	It's going to be Sebastian Younger, a returning champion, one of my favorite voices of conscience and thoughtfulness in America. We're going to talk about all the latest news. I hope you had a happy Halloween. We did here in this house. There's still buckets of candy everywhere that I don't know what to do with. I will make a point for policy discussion.
1:13.7	I think every Halloween should be on Friday.
1:16.9	I'm coming out with a hot one starting out with that.
1:19.3	Let me know what you think.
1:20.7	Over the weekend, Venezuela, war in Venezuela has not erupted yet.
1:25.0	There are more strikes, but no strikes on the mainland, no boots on the ground yet. That could change any minute. The World Series did go off and it was amazing. If you didn't see it, it was a game seven that went to extra innings and was maybe the greatest World Series I've ever seen. Daylight savings happened over the weekend, which I think sucks, and I would support
1:45.8	bipartisan legislation to unite all Americans around fixing that. The shutdown continues, although our
1:51.5	troops did get paid, but tons of others didn't. It's overcast here in New York City, and maybe that
1:57.9	is a bit of a foreboding omen because tomorrow is Election Day here in New York
2:02.7	City, in Virginia, in New Jersey, and all across America. So now especially the day before
	...

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