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.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

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

4.6 • 907 Ratings

🗓️ 6 November 2025

⏱️ 42 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

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 control from broken institutions and divisive algorithms. And they also dig into the potential expansion of Trump’s military strikes on Venezuela, whether a vote this week from Congress on a War Powers Act bill can stop him, and how the government shutdown is hitting the Pentagon dangerously and especially hard. Whether discussing congressional failures, presidential overreach, what it means to be a modern man, or how to “clean up your algorithm” for sanity and truth, Jim delivers candid advice and hope for a more resilient America. Packed with moments of wisdom on leadership, service, patriotism, and the media's future, this episode is a must for independent thinkers everywhere. 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 on YouTube now. -Follow Jim VandeHei on social media and support his work at Axios. -Learn more about Independent Veterans of America and all of the IVA candidates–including two that won last night. -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.
0:16.9	Welcome to Independent Americans.
0:19.7	Welcome to episode 368. It is Thursday, November 6th. I am your host, Paul Reichoff. And I don't know about you, but I am still spinning a bit from Election Day and we've got a great show. Jim Vanderheye of Axios is here to help us understand all of it as the news just keeps on coming.
0:39.3	Nancy Pelosi is retiring after 39 years. I want to give a tip of the hat to her, especially for all
0:45.3	the important work she did on veterans issues. We'll come to more of that in the next couple of weeks,
0:49.5	I'm sure. Jared Golden, Democrat and veteran from Maine, who I think is almost an independent one day might be, is leaving Congress out of fears for his family's safety.
0:59.7	That's a big story that we'll cover deeply in the days to come. The shutdown continues. Now, on its 36th day, officially the longest stupid shutdown in history. Yay, more on how that's endangering our national security
1:11.5	coming up. The American military has not struck another boat off the coast of Venezuela in the
1:16.9	last 24 hours, which is unusual and likely to end soon. We are four days from Veterans Day. The war
1:23.9	between Mom Downey and Trump is fully on. The Knicks looked really good last night against the Timberwolves,
1:29.9	and it is readathon week here in the Rikoff House and the final week of flag football.
1:35.3	So it is definitely a time to stay vigilant.
1:51.5	Helping us stay vigilant, joining us on the show for the first time, a man that I've known for many years now, a man that I've admired, a man who is a builder, who is a thought leader,
1:56.9	who is a creator, and who is at the epicenter of everything happening in news, politics, and culture.
2:02.7	The great and powerful Jim Van der He is finally here on Independent Americans. Welcome, sir.
2:07.6	Great to be here. Thanks for having me.
2:09.9	It's really good to have you, man. We met many, many years ago when I was working in D.C.
2:15.1	And you were leading Politico. And I always remember that first meeting
2:19.3	because you had a family member that had recently come back from combat and was adjusting. And we've
2:24.4	kind of loosely stayed in touch ever since. But you've also been on a tear ever since, man. You know,
2:29.4	you were at the Washington Post. You were at Politico. Now Axios is rocking. So frankly,
2:34.0	you know, I saw you a couple
	...

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