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.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

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

4.6 • 907 Ratings

🗓️ 10 November 2025

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Retired U.S. Army General Mark Hertling returns for a must-hear conversation with host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff), just in time for Veterans Day and the Marine Corps birthday. As America faces political gridlock, rising division, a historic government shutdown, and critical questions about military readiness, Gen. Hertling offers hard-hitting analysis and real-world leadership lessons that matter now more than ever. Dive deep into the state of American values, why leadership and character still count, the collapse and comeback potential of the Democrats, and why drone warfare—and the Pentagon’s internal purges—matter to all of us. Plus: Paul and the General break down the most important under-covered stories in Washington and around the world, from Venezuela military action to Ukraine’s frontline tactics with drones, with candor and context you won’t get anywhere else. Hertling opens up about his new book, “If I Don’t Return: A Father’s War Journal,” and shares powerful, personal stories about combat, family, teaching, and character that inspire—and challenge—listeners at every level. 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. It's 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. -Listen to General Hertling’s previous appearance: Episode 72 from August 13, 2020. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Pre-order a signed first edition of the General’s new book. -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. Ways to Listen: 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/ Social Channels: X/Twitter: https://x.com/indy_americans BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/indyamericans.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndependentAmericansUS/

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Powered by Righteous Media.
0:16.2	Welcome to Independent Americans. Welcome to episode 370. It is Monday, November 10th. I am your host, Paul Reikoff. And it is Manosphere Monday again. And we got a great show coming up. General Mark Hurtling is here, a returning champion. And the news keeps coming. The shutdown might be over, and the philocrats have lost
0:40.1	again, more on that in a minute. The military has struck two more boats off the coast of Venezuela,
0:46.0	according to Sextef Hegset. Both strikes were conducted in international waters, and three
0:51.5	male narco-terrorists were on boardage vessel. Six were killed. No U.S.
0:56.7	forces were harmed. Now, that's according to him. But more unauthorized strikes, they are almost
1:01.9	daily. The most powerful military in the world is still under Trump's command, and he can do whatever he
1:07.4	wants, and no one seems to be able to stop him. Congress has failed to even
1:11.3	slow him down. The Senate War Powers Act last week, remember that failed. But don't worry,
1:16.7	the Pentagon is sounding ground forces into the Panamanian jungle for the first time in decades.
1:22.6	Reports are still getting shut down and disrupted. First College beat Williams College, 14 to 13 in a thriller, the 139th meeting.
1:32.2	We've got the Amherst helmet back there.
1:34.3	And then a fantastic weekend of final flag football.
1:37.9	My 8 U commanders finished a gritty season with their best and most complete game of the year.
1:43.2	And my 10 U bangles won the Super Bowl.
1:46.6	They are champions. And this is our ring. They played hard. They were disciplined. They worked as a
1:51.5	team. And it worked. And I want to tell you what our season goals were. Number one, have fun.
1:56.7	Number two, build and make friendships. Number three, learn about the game, sportsmanship, fitness, and leadership.
2:03.1	And all those goals were accomplished, and the boys got a ring.
2:06.9	So I'm so proud of our bangles, well done boys and their families.
2:10.3	Great job on a meaningful season.
2:12.0	And we are one day away from Veterans Day.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Righteous Media | Bleav, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Righteous Media | Bleav and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.