384. Jon Bernthal (Replay). The Iconic Actor Gets Real About America at a Crossroads. Defining Toughness, and Insurrectionist Using The Punisher Skull. George Floyd, Fatherhood, Sativa, DMX, Pitbulls. Biden's Afghanistan Drawdown.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

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

4.6 • 907 Ratings

🗓️ 28 November 2025

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this classic April 2021 conversation, Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff sits down with actor Jon Bernthal for a raw, unfiltered look at America at a breaking point—through the eyes of a storyteller who has spent years playing warriors, cops and complicated men on the edge. They dig into service, violence, fatherhood, justice and what it really means to “have someone’s back” when the cameras are off and the country is in crisis. Bernthal and Rieckhoff get real about the distance between Hollywood’s image of war and the lived experience of veterans and military families, and why listening to people who have carried the weight is more urgent than ever. They talk about policing, accountability and communities that feel both over‑policed and abandoned—and how to hold two hard truths at once without hiding behind a party jersey. This episode is independent, unapologetically patriotic and fully bullshit‑free—two dads, both committed to service, wrestling with what we owe our kids, our neighbors and our country in the middle of a pandemic, political extremism and cultural chaos. If you are tired of hot takes and partisan spin, this is a powerful, human conversation you will feel long after it ends. 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. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -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 now in time for the holidays. -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 • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook Ways to listen:Social channels: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Have you ever wondered what a sandwich sounds like?
0:04.2	Not much to it, is there?
0:06.2	Unless, of course, it's a Walker's sandwich.
0:10.9	Mmm, that is good.
0:12.9	Now that's what Asani should sound like.
0:15.8	Go all crisp in with walkers.
0:19.0	Delicious.
0:20.2	Powered by righteous media.
0:55.3	Welcome to Independent Americans. Welcome to episode 3.84. I'm your host, Paul Reikoff. It is Friday, November 28th. I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving. It is a time to be thankful. And I hope that good vibe carries over. I hope the trip to the bend from the turkey is carrying over. I hope you got the day off. And if you don't,
0:59.7	I am especially thankful to you to all our first responders, all our military, all our cops
1:04.3	and firefighters, EMTs, all of you who work at hospitals on Thanksgiving, all you be that
1:09.5	we're working yesterday and are working
1:11.0	today and working throughout the weekend. I just want to give you a special thank you and a shout
1:15.0	out and let you know that I am especially thankful for your service and for your leadership,
1:19.2	because that's a theme we talk about all the time on this show. It is Friday, November 20. I am coming to
1:24.8	you from New York City, USA. Thanksgiving is gone in a blur, and we are clicking into the Christmas season.
1:31.2	The holiday season is here.
1:32.8	I hope that brings us some good vibes because after all the recent news, we're going to need it.
1:37.2	I am especially always reflecting on what the brave people of Ukraine are enduring every single day.
1:43.4	Even on Thanksgiving, even over the holidays,
1:46.6	Putin continues his criminal attacks, hitting civilians, hitting cities, and that needs to end.
1:53.7	And especially this holiday season, I am hopeful for peace in Ukraine. It is supposed to be the
	...

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