The Porcupine Report with Eric Brakey

Mike ter Maat joins Eric to discuss his vision for America’s future, emphasizing liberty, personal responsibility, and principled leadership. As a Libertarian presidential candidate, he critiques the failures of both major parties in protecting individual freedoms and promoting sound economic policies. Ter Maat outlines his stance on issues like ending endless wars, reducing government overreach, and fostering a truly free market. ...

Eric welcomes Jack Hunter to reflect on the legacy of Ron Paul and the evolution of the liberty movement. They explore how Ron Paul's anti-war stance during the 2008 Republican debates broke through neocon orthodoxy and helped reshape conservative foreign policy thinking. Jack shares how Paul’s principled message influenced a generation of libertarians and even parts of the MAGA base. They also discuss the risks of neoconservat...

Brian Nichols, host of *The Brian Nichols Show*, joins Eric to discuss how liberty-focused messaging can become more persuasive and impactful. He breaks down the importance of meeting people where they are—focusing on solutions to real problems rather than abstract ideology. Using his sales background, Brian emphasizes tailoring messages to different audiences, like moms worried about school safety or business owners navigating reg...

John Papola shares his journey from working at Spike TV to creating liberty-themed media content. His work, such as the "Fight of the Century: Keynes vs. Hayek" rap battles, has become influential in introducing economic ideas to younger audiences. He emphasizes the power of creative storytelling to make complex ideas accessible and impactful. John shares a clip from his latest video, Battle of the Borders, which presents...

Eric welcomes Sean Themea, Chief of Staff at Young Americans for Liberty, for a spirited discussion on building a national youth-driven liberty movement. Themea shares his journey from New Hampshire to Texas and details YAL’s strategy of creating “Liberty Lighthouse States,” with New Hampshire at the forefront. They discuss the impact of student activism on issues like school choice, free speech, and civil liberties, emphasizing st...

Eric welcomes Keith Bessette, founder of Free State Acoustics, for a lively discussion on music, liberty, and the upcoming Freedom Palooza festival. Keith shares his journey from Florida to becoming a regular in New Hampshire's liberty scene, emphasizing how community and creativity are thriving among Free Staters. They dive into the evolution of PorcFest, the role of music in the movement, and the unique culture of spontaneous col...

Representative Michael Granger dives into how Free Staters played a critical role in eliminating New Hampshire’s mandatory vehicle inspection requirement. He outlines the creative grassroots tactics that mobilized public support, including a targeted flyer campaign that generated hundreds of personal testimonies to lawmakers. Granger also highlights the Free Staters’ influence on expanding universal school choice, sharing his own p...

Eric shares his reflections on this year’s Porcupine Freedom Festival and introduces his featured speech, Revolution in the Granite Gulch, delivered Saturday morning at the event. He gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at PorcFest 2025, including the emotional return of Ross Ulbricht, the growing momentum of the Free State Project, and the cultural shift toward liberty in New Hampshire. Eric also outlines a five-phase plan to ...

With Eric at PorcFest this week, please enjoy his talk from PorcFest 2024 about his journey from neoconservative to libertarian activist, sparked by Ron Paul's influence. He recounts his transformation from a war-supporting teenager to a key player in the Ron Paul Revolution, including his leadership in the dramatic takeover of the 2012 Maine Republican Convention. Brakey describes how that experience set him on a path through ...

Matt Kibbe joins the Eric to discuss his documentary Off the Grid with Thomas Massie, highlighting the congressman's off-the-grid lifestyle and principled stand for liberty. Kibbe explains how Massie’s independence from Washington power structures gives him the courage to challenge establishment narratives, including Donald Trump’s big-spending policies. They explore the growing tension within the Republican Party between liber...

Ross Ulbricht, creator of the Silk Road and a central figure in the early crypto movement, is now a free man—and will be making his first-ever PorcFest appearance this month! Eric and guest Martha Bueno reflect on the long road to Ross's release, highlighting the libertarian community's unwavering support over more than a decade. They introduce Mothers Against Cruel Sentencing, co-founded by Lynn Ulbricht, to continue fight...

Aaron Day joins the show to share his journey into the liberty movement, including his early business ventures, his political activism in New Hampshire, and how federal overreach radicalized him. He focuses on the threats posed by central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and how current stablecoin regulations are paving the way for digital financial control. Aaron also discusses the persecution of crypto advocates like Roger Ver and...

Eric welcomes four special guests to explore the excitement surrounding this year’s PorcFest, taking place June 16–22. Representing Edge, Pirate Chain, Destination Freedom, and Anarchapulco, the guests introduce the Exit Lounge—a dynamic collaboration centered on privacy, cryptocurrency, and personal sovereignty. Together, they share their vision of empowering individuals through decentralized finance, privacy-enhancing technologie...

Executive Director of Citizens for Sound Money, Daniel Diaz, joins the program to discuss the nationwide push to restore gold and silver as legal tender. Daniel shares major legislative victories in states like Florida and Missouri, the role of sound money in protecting economic freedom, and the legacy of the late Jim Forsythe. He also explains the practical benefits of legal tender laws and the future of gold- and silver-backed di...

Joshua Groth and Josh Swift join the Porcupine Report to share their unique journeys into the world of Bitcoin and personal freedom. Groth, an adventure athlete, explains how discovering Bitcoin gave him the power to save, invest in his future, and rethink what truly matters. Swift recounts the incredible story of finding a long-lost bitcoin wallet—first connecting with Groth at PorcFest and, with the help of  Groth and his team, r...

Eric shares the stage with Jack Hunter and Jp Cortez at YALCON Atlanta to discuss the legacy of Dr. Ron Paul. They emphasize how Ron Paul’s campaigns significantly reshaped American political discourse—especially within the Republican Party—by introducing anti-war, pro-liberty, and sound money ideas. They marvel at the way his presence was disruptive but transformative, catalyzing a new generation of liberty-minded activists, many ...

Executive Director of the Sound Money Defense League, Jp Cortez, joins Eric to discuss his work with sound money and Ron Paul’s influence through his longstanding advocacy for it. Jp highlights the growing global shift toward de-dollarization and alternative stores of value like gold, silver, and Bitcoin. He also emphasizes grassroots efforts and local political engagement over federal lobbying.The Sound Money Defense League is a r...

Seasoned Porcupine Report guest Jack Hunter joins Eric to share in the excitement for the upcoming Porcupine Freedom Festival, where he’ll return as a featured speaker. Together, they dig into current hot topics, including Cory Booker’s 25-hour performative Senate speech—which pales in comparison to past substantive filibusters like Rand Paul’s 2013 stand against John Brennan’s CIA nomination and drone policy, or Ted Cruz’s filibus...