The Porcupine Report with Eric Brakey

Eric shares updates on the continued growth of the Free State Project, from successful outreach efforts to expanding events and media, all aimed at bringing more people into the movement. He frames these developments as part of a broader push to build stronger communities and create real opportunities for people to engage with what’s happening in New Hampshire. The episode then transitions into his 2026 “State of the Free State” remarks, *A Culture of Builders*, where he reflects on how far the movement has come while considering the challenges ahead. At the heart of his message is the idea that lasting progress comes from action—encouraging a focus on building, creating, and making tangible change in the real world.

Eric welcomes Free State Project communications director Magdalen Rose to discuss her journey from conservative media into libertarian activism and her move to New Hampshire. They explore how her background in podcasting and political commentary led her to value open dialogue and ultimately connect with the Free State Project’s mission of building a liberty-focused community. The conversation highlights the unique culture of New Hampshire, the role of events like Liberty Forum in attracting new movers, and the importance of making libertarian ideas more accessible through media. They also dive into broader political dynamics, including fractures within the conservative movement, the growing appeal of non-interventionism, and opportunities for libertarian influence.

Eric discusses the momentum coming out of the New Hampshire Liberty Forum and speaks with FSP board chair Carla Gericke about a major change to this year’s PorcFest. Instead of being held at a single campground, PorcFest will become a statewide “Passport to the Free State” experience, with events hosted at various liberty-focused venues, businesses, and community hubs across New Hampshire. The new format aims to showcase the real-world communities and projects Free Staters have built over the past two decades while creating a more scalable event that encourages exploration and participation. Attendees will travel between locations throughout the week, with incentives like a passport challenge and a $10,000 prize drawing, all designed to highlight the growth of the liberty movement in the state and invite more people to experience it firsthand. Get your tickets to the new 2026 PorcFest at: https://porcfest.com/

Adam McGuire, a registered investment advisor who recently relocated to northern New Hampshire, shares his Porc-U Plan to help liberty-minded people move. He explains why COVID pushed his family to relocate and why timing matters. They discuss practical and emotional hurdles, matching newcomers to the right NH communities, and ideas like expanding New Hampshire’s influence in neighboring regions.

Dan McKnight, founder of Bring Our Troops Home and Defend the Guard advocate, explains the NH showdown over guard control. He discusses a tense Senate hearing, supremacy-clause disputes, Title 32 vs Title 10 distinctions, and why state sovereignty fights could spark nationwide momentum.

On this special 100th episode of the Porcupine Report, Eric welcomes back libertarian thinker and bestselling author Tom Woods for a wide-ranging, heartfelt conversation. Woods reflects on fatherhood, New England roots, and why there’s truly “no place like home”—especially when that home might be New Hampshire. The two dive into the cultural and political momentum building in state legislatures, the legacy of the Ron Paul movement, and why Woods believes Ron Paul was “right about basically everything.” From tax havens in the U.S. Virgin Islands to the beauty of four seasons and the Free State Project’s growing influence, this episode blends personal stories with big-picture liberty talk. It’s a thoughtful, funny, and surprisingly moving milestone conversation you won’t want to miss.

Scott Horton, author, journalist, and antiwar activist who teaches foreign-policy history, discusses U.S. interventionism and the costs of endless war. He outlines the Horton Academy and outreach to mainstream audiences. They dig into shifting public opinion, propaganda and regime-change fantasies. They highlight state-level efforts like Defend the Guard to constrain undeclared wars.

Eric opens the show by sharing highlights from Porcupine Day, reflecting on the growth of the Free State movement, and previewing the upcoming New Hampshire Liberty Forum. He also delivers a thoughtful message about unity, personal responsibility, and focusing on building strong communities instead of getting lost in internal conflicts. This week’s episode features a special appearance by Eric on the Black Powder Podcast, where he discusses his new book on door-knocking and winning grassroots campaigns. He breaks down how authentic conversations, listening skills, and neighborly connections can turn long-shot candidates into real contenders. Together, these segments offer a powerful look at how liberty advances through both community-building and practical action.

Representative Michael Granger joins the show to give an inside look at what’s really happening at the New Hampshire State House as the legislative session heats up. He breaks down key fights over vehicle inspections, campus carry, Defend the Guard, and ongoing efforts to push back against cronyism and federal overreach. Granger shares firsthand insight into committee battles, surprising political alliances, and how liberty bills actually move or stall in Concord. The conversation dives into labor policy, union power, and why some reforms terrify entrenched interests.For updates, follow Rep. Granger on X at: https://x.com/Granger4NH

Retired U.S. Marine and state legislator Tom Mannion joins the show to explore the growing momentum for liberty in the New Hampshire State House, centered on the renewed push for Defend the Guard and the effort to bring troops home from undeclared wars. He offers sharp, firsthand insight into how the bill passed the House once again and the institutional resistance it continues to face. The conversation also ranges across campus carry, food freedom, and the unexpected alliances forming around these fights. Along the way, listeners get an unfiltered look at how real change takes shape inside the legislature, and why this moment feels different.Stay tuned after the show for powerful firsthand testimony from Tom Mannion and Eric Brakey on Defend the Guard.For updates, follow Rep. Mannion on X at: https://x.com/mannion4nh