The Porcupine Report with Eric Brakey

In this episode of The Porcupine Report, Eric welcomes Spike Cohen, founder of You Are The Power, to discuss his organization’s fight against government overreach. Cohen highlights the heartbreaking case of the Hernandez family, who lost their children after doctors misdiagnosed a medical condition as abuse. By mobilizing viral campaigns and public pressure, You Are The Power not only reunited families but also helped pass Georgia’s Ridges Law, reforming CPS practices—and so far, they’ve maintained a 100% success rate. Cohen invites viewers to join the movement at youarethepower.net to push back against government abuse across the nation.

On this episode of The Porcupine Report, Eric sits down with Constance Spencer to dive into the magic of Fall Fest, one of the Free State community’s beloved traditions. What started as a simple corn maze hangout has grown into a full weekend of apple picking, ax throwing, hikes, and even the world’s largest arcade—all set against New Hampshire’s breathtaking autumn colors. Constance shares heartwarming stories and laughs from past years, painting a picture of freedom, family, and fun all rolled into one. Together, they discuss fond memories from past events, the importance of building connections, and why New Hampshire offers both freedom and the charm of New England living.

In this episode of “The Porcupine Report”, Eric broadcasts from Ron Paul’s 90th birthday celebration in Lake Jackson, Texas. He reflects on Ron Paul’s legacy in sparking the modern liberty movement and highlights the success of the Free State Project in New Hampshire. Brakey is joined by Lynn Ulbricht, who discusses her new organization, Mothers Against Cruel Sentencing (MACS), which fights against harsh and disproportionate prison terms. She shares stories of people serving life sentences for minor, nonviolent drug offenses, and explains how mass incarceration devastates families and communities. Together, they emphasize the failure of the drug war, the financial and human costs of long sentences, and the urgent need for reform. The conversation closes with gratitude for the liberty community and a call to continue Ron Paul’s message of freedom.

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. He also shares his background in law enforcement and economics, explaining how these experiences shape his approach to governance. Throughout the conversation, he calls for unity among liberty-minded Americans to build a stronger movement. His message centers on empowering citizens to take control of their own lives without interference from the state.

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 neoconservatives co-opting America First rhetoric and the enduring importance of grassroots activism and state-level political engagement. Plus, they preview Ron Paul’s upcoming 90th birthday celebration in Lake Jackson., Texas.

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 regulations. He critiques ineffective libertarian outreach and encourages a shift toward empathetic, problem-solving communication. The conversation is both practical and motivational, aimed at helping liberty advocates win hearts and minds more effectively.

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 both sides of the immigration debate. The full length video can be found here: https://youtu.be/VS8SdwzlKCQ?si=Q7qb1BtdeiT0iwRF and many more great videos of John’s are available on his two channels, https://www.youtube.com/@DadSavesAmerica and https://www.youtube.com/@RadicalDiscourse

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 state-level wins over federal distractions. Themea reflects on his first PorcFest experience, praising the Free State Project community and decentralized energy of the event. The episode also spotlights the upcoming Ron Paul 90th Birthday BBQ in Austin, TX and encourages young liberty-minded individuals to get involved with YAL's efforts.

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 collaboration. Freedom Palooza, set for July 25–27 in the North Country, promises a weekend of camping, liberty, and live music under the stars. The episode closes with performances and reflections on how liberty is lived, not just debated.For 5% off tickets use discount code "Porcupine2025" at: FreedompaloozaNH.com

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 plans to use Education Freedom Accounts for his son. The conversation explores efforts to increase public school choice, defend the Guard legislation, and a heated pension reform debate involving Governor Kelly Ayotte. The episode closes with reflections on the long-term push for liberty and the continued dismantling of cronyism in the Granite State.Learn more about Representative Granger’s campaign at: granger4nh.com