The Porcupine Report with Eric Brakey

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 renowned organization working to remonetize gold and silver in the U.S. through nationwide legislative efforts at both the state and federal levels since 2014. He is a graduate of Auburn University and a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina. Jp is the lead author of the Sound Money Index. Follow him on X (Twitter) https://x.com/JpCortez27.Sound Money Defense League: https://www.soundmoneydefense.org

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 filibuster on Obamacare. They also reflect on Ron Paul's enduring legacy as he turns 90, highlighting how his influence sparked a new generation of activists and fueled movements in homeschooling, Bitcoin, and grassroots liberty. Finally, Eric and Jack weigh in on the recent leak involving national security discussions about bombing Yemen—and the disappointing lack of pushback from supposed anti-interventionist voices.

Amy Norris joins the program to talk about all things PorcFest! She discusses her experiences at the event, the diverse groups people who attend, and the key themes explored there, such as personal freedom, voluntary exchange, and self-sufficiency. She shares memorable moments and interactions from the festival, illustrating the community-driven atmosphere and how PorcFest provides a space for people to connect, share ideas, and collaborate on projects.

Corey DeAngelis is a prominent advocate for school choice. He joins the Porcupine Report to discuss the growing momentum of education freedom policies across the U.S., particularly in New Hampshire. Corey notes the rapid expansion of school choice in the last few years, with 15 states adopting universal programs as well as how pandemic school closures awakened parents to problems in public education, fueling the push for school choice. He emphasizes the need for continued activism to dismantle bureaucratic control over education. Corey’s book, “The Parent Revolution” can be found here: https://a.co/d/gogx8IA

Our latest guest on the Porcupine Report, Jody Underwood, is an advocate for education freedom and founder of Ed Opt. She shares her journey within the Free State movement and her experience serving on the Croydon School Board. She explains the variety of educational options available in New Hampshire, including homeschooling, learning centers, charter schools, private schools, and the Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) program. Jody and Eric discuss systemic issues in public schooling, such as its monopoly structure, funding mechanisms, and the lack of academic accountability.Jody emphasizes her mission to educate parents about alternatives and support the creation of more education options, including through expos and AI-driven consultation tools. The conversation concludes with a call for engagement in upcoming liberty events and continued activism in education choice.

Tom Woods and Eric recap the recent Tom Woods Cruise, which included stops in places like Prospera, Honduras, a hub for libertarian free cities. The cruise featured discussions on liberty, a pitch contest, and a concert by Broadway performer Clifton Duncan. Tom also discusses the rise of populist sentiment and how libertarians can use it to push their ideas forward. He emphasizes that while education and persuasion matter, emotional and cultural alignment with broader movements is also necessary. Tom reaffirms his long-term plan to relocate to New Hampshire in 2032, for cultural alignment and a desire to support the Free State Project.

Eric joins Matt Kibbe to discuss New Hampshire's emergence as a hub for libertarian policies and highlights the Free State Project's success in attracting thousands of libertarians to the state, resulting in legislative wins like abolishing income taxes and expanding school choice. Eric emphasizes the importance of community-building, which helped residents resist government overreach during COVID-19, demonstrating how concentrated efforts can transform local governance and inspire broader political change.

Eric joins The Way Forward Podcast to discuss the Free State Project’s goal of concentrating libertarians in New Hampshire to create a politically influential community, emphasizing localism over federal engagement. He critiques the challenges of libertarian success in federal politics, highlights New Hampshire’s relative freedom during COVID-19, and distinguishes libertarianism from conservatism. Eric also addresses policies like Defend the Guard to curb federal overreach and discusses decentralization in health care and governance. He underscores that real change happens through strong, liberty-minded communities rather than relying on federal reform.

Partner Relations Director for Emergent Order Foundation, Ivy Karns, joins the program to tell the true crime story of P’Nut the squirrel, killed by government thugs in New York. P’Nut was rescued by Mark Long and became an internet sensation, amassing over 500,000 followers. His fame helped fund an animal sanctuary, P’nuts Freedom Farm, which Mark and his wife founded in 2023 in Pine City, New York. In October 2024, government agents raided their farm, citing illegal possession of wildlife. Peanut allegedly bit an officer during the raid, leading to his immediate euthanasia under rabies protocols—later proven unnecessary as Peanut tested negative. The case sparked a broader debate on pet ownership laws and wildlife regulations, with some states, like New Hampshire, introducing legislation to legalize squirrel ownership.

Eric is joined by Representative Michael Granger to give an update on the latest liberty-driven initiatives in New Hampshire including Defend the Guard, Right to Work Legislation, Education Freedom Accounts, and State Budget Cuts. Michael’s outlook for this year in the State House is determined and mission-driven, with a focus on long-term, incremental victories for the liberty movement.