Stay ConnectedAmy McGrath is a veteran, mom, and educator with an interest in policy and a taste for whiskey. She loves Kentucky, and she loves the United States of America. Truth in the Barrel was born of Amy’s commitment to country, the Constitution, and a well-curated collection of the world’s finest bourbon. Join Truth in the Barrel for weekly deep dives into timely topics, interviews with recognizable guests, and the occasional dose of live fun.
www.TruthintheBarrel.com
Copyright: © 2025
Amy has a frank conversation with Malcolm Nance, a top national security expert, about the complexities and risks of the current Middle East conflict. They go over the geopolitical, military, and economic implications of the US and Iran's actions. The conversation covers war strategies, international law, and the importance of leadership and morality in military operations.
00:13 The Data Overload and War Rationale
06:12 Historical Context of US-Iran Conflicts
17:10 Military Leadership and Morality Concerns
27:38 Cost of War and Domestic Impact
35:41 Malcolm Nance's Military Background and Experience
42:39 The Future of US Military Engagements
About Truth in the Barrel:
Amy and Denver are both military veterans, political junkies, and whiskey lovers who sit on opposite sides of the aisle but have one thing in common: they love the United States of America.
Truth in the Barrel was born of Amy & Denver’s commitment to country, the Constitution, and a well-curated collection of the world’s finest bourbon.
Join them weekly for deep dives into timely topics, interviews with recognizable guests, and a dose of call-in fun.
Visit Our Website:
Subscribe to Truth in the Barrel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TruthIntheBarrel
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0JQcSj5mwVyGDJ8DcXwlu9?si=5f2bd1d1b0c64e6f
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-in-the-barrel/id1804092329
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Amy is joined by Bobby Jones, Retired Navy Commander. USNA ‘01 President of VFRL and host of Anchor Watch (& co-host of The Gedunk Show) What is the state of the Ukraine war? Just how stupid was Trump’s State Of The Union Address? Is putting guardrails on AI too “woke?” And what on Earth is Trump’s peace club anyway? All this and more in this week unfiltered!
Chapters
00:15 The Ukraine War: Four Years of Conflict
11:25 U.S. Strategic Interests and Global Leadership
13:42 The Role of Professionals in Foreign Policy
16:00 The 2024 Election and Democracy
16:38 The Earth 2 State of the Union Address
25:20 “Woke” AI
42:44 U.S. Foreign Aid and the United Nations
44:58 Global Peace Initiatives and U.S. Leadership
49:22 Final Thoughts
About Truth in the Barrel:
Amy and Denver are both military veterans, political junkies, and whiskey lovers who sit on opposite sides of the aisle but have one thing in common: they love the United States of America.
Truth in the Barrel was born of Amy & Denver’s commitment to country, the Constitution, and a well-curated collection of the world’s finest bourbon.
Join them weekly for deep dives into timely topics, interviews with recognizable guests, and a dose of call-in fun.
Visit Our Website:
Subscribe to Truth in the Barrel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TruthIntheBarrel
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0JQcSj5mwVyGDJ8DcXwlu9?si=5f2bd1d1b0c64e6f
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-in-the-barrel/id1804092329
Instagram, BlueSky, Facebook, TikTok:
@TruthintheBarrel
Visit Our Substack :
Amy talks to three Kentuckians about what they thought of President Trump’s 2026 State Of The Union Address. They share their insights on the true state of America's strength and global standing, offering a critical view of current leadership and policies.
Rusty Thompson is a farmer in Kentucky. Riley Maddox is a Poly Sci major and Jennifer Carbon is a single mom who works in oncology.
About Truth in the Barrel:
Amy and Denver are both military veterans, political junkies, and whiskey lovers who sit on opposite sides of the aisle but have one thing in common: they love the United States of America.
Truth in the Barrel was born of Amy & Denver’s commitment to country, the Constitution, and a well-curated collection of the world’s finest bourbon.
Join them weekly for deep dives into timely topics, interviews with recognizable guests, and a dose of call-in fun.
Visit Our Website:
Subscribe to Truth in the Barrel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TruthIntheBarrel
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0JQcSj5mwVyGDJ8DcXwlu9?si=5f2bd1d1b0c64e6f
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-in-the-barrel/id1804092329
Instagram, BlueSky, Facebook, TikTok:
@TruthintheBarrel
Visit Our Substack :
This week, Amy is once again joined by former U.S Thunderbird Pilot and overall badass, Nicole Malachowski. They talk Iran, The vile new VA policy, Noem’s weaponized DHS and more! You don’t want to miss this one.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview of Today's Topics
01:03 Iran Buildup and Military Movements in the Middle East
02:02 Congressional Oversight and War Powers
03:53 U.S. Military Actions and Lessons from Past Conflicts
06:19 Veteran Disability Ratings and VA Policy Changes
08:50 Veterans' Benefits and the Impact of Medication-Based Ratings
10:12 Veteran Suicide and VA Challenges
12:38 Veteran Advocacy and Policy Resistance
15:09 DHS Leadership and Recent Controversies
19:04 Leadership Failures and Incidents at DHS
20:42 Government Surveillance and Social Media Monitoring
24:07 DHS and the Future of Agency Oversight
27:00 Presidential Pardons: Abuse and Reform Efforts
30:57 Voter ID Laws and Electoral Integrity
36:55 Legislative and Logistical Challenges in Voting Reforms
39:30 Climate Change Policy Reversal and Environmental Impact
41:48 Honoring Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson
42:45 Remembering Actor Robert Duvall
44:22 QUICK TAKES
About Truth in the Barrel:
Amy and Denver are both military veterans, political junkies, and whiskey lovers who sit on opposite sides of the aisle but have one thing in common: they love the United States of America.
Truth in the Barrel was born of Amy & Denver’s commitment to country, the Constitution, and a well-curated collection of the world’s finest bourbon.
Join them weekly for deep dives into timely topics, interviews with recognizable guests, and a dose of call-in fun.
Visit Our Website:
Subscribe to Truth in the Barrel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TruthIntheBarrel
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0JQcSj5mwVyGDJ8DcXwlu9?si=5f2bd1d1b0c64e6f
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-in-the-barrel/id1804092329
Instagram, BlueSky, Facebook, TikTok:
@TruthintheBarrel
Visit Our Substack :
In this episode of Truth in the Barrel, Denver Riggleman returns as he and Amy discuss the implications of Trump's potential nationalization of elections, the current state of immigration detention facilities in the U.S., and the political situation in Cuba. They explore the ramifications of these issues on federalism, voter rights, and U.S. foreign policy, and the dangers of misinformation.
About Truth in the Barrel:
Amy and Denver are both military veterans, political junkies, and whiskey lovers who sit on opposite sides of the aisle but have one thing in common: they love the United States of America.
Truth in the Barrel was born of Amy & Denver’s commitment to country, the Constitution, and a well-curated collection of the world’s finest bourbon.
Join them weekly for deep dives into timely topics, interviews with recognizable guests, and a dose of call-in fun.
Visit Our Website:
Subscribe to Truth in the Barrel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TruthIntheBarrel
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0JQcSj5mwVyGDJ8DcXwlu9?si=5f2bd1d1b0c64e6f
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-in-the-barrel/id1804092329
Instagram, BlueSky, Facebook, TikTok:
@TruthintheBarrel
Visit Our Substack :
On this week’s episode of Truth In The Barrel, Amy is joined by George Conway! Together they explore the overreach of Trump’s ICE, why Tulsi Gabbard was really in Georgia, and what we as citizens can do to keep our democracy safe! Tune in every Thursday at 9:00 for a new episode of Unfiltered!
Check out George Conway's Campaign : http://www.georgeconwayforcongress.com
About Truth in the Barrel:
Amy and Denver are both military veterans, political junkies, and whiskey lovers who sit on opposite sides of the aisle but have one thing in common: they love the United States of America.
Truth in the Barrel was born of Amy & Denver’s commitment to country, the Constitution, and a well-curated collection of the world’s finest bourbon.
Join them weekly for deep dives into timely topics, interviews with recognizable guests, and a dose of call-in fun.
Visit Our Website:
Subscribe to Truth in the Barrel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TruthIntheBarrel
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0JQcSj5mwVyGDJ8DcXwlu9?si=5f2bd1d1b0c64e6f
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-in-the-barrel/id1804092329
Instagram, BlueSky, Facebook, TikTok:
@TruthintheBarrel
Visit Our Substack :
In this episode of Truth in the Barrel, Denver joins us from Greenland as Amy talks about the murder of Alex Pretti at the hands of Kristi Noem’s incompetent ICE agents. Also, Greenland kicks out a MAGA influencer campaign that attempted to win over hearts and minds. What do they think of America right now?
Chapters
00:00 Murder In Minnesota
16:24 TiB In Greenland
About Truth in the Barrel:
Amy and Denver are both military veterans, political junkies, and whiskey lovers who sit on opposite sides of the aisle but have one thing in common: they love the United States of America.
Truth in the Barrel was born of Amy & Denver’s commitment to country, the Constitution, and a well-curated collection of the world’s finest bourbon.
Join them weekly for deep dives into timely topics, interviews with recognizable guests, and a dose of call-in fun.
Visit Our Website:
Subscribe to Truth in the Barrel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TruthIntheBarrel
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0JQcSj5mwVyGDJ8DcXwlu9?si=5f2bd1d1b0c64e6f
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-in-the-barrel/id1804092329
Instagram, BlueSky, Facebook, TikTok:
@TruthintheBarrel
Visit Our Substack :
This conversation delves into the critical role of school nutrition in enhancing student learning and overall well-being. Amy speaks with Julia Bauscher, a former director of school and community nutrition services, discusses the various school meal programs, their benefits, and the challenges faced in providing healthy meals to students. The dialogue also addresses misconceptions about school meals and underscores the need for federal support to ensure all children have access to nutritious food.
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of School Nutrition
08:16 Understanding School Meal Programs
16:17 Challenges in School Nutrition
22:44 Misconceptions About School Meals
About Truth in the Barrel:
Amy and Denver are both military veterans, political junkies, and whiskey lovers who sit on opposite sides of the aisle but have one thing in common: they love the United States of America.
Truth in the Barrel was born of Amy & Denver’s commitment to country, the Constitution, and a well-curated collection of the world’s finest bourbon.
Join them weekly for deep dives into timely topics, interviews with recognizable guests, and a dose of call-in fun.
Visit Our Website:
Subscribe to Truth in the Barrel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TruthIntheBarrel
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0JQcSj5mwVyGDJ8DcXwlu9?si=5f2bd1d1b0c64e6f
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-in-the-barrel/id1804092329
Instagram, BlueSky, Facebook, TikTok:
@TruthintheBarrel
Visit Our Substack :
This Week Unfiltered 01.22.26 w Rick Wilson
In this episode of Truth in the Barrel, Amy is joined by Rick Wilson as they discuss the recent Davos speech by President Trump, reactions from Reagan Republicans, NATO's resilience, the impact of tariffs, and the influence of Russian disinformation. They also touch on Canada's trade deal with China, the need for political accountability, and the implications of stock trading by lawmakers.
About Truth in the Barrel:
Amy and Denver are both military veterans, political junkies, and whiskey lovers who sit on opposite sides of the aisle but have one thing in common: they love the United States of America.
Truth in the Barrel was born of Amy & Denver’s commitment to country, the Constitution, and a well-curated collection of the world’s finest bourbon.
Join them weekly for deep dives into timely topics, interviews with recognizable guests, and a dose of call-in fun.
Visit Our Website:
Subscribe to Truth in the Barrel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TruthIntheBarrel
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0JQcSj5mwVyGDJ8DcXwlu9?si=5f2bd1d1b0c64e6f
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-in-the-barrel/id1804092329
Instagram, BlueSky, Facebook, TikTok:
@TruthintheBarrel
Visit Our Substack :
On this episode of Truth in the Barrel, Amy speaks with Larry Totten, the president of the Kentucky Public Retirees, to discuss the pressing challenges faced by retirees in Kentucky, particularly those relying on the state pension system. The conversation highlights the stark reality that many retirees have not seen an increase in their pensions since 2011, despite rising living costs. Totten emphasizes the importance of advocating for a '13th check'—a one-time payment to help retirees cope with inflation and the increasing cost of living.
Larry Totten is running for KERS Trustee In Kentucky. For more information go to : https://www.kyret.ky.gov/About/Board-Elections/Pages/default.aspx
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Kentucky's Pension Crisis
03:21The State of Retirees in Kentucky
05:38 Rising Costs and the Need for a 13th Check
10:11 Understanding Pension Funding and Liabilities
14:01 The Importance of Advocacy for Retirees
16:30 Larry Totten's Run for Office
19:04 Final Thoughts on Retiree Advocacy
About Truth in the Barrel:
Amy and Denver are both military veterans, political junkies, and whiskey lovers who sit on opposite sides of the aisle but have one thing in common: they love the United States of America.
Truth in the Barrel was born of Amy & Denver’s commitment to country, the Constitution, and a well-curated collection of the world’s finest bourbon.
Join them weekly for deep dives into timely topics, interviews with recognizable guests, and a dose of call-in fun.
Visit Our Website:
Subscribe to Truth in the Barrel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TruthIntheBarrel
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0JQcSj5mwVyGDJ8DcXwlu9?si=5f2bd1d1b0c64e6f
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-in-the-barrel/id1804092329
Instagram, BlueSky, Facebook, TikTok:
@TruthintheBarrel
Visit Our Substack :
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