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.
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Copyright: © 2025
In this episode, Amy sits down with Kentucky soybean farmer Jim Wade to talk about how the ongoing trade war with China is hitting America’s heartland. From skyrocketing equipment costs to disappearing export markets, Jim shares how chaotic tariff policies and political dysfunction are threatening the survival of small family farms. We also dive into the ripple effects on healthcare, immigrant labor, and Kentucky’s broader economy — from soybeans to bourbon.
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.
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Subscribe to Truth in the Barrel:
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We all woke up to the news that President Trump wants to begin testing our nuclear weapons again, something we haven’t done since 1992. He claims other countries are testing theirs. How much does he really understand about our nuclear program or anyone else’s for that matter. Amy is joined by the Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Joel Rubin to talk about this and more!
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:
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@TruthintheBarrel
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Today we’re taking an UNFILTERED look at what is no doubt a new nuclear moment in American history. Do our allies still trust us? What is the current administration doing to further nuclear nonproliferation? Amy speaks with Adam Scheinman, former Special Representative of the President for Nuclear Nonproliferation within the Bureau of International Security at the State Department about the current state of our nuclear affairs.
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
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Congress has been on recess for two full months this year —meanwhile still pulling in their salaries while half the country can’t pay their bills, and members of our own military are waiting in line at food banks due to the shutdown.
And while that’s happening, Trump is waving Article Two like a magic wand — saying it gives him power to do whatever he wants. We’ve got Immigration agents arresting American citizens in ICE raids, and the East Wing of the White House is being torn apart to make room for a $200 million ballroom. Nicole Malachowski joins Amy this week on Truth in The Barrel Unfiltered!
Chapters :
02:48 Civil Politics
07:15 The Harry Potter Presidency?
16:20 The Koo-Koo Clock Press Corp
30:00 Quick Shots
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
How much misinformation is being dumped on the Internet? Who is responsible and how can we better protect ourselves? Amy is joined by Professor Renee DiResta, author of the book, Invisible Rulers to answer all of these questions and more!
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.
Learn more about Renee!
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 compelling episode, retired Major General Steve Lepper joins host Amy McGrath to discuss the growing politicization of the U.S. military and the erosion of its apolitical foundation. With 35 years of service, including time as legal counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and advisor to seven presidents, Gen. Lepper brings a sharp legal and ethical perspective on how recent events threaten military professionalism, civilian oversight, and constitutional norms. Together, they unpack:
Topics Covered:
If you care about the future of our democracy and the integrity of our armed forces, *like, subscribe, and share* this episode. Follow Truth in the Barrel on YouTube and social platforms for more deep-dive conversations.
Amy speaks a diverse group of voters of all ages at Morehead State University about the issues they care about most. Amy talks healthcare, college tuition, civil liberties, domestic violence and the national longing for civility itself. You do not want to miss this episode.
Chapters :
05:42 Where Do You Get Your News?
12:20 Which Direction Is The Country Heading?
14:25 The Attack On Education
17:25 What Do We Want From Our Leaders?
31:44 When They Lie Straight To Your Bones
43:54 Running For Office As A Woman
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 speaks with Author and Professor Michael O’ Hanlan who is also senior fellow in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution, where he specializes in U.S. defense strategy, the use of military force, and American national security policy. Together they cover talk about the Pentagon under Pete Hegseth, deploying the military in our cities and much more.
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 flies solo and takes Pete Hegseth and his “male standard” to task before fact checking Donald Trump’s claims made in front of a stoic audience of our military’s top brass. Amy then talks about the Republican government shut down. Whose effected and who suffers most?
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 and Denver are joined by Dr. Marianne McGrath to talk Tylenol and irresponsible press conferences. They then do a deep dive on Trump’s insane U.N speech before tackling the Homan bribery incident and more!
Chapters :
01:10 The Tylenol Presser
22:38 Trump’s Open Mic Night At The U.N
31:07 Homan’s Big Bribe
35:35 The Whiskey Minute
38:33 Quick Shots
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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