Advertise on podcast: The Porcupine Report with Eric Brakey

Eric welcomes the Free State Project’s newly elected board chair, Pedro Serra, for a conversation about building liberty in New Hampshire. They explore how the state’s independent spirit and engaged community create opportunities for individuals to make a lasting difference. With Election Day approaching, they highlight civic participation, grassroots activism, and the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone. Looking beyond any single election, they consider what it takes to strengthen the movement and build a freer future.

Eric sits down with longtime Free State activist and State Representative Dan McGuire to reflect on two decades of the Free State Project, New Hampshire politics, and the movement's growth. They discuss what makes New Hampshire's citizen legislature unique, the impact dedicated individuals can have, and the many ways people contribute to advancing liberty beyond elected office. The conversation also explores lessons from Dan's years of public service, the importance of community, and why New Hampshire continues to attract people who want to build a freer society. Eric also shares updates on Free State Project initiatives, upcoming events, and the organization's current fundraising efforts.

Eric Brakey welcomes political commentator Jack Hunter to the Porcupine Report for a candid discussion about the state of American politics and the future of the liberty movement. They explore growing frustration with the Republican Party, shifting political alliances, and what the upcoming midterm elections could mean for advocates of limited government. Despite their concerns about the national political landscape, they discuss opportunities for a new wave of grassroots activism and political change. Plus, updates from the Free State Project and the continued growth of New Hampshire’s liberty community.

What does it really feel like to live in New Hampshire’s growing liberty community? Eric sits down with Dennis Pratt to talk about why experiencing the Free State firsthand can be so different from simply hearing about it from afar. They explore the communities, friendships, affinity groups, and opportunities that have developed as thousands of liberty-minded people have made New Hampshire home. Dennis also shares how prospective movers can plan a visit, connect with people who share their interests, and get a taste of everyday life in the Free State.

Stephen Nass joins Eric to talk about the opening of a new Shell clubhouse in Rollinsford and a new initiative aimed at expanding the community. The Shell is proposing a $100 annual membership—just $8.33 a month—if 250 people commit, a significant reduction from the current $50 monthly membership. Stephen explains the idea behind the new model, plans for the clubhouse, and the broader goal of creating a sustainable gathering place for New Hampshire’s liberty community.

Eric talks with Mike Sertic, president of the Advocates for Self-Government, about liberty, political identity, and what self-government can look like in practice. They explore the history and impact of the World’s Smallest Political Quiz, changing political attitudes, and the limitations of the traditional left-right spectrum. The conversation also looks at New Hampshire’s growing liberty community and how principles of self-management and individual responsibility can shape businesses, organizations, and education. They discuss what it takes to build cultures based on trust, accountability, and voluntary cooperation rather than traditional command-and-control structures.

Eric welcomes Ryan Minniti of Live Free Academy to explore what it means to “exit and build” in an increasingly centralized and surveilled world. They discuss practical ways individuals can build greater independence through stronger communities, privacy technology, alternative currencies, local food systems, and more self-sufficient ways of living. The conversation also looks at the opportunities and risks presented by emerging technologies like AI and cryptocurrency, and why local relationships and decentralized alternatives may matter more than ever. Ryan also shares the vision behind the upcoming Exit and Build gathering and its focus on helping people turn ideas about freedom and sovereignty into practical action. Learn more about Live Free Academy at: https://livefree.academy

The votes are in, and New Hampshire’s 2026 primary election has set the stage for November. State Rep. Michael Granger joins us live to break down the results, the races that caught his attention, and what they could mean for the political landscape across the Granite State. We’ll look at key contests from the top of the ticket to the State House and discuss where New Hampshire politics goes from here. Tune in live for analysis, reaction, and a look ahead to the general election.

Eric returns from a busy month of travel and outreach with an update on the Free State Project’s efforts to connect with liberty-minded people beyond New Hampshire. He reflects on the Tom Woods Cruise, the growing interest in the Free State movement, and the importance of building relationships with potential future movers. Eric also responds to recent media coverage and criticism while looking ahead at the movement’s expanding outreach across the Northeast.  Article mentioned in this episode: https://indepthnh.org/2026/08/25/free-state-project-looks-to-connect-with-people-in-nearby-states-though-critics-are-wary/

Eric shares his journey from grassroots activism and elected office to his work building the Free State Project during a talk at the Midwest Peace and Liberty Festival in Michigan. He explores how concentrating liberty-minded people in one place has helped create both political influence and a growing culture centered on individual freedom, voluntary cooperation, and community. The discussion highlights the movement’s efforts to turn libertarian ideas into practical alternatives through politics, education, entrepreneurship, cryptocurrency, homesteading, and other grassroots initiatives. Brakey ultimately makes the case that lasting change comes not only from elections, but from building strong communities and institutions that can demonstrate what a freer society looks like in practice.

Eric is joined by David Fite and Ryan Brennan to discuss the growing liberty movement and the importance of building strong, connected communities beyond New Hampshire. David and Ryan share how the Midwest Peace and Liberty Festival has grown from a gathering of friends into a hub for libertarians across the region, and how it connects with the broader Free State movement. They also discuss creating a culture centered on practical skills, self-sufficiency, parallel economies, and turning liberty-minded ideas into action. Plus, Eric shares updates on Free State Project outreach and opportunities for people to connect with the movement.

Eric talks with Jody Underwood of EdOpt about New Hampshire’s newly expanded homeschooling freedom and the growing range of educational options available to families. They discuss Education Freedom Accounts, private and charter schools, microschools, and the misconceptions that often keep parents from exploring alternatives to traditional public education. They also contrast New Hampshire’s approach with increasing restrictions in states like Connecticut and explain why educational freedom continues to attract families to the Free State.

Eric talks with Nikki Sunshine about the upcoming Family Planning Weekend, an event designed to introduce prospective movers to New Hampshire's family-focused community and opportunities. They also discuss why New Hampshire has become a destination for families seeking greater freedom, stronger communities, and more choices when it comes to raising children. Along the way, they explore the unique culture being built in the Free State, the value of connecting with like-minded families, and the many resources available for parents.

Speaking at the Libertarian National Convention in Grand Rapids, Eric shares how the Free State Project has transformed New Hampshire into a proving ground for libertarian ideas by encouraging thousands of liberty-minded people to relocate and get involved in their communities. He explains why he believes concentrating activists in one state has produced meaningful political, cultural, and economic change that would be difficult to achieve through scattered national efforts. Brakey also discusses why state and local action offers a more effective path to advancing liberty than focusing on Washington, D.C. The talk concludes with an audience Q&A covering grassroots organizing, political strategy, and the future of the liberty movement. Special thanks to Ethan Mathis for providing his recording of the event.

Eric talks with Australian libertarian activist Jordan Dittloff to discuss the state of liberty movements in Australia and the United States. The conversation explores Australia's increasingly centralized political climate, the lasting impact of COVID-era policies, and why New Hampshire's Free State Project stands out as a unique model for building real-world communities around shared values. Jordan reflects on his visit to New Hampshire, sharing his impressions of its culture, activism, and sense of possibility. Together, they examine whether concentrating like-minded people in one place may be the most effective path toward advancing freedom in an increasingly authoritarian world.