BY JON HODGIN | JUNE 29, 2026 This week, our nation reaches a milestone that few experiments in human history ever achieve: 250 years of independence. As the fireworks light up the sky and we gather around grills with our families, it is easy to look back at the founding of America through a romanticized, textbook lens. We see statues of pristine men in powdered wigs and think of liberty as an inevitable conclusion. But history tells a much grittier story. In the summer of 17

BY JON HODGIN | JUNE 22, 2026 I’ve spent a lot of time on rivers over the years. Whether navigating the intense whitewater in Colorado or taking an epic, freezing-cold trek down the Buffalo River here in Arkansas, I’ve learned a universal truth about moving water: The moment you stop paddling, you lose control. On a river, there is no such thing as holding your ground. If you pull your paddle out of the water to just float and relax, the current takes over. At best, it allows

I met with some fellow warriors this morning and was presented with a great topic. We’ve all been there. Your partner comes to you, venting about a stressful day or a frustrating spat with a friend. Before they’ve even finished their second sentence, your brain is already firing at 100 mph. You’re calculating logistics, identifying the "root cause," and preparing a three-point plan to make the problem go away. In your mind, you’re being a hero. In their mind, they just wanted