The Michael Steele Podcast

Michael speaks with Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II about our current democratic crisis and what we can do about it. The pair discuss the Poor People's Campaign, how the bible informs discussions on poverty, the impact of Build Back Better and how addressing voting rights and economic justice would transform our country.

Michael speaks with Reverend Al Sharpton about his new book, "Righteous Troublemakers: Untold Stories of the Social Justice Movement in America." The pair discuss the unsung heroes of our country, how activism has evolved, the importance of raising your voice for others and why the Reverend is still an activist today.

Michael speaks with Reginald Dwayne Betts about his path to becoming a poet, Yale Law School graduate and MacArthur Fellow after being incarcerated at age sixteen. The pair discuss Dwayne's organization Freedom Reads, the language of poetry, access to books and beauty, and how true change comes from seeing our shared humanity.

Michael speaks with George Takei about his American journey, from living in a U.S concentration camp as a child, to his interest in democracy as a teenager and his activism as an adult. The pair discuss George Takei's graphic memoir, "They Called Us Enemy," the importance of educating young Japanese-Americans about their history, and how science fiction often reflects our humanity and ability to advance as a society.

Michael speaks with Steven Pinker about his book, "Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters." The pair discuss who decides rationality, the prevalence of confirmation bias and tribalism, and the strength in changing one's mind when presented with new evidence.

Michael speaks with Kimberly Jones about her new book, "How We Can Win: Race, History and Changing the Money Game That's Rigged." The pair discuss legacy wealth, where the U.S education system falls short, Reconstruction 2.0 and how we can begin to repair our unequal system.

Michael speaks with Reverend Al Sharpton about his new book, "Righteous Troublemakers: Untold Stories of the Social Justice Movement in America." The pair discuss the unsung heroes of our country, how activism has evolved, the importance of raising your voice for others and why the Reverend is still an activist today.

Michael speaks with Laura Coates about her work as a civil rights attorney. Coates served as Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and a Trial Attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, specializing in the enforcement of voting rights throughout the United States. Her new book is "Just Pursuit: A Black Prosecutor’s Fight for Fairness."

Michael speaks with George Takei about his American journey, from living in a U.S concentration camp as a child, to his interest in democracy as a teenager and his activism as an adult. The pair discuss George Takei's graphic memoir, "They Called Us Enemy," the importance of educating young Japanese-Americans about their history, and how science fiction often reflects our humanity and ability to advance as a society.

Michael speaks with Professor Carol Anderson about white rage, where we get it wrong, and how it manifests in our country today. The pair also discuss voter suppression, how the 2nd Amendment is rooted in anti-Blackness and how looking to history shows us how we got here.

Michael speaks with Kimberly Jones about her new book, "How We Can Win: Race, History and Changing the Money Game That's Rigged." The pair discuss legacy wealth, where the U.S education system falls short, Reconstruction 2.0 and how we can begin to repair our unequal system.

Michael speaks with Brian Klaas about his new book, "CORRUPTIBLE: Who Gets Power & How it Changes Us." The pair discuss the psychology behind why we choose the leaders we choose, how power attracts the wrong type of people and why it's relevant to our current political system.

Michael speaks with Laura Coates about her work as a civil rights attorney. Coates served as Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and a Trial Attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, specializing in the enforcement of voting rights throughout the United States. Her new book is "Just Pursuit: A Black Prosecutor’s Fight for Fairness"

Michael speaks with Former Governor Chris Christie about what the Republican party stands for now that Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz have entered the arena. The pair discuss Trump's hold on the Republican base, why the GOP must not be a party of vendetta politics and who will be running in 2024.

Michael speaks with Professor Carol Anderson about white rage, where we get it wrong, and how it manifests in our country today. The pair also discuss voter suppression, how the 2nd Amendment is rooted in anti-Blackness and how looking to history shows us how we got here.

In part two of this interview, Michael speaks with Former Governor Chris Christie about accountability after January 6th, Liz Cheney's strategy in the GOP and the narratives perpetuated by Fox News.

Michael speaks with Steve Schmidt about Biden's first year in office, and where we are nearly a year since the January 6th, 2021 insurrection. Schmidt reminds us that history always moves forward, not back.

In part one of this interview, Michael speaks with Former Governor Chris Christie about what the Republican party stands for now that Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz have entered the arena. The pair discuss Trump's hold on the Republican base, why the GOP must not be a party of vendetta politics and who will be running in 2024.

Michael speaks with Rick Wilson about how Republicanism has diverged from Conservatism to become a party neither recognize. The pair discuss the lingering impact of Trumpism, future Lincoln Project plans, and how 2022 will decide the fate of 2024.

Michael speaks with Brian Klaas about his new book, "CORRUPTIBLE: Who Gets Power & How it Changes Us." The pair discuss the psychology behind why we choose the leaders we choose, how power attracts the wrong type of people and why it's relevant to our current political system.

Michael speaks with Steve Schmidt about Biden's first year in office, and where we are nearly a year since the January 6th, 2021 insurrection. Schmidt reminds us that history always moves forward, not back.

Michael speaks with Former Congressman Ed Towns about the Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion (STEP) Act. The pair discuss how the STEP Act would strip away legacy wealth and slow upward mobility for small businesses and Black and Brown communities.

Michael speaks with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi about the reluctance of US vaccine manufacturers to license their vaccines for manufacture around the world or otherwise make them available for developing nations.

Michael speaks with Rick Wilson about how Republicanism has diverged from Conservatism to become a party neither recognize. The pair discuss the lingering impact of Trumpism, future Lincoln Project plans, and how 2022 will decide the fate of 2024.

Michael talks with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The pair discuss Raffensperger's refusal to comply with then President Trump's direction to “find 11,780 votes.”

Michael speaks with Brian Klaas about his new book, "CORRUPTIBLE: Who Gets Power & How it Changes Us." The pair discuss the psychology behind why we choose the leaders we choose, how power attracts the wrong type of people and why it's relevant to our current political system.

Michael speaks with John McWhorter about his new book “WOKE RACISM:How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America”. The pair discuss the harm that is done by well-intentioned people bringing every conversation back to structural racism and an unachievable goal of eradicating all racism. This takes focus away from policies that will make black people's lives better right now.

Michael speaks with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi about the reluctance of US vaccine manufacturers to license their vaccines for manufacture around the world or otherwise make them available for developing nations. The pair also discuss investigations into the insurrection on January 6th.

Michael speaks with Shea Guillory about sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease that affects one in 365 African Americans.

Michael speaks with John MchWhorter about his new book “WOKE RACISM: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America”. The pair discuss the harm that is done by well-intentioned people bringing every conversation back to structural racism and an unachievable goal of eradicating all racism. This takes focus away from policies that will make black people's lives better right now.

Michael talks with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The pair discuss Raffensperger's refusal to comply with then President Trump's direction to “find 11,780 votes”.

Michael speaks with John MchWhorter about his new book “WOKE RACISM:How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America”. The pair discuss the harm that is done by well-intentioned people bringing every conversation back to structural racism and an unachievable goal of eradicating all racism. This takes focus away from policies that will make black people's lives better right now.

Michael talks with Democratic political strategist Maria Cardona and Republican political strategist Alice Stewart on what really happened in the elections this week. Alice and Maria's podcast, Hot Mics From Left To Right, can be found here: https://www.spreaker.com/show/hot-mics

Michael speaks with Arsalan Iftikhar. The pair discuss religious extremism of all sorts. What is needed is religion which actually brings all people together, not apart.

Michael speaks with Senator Ben Nelson about the Filibuster.

Michael's appearance on The Rick Ungar Show on October 13, 2021. The pair discuss the Democrat's legislative priorities. Michael points out that there is a lot of work to do on defense and repair of our democracy.

Michael speaks with Keith Boykin about the persistent disparities in the United States.

Michael speaks with Senator Ben Nelson about the loss of bipartisanship in the United States Senate. Partisanship has stifled the functioning of the institution.

Michael's appearance on The Rick Ungar Show on October 13, 2021. The pair discuss the Democrat's legislative priorities. Michael points out that there is a lot of work to do on defense and repair of our democracy.

Michael speaks with guest Jennifer Rubin about how women saved Democracy.

Michael speaks with Keith Boykin about the race to stop the darkening of America engaged in by some conservative white segments of the population. They discuss the relationship between Black people and the Republican party, including the question everyone is curious about: Why Michael is still a Republican.

Michael speaks with Jarrett Adams. Adams was wrongfully convicted of a crime at age 17 and sentenced to 28 years in a maximum-security prison. He used the injustice he endured as motivation to become an advocate and attorney for others facing similar injustice.

Michael speaks with guest Jennifer Rubin about how women saved Democracy.

In part 1 of this interview, Michael shares a warm and personal conversation with Tyler Merritt, who's new book "I Take My Coffee Black" delves into many facets of his life as a black man.

Michael speaks with Jarrett Adams. Adams was wrongfully convicted of a crime at age 17 and sentenced to 28 years in a maximum-security prison. He used the injustice he endured as motivation to become an advocate and attorney for others facing similar injustice.

Michael Speaks with human rights lawyer Arsalan Iftikhar. The pair discuss Muslims in America, the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory and much more.

In part 2 of this interview, Michael shares a warm and personal conversation with Tyler Merritt, whose new book "I Take My Coffee Black" delves into many facets of his life as a black man.

In part 1 of this interview, Michael shares a warm and personal conversation with Tyler Merritt, whose new book "I Take My Coffee Black" delves into many facets of his life as a black man.

Michael and guest Randall Kennedy have a nuanced conversation about race, and the various terms black people have used to identify themselves.

Michael and guest Alonzo Bodden enjoy some comic relief to all the crazy that is still going around.