The MiddleGround Mic

Full Episode Release October 24th! 👉Sign up for the Newsletter https://www.themiddlegroundmic.com/newslette r Portland, Antifa, and America’s protest divide — The MiddleGround Mic breaks through the noise. Joe Steagall sits down with activist Luis Enrique Marquez to unpack what’s really happening behind the headlines. No spin. No sides. Just truth.  This episode is brought to you by Brio. Most tr...

Full Episode Release October 22nd!  SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER BELOW! 👉 Full VIdeo Episode Youtube : https://youtu.be/qx4qMyk6SuE 👉 Check out our new YouTube Segments playlist : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT8S268aAty7N99fFg0UHSC_t9FRhRHlF  This episode dives into Project 2029 — a bold but controversial roadmap for America’s future — and examines how the U.S. budget process gives us t...

👉Sign up for the Newsletter https://www.themiddlegroundmic.com/newsletter 👉Full Video Episode Youtube: https://youtu.be/SgXiaIM5EbY This week’s Finding The Middle: Monday Edition dives deep into what Americans are actually searching for — from democracy fears to shutdown frustrations, from Ukraine’s fate to AI’s influence on our elections. 📊 Using real-time Google Trends data, host Joseph Steag...

👉Sign up for the Newsletter https://www.themiddlegroundmic.com/newsletter 👉Full Episode Youtube: https://youtu.be/35e_9gVDHI4 This week’s Finding The Middle — Local Edition covers what Michiganders actually searched for: Lansing’s new bipartisan budget deal “No Kings” protests in Detroit and across the state Power reliability credits for DTE & Consumers Energy customers Detroit FC’s stadium...

Full Episode Release October 22nd! 👉Full Episode Youtube: https://youtu.be/qx4qMyk6SuE 👉Full Episode Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2465711/episodes/18038250 The video sparks viewers to **question** **authority** and engage in **critical thinking**. It highlights the importance of independent thought in a healthy **democracy**, especially when interpreting **channel 4 news**. Consider th...

Full Episode Release October 17th! 👉Sign up for the Newsletter https://www.themiddlegroundmic.com/newsletter 👉Full Episode Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2465711/episodes/18020390 The journalism landscape is changing, with more insiders sharing **secrets** than ever before. New **news** is surfacing thanks to greater **whistleblower protections**. This shift raises important **ethics** q...

What if your opinions — and even your vote — weren’t really your own? In this episode, The MiddleGround Mic dives into the invisible tech forces shaping democracy. Journalist and author Jacob Ward explains how algorithms, social media, and AI influence political behavior and decision-making in ways we barely notice. 💡 Takeaways: AI and social media engineer division Tech companies’ political lean...

Full Episode Release October 17th! 👉Sign up for the Newsletter https://www.themiddlegroundmic.com/newsletter 👉Full Episode Youtube:https://youtu.be/LeY5WyjLN0Q 👉Full Episode Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2465711/episodes/18020390 The human brain utilizes **brain shortcuts** to navigate daily routines, often relying on **heuristics** for quick **decision making**. This can lead to inter...

Full Episode Release October 17th! 👉Sign up for the Newsletter https://www.themiddlegroundmic.com/newsletter 👉Full Episode Youtube:https://youtu.be/LeY5WyjLN0Q 👉Full Episode Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2465711/episodes/18020390 This analysis looks at how **biased news** impacts public perception. We touch on the role of **social media** in shaping opinions, and how different **news c...

Full Episode Release October 17th! 👉Sign up for the Newsletter https://www.themiddlegroundmic.com/newsletter 👉Full Episode Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2465711/episodes/18020390 👉Full Episode Youtube: https://youtu.be/LeY5WyjLN0Q The discussion explores how **artificial intelligence** and **machine learning** are shaping our world. From advancements in **robotics** to concerns about *...

🎧 Listen ad-free & support the show: buzzsprout.com/2465711/support SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER: https://www.themiddlegroundmic.com/newsletter A deep dive into the explosive 2,900-page Politico report exposing hateful, racist, and antisemitic messages exchanged by Young Republican leaders across multiple states. Host Joe from The MiddleGround Mic breaks down what’s real, what’s verified, and h...

In this powerful episode of The MiddleGround Mic , host Joe Steagall sits down with Lisa Ekman , author of Deprogramming Democrats & unEducating the Elites . https://deprogrammingdemocrats.com/ Lisa spent over two decades in Washington as a Democratic lobbyist before experiencing a profound political shift during the COVID era. Her story dives deep into how fear, media control, and money in po...

FULL EPISODE OCTOBER 15th In this episode, Joe Steagall exposes how both parties, media outlets, and algorithms reinforce emotional addiction to outrage. Discover how to “deprogram” from partisan thinking, reconnect with truth, and find your own independent voice. This episode is brought to you by Brio. Most trimmers are built to fail after a year or two. Loose guards. Weak batteries. Uneven cuts....

FULL EPISODE RELEASES October 15th! Joe Steagall sits down with Lisa Ekman to explore how both the left and right establishment protect their own power — not the truth.  From joking that “facts have a left-wing bias” to seeing media bias firsthand, Lisa’s reflection hits at the heart of America’s trust crisis. 🎧 Listen now and support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2465711/support  📰 Subsc...

🚨 America is on edge. The government’s shut down. Federal workers are being fired. A fragile Gaza ceasefire is hanging by a thread. President Trump just reignited trade tensions with China — and a military coup in Madagascar is sending shockwaves through Africa. 🎙️ Joe Steagall , host of The MiddleGround Mic , breaks down the chaos — cutting through spin, partisanship, and propaganda. In this epi...

The stakes are high in Michigan — and compromise has never looked more dangerous. SUPPORT THE SHOW! CHECK LINKS BELOW! 👉 Sign up for our newsletter for push alerts, transcripts & behind-the-scenes 👉 https://www.themiddlegroundmic.com/newsletter In this full episode of Finding the Middle: Local Edition , join Joe from The MiddleGround Mic as he dissects how Lansing’s $81 billion state budget...

🚨 Stop scrolling — and go to TheMiddleGroundMic.com right now. Sign up for the newsletter , and subscribe on Buzzsprout Premium for ad-free, exclusive episodes that the mainstream won’t touch. 🎙️ Hosted by Joe Steagall , The MiddleGround Mic is one of Apple’s Top 10 News Commentary Podcasts , where politics meets truth — without tribalism. From CIA insiders to community leaders, this is where Ame...

 👉 Start now and make healthy habits effortless SUPPORT US AND THE FRESH MOUTH CLUB USE THE  REFERRAL  LINK BELOW! 👉 https://www.freshmouth.club/?ref=ohqfxiwv You’ve got enough to juggle — your toothbrush shouldn’t be one of them.   Fresh Mouth Club delivers fresh oral care automatically, so you never run out and never fall behind. SUPPORT US AND THE FRESH MOUTH CLUB USE THE REFFERAL LINK BELOW!...

 Joe and Nathan Smolenski dig deep into America’s polarized momen t — from media distrust to the rise of political homelessness — and explore what it takes to find common ground in 2025. They also connect mental health struggles, economic pressures, and the need for a viable third party that represents the “ politically homeless. ”   If you’re tired of the noise and ready for real conversations, s...

Michigan’s new $81B budget is finally done — but does it actually help everyday people?  Joe breaks down the facts: more money for schools, free lunches staying, a new marijuana tax for roads, and small tax cuts for working families.  We’ll also talk about what got trimmed, who’s calling it a win, and what Michiganders should watch next. 💡 Join the newsletter for all show updates and behind-the-s...

In this episode of The MiddleGround Mic , author Mark Smoler discusses his book The Clinton Consequences and the lasting impact of the Clinton era on American politics and culture. We cover: Why respect and authenticity are crucial in today’s political discourse How echo chambers damage open dialogue The role of media influence in shaping public perception The importance of parenting & teachin...

Office politics. Leadership. Burnout. Communication. In this episode of The MiddleGround Mic , Joe talks with TEDx Speaker Amit about navigating the challenges of modern workplaces while staying authentic and resilient. What you’ll learn: Why perception often becomes reality in leadership The CCC Framework—Calm, Clear, Collaborate—for effective communication Tools to build leadership confidence an...

We break down America’s week ahead with no spin, no echo chambers — just real talk that puts solutions and community first. 🇺🇸 #TheMiddleGroundMic #FindingTheMiddle #America #SundayEdition #ForwardTogether This episode is brought to you by Brio. Most trimmers are built to fail after a year or two. Loose guards. Weak batteries. Uneven cuts. The Brio Beardscape V1 changes that completely with a cera...

 Can laughter really heal our divides? In this inspiring conversation, multifaceted artist Scott Grace shows how humor, poetry, and vulnerability can transform political and personal dialogue. From confronting the “MYHY virus” (Make You Hate Yourself) to uncovering the shared desires behind different political strategies, Scott reminds us that peace begins within — and spreads outward. This is mor...

What happens when a mergers and acquisitions lawyer walks away from corporate success to confront trauma, conflict, and systemic failure? In this powerful episode, Leah Brown shares her journey from chaotic beginnings to becoming a mediator and advocate for restorative justice. Leah unpacks how childhood trauma shapes adult lives, why COVID-19 worsened mental health struggles, and how institutiona...