Mea Culpa

On this episode of Mea Culpa, Michael Cohen sits down with Axios political reporter Marc Caputo for an inside look at the stories shaping Washington and the Trump administration. Drawing on years of reporting and deep sources throughout the political world, Caputo discusses the latest developments inside Trump World, the state of the Republican Party, the road to the midterm elections, and what ma...

On this episode of Mea Culpa, Michael Cohen is joined by legal analyst Dave Aronberg to discuss the latest escalation in the Middle East as the bombing continues and tensions show little sign of easing. Together, they examine the legal, political, and geopolitical implications of the ongoing conflict, the Trump administration's response, and what these developments could mean for the United States...

In this episode of Mea Culpa, Michael Cohen sits down with intelligence and national security expert Malcolm Nance for a timely conversation. As tensions continue to rise overseas and political leaders struggle to define exactly what the United States is involved in, Cohen and Nance break down the growing uncertainty surrounding the Iran conflict, military strategy, global consequences, and the le...

In this episode of Mea Culpa, Michael Cohen sits down with Dr. Emma Belcher, one of the world's leading experts on nuclear security, for a sobering conversation about the growing risks facing the globe. From escalating international tensions and nuclear deterrence to the possibility of miscalculation, conflict, and catastrophe, Cohen and Dr. Belcher discuss what keeps national security experts awa...

In this episode of Mea Culpa, Michael Cohen sits down with Steve Cohen for a candid conversation about the state of Congress, the challenges facing American democracy, and the growing political divisions shaping the country. From battles on Capitol Hill and questions of accountability to the future of elections, government oversight, and the rule of law, Cohen and Congressman Cohen discuss the iss...

In this episode of Mea Culpa, Michael Cohen sits down with Dave Aronberg to discuss the growing controversy surrounding Trump’s proposed $1.7 billion “weaponization fund.” Who qualifies for compensation? Where would taxpayer money actually go? And could this become one of the most legally and politically explosive issues in Washington? Cohen and Aronberg break down the legal arguments, political f...

In this episode of Mea Culpa, Michael Cohen sits down with Dan Abrams for a wide-ranging conversation on the intersection of law, media, and politics in America today. From high-profile investigations and courtroom battles to the growing influence of cable news and social media on public perception, Cohen and Abrams break down how narratives are shaped—and how trust in institutions continues to er...

In this episode of Mea Culpa, Michael Cohen sits down with journalist and author Vicky Ward for a sharp, unfiltered conversation about the growing list of disasters at the podium—from chaotic press conferences and political spin to the breakdown of credibility in public leadership. Together, they examine how messaging failures, evasive answers, and performative politics are shaping public trust an...

In this episode, Michael Cohen sits down with journalist and political analyst Brian Karem to explore what they see as the “rebranding” of America—both at home and on the world stage. From shifting political narratives and domestic division to changing alliances and global perception, the conversation dives into how the United States is being redefined in real time. Cohen and Karem break down the...

In this episode of Mea Culpa, Michael Cohen sits down with legal expert Nick Akerman to break down the growing sense of chaos unfolding across the United States. From political instability to legal battles and escalating national tensions, they dive into what’s driving the uncertainty—and what it could mean for the country moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...

Michael Cohen sits down with Virginia Solomon for a candid conversation about voting rights, ballot access, and the growing challenges facing American democracy. In this episode, they break down the real-world impact of election laws, who gets left out of the process, and what it all means heading into the next election cycle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Cohen sits down with Maria Cardona to break down Donald Trump’s recent 19-minute address to the nation—and why many are questioning what was actually said. From repeated talking points that mirror his Truth Social posts to ongoing confusion surrounding the U.S.–Iran conflict, Cohen and Cardona unpack the messaging, the contradictions, and the bigger picture behind a war that’s becoming inc...

In this episode, Michael Cohen sits down with Richard Ojeda for a no-holds-barred conversation about what it truly means to serve your country. From their shared perspectives on leadership and accountability to the growing frustration with politics as usual in Washington, the two dive deep into the state of the nation and the values they believe are missing from today’s leadership. It’s a candid,...

In this episode, Michael Cohen sits down with journalist and bestselling author Michael Wolff for a wide-ranging conversation about the lawsuit involving Melania Trump and the broader dynamics inside Trump world. Wolff breaks down the details of the case, what’s at stake, and how it fits into the larger pattern of legal battles surrounding Donald Trump and his inner circle. The discussion also exp...

In this episode of the podcast, Michael Cohen and Brian Karem take a hard look at the growing divisions tearing through American politics and society. From escalating global conflicts to deepening partisan warfare at home, the country feels more fractured than ever. Michael and Brian break down the dangerous consequences of a nation increasingly defined by political tribalism, misinformation, and...

Michael’s first guest in this new era is Malcolm Nance, a globally recognized intelligence and national security expert, bestselling author, and former U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer specializing in counterterrorism and intelligence operations. Nance has spent decades analyzing global threats, advising on national security, and providing insight into geopolitical strategy. He is also the aut...

Today on Mea Culpa, we’re revisiting a conversation from August with Army veteran, former congressional candidate, and democracy advocate Marcus Flowers. Together, we examined Donald Trump’s accelerating authoritarian instincts, from secret meetings with Vladimir Putin and sidelining U.S. allies to weaponizing the Department of Justice against critics. Grounded in Flowers’ military and national se...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m revisiting a conversation with Ally Sammarco, political strategist, consultant, and content creator, to look back at Trump’s speech before Congress one year ago, and why it offers critical insight into his State of the Union address this week. Together, Ally and I broke down the dangerous patterns in Trump’s rhetoric, governing style, and reliance on fear and spectacle, and...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m revisiting a November conversation with journalist and author Vicky Ward, whose reporting on Jeffrey Epstein long predated the current document releases. When we first spoke, the Epstein transparency bill had just passed; now, with portions of the files finally public, this conversation carries new weight. Ward has explained the threats Epstein made against her, her husband...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m revisiting a September conversation with Charlie Sykes, political commentator, author of “How the Right Lost Its Mind,” and MSNBC contributor. While the specific Trump controversies have changed, the nature of his leadership and the damage he causes have not. Then, the First Amendment alarms centered around Jimmy Kimmel; now, it’s Don Lemon and Georgia Fort. We also discuss...

Today on Mea Culpa, I sit down with Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, senior associate dean at Yale School of Management, founder of the Chief Executive Leadership Institute, and author of the forthcoming book Trump’s Ten Commandments, to examine Donald Trump’s leadership style through the lens of corporate power and institutional behavior. An early critic dating back to The Apprentice, Sonnenfeld draws on deca...

Today on Mea Culpa, I’m joined by Nick Akerman, former Assistant Special Watergate Prosecutor and Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to break down Attorney General Pam Bondi’s recent hearing and what it reveals about the state of our government. We discuss accountability, prosecutorial power, and the growing strain the Trump administration has placed on the rule of law....

Today on Mea Culpa, I am looking back at a past conversation with former ambassador, legal analyst, and founder and executive chair of the Democracy Defenders Fund, Norm Eisen. Back in August, we examined the Trump administration’s ongoing failure to deliver transparency and accountability, especially in the case of Jeffrey Epstein. While the DOJ has released millions of Epstein-related documents...

Today on Mea Culpa, I revisit an earlier conversation with new urgency. Back in September, I sat down with Dr. Steven Hassan, mental health expert, author, and host of the Cults, Culture & Coercion podcast, to examine how MAGA functions less like a political movement and more like a system of psychological control. Drawing on his own experience surviving the Moonies cult and decades of research in...

Today on Mea Culpa, I sit down with Matthew VanDyke, founder of Sons of Liberty International, security analyst, foreign fighter, and filmmaker, for a sobering conversation about escalating ICE operations in Minneapolis and what they reveal about the future of federal power in America. Drawing on his experience covering conflict zones around the world, VanDyke explains why the tactics being deploy...