The Michael Steele Podcast

Michael sits down with Nancy G. Brinker, a leader of the global breast cancer movement and founder of the Susan G. Komen foundation. The pair discuss the war in Ukraine and how Nancy's experience as Chief Protocol and Ambassador to Hungary shaped her views of our current landscape and the influence of the U.S globally. They also talk about LGBTQ rights, enhancing civic education and the values of...

Michael speaks with former Congressman and CIA officer Will Hurd about his new book, "American Reboot: An Idealist’s Guide to Getting Big Things Done." The pair discuss restoring the Republican Party, China's long game and how the U.S can compete globally by improving its leadership and preparing for rapid technological advances. Check out Will's book here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/A...

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 NYT reporter Jeremy Peters about his new book, "Insurgency: How Republicans Lost Their Party and Got Everything They Ever Wanted." The pair contextualize the disintegration of the GOP, whether Trump's Faustian bargain was worth it, how the GOP may shift from Trump's to Marjorie Taylor Greene's party and the role the media played in all of it. Check out Jeremy's book here: https...

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 sits down with Nancy G. Brinker, a leader of the global breast cancer movement and founder of the Susan G. Komen foundation. The pair discuss the war in Ukraine and how Nancy's experience as Chief Protocol and Ambassador to Hungary shaped her views of our current landscape and the influence of the U.S globally. They also talk about LGBTQ rights, enhancing civic education and the values of...

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 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 a...

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 a...

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.