Michael Steele speaks with Larry Wilmore, Emmy Award winner and television producer, comedian and writer. The pair discuss Trump's sneakers and relationship with the Black community, how our culture is reflected in music, television and film, discussing uncomfortable topics about race, Jon Stewart's return to The Daily Show and the importance of showing vulnerability amidst facing fears. Check out Larry's podcast, "Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air" here:...

This is an excerpt from the full episode "Beating Republicans at Their Own Game: With Rachel Bitecofer." Michael Steele speaks with Rachel Bitecofer, author of "HIT ‘EM WHERE IT HURTS: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game." The pair discuss what helped Democrats in the midterms in 2022, the art of branding "freedom" and how Dems can incorporate stronger, emotional messaging to win in 2024. Check out the book here:...

Michael Steele speaks with Bishop William J. Barber II, Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival. The pair discuss the moral failing of poverty— how it's the fourth leading cause of death in America and how mobilizing poor voters could transform elections in America. Check out The Poor People's Campaign here: https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/ If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend! Follow Bishop Barber...

This is an excerpt from the full episode "How Populist Rebels Changed Politics: With Joshua Green." Michael Steele speaks with best-selling author Joshua Green about his new book, "The Rebels: Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the Struggle for a New American Politics." The pair discuss how the populist movement emerged from the 2008 financial crisis and led to the rise of Warren, Bernie and AOC. They also discuss how the populist movement helped get Trump...

Michael Steele speaks with Tavis Smiley, entrepreneur, broadcaster, best-selling author, and host of Tavis Smiley, airing weekdays from 9am-12pmPT on KBLA Talk 1580. The pair discuss the impact of talk radio on politics and the importance of Black and independent radio. Plus, what listeners care about leading up to 2024, how Black men view the election and becoming a nation as good as its promise. If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend! Follow Tavis...

This is an excerpt from the full episode, "America Is Not What It Promised to Be: With Politics Girl." Michael Steele is joined by Leigh McGowan, also known as PoliticsGirl. They discuss the American Dream and framing politics in a way that everyone can understand. If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend! Follow Politics Girl @IAmPoliticsGirl Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele Follow the podcast @steele_podcast

Michael Steele speaks with Rachel Bitecofer, author of "HIT ‘EM WHERE IT HURTS: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game." The pair discuss what helped Democrats in the midterms in 2022, the art of branding "freedom" and how Dems can incorporate stronger, emotional messaging to win in 2024. Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Hit-Where-Hurts-Democracy-Republicans/dp/0593727142 If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a...

This is an excerpt from the full episode "The Right Has Drastically Changed Over Time: With Tina Nguyen." Michael Steele speaks with Tina Nguyen, author of The MAGA Diaries: My Surreal Adventures Inside the Right-Wing (And How I Got Out), about how the right and left are structured different from the fundamentals, working for Tucker Carlson, and her unique experiences as a conservative woman of color. Check out the book...

Michael Steele speaks with best-selling author Joshua Green about his new book, "The Rebels: Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the Struggle for a New American Politics." The pair discuss how the populist movement emerged from the 2008 financial crisis and led to the rise of Warren, Bernie and AOC. They also discuss how the populist movement helped get Trump elected in 2016 and what it might mean for 2024. Check out the book here:...

This is an excerpt from the full episode "The Weekend on MSNBC: With Alicia Menendez and Symone Sanders-Townsend." Michael Steele speaks with Alicia Menendez and Symone Sanders-Townsend, his co-hosts of the new MSNBC show, The Weekend, premiering Saturday, January 13th at 8amET. The trio discuss Nikki Haley omitting slavery as the cause of the Civil War and the minds of voters heading into 2024 The Weekend, hosted by Alicia Menendez, Symone Sanders-Townsend and Michael Steele, premieres...

This is an excerpt from the full episode "Who's On America's Side?: With Steve Schmidt" Michael Steele speaks with Steve Schmidt about how the disruptions that occurred in 2023 will shape 2024, the messaging of the Biden Administration and Democratic challengers such as Dean Philips. If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend! Follow Steve Schmidt @SteveSchmidtSES Follow Michael @MichaelSteele Follow the podcast @steele_podcast

Michael Steele speaks with Tina Nguyen, author of The MAGA Diaries: My Surreal Adventures Inside the Right-Wing (And How I Got Out), about how the right and left are structured different from the fundamentals, working for Tucker Carlson, and her unique experiences as a conservative woman of color. Check out the book here:https://www.amazon.com/MAGA-Diaries-Surreal-Adventures-Right-Wing/dp/198218969X If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend! Follow...

This is an excerpt from the full episode, "Giving Democracy Meaning: With George Takei [Rebroadcast]" 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...

Michael Steele speaks with Alicia Menendez and Symone Sanders-Townsend, his co-hosts of the new MSNBC show, The Weekend, premiering this Saturday, January 13th at 8amET. The trio discuss their reaction to getting the call to host a new weekend show together, how their personalities balance each other's voices and what The Weekend will look like as a show. They also discuss Nikki Haley omitting slavery as the cause of the Civil War, Elise Stefanik calling jailed January 6th rioters “hostages”...

Michael Steele speaks with Steve Schmidt about how the disruptions that occurred in 2023 will shape 2024, the messaging of the Biden Administration and Democratic challengers such as Dean Philips. If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend! Follow Steve Schmidt @SteveSchmidtSES Follow Michael @MichaelSteele Follow the podcast @steele_podcast

This is an excerpt from the full episode "Evangelicals in the Age of Political Extremism: With Tim Alberta." Michael Steele speaks with best-selling author Tim Alberta about his new book, "The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism." The pair discuss how Christian values in America have become enmeshed in MAGA politics, how the purpose of the church has been misinterpreted, what Tim observed on the American Restoration Tour and what being a Christian...

This is an excerpt from the full episode "America's Descent into Dysfunction: With Adam Kinzinger." Michael speaks with former Congressman Adam Kinzinger. Adam discusses serving on the January 6th Committee despite initially not wanting to, the leadership he witnessed on both the left and right, putting country over party and the news of Kevin McCarthy leaving office. Check out Adam's book, "Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country," here:...

Note: This episode was originally released in January 2022. 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. Check out the...

This is an excerpt from the full episode, Why We Did It: With Tim Miller, which originally aired in July 2022. Tim Miller joins The Michael Steele Podcast to discuss his new book, "Why We Did It: A Travelogue from the Republican Road to Hell." The pair discuss what it takes to be a player in "The Game," Tim's time working with Reince Priebus at the RNC and the kinds of Republicans involved in the transition to Trumpism, from "Little Mixers" like Chris Christie, to "Nerd-Revengers" like Sean...

Michael Steele speaks with best-selling author Tim Alberta about his new book, "The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism." The pair discuss how Christian values in America have become enmeshed in MAGA politics, how the purpose of the church has been misinterpreted, what Tim observed on the American Restoration Tour and what being a Christian means to him. Check out the book here:...

This is an excerpt from the full episode, "Protecting What Is Human in Artificial Intelligence: With Dr. Joy Buolamwini." Michael speaks with MIT researcher Dr. Joy Buolamwini about her book, "Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of Machines." The pair discuss who holds the power within AI and tech and how AI creates algorithmic biases, the impact of AI in elections, the consequences of facial identification and the ousting of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Check out the...

Michael speaks with former Congressman Adam Kinzinger. Adam discusses serving on the January 6th Committee despite initially not wanting to, the leadership he witnessed on both the left and right, putting country over party and the news of Kevin McCarthy leaving office. Check out Adam's book, "Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country," here: https://www.amazon.com/Renegade-Defending-Democracy-Liberty-Divided/dp/0593654161 Check out Adam's organization, Country First:...

This is an excerpt from the full episode, "Trump Trial, Supreme Court 'Ethics' & Thanksgiving Table Conversation: With Tom Nichols, Elie Mystal and Glenn Kirschner." Michael is joined by Tom Nichols, Elie Mystal and Glenn Kirschner for a barbershop discussion on current events and politics. They discuss why Democrats are better off without Joe Manchin, how Trump passed the line into fascism and what the Supreme Court "Code of Ethics" really means. If you enjoyed stopping by the...

Note: This episode originally aired in July 2022. Tim Miller joins The Michael Steele Podcast to discuss his new book, "Why We Did It: A Travelogue from the Republican Road to Hell." The pair discuss what it takes to be a player in "The Game," Tim's time working with Reince Priebus at the RNC, the struggle of compartmentalizing being a gay man and being a Republican and the kinds of Republicans involved in the transition to Trumpism, from "Messiahs" and "Little Mixers" like Chris Christie,...

This is an excerpt from the full episode "We've Been Here Before– America's Fight Against Fascism: With Rachel Maddow." Michael speaks with Rachel Maddow about her new book, "Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism." The pair discuss how modern-day efforts to undermine democracy have a prequel dating back to before and during World War II when an ultra-right authoritarian movement tried to steer our nation toward an alliance with the Nazis. Rachel describes the unsung heroes of that...