
The Michael Steele Podcast
The Michael Steele Podcast is a podcast hosted by former Republican National Committee Chairman and Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele. Each week, Michael moderates a barbershop style discussion about the key political and cultural issues of the day. Michael brings his experience as an MSNBC political analyst and from a lifetime in politics to a podcast which transcends traditional political boundaries in order to dig deep and find real solutions.
Latest episodes

Jun 3, 2025 • 1h 31min
Turning Democrats Into Fighters (with Eugene Daniels, Rick Wilson, April Ryan & Jason Johnson)
Michael Steele is joined by some of his favorite past guests for a special live stream barbershop episode to wrap up the podcast before it goes on hiatus.
Eugene Daniels, Rick Wilson, April Ryan and Jason Johnson join Michael to discuss whether Elon Musk is ACTUALLY leaving the White House, the coverups to keep Biden in the 2024 race, how to turn Democrats into fighters and what kind of Democratic leadership we need right now. Plus, Michael and his guests take questions from the live audience.
Catch Michael and a new roundup of guests for a final part II of the barbershop livestream next Tuesday, June 10th at 10amET on The Bulwark's YouTube page.

Jun 2, 2025 • 1min
A Farewell to The Michael Steele Podcast
The Michael Steele Podcast (in its current form) is going on hiatus, so Michael is bringing together some favorite podcast guests from past episodes for a big, live streamed barbershop on politics, culture and current events. Join Michael Steele, Rick Wilson, Eugene Daniels, Tara Setmayer, Dr. Jason Johnson and April Ryan on Tuesday, June 3rd at 10 a.m. ET. (They will be taking audience questions at the end of the podcast!)

May 30, 2025 • 18min
Taking Heat for Standing Up to Elected Officials (Quick Take)
Jonathan Capehart discusses his extremely awkward first encounter with Rev. Al Sharpton and the nature of their contentious relationship. Plus, Jonathan talks about his work to save the NY Apollo Theater and the importance of holding elected officials accountable.
Check out Jonathan Capehart's memoir here: https://www.amazon.com/Yet-Here-Am-Lessons-Search/dp/1538767066

May 30, 2025 • 10min
Bridging the Political Divide (Quick Take)
David French (political commentator) and Michael Steele explore into the intricacies of political discourse and how human connection bridges partisan divides.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Go to https://surfshark.com/steele or use code STEELE at checkout to get four extra months of Surfshark VPN!
Follow David French @DavidAFrench
Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
Follow The Bulwark @BulwarkOnline

May 29, 2025 • 2min
A Moment Of Clarity: "Speaking of chickening out!"
Michael Steele doesn't hold back, sharply criticizing President Trump's recent comments on Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. Steele zeroes in on Trump's apparent disappointment over the violence amid ongoing negotiations, then directly challenges him to take responsibility for the deteriorating situation.
Catch Michael Steele on The Weeknight Mondays - Fridays at 7pm EST on MSNBC: https://www.msnbc.com/the-weekend
Follow Michael on X: https://x.com/MichaelSteele
Watch The Michael Steele Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJNKzTkCZE9uNqPiKYw5eU5YkS_mMsr6o
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!

May 29, 2025 • 1h 8min
How Jonathan Capehart Almost Sabotaged His Career
Jonathan Capehart made Michael Steele put on a button-down for this interview, so you know it got real, fast. Jonathan joins the podcast to discuss his extremely awkward first encounter with Rev. Al Sharpton and the nature of their contentious relationship, Jonathan's work to save the NY Apollo Theater that led to his Pulitzer win and the time he self-sabotaged so badly that he ran out of a job interview with Bloomberg. Plus, Jonathan tells the story of coming out to his mom (and why it's important to hide your porn well, folks), his decision to resign from the Washington Post Editorial Board and the advice he'd give his younger self.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Check out Jonathan Capehart's memoir here: https://www.amazon.com/Yet-Here-Am-Lessons-Search/dp/1538767066
Follow Jonathan Capehart @CapehartJ
Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
Follow The Bulwark @BulwarkOnline

May 26, 2025 • 11min
The Politics of Rest and Self-Preservation (Quick Take)
Alencia Johnson (presidential adviser and cultural commentator) speaks with Michael Steele about how rest and self-preservation can be an act of resistance in today's political climate.
Check out Alencia's book, "Flip the Tables: The Everyday Disruptor’s Guide to Finding Courage and Making Change," here: https://www.amazon.com/Flip-Tables-Everyday-Disruptors-Finding/dp/1546007601

May 24, 2025 • 1h 1min
David French’s Stark Warning for Evangelicals
David French, an opinion columnist for the New York Times and author of 'Divided We Fall,' joins the discussion about the implications of electing an American pope. He warns of the growing trend of politicizing faith and urges a return to spirituality guiding politics. The conversation touches on America's fragile democracy, the dangers of biblical illiteracy, and how to meaningfully engage with differing political views. French emphasizes the need to reconnect on a human level and promote a more compassionate political discourse.

May 23, 2025 • 2min
A Moment Of Clarity: Toy Trade War
Michael Steele unpacks the absurdity of trade tariffs, focusing on their real-world impact, especially on the toy industry. He challenges Donald Trump's claims about children's access to dolls, revealing how tariffs limit family options and inflate prices on everything from toys to coffee and lumber.
Catch Michael Steele on The Weeknight Mondays - Fridays at 7pm EST on MSNBC: https://www.msnbc.com/the-weekend
Follow Michael on X: https://x.com/MichaelSteele
Watch The Michael Steele Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJNKzTkCZE9uNqPiKYw5eU5YkS_mMsr6o
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!

May 23, 2025 • 4min
A Moment Of Clarity: Medicaid Funding
Michael Steele explores the precarious future of Indiana Medicaid, on which 1.8 million depend. He analyzes the impact of potential cuts, benefit definition shifts, legislative debates, and executive orders shaping healthcare affordability and transparency.
Catch Michael Steele on The Weeknight Mondays - Fridays at 7pm EST on MSNBC: https://www.msnbc.com/the-weekend
Follow Michael on X: https://x.com/MichaelSteele
Watch The Michael Steele Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJNKzTkCZE9uNqPiKYw5eU5YkS_mMsr6o
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!