
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

May 10, 2025 • 17min
Can We Get Our Government to Listen to Us? (Quick Take)
Michael Steele speaks with journalist Miranda Spivack about her new book, "Backroom Deals in Our Backyards: How Government Secrecy Harms Our Communities and the Local Heroes Fighting Back." They discuss what goes into getting the local government to help people and what local activists have done to be heard by their government.
Check out Miranda's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Backroom-Deals-Our-Backyards-Communities/dp/1620978555
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Follow Miranda Spivack @mirandareporter
Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
Follow The Bulwark @BulwarkOnline

May 9, 2025 • 8min
Pete Hegseth Proudly Ends "Woke" Program Trump Signed (Quick Take)
Michael Steele speaks with Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz about Pete Hegseth proudly ending the "woke" Women, Peace and Security program that Trump himself signed. Plus, what tools Democrats can use to expose the incompetency of the Trump Administration.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Follow Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz @DWStweets
Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
Follow The Bulwark @BulwarkOnline

May 8, 2025 • 55min
Uncovering Government Secrets Is Not for the Weak (with Miranda Spivack)
Michael Steele speaks with Miranda Spivack, a veteran journalist who specializes in stories about government accountability and secrecy. The pair discuss her new book, "Backroom Deals in Our Backyards: How Government Secrecy Harms Our Communities and the Local Heroes Fighting Back." Plus, how federal budget cuts will impact government support and transparency and what people can do if they're feeling helpless about what's happening in the country.
Check out Miranda's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Backroom-Deals-Our-Backyards-Communities/dp/1620978555
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Follow Miranda Spivack @mirandareporter
Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
Follow The Bulwark @BulwarkOnline

May 5, 2025 • 23min
Why Michael Steele Won't Leave the Republican Party (Quick Take)
Michael Steele speaks with Oren Cass about what drew him to the Republican party as a 17-year-old, the three elements that define what Republicanism means to him and why he refuses to leave the party today, even after it's changed. The pair also discuss DEI and the stereotyping Donald Trump used to target young male Black voters.
Check out Oren Cass' new book here: https://www.amazon.com/New-Conservatives-Restoring-Commitment-Community/dp/B0DXD6CB8M
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Follow Oren Cass @oren_cass
Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
Follow The Bulwark @BulwarkOnline

May 3, 2025 • 42min
Trump's Disastrous First 100 Days (with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz)
Michael Steele speaks with Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz about Trump's First 100 Days of his second term. They discuss the economic impact Americans are facing, the deporations occurring without due process and what Democrats can do to expose the incompetency of the current administration.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Follow Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz @DWStweets
Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
Follow The Bulwark @BulwarkOnline

May 1, 2025 • 1h 12min
The New Conservative: Tariffs, Trade and Why Michael Steele Is Still a Republican (with Oren Cass)
Michael Steele speaks with Oren Cass, chief economist at American Compass, about who the "New Conservative" is, the case for tariffs, and how to build a trading system that actually works for Americans. Plus, what made Michael join the Republican Party nearly 50 years ago and the stereotypes and misconceptions about young Black men joining MAGA.
Check out Oren Cass' new book here: https://www.amazon.com/New-Conservatives-Restoring-Commitment-Community/dp/B0DXD6CB8M
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Follow Oren Cass @oren_cass
Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
Follow The Bulwark @BulwarkOnline

Apr 29, 2025 • 2min
A Moment Of Clarity: "They absolutely don't care! They're tanking the economy!"
"Would ya'll please start acting like damn voters, and vote!" Michael Steele discusses Trump's hefty tariffs that shook business and consumer confidence. Then delves into the importance of active participation in elections and the need for voters to hold their representatives accountable.
Catch Michael Steele on The Weekend Saturdays and Sundays 8am to 10am 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!

Apr 28, 2025 • 5min
A Moment Of Clarity: "That's amusingly stupid! Putting an election denier in charge of dismantling the VOA."
The Trump administration recently reassigned Kari Lake to dismantle Voice Of America, a government funded broadcaster. Michael Steeles delves into the motivations behind these actions, the impact on global soft power, and the broader quest to rebuild trust in government institutions.
Catch Michael Steele on The Weekend Saturdays and Sundays 8am to 10am 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!

Apr 26, 2025 • 13min
Michael Fanone Didn't Ask to Be Pardoned (Quick Take)
Michael Fanone didn't ask for a preemptive pardon from Biden, but he got one anyway. He speaks with Michael Steele about this, as well as how learning about the dark history of American law enforcement helped him to understand why there's so much resentment towards cops today.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Follow Michael Fanone on Substack @MichaelFanone
Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
Follow The Bulwark @BulwarkOnline

Apr 24, 2025 • 4min
A Moment Of Clarity: "Are you high?!?" Michelle Obama doesn't have to defend herself!
Michelle Obama breaks the silence regarding her absence from Trump's inauguration. Michael Steele reacts and suggests Republicans could learn a thing or two from Michelle Obama about breaking away from stupid.
Catch Michael Steele on The Weekend Saturdays and Sundays 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!