
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

Dec 21, 2024 • 11min
Marjorie Taylor Greene Heading DOGE? "It Ain't Serious, Folks" (Quick Take)
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks with Michael Steele about reaching bipartisanship and the unseriousness of Marjorie Taylor Greene leading the DOGE subcommittee.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Check out Leader Jeffries' book, "The ABCs of Democracy," here:
https://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Democracy-Hakeem-Jeffries/dp/1538770369
Follow Hakeem Jeffries @RepJeffries
Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
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Dec 19, 2024 • 35min
How Do We Reach Bipartisanship When Republicans Don't Play By Those Rules? (with Leader Hakeem Jeffries)
Michael Steele speaks with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries about the possibility of a government shutdown, rebuilding the Democratic party, reaching bipartisanship with the new administration and the unseriousness of Marjorie Taylor Greene leading the DOGE subcommittee.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Check out Leader Jeffries' book, "The ABCs of Democracy," here:
https://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Democracy-Hakeem-Jeffries/dp/1538770369
Follow Hakeem Jeffries @RepJeffries
Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
Follow The Bulwark @BulwarkOnline

Dec 18, 2024 • 4min
A Moment of Clarity: "The Devil is More Than a Devil in the Detail"
The podcast dives into the shocking appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as President-elect Trump's pick for health secretary. It highlights a troubling health care crisis marked by a public distrust of quality services. A Gallup poll reflects waning confidence in health care, sparking discussions about urgent reforms needed from politicians and insurers. The episode also connects these issues to a recent violent incident involving a health care CEO, underscoring the tensions surrounding vaccine policies and children's health.

Dec 14, 2024 • 18min
How Republicans Use Slogans to Win Voters (Quick Take)
This is an excerpt from the full episode "The Bitter End to Joe Biden's Presidency (with Michael Smerconish)"
Michael Steele speaks with Brian Tyler Cohen about how Republicans have perfected the art of campaign branding, messaging and sloganeering and how Democrats can learn from their playbook. The pair analyze the branding of Obamacare, Michael Steele's "Fire Pelosi" campaign and what Democrats can take away from the 2024 election.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Check out Brian's book, "Shameless," here: https://www.amazon.com/Shameless-Republicans-Deliberate-Dysfunction-Democracy/dp/0063392887
Follow Brian Tyler Cohen @briantylercohen
Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
Follow The Bulwark @BulwarkOnline

Dec 12, 2024 • 3min
A Moment of Clarity: Standing on Principle Means Flipping Them the Bird
Michael Steele reacts to FBI Director Christopher Wray stepping down and how everyone is acting like Donald Trump is president already.
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
Listen to The Michael Steele Podcast: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/the-michael-steele-podcast
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!

40 snips
Dec 12, 2024 • 1h 2min
Democrats Must Learn from Republicans on How to be Better Messengers (with Brian Tyler Cohen)
In this engaging discussion, Brian Tyler Cohen, a Progressive YouTuber and MSNBC contributor, highlights how Republicans have mastered campaign branding and messaging. He discusses the failures of Democrats to adapt their strategies and suggests a more authentic approach to connect with voters. Cohen critiques Republican tactics that vilify opponents while sharing insights from his book, "Shameless." He emphasizes the need for Democrats to refine their media strategies and target real economic issues to regain public trust ahead of the 2024 elections.

Dec 7, 2024 • 16min
Joe Biden Was Always Going to Pardon Hunter Biden (Quick Take)
This is an excerpt from the full episode "The Bitter End to Joe Biden's Presidency (with Michael Smerconish)"
Michael Steele speaks with Michael Smerconish about Joe Biden pardoning Hunter Biden and why an open Democratic convention wouldn't have worked.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Listen to The Smerconish Podcast on SiriusXM, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Follow Michael Smerconish @Smerconish
Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
Follow The Bulwark @BulwarkOnlineJoe Biden Was Always Going to Pardon Hunter Biden (Quick Take)

Dec 5, 2024 • 1h 3min
The Bitter End to Joe Biden's Presidency (with Michael Smerconish)
Michael Steele speaks with Michael Smerconish about how Americans have much more in common than it seems, despite how the media paints our political divides, Pete Hegseth's mom calling him an abuser, Joe Biden pardoning Hunter Biden, and why Democrats lost in 2024.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!
Listen to The Smerconish Podcast on SiriusXM, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Follow Michael Smerconish @Smerconish
Follow Michael Steele @MichaelSteele
Follow the podcast @steele_podcast
Follow The Bulwark @BulwarkOnline

Dec 4, 2024 • 3min
A Moment of Clarity: Americans Will Pay the Price for Trump's Tariffs Game
Michael Steele and Alicia Menendez discuss Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Visit to Mar-a-Lago.
Follow Michael on X: https://x.com/MichaelSteele
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Listen to The Michael Steele Podcast: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/the-mich...

Dec 1, 2024 • 20min
What Does Freedom Look Like for Ukraine and Gaza? (Quick Take)
Timothy Snyder, renowned historian and author of On Tyranny and On Freedom, dives into the depths of freedom as it relates to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. He shares how his experiences in Ukraine shaped his understanding of sovereignty and identity. The conversation explores the nuances of U.S. support in Ukraine, critiques the implications of negotiating with tyrants, and discusses the necessity of statehood for true liberation in Gaza. Snyder also emphasizes empathy as a vital ingredient in fostering a shared humanity amid conflict.