Michael speaks with Rick Wilson about the importance of the 2022 midterms and how the culture wars are distracting and polarizing the country from more pressing issues. The pair discuss what the Lincoln Project is doing to help the country, how to pull Republicans back and the impact of January 6th committee.
May 07, 2022•15 min
Michael Steele is joined by Michael Cohen for a Michael Squared Special. The two discuss thoughts on why the Supreme Court decision was leaked and how Roe v. Wade being overturned will impact the midterms and women's rights. The conversation touches on everything from J.D. Vance to Mark Meadows texts, Trump sycophancy, January 6th and the people willing to go to jail for Trump, despite him being "a danger to democracy." If you enjoy this podcast, leave us a review and tell your friends. And chec...
May 05, 2022•57 min
Michael speaks with The Nation’s justice correspondent Elie Mystal about his new book, "Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution." The pair discuss how the meaning behind amendments have evolved, Ketanji Brown Jackson's influence on the court, how cancel culture fits into the First Amendment, and who the constitution benefits today. Check out the book here: https://thenewpress.com/books/allow-me-retort
Apr 30, 2022•16 min
Michael speaks with Tom Nichols about the Ukraine-Russia war, including what a Ukrainian win would look like, how NATO can save Putin, how the war has impacted the U.S and why Tom describes it as a "forever war." The pair also discuss how all of the "good ones" have left the GOP, J.D Vance's campaign, why the GOP stands for nothing, according to Nichols, and how free speech will be impacted by Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter.
Apr 28, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Michael sits down with Malcolm Nance and Dr. Jason Johnson for a barbershop discussion on current events, politics and culture. The trio discuss Ukraine, examining Zelensky's leadership and progress on the ground. Then, a look at last week's Supreme Court hearing and Cory Booker's impassioned speech. And a break-down of "The Slap" from Oscar night.
Apr 23, 2022•15 min
Michael speaks with musician, activist and writer Andre Henry about his new book, "All the White Friends I Couldn't Keep: Hope--and Hard Pills to Swallow--About Fighting for Black Lives." The pair discuss Andre's bicultural upbringing in the South, the power of nonviolence struggle and how this movement is different than ones we've seen before. Andre describes the moments that led him to stop debating about racism and how this has allowed more space for self-discovery and education. Check out An...
Apr 21, 2022•1 hr
Michael speaks with cannabis educator Sara Payan about developing enlightened policies, equity and legislation surrounding cannabis. The pair discuss addressing discrimination, stigma and miseducation of cannabis use, as well as the economic and health benefits that it provides.
Apr 16, 2022•17 min
Michael speaks with Rick Wilson about the importance of the 2022 midterms and how the culture wars are distracting and polarizing the country from more pressing issues. The pair discuss what the Lincoln Project is doing to help the country, how to pull Republicans back and the impact of January 6th committee.
Apr 14, 2022•47 min
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/American-Reboot/Will-Hurd/9781982160708...
Apr 09, 2022•17 min
Michael speaks with The Nation’s justice correspondent Elie Mystal about his new book, "Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution." The pair discuss how the meaning behind amendments have evolved, Ketanji Brown Jackson's influence on the court, how cancel culture fits into the First Amendment, and who the constitution benefits today. Check out the book here: https://thenewpress.com/books/allow-me-retort
Apr 06, 2022•1 hr 16 min
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://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/586398/insurgency-by-jeremy-w-peters/...
Apr 02, 2022•15 min
Michael sits down with Malcolm Nance and Dr. Jason Johnson for a barbershop discussion on current events, politics and culture. The trio discuss Ukraine, examining Zelensky's leadership and progress on the ground. Then, a look at last week's Supreme Court hearing and Cory Booker's impassioned speech. And a break-down of "The Slap" from Oscar night.
Mar 30, 2022•1 hr 26 min
Michael speaks with cannabis educator Sara Payan about developing enlightened policies, equity and legislation surrounding cannabis. The pair discuss addressing discrimination, stigma and miseducation of cannabis use, as well as the economic and health benefits that it provides.
Mar 26, 2022•53 min
Michael sits with former Congressman Ed Towns, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett and Entrepreneur Lisa Song Sutton for a roundtable discussion on minority business ownership and growth. The group discusses building generational wealth, supporting minority business opportunity and the hurdles businesses faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mar 24, 2022•56 min
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 the Republican Party.
Mar 19, 2022•14 min
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/American-Reboot/Will-Hurd/9781982160708...
Mar 16, 2022•1 hr
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.
Mar 13, 2022•14 min
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://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/586398/insurgency-by-jeremy-w-peters/...
Mar 09, 2022•41 min
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.
Mar 05, 2022•14 min
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 the Republican Party.
Mar 02, 2022•53 min
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.
Feb 26, 2022•13 min
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.
Feb 23, 2022•38 min
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.
Feb 19, 2022•15 min
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.
Feb 17, 2022•51 min
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.
Feb 12, 2022•15 min
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.
Feb 09, 2022•51 min
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.
Feb 05, 2022•14 min
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.
Feb 02, 2022•48 min
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."
Jan 29, 2022•18 min
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.
Jan 27, 2022•49 min