Quick Take: Stepping Up Our Game
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/boo...
17m Apr 09, 2022
17m
A Black Guy's Guide to the Constitution: With Elie Mystal
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://thenewpre...
1hr 15m Apr 06, 2022
1hr 15m
Quick Take: Is It the Party of Trump or MTG?
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: h...
15m Apr 02, 2022
15m
Ukraine, Judge Jackson and 'The Slap': With Malcolm Nance and Dr. Jason Johnson
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.
1hr 25m Mar 30, 2022
1hr 25m
Cannabis and Social Inequity: With Sara Payan
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.
53m Mar 26, 2022
53m
Roundtable Discussion on Minority Business Ownership, Entrepreneurship, and Investment
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.
56m Mar 24, 2022
56m
Quick Take: The 'Don't Say Gay' Bill Is Dangerous
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 ...
14m Mar 19, 2022
14m
Getting Things Done: With Will Hurd
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/boo...
59m Mar 16, 2022
59m
Quick Take: Can America Survive Itself?
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.
14m Mar 13, 2022
14m
How Republicans Lost Their Party: With Jeremy Peters
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: h...
41m Mar 09, 2022
41m
Quick Take: Bastards of the Reagan Era
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.
14m Mar 05, 2022
14m
Showing Our Values: With Nancy G. Brinker
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 ...
53m Mar 02, 2022
53m
Quick Take: What's Wrong With People?
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.
13m Feb 26, 2022
13m
Our Crisis of Democracy: With Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II
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.
38m Feb 23, 2022
38m
Quick Take: The Moment You Find Out Why You Were Born
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.
15m Feb 19, 2022
15m
Prison to Possibility: With Reginald Dwayne Betts
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.
51m Feb 17, 2022
51m
Quick Take: Our Democratic System Is Always Being Challenged
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 t...
15m Feb 12, 2022
15m
Why Rationality Matters: With Steven Pinker
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.
51m Feb 09, 2022
51m
Quick Take: Reconstruction 2.0
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.
14m Feb 05, 2022
14m
Righteous Troublemakers: With Reverend Al Sharpton
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.
48m Feb 02, 2022
48m
Quick Take: Questioning the Criminal Justice System
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."
18m Jan 29, 2022
18m
Giving Democracy Meaning: With George Takei
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 t...
49m Jan 27, 2022
49m
Quick Take: The Second Amendment
Michael speaks with Professor Carol Anderson about white rage, where we get it wrong, and how it manifests in our country today. The pair also discuss voter suppression, how the 2nd Amendment is rooted in anti-Blackness and how looking to history shows us how we got here.
18m Jan 23, 2022
18m
How We Begin to Reconstruct: With Kimberly Jones
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.
1hr 6m Jan 19, 2022
1hr 6m
Quick Take: Why We Pick the Leaders We Have
Michael speaks with Brian Klaas about his new book, "CORRUPTIBLE: Who Gets Power & How it Changes Us." The pair discuss the psychology behind why we choose the leaders we choose, how power attracts the wrong type of people and why it's relevant to our current political system.
16m Jan 15, 2022
16m
Justice Requires a Holistic Perspective: With Laura Coates
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"
54m Jan 14, 2022
54m
Quick Take: Will Trump Win in 2024?
Michael speaks with Former Governor Chris Christie about what the Republican party stands for now that Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz have entered the arena. The pair discuss Trump's hold on the Republican base, why the GOP must not be a party of vendetta politics and who will be running in 2024.
16m Jan 08, 2022
16m
How We Got Here: With Professor Carol Anderson
Michael speaks with Professor Carol Anderson about white rage, where we get it wrong, and how it manifests in our country today. The pair also discuss voter suppression, how the 2nd Amendment is rooted in anti-Blackness and how looking to history shows us how we got here.
1hr 7m Jan 06, 2022
1hr 7m
Does the Republican Party Want to Be Rescued? Part 2: With Chris Christie
In part two of this interview, Michael speaks with Former Governor Chris Christie about accountability after January 6th, Liz Cheney's strategy in the GOP and the narratives perpetuated by Fox News.
34m Jan 04, 2022
34m
Quick Take: Biden's First Year in Office
Michael speaks with Steve Schmidt about Biden's first year in office, and where we are nearly a year since the January 6th, 2021 insurrection. Schmidt reminds us that history always moves forward, not back.
13m Jan 01, 2022
13m
Does the Republican Party Want to Be Rescued? Part 1: With Chris Christie
In part one of this interview, Michael speaks with Former Governor Chris Christie about what the Republican party stands for now that Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz have entered the arena. The pair discuss Trump's hold on the Republican base, why the GOP must not be a party of vendetta politics and who will be running in 2024.
47m Dec 31, 2021
47m
Quick Take: People Have Reached Their F*cking Boiling Point
Michael speaks with Rick Wilson about how Republicanism has diverged from Conservatism to become a party neither recognize. The pair discuss the lingering impact of Trumpism, future Lincoln Project plans, and how 2022 will decide the fate of 2024.
17m Dec 25, 2021
17m
Quick Take: Accountability Matters
Michael speaks with Brian Klaas about his new book, "CORRUPTIBLE: Who Gets Power & How it Changes Us." The pair discuss the psychology behind why we choose the leaders we choose, how power attracts the wrong type of people and why it's relevant to our current political system.
18m Dec 22, 2021
18m
Nothing Ever Gets Back to F*cking Normal: With Steve Schmidt
Michael speaks with Steve Schmidt about Biden's first year in office, and where we are nearly a year since the January 6th, 2021 insurrection. Schmidt reminds us that history always moves forward, not back.
1hr 1m Dec 18, 2021
1hr 1m
The Tax That Would Cost 80,000 Jobs: With Ed Towns
Michael speaks with Former Congressman Ed Towns about the Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion (STEP) Act. The pair discuss how the STEP Act would strip away legacy wealth and slow upward mobility for small businesses and Black and Brown communities.
26m Dec 16, 2021
26m
Quick Take: Ending the Pandemic Once and For All
Michael speaks with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi about the reluctance of US vaccine manufacturers to license their vaccines for manufacture around the world or otherwise make them available for developing nations.
15m Dec 11, 2021
15m
What Conservatism Has Become: With Rick Wilson
Michael speaks with Rick Wilson about how Republicanism has diverged from Conservatism to become a party neither recognize. The pair discuss the lingering impact of Trumpism, future Lincoln Project plans, and how 2022 will decide the fate of 2024.
59m Dec 08, 2021
59m
Quick Take: The Honest Way
Michael talks with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The pair discuss Raffensperger's refusal to comply with then President Trump's direction to “find 11,780 votes.”
14m Dec 04, 2021
14m
Does Power Corrupt, Or Are Corrupt People Drawn To Power?: With Brian Klaas
Michael speaks with Brian Klaas about his new book, "CORRUPTIBLE: Who Gets Power & How it Changes Us." The pair discuss the psychology behind why we choose the leaders we choose, how power attracts the wrong type of people and why it's relevant to our current political system.
55m Dec 01, 2021
55m
Quick Take: Three Things That Would Save Black Lives Right Now
Michael speaks with John McWhorter about his new book “WOKE RACISM: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America”. The pair discuss the harm that is done by well-intentioned people bringing every conversation back to structural racism and an unachievable goal of eradicating all racism. This takes focus away from policies that will make black people's lives better right now.
11m Nov 26, 2021
11m
What's The Holdup On Worldwide Vaccine Distribution?: With Guest Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi
Michael speaks with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi about the reluctance of US vaccine manufacturers to license their vaccines for manufacture around the world or otherwise make them available for developing nations. The pair also discuss investigations into the insurrection on January 6th.
35m Nov 22, 2021
35m
1 in 365: With Guest Shea Guillory
Michael speaks with Shea Guillory about sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease that affects one in 365 African Americans.
35m Nov 18, 2021
35m
Quick Take: Stand Up, Walk On
Michael speaks with John MchWhorter about his new book “WOKE RACISM: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America”. The pair discuss the harm that is done by well-intentioned people bringing every conversation back to structural racism and an unachievable goal of eradicating all racism. This takes focus away from policies that will make black people's lives better right now.
12m Nov 15, 2021
12m
Integrity, Honesty And Truth: With Guest Brad Raffensperger
Michael talks with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The pair discuss Raffensperger's refusal to comply with then President Trump's direction to “find 11,780 votes”.
37m Nov 10, 2021
37m
How Did Wokeness Become Such a B*tch Slap?: With Guest John Mcwhorter
Michael speaks with John MchWhorter about his new book “WOKE RACISM: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America”. The pair discuss the harm that is done by well-intentioned people bringing every conversation back to structural racism and an unachievable goal of eradicating all racism. This takes focus away from policies that will make black people's lives better right now.
44m Nov 09, 2021
44m
Quick Take: What The Hell Happened On Tuesday?
Michael talks with Democratic political strategist Maria Cardona and Republican political strategist Alice Stewart on what really happened in the elections this week. Alice and Maria's podcast, Hot Mics From Left To Right, can be found here: https://www.spreaker.com/show/hot-mics
25m Nov 05, 2021
25m
Quick Take: Through That Sense Of Hope And Connection
Michael speaks with Arsalan Iftikhar. The pair discuss religious extremism of all sorts. What is needed is religion which actually brings all people together, not apart.
12m Nov 02, 2021
12m
Quick Take: The F Word
Michael speaks with Senator Ben Nelson about the Filibuster.
10m Oct 29, 2021
10m
Quick Take: Democracy Is The Centerpiece
Michael's appearance on The Rick Ungar Show on October 13, 2021. The pair discuss the Democrat's legislative priorities. Michael points out that there is a lot of work to do on defense and repair of our democracy.
8m Oct 26, 2021
8m
Quick Take: Let's Focus On Outcomes
Michael speaks with Keith Boykin about the persistent disparities in the United States.
15m Oct 22, 2021
15m