Michael Steele: Shut Up and Listen

About this Episode In this episode, Michael Steele shares a personal and thought-provoking conversation on faith, leadership and public service. Reflecting on his formation with the Order of Saint Augustine and his career in politics, Steele reflects on the “constant process of formation” in his life, the moral responsibilities of leadership and our obligation to care for the poor and vulnerable. Join hosts Kim Smolik and Kerry Alys Robinson as they welcome Michael and share lessons on faith and leadership with our listeners. Special Spotlight: The episode also highlights the leadership of Jim Malloy, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, who shares how service organizations are responding to growing need with collaboration, compassion and hope. Key Takeaways How Michael’s early formation as a seminarian shaped his vocation in public service The Augustinian charism and its call to education and service Reflections on the leadership and example of Pope Leo XIV The challenges of addressing issues of selfishness, poverty and division in our country The role of Catholic Charities as “agents of hope” in a time of rising need How listening is a spiritual discipline and the foundation of leadership Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction 04:09 Faith formation and journey from seminary to public life 08:17 Augustinian spirituality and Pope Leo’s leadership 11:50 Catholic Charities and a responsibility to serve those in need 17:20 Addressing challenges of selfishness, poverty and societal division 25:37 The spiritual and moral implications of inequality 30:12 A sign of contradiction: the call to service in a selfish society 31:45 Lessons in faith and leadership: the discipline of listening 37:54 The discipline of listening and its essential role in leadership 43:53 God in a whisper: The connection between listening, prayer and action 47:29 The final question: Steele’s personal inspiration 52:20 Spotlight: Jim Malloy, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington About Our Guests Michael Steele Host, MS Now’s the Weeknight Michael Steele is a political leader and commentator who made history in 2003 as the first African American elected to state office in Maryland as Lieutenant Governor. In 2009, he became Chairman of the Republican National Committee, leading record fundraising efforts and significant Republican electoral gains nationwide. Steele is a political analyst and co-host on MS Now’s the Weeknight. He holds the Gwendolyn S. & Colbert L. King Endowed Chair in Public Policy at Howard University. Steele has written extensively on law, business and politics and serves on numerous advisory boards in the areas of business and election reform. Education: B.A. from Johns Hopkins University | J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center Connect with Michael: LinkedIn | X | Instagram More Resources The Weeknight: https://www.ms.now/the-weeknight Order of Saint Augustine: https://www.augustinianorder.org/ Jim Malloy President and CEO, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington A native of Silver Spring, Maryland, Jim Malloy’s connection to the greater Washington, D.C. community runs deep. The youngest of four, he completed elementary school at St. John the Baptist and is a proud 1981 graduate of St. John’s College High School. Jim proudly served our country as an Officer in the United States Navy, at home, at sea, and abroad, commanding two ships, a squadron, and culminating in command of the United States Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain. Jim’s distinguished career in the U.S. Navy helped instill in him a deep commitment to servant leadership — a deeply held belief that for any organization to thrive, leaders must empower those they lead. He retired from active-duty service in October 2022 as a Vice Admiral and joined Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington as president and CEO in 2023. Jim serves on the Board of Directors at Naval Sea Cadets and has been an active mentor for NJROTC students at high schools in locations he has served. Additionally, he has been an active volunteer through Helping Hands at VA hospitals in the Tampa area. Across his naval career, Jim was a Catholic Lay leader aboard various Navy ships on which he served. Education: United States Naval Academy Connect with Jim: LinkedIn More Resources Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington: https://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org | LinkedIn | Facebook | X | Instagram Join the Conversation Love this episode? Leave us a review and share it with someone who needs to hear Michael's message on service, listening and leadership. Also, be sure to follow Catholic Charities USA on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. The Catholic Leaders Podcast is a space where we host conversations with inspirational leaders to talk about their leadership and how faith informs it. The Catholic Leaders Podcast is hosted by Kim Smolik and Kerry Robinson, CEO and President of Catholic Charities USA.