THE OFFICIAL MEA CULPA WITH MICHAEL COHEN ARCHIVE

Mea Culpa welcomes back fellow podcaster and political junkie, Brian Tyler Cohen. No relation to me, but Brian is among the most-watched progressive political commentators on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. He also hosts one of the top-ranked political podcasts in the US, No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen, with guests that include Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris, Adam Schiff, Cory Booker, Ted Lieu, Andrew Yang, Beto O’Rourke, Katie Porter, Eric Swalwell, Ed Markey, and Joe Biden’s chief of staff Ron Klain. We always look forward to hearing Brian’s perceptive point of view. Michael and Brian discuss Fox News, January 6th, and Biden's announcement to make another run. 

Mea Culpa welcomes the legendary politician turned political analyst, Michael Steele. Steele made history when he became the first African-American to be elected to statewide office in Maryland, where he served as lieutenant governor from 2003 to 2007. He was chosen to be the first African-American chairperson of the Republican National Committee from 2009 to 2011. Steele’s abilities as a communicator and commentator have been showcased daily on MSNBC. He’s also appeared on Meet the Press, Face the Nation, HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, and The Daily Show to name a few. In addition to his work in television, Steele can be heard each week on his radio show on SiriusXM. Steele, a prolific writer, is also the author of “Right Now: A 12-Step Program for Defeating the Obama Agenda", but don’t hold that against him.  Michael and Mr Steele dig deep into the GOP, Fox News and the culture wars.

Mea Culpa welcomes back one of the most dialed-in journalists of the last several decades, Jane Mayer. Mayer has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1995. As the magazine’s chief Washington correspondent, she covers politics, culture, and national security. Previously, she worked at the Wall Street Journal, where she covered the bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, the Gulf War, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. In 1984, she became the paper’s first female White House correspondent. She is the author of the 2016 Times best-seller “Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right,” She also wrote the 2008 Times best-seller “The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned Into a War on American Ideals,” which was named a National Book Award finalist. She is the co-author, with Jill Abramson, of “Strange Justice,” also a National Book Award finalist, and, with Doyle McManus, of “Landslide: The Unmaking of the President 1984-1988.” She has won numerous prizes and awards including a Guggenheim Fellowship and the Nellie Bly Award for Investigative Reporting. Michael and Jane dig into Clarence Thomas and the Supreme Court, GOP's scary policies, and Trump's legal woes. 

Mea Culpawelcomes back Rick Wilson, longtime Republican political strategist, infamous negative ad-maker, and commentator. Since 2015, he's been a leading conservative critic of Donald Trump. His regular column with The Daily Beast is a hilarious and spot-on must-read in the political community. He is also a founding member of the Lincoln Project. Rick’s been published in The Washington Post, Politico, The Hill, The London Spectator, Rolling Stone, The New York Daily News, USA Today, The Bulwark and beyond and he’s constantly called upon for sharp political insights on the national news networks, including CNN and MSNBC. He’s also a fan favorite on Real Time with Bill Maher. A 30-year veteran of politics, Rick got his start in the 1988 Presidential campaign of George Herbert Walker Bush. Rick is also a best-selling author, his latest book is “Running Against the Devil” and his #1 New York Times, best-seller, “Everything Trump Touches Dies” which quintessentially defined the Trump and Michael and Rick dig deep into Clarence Thomas, Fox News, and all of Trump's pending cases and DeSantis.

Mea Culpa welcomes our old friend, Harry Litman, the former US Attorney and Deputy Assistant Attorney General. Litman is currently the legal affairs columnist for the Los Angeles Times and a professor of Constitutional Law at UCLA and UCSD. Harry can be seen as a legal and political commentator on CBS, NPR MSNBC, and CNN. Litman is also the creator and host of the Talking Feds Podcast. You’d be smart to subscribe to the “Talking Feds” brand new YouTube channel. New episodes are posted daily. But today Harry is here to give us the rundown on all the legal battles currently raging in Washington. 

Mea Culpa welcomes Frank Figliuzzi to help us figure out the legal ramification of everything going on in Washington DC. Figliuzzi is a national security contributor and regular columnist for NBC News and MSNBC. At one time, Figliuzzi was the assistant director for counterintelligence at the FBI, where he served for 25 years as a special agent and directed all espionage investigations across the entire government. He is also the author of the national bestseller “The FBI Way: Inside the Bureau’s Code of Excellence.” Michael and Frank talk about the Tennesee, the Supreme Court, and the indictment.

Mea Culpa welcomes back our good friend Norm Eisen. There’s nothing going on in politics today that Eisen doesn’t have an educated opinion about. Eisen is a CNN Legal Analyst.  And the founder and executive chair of “States United Democracy Center”, a nonpartisan organization advancing free, fair, and secure elections. Eisen served as special counsel to President Barack Obama on ethics. In that role, he was dubbed “Mr. No” and the “Ethics Czar” because he's well known for his strict anti-corruption approach to governance. Eisen is also active with the Brookings Institute and other groups working to expose the myriad of ways Trump and others like him broke the law and attempted to overturn the 2020 election. Eisen is also working with the Brookings Institute to help Ukraine recover and thrive once Putin’s war has ended. So, let’s go now to my conversation with Norm Eisen. Michael and Morm really dug into the indictment and all the other Trump cases on the horizon.

Mea Culpa welcomes back, intrepid newsman, Ali Velshi. Host of “Velshi” and seemingly the favorite fill-in host of every other MSNBC Prime Time News Show. Velshi also reported live from the frontlines of the George Floyd protests, he was drenched during hurricane Ian. And dodged incoming fire from Russian artillery when he fearlessly reported live from the frontlines in Ukraine. A concerned citizen of the world, Velshi seems to be everywhere there is an injustice. He has been a contributor at CNN, Al Jazeera America, and NBC to name a few. Velshi is also a prolific writer and has written books, articles, and columns for newspapers and monthly publications throughout the northern hemisphere. Michal and Ali discuss the NRA, TicTok, and Trump's indictment. 

Mea Culpa welcomes David L. Marcus. Marcus has worked as a foreign correspondent, education reporter, and columnist at the Boston Globe, Miami Herald, Newsday, and U.S. News. David L. Marcus has worked as a foreign correspondent, education reporter, and columnist at the Boston Globe, Miami Herald, Newsday, and U.S. News. As South America bureau chief for the Dallas Morning News, he shared the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting, for a series about violence against women. David wrote two books about education and parenting, What It Takes to Pull Me Through and Acceptance. His articles have appeared in the New York Times, Vanity Fair, Newsweek, and GQ magazine to name a few. Marcus is the cousin of the infamous lawyer, Roy Cohn. He wrote a quintessential piece about Cohn for Vanity Fair shortly after his death. Davis and Michael discuss Roy Cohn's relationship and influence on Trump and Rubert Murdoch and how it plays out today.

Mea Culpa welcomes back to the show one of our favorite people from the Lincoln Project, Tara Setmayer. Setmayer is a former CNN political commentator, a contributor to ABC News, and a former GOP Communications Director on Capitol Hill. She's appeared on ABC's The View, ABC's Good Morning America, and HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher. Setmayer was also named a Harvard Institute Resident Fellow. And in 2020, she joined The Lincoln Project as a senior advisor. Setmayer hosts a great live show called "The Breakdown" alongside Rick Wilson, you can find it on the Lincoln Project’s streaming channel, LPTV. Michael and Tara dig into foreign policy, culture wars, and the GOP's stand with Trump.

Mea Culpa welcomes back, the Brooklyn Dad Defiant, or simply BDD. BDD is a left-wing political commentator on Twitter, YouTube,  and various other social media platforms. His outspoken defiance and often humorous take on the Trump administration have earned him almost a million Twitter followers. Since the riots at the Capitol on January 6, BDD has used his platform to bring attention to GOP lawmakers like MTG, Cruz, Jordan, and Biggs, asking that they face consequences for their actions in connection to the insurrection. He calls himself a proud papa who is perpetually pissed. Michael and BDD dig deep into the culture wars, the Dobbs decision, and DeSantis.

Today we welcome back to our show, Reed Galen, co-founder of The Lincoln Project and an independent political strategist. A veteran public affairs and political commentator with over 20 years ’ of experience, Reed has been involved in politics, government, and business at the highest levels. Galen has spent more than a decade advising Fortune 50, 100, and 1000 companies needing high-level counsel in strategic communications, procurement, and legislation. In addition to his private sector work, Reed has managed several high-profile ballot measure campaigns in California, Texas, and Colorado – Before moving to the private sector, Reed served as Deputy Campaign Manager for John McCain’s presidential campaign and Deputy Campaign Manager for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s successful 2006 re-election campaign. Galen also worked on both of President George W. Bush's campaigns and served the Bush Administration at both the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Department of Homeland Security. Michael Reed dig deep into Trump's claim that he was being indicted yesterday and DeSantis ant woke act and what that means for the 2024 GOP nomination.

Mea Culpa welcomes back to the show, legendary newsman David Corn. Corn is the Bureau Chief of Mother Jones and an on-air analyst for MSNBC. Corn and Michael Isikoff “co-authored, “Russian Roulette, The Inside Story of Putin’s War on America and the Election of Donald Trump”. He’s also the author of four New York Times best-selling books and was the long-time Washington editor for “The Nation”. For a good read, check out “Our Land”. His twice-weekly newsletter that covers everything from news of the day to entertainment, but all told in Corn’s no-bullshit style. Corn has been published multiple times, but his latest bestseller,” American Psychosis: A Historical Investigation of How the Republican Party Went Crazy” is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the unprecedented times we live in. David and Michael take about the Georgia investigation, and what's coming for Trump on all the different legal fronts.

Mea Culpa welcomes back to the show, politician, radio talk show host, podcaster, and former Republican, Joe Walsh. Walsh was elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 from Illinois’s 8th District. He also ran for president and then blew up his life when he spoke out against the MAGA cult and gave Trump the bird. To quote Joe, Republicans “have become fully radicalized and anti-democracy.” Joe’s podcast, “White Flag” strives to find a path to unite, not divide us politically, but he pulls no punches in his latest book, “F*ck Silence: Calling Trump Out for the Cultish, Moronic, Authoritarian Con Man He Is.” So let’s go now to my conversation with Joe Walsh. Micheal and Joe dig into the possibility of Trump getting the GOP nomination, Fulton County, and the weaponization of the DOJ.

Mea Culpa welcomes back our good friend Norm Eisen. There’s pretty much nothing going on in politics today that Eisen doesn’t have an educated opinion about. Eisen is a CNN Legal Analyst.  And the founder and executive chair of “States United Democracy Center”, a nonpartisan organization advancing free, fair, and secure elections. Eisen served as special counsel to President Barack Obama on ethics. In that role, he was dubbed “Mr. No” and the “Ethics Czar” because he's well known for his tough anti-corruption approach to governance. Eisen is also active with the Brookings Institute and other groups working to expose the myriad of ways Trump and others like him broke the law and attempted to overturn the 2020 election. Eisen is also working with the Brookings Institute to help Ukraine recover and thrive once Putin’s war has ended. Michael and Norm dig into Trumps legal woes for and possible upcoming indictments.

Mea Culpa welcomes back Rick Wilson, longtime Republican political strategist, infamous negative ad-maker, and commentator. Since 2015, he's been a leading conservative critic of Donald Trump. His regular column with The Daily Beast is a hilarious and spot-on must-read in the political community. He is also a founding member of the Lincoln Project. Rick’s been published in The Washington Post, Politico, The Hill, The London Spectator, Rolling Stone, The New York Daily News, USA Today, The Bulwark and beyond and he’s constantly called upon for sharp political insights on the national news networks, including CNN and MSNBC. He’s also a fan favorite on Real Time with Bill Maher. A 30-year veteran of politics, Rick got his start in the 1988 Presidential campaign of George Herbert Walker Bush, and since has produced groundbreaking advertising and provided strategic counsel to political campaigns across the nation and around the world. Rick is also a best-selling author, his latest book is “Running against the Devil” and his #1 New York Times, best-seller, “Everything Trump Touches Dies” which quintessentially defined the Trump era. Michael and Rick dig into the politics of the GOP, the democrats, and the House. 

Mea Culpa welcomes back a very special guest, John Dean. For those of you who lived through Watergate, his name is synonymous with the political intrigue of the 1970s. Dean served as White House Counsel for President Richard Nixon from July 1970 until April 1973. In that position, he became deeply involved in events leading up to the Watergate burglaries and the subsequent scandal and cover-up. Referred to as the "master manipulator of the cover-up" by the FBI, Dean’s testimony before the House was watched by some 80 million Americans. Granted immunity, Dean laid out in stunning detail and intricacy how the President not only knew about but orchestrated the break-in and burglary of the DNC. He ultimately was sentenced to one year in Federal Prison but emerged from the experience as a changed and soulful individual. Dean renounced his former politics and started a second life as an author and speaker. He’s penned five books about Watergate and 10 books in total; including his most recent tome, Authoritarian Nightmare: Trump and his Followers. Dean is now the last man standing from that era, He is the last connection between this nation’s authoritarian past and present. Michael and John dig deep into Watergate, January 6th, and DOJ.

Mea Culpa welcomes friend and fellow lawyer,  Katie Phang. Phang became a legal analyst for NBC Universal in 2017 and is currently a political commentator, podcaster, and television host. Catch the excellent Katie Phang Show, which sheds light on the intersection of law, politics, and culture locally and nationally. It airs weekends on MSNBC and you might also find her filling in for Chris Hayes or Ari Melber on MSNBC. Let’s go now to my conversation with Katie Phang. Michael and Katie dig into all of Trump's legal woes.

Mea Culpa welcomes back our old friend Malcolm Nance. Nance has just returned from the frontline in Ukraine and has a lot to say about the current situation there. You may know Nance as the globally renowned expert on terrorism, extremism, and insurgency. Nance’s stunning new book, “They Want to Kill Americans: The Militias, Terrorists, and Deranged Ideology of the Trump Insurgency” was a New York Times best-seller as was his book, the Plot to Hack America. He’s the counter-terrorism analyst for NBC and MSNBC. And Nance is considered one of the "Great African-Americans in Espionage” by the International Spy Museum. Micheal and dig deep into Putin and Russia and where things stand with China.

Mea Culpa welcomes Lev Parnas to the show. Lev is a Soviet-born businessman who along with Rudy Giuliani and Igor Fruman played a central role in the campaign to pressure Ukraine to investigate Trump’s political rivals, including Hunter Biden. Parnas was thrown into Trump's first impeachment drama, but he ended up working with federal prosecutors against Giuliani and the former president. Parnas is currently serving a 20-month sentence for Campaign Finance, Wire Fraud, And False Statements Offenses, and is speaking to us today while on home confinement. Micheal and Lev dig deep into the Trump crime syndicate. 

It's our distinct honor to have Fred Guttenberg as our guest today on Mea Culpa. Fred is the father of Jaime, a 14-year-old girl killed during the Parkland mass shooting in 2018. Fred began his public life directly after the murder of his beautiful daughter when he decided to attend a public vigil in Parkland. While there, the Mayor asked him to speak. His words shook a nation and he has not stopped ever since. Michael and Fred discuss gun violence, gun control, and the state of politics in Florida. 

Mea Culpa welcomes back our old friend, Harry Litman, the former US Attorney and Deputy Assistant Attorney General. Litman is currently the legal affairs columnist for the Los Angeles Times and a professor of Constitutional Law at UCLA and UCSD. Harry can be seen as a legal and political commentator on CBS, NPR MSNBC, and CNN. Litman is also the creator and host of the Talking Feds Podcast. Today Harry is here to give us the rundown on all the legal battles currently raging in Washington. Micheal and Harry dig into the Manhattan DA investigation, the State of the Union, Jack Smith, and the special counsel.

Mea Culpa welcomes back Tristan Snell. The former New York Assistant Attorney General famously lead the civil prosecution in the Trump University case for the state of New York against the Trump Organization. The 2013 case found the Trump Org guilty; forcing them to pay out $25 million in restitution. Snell spent years scaling the walls of the Trump Organization, largely creating the playbook for defeating Donald Trump in court. Ultimately, he said, it’s about the receipts, not the witnesses. To beat Trump you need indisputable proof, a smoking gun and that only comes from having the documents to prove it.” Nowadays, Snell is the founder of Main Street Law and appears as a commentator on CNN. He also serves as a contributing writer for the Washington Post, the New Yorker, the Atlantic, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. To name a few. Tristan joins Michael today in discussing Biden's potential run, women's rights, and if the Stormy Daniels case will ultimately be the case that takes Trump down. 

Mea Cilpa welcomes our good friend Frank Figliuzzi to help us figure out the legal ramification of everything going on in Washington DC. Figliuzzi is a national security contributor and regular columnist for NBC News and MSNBC. At one time, Figliuzzi was the assistant director for counterintelligence at the FBI. He served 25 years as a special agent and directed all espionage investigations across the entire government. He is also the author of the national bestseller “The FBI Way: Inside the Bureau’s Code of Excellence.” Michael and Frank dig into bad cops, gun legislation, and the justice department.

Mea culpa welcomes one of our favorite people from the Lincoln Project, Tara Setmayer. Setmayer is a former CNN political commentator, a contributor to ABC News, and a former GOP Communications Director on Capitol Hill. She's appeared on ABC's The View, ABC's Good Morning America, and HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher. Setmayer was named a Harvard Institute of Politics Spring 2020 Resident Fellow. Also in 2020, she joined The Lincoln Project as a senior advisor. Setmayer hosts the live show "The Breakdown" alongside co-founder Rick Wilson, on the organization's streaming channel, LPTV. Michael and Tara Dig into the up police violence, the cult of Trump, and who will get the Republican nomination. 

Mea Culpa welcomes back Jack Cocchiarella. He’s a Gen Z activist and Democratic Digital Strategist. While still in college, he worked to get Charlie Crist elected Florida Governor in the Midterms, a noble effort indeed. Jack has 340,000 followers on Twitter and is a politically astute young person that we can all learn from. Michael and Jack dig deep into the Desantis, voting, the GOP, and the future of democracy.

Mea Culpa welcomes back our good friend Elie Honig, acclaimed author of the National Bestseller, “Hatchet Man: How Bill Barr broke the prosecutor's code and corrupted the Justice Department”. Honig is also a CNN Senior Legal Analyst, and a former federal and state prosecutor. You may also know him from his popular podcasts, “Up Against the Mob” or “Cafe Brief”. As a New Jersey federal prosecutor, Honig directed significant criminal cases against street gangs, arms dealers, and even a few corrupt politicians. He was also an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Where he successfully prosecuted more than 100 members of La Cosa Nostra, including bosses and other high-ranking members of the Gambino and Genovese organized crime families. Honig leverages all his prosecutorial experience to keep the public informed and as fodder for his excellent new book “Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away With It”. Michael and Elie discuss Rupert Murdock, the Supreme Court, and which case is likely to bring Trump down.

Mea Culpa welcomes for the very first time, Nicolle Wallace of The Nicolle Wallace Show. Wallace is a one-time political operative turned television host and best-selling author. She is currently the anchor of the MSNBC news and politics show, Deadline: White House, and a former co-host of The View alongside her friend and fellow activist, Rosie Perez. Once upon a time, she was a member of the White House staff under George Bush and she campaigned with John McCain during his 2008 bid for the presidency against Barack Obama. Wallace has written 3 best-selling books, including “Madam President” released in 2015. And most recently Wallace was an executive producer on the MSNBC primetime special "Ukraine: Answering the Call", which also served as a fundraiser to support Ukraine in the midst of the Russian invasion. Michael and Nicole, dig deep into the GOP's future, Trump's presidential bid, and McCarthy's reign.

Mea Culpa welcomes a real American hero on, Officer Harry Dunn, of the Washington Capitol police. Dunn is a 13-year veteran of the force and has been a member of the US Capitol police “first responders unit” since 2009. Dunn valiantly protected Congress on the day of the bloody January 6th insurrection. Dunn and several of his colleagues were some of the first to testify before the January 6th Committee, and they remained a powerful presence throughout the historic hearings. Earlier this year, President Biden awarded Dunn the Presidential Citizen’s Metal, a high honor for a humble hero. Michael and Harry talk about January 6th, PTSD, mental health, and the GOP.

Mea Culpa welcomes back the legendary David Corn. Corn, a veteran Washington journalist, is the Bureau Chief of Mother Jones and an on-air analyst for MSMBC. Corn and Michael Isikoff “co-authored, “Russian Roulette, The Inside Story of Putin’s War on America and the Election of Donald Trump”. He’s also the author of four New York Times best-selling books and was the long-time Washington editor for “The Nation”. Check out his twice weekly newsletter “Our Land” that covers the news of the day and delivers his no-BS analysis on everything from DC politics to entertainment — Corn has been published in too many times to name, but his latest bestseller,” American Psychosis: A Historical Investigation of How the Republican Party Went Crazy” is a must-read for anyone interested in history and setting the record straight. Michael and David dig deep into the new GOP reign of the house, Jim Jordan, and the IRS.

Mea Culpa welcomes back, Reed Galen, co-founder of The Lincoln Project and an independent political strategist. A veteran public affairs and political commentator with more than 20 years of experience. Reed has been involved in politics, government, and business at the highest levels. Galen has spent more than a decade advising Fortune 50, 100 and 1000 companies in need of high-level counsel in the fields of strategic communications, procurement, and legislation. In addition to his private sector work, Reed has managed several high-profile ballot measure campaigns in California, Texas, and Colorado – Before moving to the private sector, Reed served as Deputy Campaign Manager for John McCain’s presidential campaign and Deputy Campaign Manager for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s successful 2006 re-election campaign. Galen also worked on both of President George W. Bush campaigns and served the Bush Administration at both the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Department of Homeland Security. Michael and Reed dig into Kevin McCarthy, the documents, George Santos, and immigration.

This week Mea Culpa welcomes the legendary actor, comedian, director, and producer Henry Winkler. Best known for his iconic turn as “The Fonze” on Happy Days and more recently for his Emmy-nominated role on the hit comedy “Barry”, playing beloved acting teacher Gene Cousineau. And before that, he was a staple on “Arrested Development”, “Hank Zipzer” and Winkler even appeared as himself on “Bojack Horseman”. All told, Winkler’s accolades include a Primetime Emmy, two Daytime Emmys, two Golden Globes, and a Critics Choice Award. Not bad. He’s a Yale “School of Drama” Grad and his acting career spans 6 decades. He has performed in both dramatic and comedic roles, in film television, and on stage. Though one might say he is the quintessential character actor. He’s done several pictures with his buddy Adam Sandler including, “Little Nicky” and “Don’t Mess with the Zohan” and has continued to collaborate with his “Happy Day”s cohort, Ron Howard. Journalist Michael Schneider said recently, that "the rumors are true," Winkler is "one of the nicest, most genuine men in all of Hollywood.” Michael and Henry Winkler talk about their family life, their careers, and of course politics.

Mea Culpa welcomes Amanda Moore.  Amanda lost her job and made the decision to go undercover into MAGA world on her dime. Amanda went to QAnon events and CPAC, hanging with the Proud Boys and Neo Nazis leading up to the Jan 6, Capitol Riot. Eventually, her cover was blown and Amanda began to share her story. Michael and Amanda dive deep into what Amanda learned from her year undercover. 

Mea Culpa welcomes for the first time, The Brooklyn Dad Defiant, otherwise known as BDD. BDD is a left-wing political commentator on Twitter, YouTube, and various other social media platforms. His outspoken defiance and often humorous take on the Trump administration have earned him over 900,000 Twitter followers. Since the riots at the Capitol on January 6, BDD has used his platform to bring attention to GOP lawmakers like Lauren Boebert and Ted Cruz, asking that they face consequences for their actions in connection to the insurrection. He calls himself a proud papa who is perpetually pissed. Michael and the BDD talk about the perils of social media, the first amendment, and the future of Twitter and Elon Musk.

Mea Culpa welcomes back our good friend Norm Eisen. There’s pretty much nothing going on in politics today that Eisen doesn’t have an educated opinion about. Eisen is a CNN Legal Analyst.  And the founder and executive chair of “States United Democracy Center”, a nonpartisan organization advancing free, fair, and secure elections. Eisen served as special counsel to President Barack Obama on ethics. In that role, he was dubbed “Mr. No” and the “Ethics Czar” because he's well known for his tough anti-corruption approach to governance. Eisen is also active with the Brookings Institute and other groups working to expose the myriad of ways Trump and others like him broke the law and attempted to overturn the 2020 election. Eisen is also working with the Brookings Institute to help Ukraine recover and thrive once Putin’s war has ended. So, let’s go now to my conversation with Norm Eisen. Michael and Norm dig into Trump's legal woes and what the upcoming year in politics will look like. 

Mea Culpa welcomes back to our show, intrepid newsman, Ali Velshi. Host of “Velshi” and seemingly the favorite fill-in host of every other MSNBC Prime Time News Show. Velshi also reported live from the frontlines of the George Floyd protests, and most recently he dodged incoming fire from Russian artillery when he fearlessly reported live from the frontlines in Ukraine. And the Coasts of Florida during the recent Hurricane Ian. concerned citizen of the world, Velshi seems to be everywhere there is an injustice. He has been a contributor at CNN, Al Jazeera America, and NBC to name a few. Velshi is a prolific writer and has written books, articles, and columns for newspapers and monthly publications throughout the northern hemisphere. Michael and Ali dive into voter rights, Trump's legal matters, and potential presidential run. 

Mea Culpa welcomes back Mr. “Justice Matters” himself, Glenn Kirschner. Kirschner is a former prosecutor with 30 years of trial experience and with it he brings analysis and insight to legal issues of the day, drawing from his experience as a federal prosecutor, homicide prosecutor, and Army JAG. Glenn is an NBC News contributor and MSNBC legal analyst. He also teaches criminal law at George Washington University. Catch his great shows Capitol Crimes with Glenn Kirschner and Justice Matters on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Michael and Glenn discuss in-depth Trump's legal woes and the courts.

Mea Culpa welcomes for the first time, Andrew Yang. Yang is an entrepreneur businessman, attorney, lobbyist, and politician, who championed universal basic income during his 2020 run for the presidency. Yang proved to be a surprisingly popular candidate, who developed a following known as the “Yang Gang” during the Democratic primaries, though Yang has since founded his own 3rd party known as the “Forward Party”. Yang was born to Taiwanese parents in New York, graduated from Columbia Law School, became an entrepreneur, founded two nonprofit organizations and was named a “Champion of Change” by the Obama administration. Yang ran for mayor of New York City in 2021 and has shown support for innovative ideas like ranked-choice voting, open primaries, and human-centered capitalism. Michael and Andrew discuss the future of the democratic party and 2024. 

Mea Culpa welcomes back our good friend Elie Honig, acclaimed author of the National Bestseller, “Hatchet Man: How Bill Barr broke the prosecutor's code and corrupted the Justice Department”. Honig is also a CNN Senior Legal Analyst, and a former federal and state prosecutor. You may also know him from his popular podcasts, “Up Against the Mob” and/or “Cafe Brief”. As a New Jersey federal prosecutor, Honig directed major criminal cases against street gangs, arms dealers, and even a few corrupt politicians. He was also an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, where he successfully prosecuted more than 100 members of La Cosa Nostra, including bosses and other high-ranking members of the Gambino and Genovese organized crime families. Honig leverages all his prosecutorial experience to keep the public informed and as fodder for his excellent new book “Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away With It”. Be sure to pick up a copy when it comes out in January of 2023. Michael and Elie discuss everything from antisemitism, racism, and why powerful people are untouchable.

Mea Culpa welcomes back, Bakari Sellers, a CNN political commentator who made history as the youngest-ever member of the South Carolina State legislature at the age of just twenty-two. Sellers has been named one of the nation's most influential African Americans and became a New York Times best-selling author with his memoir, “My Vanishing Country”. Sellers is known for his sharp political and social analysis informed by his first-hand experience both inside the Democratic Party and as a practicing lawyer and lobbyist. Sellers has tirelessly worked on progressive policies that address issues ranging from education and poverty to preventing domestic violence and childhood obesity. He is seen as one of the rising stars in politics and a sought-after public speaker, who has addressed hundreds of organizations including the NAACP, and the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Michael and Bakari discuss, antisemitism, racism, the new GOP majority in the house, and the direction of the leadership in the Democratic party.

This is a special encore episode of Mea Culpa with Norm Eisen. Michael and Norm dive into the midterms, voter's rights, and Trump's legal woes.

This is a special encore episode of Mea Culpa with Reed Galen. Michael and Reed dive into what the midterms meant and what the future looks like for the GOP.

Mea Culpa welcomes one of the most influential spiritual leaders living today. Sadhguru is the founder and head of the Isha Foundation, based in Coimbatore, India. The foundation, established in 1992, has ashrams and yoga centers all over the world and provides education and spiritual connection for anyone seeking it. Sadhguru has been teaching yoga since 1982. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Inner Engineering: A Yogi's Guide to Joy and Karma: A Yogi's Guide to Crafting Your Destiny and is a frequent speaker at international forums. Sadhguru also advocates for protecting the environment against climate change, leading many initiatives like Project GreenHands, Rally for Rivers, Cauvery Calling, and the Journey to Save Soil. In 2017, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, for his contributions to spirituality and humanitarian services. Michael and Sadhguru discuss climate change, world leaders, Karma, and how to let go and move on from anger and from being a victim. 

Mea Culpa welcomes back Brian Tyler Cohen, progressive commentator and the host and creator of the popular podcast “No Lie” where Brian covers breaking political stories and sits down with major players in the world of politics, promising to bring you the news straight with no disinformation, and no lies. His guests have included, Vice President, Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi, and White House chief of staff, Ron Klain. Cohen is amongst the most watched commentators in the country and can be found on all the major platforms including YouTube where he has a million and a half followers, Instagram and Twitter. Brian once an actor and writer, left it behind to doggedly criticize Fox News, Donald Trump, and anyone on any side of the political spectrum spreading lies and disinformation. Michael and Brian dig deep into the midterms and what the future of democracy will look like. 

Today we welcome back to the show, Michael Smerconish, the host of CNN’s eponymously titled "Smerconish." When he’s not dishing common sense on the small screen you can catch Smerconish on Sirius XM where his radio show airs daily. Make sure to check out his amazing newsletter which curates the top 20 stories of the day from a wide variety of sources. Check out he and Michael as they chop up the midterm results and see what’s next for both parties.

Mea Culpa welcomes back to our show, Reed Galen, co-founder of The Lincoln Project and an independent political strategist. Galen is a veteran public affairs and political analyst with more than 20 years of experience, Reed has been involved in politics, government, and business at the highest levels. He’s spent more than a decade advising Fortune 50, 100, and 1000 companies in need of high-level counsel in the fields of strategic communications, procurement, and legislation. In addition to his private sector work, Reed has managed several high-profile ballot measure campaigns in California, Texas, and Colorado before moving to the private sector, Reed served as Deputy Campaign Manager for John McCain’s presidential campaign and Deputy Campaign Manager for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s successful 2006 re-election campaign. Galen also worked on both of President George W. Bush's campaigns and served the Bush Administration at both the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Department of Homeland Security. Micheal and Reed dissect the results of the midterms. 

Mea Culpa is thrilled to present Part 2 of our first-ever LIVE SHOW recorded at the El Rey Theatre on November 1st, 2022. With comedian actress and activist Kathy Griffin. Griffin is a two-time Emmy and Grammy winner who’s been inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for writing and starring in an unprecedented 23 televised stand-up specials!!! Griffin has been twice on the New York Times best-seller list and performed for sold-out crowds around the globe. Also joining Michael is Harry Litman, the former US Attorney and Deputy Assistant Attorney General. Litman is currently the legal affairs columnist for the Los Angeles Times and a professor of Constitutional Law at UCLA and UCSD. Harry can be seen as a legal and political commentator on CBS, NPR MSNBC, and CNN. Litman is also the creator and host of the Talking Feds Podcast. To round out our top-shelf lineup is the former national media director for the Oath Keepers Jason Van Tatenhove. Van Tatenhove testified before the January 6th Committee and is the author of the upcoming book, “The Perils of Extremism …How I Left the Oath Keepers and Why We Should be Concerned about a Future Civil War”. Van Tatenhove has been instrumental in helping the country understand more about the inner workings of extremist para-military groups like the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys and he’s currently hosting his own podcast and writing weekly articles for the Colorado Switchblade. This panel of excellent guests discusses everything from being canceled to what to expect from the midterms. This special episode is hilarious and off the cuff. Enjoy!

Mea Culpa is thrilled to present Part 1 of our first-ever LIVE SHOW recorded at the El Rey Theatre on November 1st, 2022. With comedian actress and activist Kathy Griffin. Griffin is a two-time Emmy and Grammy winner who’s been inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for writing and starring in an unprecedented 23 televised stand-up specials!!! Griffin has been twice on the New York Times best-seller list and performed for sold-out crowds around the globe. Also joining Michael is Harry Litman, the former US Attorney and Deputy Assistant Attorney General. Litman is currently the legal affairs columnist for the Los Angeles Times and a professor of Constitutional Law at UCLA and UCSD. Harry can be seen as a legal and political commentator on CBS, NPR MSNBC, and CNN. Litman is also the creator and host of the Talking Feds Podcast. To round out our top-shelf lineup is the former national media director for the Oath Keepers Jason Van Tatenhove. Van Tatenhove testified before the January 6th Committee and is the author of the upcoming book, “The Perils of Extremism …How I Left the Oath Keepers and Why We Should be Concerned about a Future Civil War”. Van Tatenhove has been instrumental in helping the country understand more about the inner workings of extremist para-military groups like the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys and he’s currently hosting his own podcast and writing weekly articles for the Colorado Switchblade. This panel of excellent guests discusses everything from being canceled to what to expect from the midterms. This special episode is hilarious and off the cuff. Enjoy!

Mea Culpa welcomes back to the show our good friend, Norm Eisen. There’s pretty much nothing going on in politics today that he doesn’t have an opinion about. His recent book, "Overcoming Trumpery” is a great read, especially as we get into the midterms and watch Republican candidates try to mimic Trumpian tactics to get elected. Eisen is a CNN Legal Analyst.  And the founder and executive chair of “States United Democracy Center”, a nonpartisan organization advancing free, fair, and secure elections. Eisen served as special counsel to President Barack Obama on ethics and government reform. In that role, he was dubbed “Mr. No” and the “Ethics Czar” because he's well known for his tough anti-corruption approach to governance. Eisen is also active with the Brookings Institute and other groups working to expose the myriad of ways Trump and his cronies broke the law and attempted to overturn the 2020 election. Eisen is also working with the Brookings Institute to help Ukraine recover and progress now and hopefully post Putin’s war. As we always say, Eisen is a witness to history. Michael and Norm dig deep into the upcoming midterms, the rise of antisemitism, and Trump's legal woes.

A terrifying episode that looks into the heart of the GOP’s relentless attack on democracy. We unpack Barton Gellman’s urgent Atlantic Monthly jeremiad on how Trump will subvert the next election and how the Dems are letting it happen. Later, former FBI Assistant Director Frank Figliuzzi joins Mea Culpa to discuss the radical right wing threat.