The Middle Ground Mic

Joe
  • 3.0 (2)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY

The MiddleGround Mic is a top-ranked news commentary and politics podcast built on one principle: No Left. No Right. Forward. Hosted by Joseph Steagall, the show cuts through partisan noise and dives deep into the issues shaping America and the world. From elections and foreign policy to local community challenges, every episode seeks common ground where real solutions live. Ranked in the top #15 U.S. News Commentary podcasts, The MiddleGround Mic features influential guests — from thought leaders and journalists to everyday voices making an impact. With balanced perspectives, raw conversations, and a centrist outlook, we give listeners what’s missing in today’s media: honesty, clarity, and a way forward. Subscribe now to join the conversation that’s moving beyond division and shaping the future of politics, culture, and community.

  1. Middle Ground: Dalia al-Aqidi on Fixing Minneapolis vs Ilhan Omar

    2D AGO

    Middle Ground: Dalia al-Aqidi on Fixing Minneapolis vs Ilhan Omar

    Send us a text Minneapolis is under intense national scrutiny — from public safety concerns to immigration enforcement and declining trust in political leadership. In this episode of The Middle Ground Mic, Joe sits down with Dalia al-Aqidi, an Iraqi-American journalist, legal immigrant, and congressional candidate running against Representative Ilhan Omar in Minnesota’s Fifth District. Rather than leaning into partisan outrage, this conversation takes a middle-ground approach to the issues shaping Minneapolis today. Dalia explains why she believes the city needs a renewed focus on public safety, accountability in law enforcement, community trust, and bipartisan solutions to address economic and social challenges. Topics include the long-term impact of defunding the police, immigration reform from a legal immigrant’s perspective, political leadership during unrest, and what effective representation should look like for Minneapolis residents. 🔗 Learn more about Dalia al-Aqidi’s campaign:  👉 https://www.daliaforcongress.org Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dalia al-Aqidi 01:01 Dalia’s Background and Immigration Story 02:36 Public Safety and Law Enforcement in Minneapolis 04:56 Political Leadership and Community Trust 07:25 The Impact of Defunding the Police 09:19 Bipartisanship and Political Solutions 10:00 Immigration and Community Dynamics 11:13 Economic Challenges and Public Assistance 12:23 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions  🎙️ The Middle Ground Mic No Left. No Right. Forward. Support the show 🚨🚨Want to support The Middle Ground Mic and keep investigations going?🚨🚨 BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/tmgm

    27 min
  2. Federal Agents Kill ICU Nurse in Minneapolis

    6D AGO

    Federal Agents Kill ICU Nurse in Minneapolis

    Send us a text What do YOU think? comment below! Federal agents just shot & killed 37yo ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during an ICE op. Protests exploding, threats flying, city on edge AGAIN.  But violence isn't the answer. Guilt or not – we need truth + justice WITHOUT more bodies. Dialogue over destruction. Kids are watching. What side are you on? Drop your take below  Like/share if you're tired of the cycle. Support the show 🚨🚨Want to support The Middle Ground Mic and keep investigations going?🚨🚨 BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/tmgm

    2 min
  3. Iran Is Executing Thousands — That’s Not Strength, That’s Panic

    JAN 25

    Iran Is Executing Thousands — That’s Not Strength, That’s Panic

    Send us a text Iran has executed over 2,200 people in 2025 alone. Is this a sign of power — or a regime on the brink of collapse? In this episode of The Middle Ground Mic, Joe is joined by Zolal Habibi, a human rights and women’s rights advocate and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). They discuss Iran’s escalating executions, mass arrests, nationwide protests, internet shutdowns, and why women and young people are increasingly leading the resistance. Zolal explains why both foreign intervention and diplomatic appeasement have failed — and what a real, Iranian-led alternative could look like. This episode explores: • Why executions spike when regimes lose control • The role of women in Iran’s resistance movement • The legacy of the 1988 massacre • Why Iranians reject war and dictatorship alike • What accountability without invasion looks like A grounded, honest conversation about Iran’s future — and why it matters to the world. RESOURCES & LINKS: Learn more about the Iranian resistance: https://maryamrajavi4change.com National Council of Resistance of Iran: https://www.ncr-iran.org Iran Human Rights Monitoring: https://iran-hrm.com Organization of Iranian American Communities: https://oiac.org Iran Freedom: https://iranfreedom.org Chapters 00:00 The State of Iran: Fear and Control 02:46 Uprisings and Resistance: A Historical Perspective 05:23 The Role of Leadership in the Iranian Resistance 08:02 The Nature of Protests: Unity and Diversity 10:57 The Impact of Internet Shutdowns on Communication 13:30 The Psychological Warfare of the Regime 16:18 The Evolution of Resistance Units 19:00 The Role of Women in the Resistance 21:54 The Roadmap for a Free Iran 24:50 Empowerment Through Perseverance 27:08 The 10-Point Plan for a Free Iran 31:08 The Regime's Last Chapter 37:04 International Accountability and Support 43:30 Connecting for Change Support the show 🚨🚨Want to support The Middle Ground Mic and keep investigations going?🚨🚨 BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/tmgm

    45 min
  4. They Want You Divided — MAGA 2.0 Is Breaking the System

    JAN 23

    They Want You Divided — MAGA 2.0 Is Breaking the System

    Send us a text Americans are angry, exhausted, and divided — but not for the reasons we’re told. In this episode, Joseph Steagall sits down with Rocky Haag, a politically agnostic thinker, to explore why people feel unseen, why institutions are losing trust, and how AI, endless wars, and economic pressure are reshaping society. This is not a Left vs Right conversation.  It’s a systems-level discussion about power, dignity, and the future. 0:00 Why Americans Feel Politically Homeless 4:12 MAGA 2.0 Explained (Not What You Think) 9:45 One-Income Families Vanished — Here’s Why 17:30 Forever Wars Are a Business Model 25:10 AI Warfare & Loss of Human Agency 34:40 Empire Mindset vs Human Dignity 44:15 Faith, Power & Manipulation 55:00 Is America Actually Awakening? Support the show 🚨🚨Want to support The Middle Ground Mic and keep investigations going?🚨🚨 BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/tmgm

    1h 19m
  5. She Served America Without a Uniform | Truth, Iran, Journalism & Freedom | Mahtab Farid

    JAN 22

    She Served America Without a Uniform | Truth, Iran, Journalism & Freedom | Mahtab Farid

    Send us a text Freedom doesn’t disappear overnight — it erodes quietly through fear, censorship, and silence.  In this episode of The Middle Ground Mic, journalist and U.S. diplomat Mahtab Farid shares how she grew up under Iran’s revolution and chose to serve America without ever wearing a uniform. Born in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War, Mahtab Farid experienced censorship and repression firsthand. Those early experiences shaped her understanding of truth, freedom, and the responsibility that comes with liberty. After becoming a U.S. citizen just months before 9/11, Mahtab made a defining choice: to serve the country that gave her freedom. As a U.S. Public Diplomacy Officer, she deployed to Afghanistan alongside American service members — not as a soldier, but as a truth-teller — helping build local media, counter propaganda, and earn trust in some of the world’s most dangerous places. In this conversation, we discuss: Growing up under Iran’s revolution and what censorship really looks likeWhy journalism threatens authoritarian regimesServing America without a uniform after 9/11Media trust, propaganda, and narrative warfareRedefining patriotism beyond politics📘 Mahtab Farid’s book — Serving Without a Uniform: Reporting Truth in Defense of Freedom 👉 https://www.amazon.in/Serving-Without-Uniform-Reporting-Defense-ebook/dp/B0G5JGLZPF The Middle Ground Mic No Left. No Right. Forward. ⏱️ CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 – Freedom, Silence, and the Cost of Truth  01:45 – Growing Up During Iran’s Revolution  06:20 – When Censorship Becomes Normal  10:40 – Discovering America From the Outside  15:30 – Journalism as Resistance  20:10 – Becoming a U.S. Citizen Before 9/11  24:45 – Choosing to Serve America  30:15 – Afghanistan: Building Media Without Fear  36:20 – Media Trust, Propaganda & Soft Power  42:10 – Redefining Patriotism Without Politics  48:50 – Final Reflections: How Will You Serve? Support the show 🚨🚨Want to support The Middle Ground Mic and keep investigations going?🚨🚨 BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/tmgm

    1h 23m
  6. Real Representation — Or Just Talk? A Campaign Interview Without the Script

    JAN 21

    Real Representation — Or Just Talk? A Campaign Interview Without the Script

    Send us a text Voters say they want real representation — but trust in Congress keeps falling. In this episode of The Middle Ground Mic, host Joseph Steagall sits down with Eric France, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress in Illinois’s 2nd District, for an unscripted campaign interview focused on grassroots politics, people-powered leadership, and restoring trust in government. This conversation goes beyond party labels to explore affordable housing, public safety, economic opportunity, and what real accountability should look like after the election — not just during a campaign. Is real representation still possible? Or is it just talk? Learn more about Eric France’s campaign: https://franceforcongress.com/ Introduction and Campaign Focus- Starts at 0:00Background and Experience- Starts at 3:00Local Representation and Infrastructure- Starts at 6:00Public-Private Partnerships and Community Needs- Starts at 9:00Challenges and Accountability in Government- Starts at 12:00THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT.  Support the show 🚨🚨Want to support The Middle Ground Mic and keep investigations going?🚨🚨 BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/tmgm

    32 min
  7. Iran on the Brink: Protests, Power, and the Truth the Media Misses

    JAN 18

    Iran on the Brink: Protests, Power, and the Truth the Media Misses

    Send us a text Iran is facing its most serious internal crisis in decades — and the story most people are hearing doesn’t explain what’s really happening. In this episode of The Middle Ground Mic, Joseph is joined by Ron Bee — The Middle Ground Expert on Foreign Policy — for a grounded, non-partisan breakdown of Iran’s current chaos. We examine: • Why mass protests and executions signal regime fear, not strength • How Iran wages war through proxies instead of direct conflict • The real purpose of Iran’s nuclear program: leverage over fear • The difference between the Iranian people and the Iranian regime • Where Reza Pahlavi fits into Iran’s future — and why Ali Khamenei’s grip may be weakening This isn’t a pro-war conversation. It isn’t appeasement either. It’s a reality check for anyone tired of false choices and shallow outrage. 🎙️ The Middle Ground Mic   No Left. No Right. Forward. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Iran's Geopolitical Landscape 04:04 Iran's Economic Collapse and Public Unrest 09:29 Historical Context: The Islamic Revolution and Its Aftermath 23:54 Nuclear Ambitions: Iran's Threat to Israel 27:14 The Impact of U.S. Elections on Iran's Strategy 31:40 Conclusion: The Future of Iran and Regional Stability 32:57 Political Engagement and Government Trust 36:02 The Deadly Protests in Iran 40:04 U.S. Interests in Iran 51:27 The Importance of Foreign Policy 53:33 Misconceptions About Foreign Policy Support the show 🚨🚨Want to support The Middle Ground Mic and keep investigations going?🚨🚨 BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/tmgm

    53 min
  8. Stop Calling Everything Nazi or Communist – You're Ruining America

    JAN 17

    Stop Calling Everything Nazi or Communist – You're Ruining America

    Send us a text We tackle the intellectual fraud plaguing modern political discourse, where extreme labels are flung without substance. We analyze the rhetoric and the ideological divide that prevents meaningful discussion, highlighting how this lazy labeling is a logical fallacy. It's time to move past superficial attacks and engage in genuine political communication.  WHAT DO YOU THINK???? COMMENT BELOW! New Teeth. Fresh smile. Click here.Fresh smile. 🦷 Fresh Mouth Club delivers real dental care that works.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show 🚨🚨Want to support The Middle Ground Mic and keep investigations going?🚨🚨 BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/tmgm

    1 min
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3
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The MiddleGround Mic is a top-ranked news commentary and politics podcast built on one principle: No Left. No Right. Forward. Hosted by Joseph Steagall, the show cuts through partisan noise and dives deep into the issues shaping America and the world. From elections and foreign policy to local community challenges, every episode seeks common ground where real solutions live. Ranked in the top #15 U.S. News Commentary podcasts, The MiddleGround Mic features influential guests — from thought leaders and journalists to everyday voices making an impact. With balanced perspectives, raw conversations, and a centrist outlook, we give listeners what’s missing in today’s media: honesty, clarity, and a way forward. Subscribe now to join the conversation that’s moving beyond division and shaping the future of politics, culture, and community.

Information

  • Creator
    Joe
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    185
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Middle Ground Mic
  • Show Website
    The Middle Ground Mic

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