The Steelman Argument ft. Howie versus RFK Jr. — Daily Persuasion with Joshua Lisec Ep. 115

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ABOUT TODAY'S EPISODE:

What if the person you disagree with most actually had a point worth understanding?

In Episode 115 of Daily Persuasion with Joshua Lisec, titled “The Steelman Argument ft. Howie versus RFK Jr.”, Lisec unpacks one of the most misunderstood and underused persuasion techniques in public discourse today: the steel man argument — the intellectual opposite of the infamous strawman argument. Using the viral interview between Howie Mandel and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (aka RFK Jr.) as the case study, Lisec demonstrates how mastering this technique could change the way you argue, influence, and persuade forever.

This episode isn't just about RFK Jr. or Howie. It's about you — and how to become a sharper thinker, better communicator, and more persuasive human being. The viral clip in question saw RFK Jr. attempting to show video evidence of media misreporting, while Howie insisted he never heard the claims in question and refused to let RFK play the clips. Heated? Yes. But what happens when you try to steelman Howie’s position instead of strawman him?

Lisec teaches you exactly that.

In this daily persuasion episode, Lisec defines the steel man argument as the art of representing someone’s position in its strongest, most rational form—even when (especially when) you disagree with them. Most of us are familiar with strawman arguments—where you distort someone’s view to make it easier to attack. But steelmanning forces us to overcome outrage and fear, which are the very emotions that shut down reason and open us up to manipulation.

Using the Howie vs. RFK Jr. clash, Lisec shows both the steelman and strawman versions of each side. Can you make the best possible case for someone you think is wrong? Can you persuade others by showing you understand their strongest points before refuting them?

This is a masterclass in persuasion psychology, real-time rhetoric, and how to remain calm, rational, and strategic in high-conflict communication.

Throughout Episode 115, Lisec also explores:
• How the steelman argument is the ultimate antidote to cancel culture and knee-jerk debate
• The psychology behind how to persuade someone to do something who’s emotionally reactive
• Persuasion examples that work across political, social, and personal conversations
• Why most people in media (like Howie) don’t consume media themselves—and how that impacts their arguments
• A breakdown of examples of persuasion in advertising that use steelmanning subtly but effectively
• The dangers of lazy thinking and why persuasive techniques must evolve in a polarized world

Whether you're a writer mastering the techniques of persuasion in writing, a marketer learning persuasion techniques that go beyond manipulation, or simply someone who wants to be heard and understood in daily life, this episode gives you tools to persuade with integrity.

Lisec doesn’t stop at theory—he gets practical. He shows how even an emotionally charged moment (like refusing to let RFK Jr. play a clip) can be steel manned if you consider motives like fear of demonetization or misunderstanding rather than assuming deception or malice. That’s what makes this episode essential viewing for anyone serious about effective communication.

By the end of this episode, you’ll be able to:
• Spot a strawman argument instantly—and call it out without being combative
• Construct a steelman argument that makes people say, “Huh… I hadn’t thought of it that way”
• Understand how persuasion is less about overpowering and more about reframing
• Use argument not to dominate but to direct the emotional energy of a conversation

As Lisec emphasizes, "You can’t persuade someone you haven’t first understood." And understanding begins with the humility to steelman before you speak. That’s how minds are changed—and that’s what makes this episode one of the most valuable yet in the Daily Persuasion series.

🎯 Watch The Steelman Argument ft. Howie versus RFK Jr. — Daily Persuasion with Joshua Lisec Ep. 115 now, and equip yourself with the thinking tools that separate master communicators from the masses.

Because once you learn how to steelman, you'll never lose another argument—you’ll win trust instead.