Shows / Focus with Paul W. Smith
Focus with Paul W. Smith
National Radio Hall of Fame Inductee Paul W. Smith takes middays live and local for a show that goes in-depth with the newsmakers who are shaping the future of Southeast Michigan. Tune in as Paul connects with politicians, business and community leaders, entrepreneurs, and entertainers for longform conversations about why the efforts behind the headlines really matter. Accessible, informative, balanced, and bold, with diverse voices and thought-provoking questions that bring it all into Focus.
Episodes
Focus with Paul W. SmithRick Snyder and Doug Ross on Education
May 27, 2026 ~ Rick Snyder, CEO and co-founder of SensCy, Former Republican Governor of Michigan and Doug Ross, President at American Promise Schools, former…
Focus with Paul W. SmithBill Wild, CEO of MIRA Midwest Independent Retailers Association
May 27, 2026 ~ Bill Wild, CEO of MIRA Midwest Independent Retailers Association joins Paul W. Smith live from the Mackinac Policy Conference. Hosted by…
Focus with Paul W. SmithJocelyn Benson, Secretary of State, Democrat Gubernatorial Candidate
May 27, 2026 ~ Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State, Democrat Gubernatorial joins Paul W. Smith live at the Mackinac Policy Conference. Hosted by Simplecast, an…
Focus with Paul W. SmithBob Riney, CEO of Henry Ford Health, Chair of the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference
May 27, 2026 ~ Bob Riney, CEO of Henry Ford Health, Chair of the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference joins Paul live at the Mackinac Policy Conference. Hosted by…
Focus with Paul W. SmithFocus with Marie Osborne Teen Takeover Turmoil ~ May 26, 2026 ~ Full Show
May 26, 2026 ~ Full Show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data…
Focus with Paul W. SmithPeacemakers in the Teen Takeover Turmoil
May 26, 2026 ~ Toson Knight, president & founder of Caught Up Mentoring Program, joins Marie to discuss his work to mentor teens to prevent turmoil that has…
Focus with Paul W. SmithBusiness Perspective of Teen Takeover Turmoil
May 26, 2026 ~ Marie Osborne talks with Tony Stovall, co-owner and CEO of Hot Sam's, about his downtown business' perspective on the recent teen takeovers and…
Focus with Paul W. SmithPolice Perspective on Recent Teen Takeover Turmoil
May 26, 2026 ~ Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig joins Marie Osborne to discuss the police perspective on the recent teen takeovers occurring in downtown…
Focus with Paul W. SmithThe Legal Consequences of Teen Takeovers
May 26, 2026 ~ Marie Osborne is joined by Detroit Attorney Renette Jackson in studio to discuss her new book "Act Like a Teen, Think Like a Lawyer" and…
Focus with Paul W. SmithFocus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 22, 2026 ~ Full Show
May 22, 2026 ~ Full Show. Mike Duggan drops out of race. Pentagon pledges $792 million to Selfridge. Michigan House passes bill to eliminate property taxes…
Focus with Paul W. SmithDave Riger Reviews “The Mandalorian and Grogu” in theaters and “Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War on Amazon Prime”
May 22, 2026 ~ Dave Riger, Riger Reviews it is reviewing “The Mandalorian and Grogu” in theaters and “Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War on Amazon Prime.”…
Focus with Paul W. SmithFather Wins Custody of Infant Son in Safe Delivery Case
May 22, 2026 ~ Marie Osborne, WJR's Director of Community Affairs and News discusses a Father Wins Custody of Infant Son in Safe Delivery Case. Hosted by…
Focus with Paul W. SmithCongress Forgoes Voting in Opposition to President Trump's Lawfare Fund
May 22, 2026 ~ Jared Halpern, Fox News correspondent and WJR contributor discusses congress leaving town with voting over opposition to President Trump's…
Focus with Paul W. SmithPentagon Pledges $762 million to Selfridge and Michigan House Votes to End Property Tax
May 22, 2026 ~ Ron Robinson, State Representative R-58th District former news anchor and reporter at WJR discusses the entagon pledging $792 million to…
Focus with Paul W. SmithNolan Finley on Duggan Leaving Governor's Race
May 22, 2026 ~ Nolan Finley, Editorial Page Editor for the Detroit News, co-author of “The Civility Book A Guide to Building Bridges Across the Political…
Focus with Paul W. SmithFocus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 21, 2026 ~ Full Show
May 21, 2026 ~ Mike Duggan drops out of Governor's race. Ebola scare over the skies of Detroit. DOJ indicts Raul Castro. Jan 6 officers sue over lawfare fund…
Focus with Paul W. SmithJan 6 Officers Sue Trump over Lawfare Fund
May 21, 2026 ~ Todd Flood, managing partner of Flood Law, PLLC Host of “Behind the Bench” with Todd Flood on WJR discusses the lawsuit over the billion dollar…
Focus with Paul W. SmithUS Indicts Raul Castro
May 21, 2026 ~ Rocky Raczkowski, Ret. Lt. Colonel in the US Army discusses the indictment of Raul Castro. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See…
Focus with Paul W. SmithMike Duggan Drops Out of Gubernatorial Race
May 21, 2026 ~ Marie Osborne, WJR’s Director of Community Affairs and News discusses the shocking news that Mike Duggan is dropping out of the race for…
Focus with Paul W. SmithDetroit Bound Flight Diverted Because of Ebola Concern
May 21, 2026 ~ David Shepardson, covers transportation, autos and aviation for Reuters, formally of the Detroit News discusses the Detroit bound flight that…
Focus with Paul W. SmithFocus with Paul W. Smith ! May 20, 2026 ~ Full Show
May 20, 2026 ~ Trump scores another big primary victory, though one opponent limits his war powers. Latest on San Diego mosque shooting. Data centers dealt…
Focus with Paul W. SmithOne Person in Custody After Shooting During Carjacking in Orion Twp.
May 20, 2026 ~ Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard discusses last night's random carjacking in Orion Twp. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See…
Focus with Paul W. SmithFight to Allow Voters to Choose AG and SOS Candidates via Primary
May 20, 2026 ~ Jason Roe, Principal of Roe Strategic and Lon Johnson, former Chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party are heading up “Voters Not Insiders…
Focus with Paul W. SmithData Centers Face Major Defeats in Two Local Communities
May 20, 2026 ~ Marie Osborne, WJR’s Director of Community Affairs and News discusses the data center that withdrew it's application in Washington Twp and…
Focus with Paul W. SmithMore Details on San Diego Mosque Shooting
May 20, 2026 ~ Osama Siblani, Publisher Arab American News discusses the latest details in the San Diego mosque shooting. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz…
Focus with Paul W. SmithAnother Trump Republican Foe Loses a Major Primary
May 20, 2026 ~ David Dulio, Distinguished Professor, Political Science Department and Director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Oakland University…
Focus with Paul W. SmithFocus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 19, 2026 ~ Full Show
May 19, 2026 ~ US creates $1.3 billion lawfare fund. Selfridge gets more funding. Latest on mosque shooting in San Diego. DPD starting walk a mile Wednesday…
Focus with Paul W. SmithJeff Sharp, managing partner at Estate Planning Legal Services, PC
May 19, 2026 ~ Jeff Sharp, managing partner at Estate Planning Legal Services, PC is the newest partner of Focus with Paul W. Smith. Hosted by Simplecast, an…
Focus with Paul W. SmithAmerican Diagnosed with Ebola
May 19, 2026 ~ Marie Osborne, WJR's Director of Community Affairs and News discusses Ebola being declared a global health emergency and the American diagnosed…
Focus with Paul W. SmithWalk a Mile Wednesday and Stepping Up Patrol for Teen Takeovers
May 19, 2026 ~ Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison discusses his Walk a Mile Wednesdays and teen takeovers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See…
Focus with Paul W. SmithLatest on San Diego Mosque Shooting
May 19, 2026 ~ Tonya J Powers Fox News Correspondent and WJR Contributor updates us on the mosque shooting in San Diego. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz…
Focus with Paul W. SmithSelfridge Gets $162 Million from Federal Government
May 19, 2026 ~ Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel discusses new federal funding for Selfridge. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See…
Focus with Paul W. SmithUS Creates $1.3 Billion Lawfare fund
May 19, 2026 ~ Tom Leonard, Partner at Plunkett Cooney, former Republican Gubernatorial Candidate discusses the lawfare account created during Trump's…
Focus with Paul W. SmithFocus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 18, 2026 ~ Full Show
May 18, 2026 ~ Are primaries going Trump's way? Pistons lose in game 7. Police warning of realistic looking squirt guns, stepping up patrols because of teen…
Focus with Paul W. SmithPolice Warning About Realistic Squirt Guns and Teen Takeovers
May 18, 2026 ~ Steve Dolunt, Retired Detroit Police Assistant Chief discusses "water wars" and teen takeovers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See…
Focus with Paul W. SmithMichigan Deaths Outpacing Births
May 18, 2026 ~ Patrick Anderson, Founder and CEO of Anderson Economic Group discusses the economic impact of deaths outpacing births in Michigan. Hosted by…
Focus with Paul W. SmithLarge Scale Antisemitic Attack Thwarted While Antisemitic Flyers Distributed in Berkley
May 18, 2026 ~ Doron Levin, Freelance Journalist, born in Israel, served in Israeli military discusses a couple of disturbing antisemitic events over the…
Focus with Paul W. SmithPistons Lose in Game 7 and The Latest Episode of "Angels Along the Way"
May 18, 2026 ~ Jamie Edmonds, co-host JR’ Morning with Chris, Lloyd and Jamie and Jamie's Journey: Angels Along The Way discusses the Pistons loss to the Cavs…
Focus with Paul W. SmithAre More Trump Primary Victories on the way this Week?
May 18, 2026 ~ Kaitlyn Buss, Deputy Editorial Page Editor for the Detroit News discusses a busy week of primaries coming up this week. Will the Trump effect…
Focus with Paul W. SmithFocus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 16, 2026 ~ Victor's Roofing Special
May 16, 2026 ~ Paul W. is live from the site of the Victor's Giveback Program in this special weekend edition of Focus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz…
Focus with Paul W. SmithFocus With Paul W. Smith ~ May 15, 2026 ~ Full Show
May 15, 2026 ~ President Trump wraps up his trip to China. Senate votes to withhold pay during shutdowns. Macomb County starts huge sanitary sewer project…
Focus with Paul W. SmithDetroit Population Grows Again
May 15, 2026 ~ Jeff Monosso, Fox News Correspondent and WJR Contributor discusses the latest population numbers from Detroit. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz…
Focus with Paul W. SmithRiger Reviews Obsession and Marty, Life is Short
May 15, 2026 ~ Dave Riger of Riger Reviews it reviews "Obsession" in theaters and "Marty, Life is Short" on Netflix. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company…
Focus with Paul W. SmithMichigan Court of Claims Grants Injunction Against Earmarks
Friday 15, 2026 ~ Patrick J. Wright, Vice President for Legal Affairs, Mackinac Center for Public Policy, discusses their lawsuit challenging hidden earmarks…
Focus with Paul W. SmithMacomb County to Repair Sanitary Sewers
May 15, 2026 ~ Candice Miller, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner discusses the large sanitary sewer pipe repair starting on the same week as the massive…
Focus with Paul W. SmithSenate Votes to Not Get Paid During Future Shutdowns
May 15, 2026 ~ Dennis Darnoi, Founder of Densar Consulting discusses the vote in the Senate to withhold pay during shutdowns. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz…
Focus with Paul W. SmithWrap Up of President Trump's China Trip
May 15, 2026 ~ Tom Watkins, Director, President and CEO of TDW and Associates a US/China Business and Education Consulting Firm gives his thoughts on President…
Focus with Paul W. SmithFocus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 14, 2026 ~ Full Show
May 14, 2026 ~ President Trump visits with Xi. Pistons lose to the Cavs. CIA Whistleblower testifies on COVID. Alex Murdaugh murder conviction overturned and…
Focus with Paul W. SmithSouth Carolina Supreme Court Overturns Murdaugh Conviction
May 14, 2026 ~ Todd Flood, Managing Partner at Flood Law PLLC, host of "Behind the Bench" with Todd Flood on WJR discusses the overturning of Alex Murdaugh's…
Focus with Paul W. SmithYesterday's CIA Whistleblower Hearing on COVID
May 14, 2026 ~ Eben Brown, Fox News Correspondent and WJR Contributor discusses yesterday's hearing with a CIA whistleblower on COVID. Hosted by Simplecast, an…
Focus with Paul W. SmithBad No Call and 4th Quarter Collapse Lead to Pistons Loss to Cavs
May 14, 2026 ~ Anthony Bellino, co-host of SportsWrap with Lomas Brown and Anthony Bellino, weeknights at 6pm discusses last night's Pistons loss. Hosted by…
Focus with Paul W. SmithChris Swanson Checks in from the Campaign Trail
May 14, 2026 ~ Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, Running for Governor as a Democrat checks in from the campaign trail. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz…
Focus with Paul W. SmithTrump Meets with Xi, Congresswoman Dingell Introduces Legislation to Ban Chinese Cars
May 14, 2026 ~ Debbie Dingell, Congresswoman D-6th District discusses Trump's China trip and her legislation to ban Chinese cars. Hosted by Simplecast, an…
Focus with Paul W. SmithFocus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 13, 2026 ~ Full Show
May 13, 2026 ~ Trump lands in China. New polling on president, governor and senate. Progress being made on giant water main break. Black bear sighted in Wayne…
Focus with Paul W. SmithNew Texting Scam and COVID Era Tax Rebates
May 13, 2026 ~ Susan Tompor, Personal Finance Columnist for the Detroit Free Press discusses her columns “Michigan drivers hit again by texts for unpaid tolls”…
Focus with Paul W. SmithCalifornia Mayor Confesses to Being an Agent for China
May 13, 2026 ~ Andy Arena, Director of the Detroit Crime Commission, former special agent in charge of the Detroit FBI discusses the California mayor who has…
Focus with Paul W. SmithTwo Black Bear Sightings in Monroe and Wayne County
May 13, 2026 ~ Marie Osborne, WJR's Director of Community Affairs and News discusses two black bear sightings in Southeast Michigan. Hosted by Simplecast, an…
Focus with Paul W. SmithTrump Lands in China, New Polling for Governor, Senate and President
May 13, 2026 ~ Nolan Finley, Editorial Page Editor for the Detroit News, co-author of “The Civility Book A Guide to Building Bridges Across the Political…
Focus with Paul W. SmithCrews Replace Giant Pipe in Oakland County
May 13, 2026 ~ David Coulter, Oakland County Executive discusses what's next after a giant water main is replaced in Oakland County. Hosted by Simplecast, an…
Focus with Paul W. SmithFocus with Paul W. Smith ~ April 12, 2026 ~ Full Show
May 12, 2026 ~ Looking ahead to Trump's China trip. Wayne County launches new gun safety campaign. Will President Trump suspend the gas tax? Latest on the…