Shows / The Smerconish Podcast
The Smerconish Podcast
Spirited discussions of government, politics, and current events without predictable left/right bias. The Smerconish Podcast is for Independent Minds. The Michael Smerconish Program airs live on SiriusXM's POTUS Channel 9AM-12PM ET and replays 9PM-12AM East, Monday-Friday.
Episodes
- The Smerconish Podcast
Breaking Down Birthright: Who Deserves U.S. Citizenship?
Today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Should citizenship be automatically granted to those born in the United States to parents who are in the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Mark Halperin on "Original Sin" : Revelations or No News?
Mark Halperin shares what insight he got into President Joe Biden's administration and potential coverups of the former President's health, from what has been…
- The Smerconish Podcast
What Did Team Biden Hide? Shocking Insights Revealed
In efforts to shield President Biden from scrutiny over his health, were his aides primarily engaged in rationalization or deliberate scheming? That is today's…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Different Is Hot: Arthur Brooks On How To Get Young People To Mingle
Arthur C. Brooks is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and the host of the How to Build a Happy Life podcast. He is also a professor at the Harvard Kennedy…
- The Smerconish Podcast
A Jet, A President, and a Possible Impeachment
The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Politics of the Papacy: Was the First American Pope Chosen to Counter Trump?
In the wake of the historic election of Pope Leo XIV—the first American pope—Michael Smerconish speaks with veteran catholic commentator and journalist Rocco…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Buy American or Save Money? Smerconish Breaks Down the Trade-Off
The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific…
- The Smerconish Podcast
A BODY IN THE SNOW: Michael Smerconish Is Totally Consumed By The Karen Read Case
A deep dive into the case of the death of Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, in which Karen Read, who was in a relationship with O'Keefe, is accused of…
- The Smerconish Podcast
When You Mingle, You Flourish: Inside the Global Flourishing Study with Dr. Byron Johnson
Michael Smerconish sits down with Dr. Byron Johnson of Baylor University for a thought-provoking conversation that explores groundbreaking findings from the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Why Kamala Harris Lost: Smerconish Breaks Down Biden’s Bold Claim
The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Autism and Vaccines: What the Science Really Says
Michael dives into one of the most sensitive and misunderstood topics in public discourse today: the rise in autism diagnoses and the persistent myths…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Debate Over A Secure Career Path: College Degree v. Skilled Trade
Michael has three things that he's seen in the last 24 hours that bring this commentary and question he's asking to mind in this episode. It starts with a…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Tariffs, Trade Wars, and Trump's Inner Circle Power Plays: A Deep Dive with Mark Halperin
Mark Halperin is editor-in-chief of 2WAY, author of the Wide World of News newsletter, and host of the "Next Up" podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Should transgender individuals be banned from military service?
The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Steven Singer Unfiltered: His insightful and transparent take on Tariffs
Visit Steven Singer Jewelers. Steven Singer is a long time advertiser on The Michael Smerconish Program. However, this was an unpaid appearance, he was invited…
- The Smerconish Podcast
America’s Next Immigration Plan: Pay-to-Exit?
Self-Deportation for Cash? President Trump's controversial idea of giving $1,000 to undocumented immigrants who volunteer to leave the country is splitting…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Senator in Denial? Inside Ben Terris's Bombshell Fetterman Report
Is Senator John Fetterman in trouble? In this eye-opening episode, Michael Smerconish speaks with New York Magazine’s Ben Terris about his report detailing…
- The Smerconish Podcast
GOP Loyalty to Trump Trumps All—Even the Constitution
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Will President Trump's ambivalence about upholding the Constitution cause ANY erosion of his support among…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Get Rid of Grades. It's An A+ Idea
Author Daniel Pink argues that grade inflation is ruining education. Michael welcomes him to discuss his Washington Post op-ed "Why not get rid of grades?"…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Should Critics of Trump’s Immigration Tactics Back Off? Michael Smerconish Says YES
Read Elie Honig's piece in New York Magazine here. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Brad Meltzer Wrote an Oath That Changed America—Now It’s Under Attack
In this powerful episode, Michael Smerconish is joined by bestselling author Brad Meltzer—whose writing career began not with thrillers, but by penning the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
STICKER SHOCK: Should Stores Tell You The Tariff Cost On What You're Buying?
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Should retailers itemize tariff surcharges on customer bills? Listen to Michael explain the issue, then cast YOUR…
- The Smerconish Podcast
100 Days of Trump 2.0: A Masterclass with Halperin, Rove, Sosnik & Axelrod
In this comprehensive analysis, four of America's top political minds dissect the first 100 days of Trump's second term. Michael talks to Mark Halperin, Karl…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Supreme Court Showdown: Should Religious Charter Schools Get Public Funds?
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Should charter schools with religious affiliations be eligible to receive public funds? Listen to Michael explain…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Today's Complex Geopolitical Moment: Admiral James Stavridis on Global Tensions and Domestic Uncertainty
Michael and the Admiral reference Michael's conversation upcoming with Admiral William McRaven - listen to that on the Book Club with Michael Smerconish…
- The Smerconish Podcast
100 Days In: Rethinking The Trump-Harris Defeat
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: If voters knew what they know 100 days into Trump 2.0, would Trump have defeated Harris? Listen to Michael…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Back Story of Michael's CNN Festivus Commentary, Larry David v. Bill Maher
Saturday Morning was quite a morning amidst the funeral of Pope Francis. Michael offers a play-by-play of how his show still went on-air on CNN, where he…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Should The Wisconsin Judge Go to Jail? The Hannah Dugan-ICE Controversy Explained
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: If a state judge helps a migrant evade federal ICE agents, should that judge be arrested and charged with…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Conclave Countdown: Politics, Papal Legacy & Who’s Watching?
Dr. Richard Wood is President of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Lizard Breath, Ponch, Beysh and Smerc: What Happened To Nicknames?
Where Have All The Nicknames Gone? Read In The Wall Street Journal Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Price of Peace Between Russia and Ukraine
The war between Russia and Ukraine is top of mind today. Michael is asking you this Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Is achieving peace worth the cost if it…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Tesla’s Struggle to Rebuild Progressive Trust vs. Winning Over Conservative
Michael loves his Tesla. So listen to his take here on Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Which is more likely: Tesla recovers its brand loyalty…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Chaos or Strategy? Mark Halperin on Trump's Shocking Market Moves, JD Vance's Power Grab, and RFK Jr.'s Dye Ban
Michael is joined by political analyst Mark Halperin for a whirlwind tour of the most pressing stories shaping Washington. From Donald Trump's surprise pivot…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Michael Smerconish Unpacks the Parental Right to Say No to LGBTQ+ School Lessons
The Supreme Court hearing oral arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor this week, where a group of parents want to be able to opt their children out of LGBTQ+ themed…
- The Smerconish Podcast
A time for choosing between two of Michael's favorites: Bill Maher or Larry David
Also listen to Michael's commentary in Episode #1332, Bill Maher Mingled With Donald Trump, And That's Great from 14 April 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an…
- The Smerconish Podcast
People Aren't Having Kids. The Government Could Step In To Encourage Them To Do So!
Today's poll question at Smerconish.com asks: With birth rates declining in many developed nations, should governments adopt policies that actively encourage…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Elon Musk's Pronatalism View: The world will collapse without more babies
Michael talks with Dana Mattioli, technology investigations and enterprise reporter for the Wall Street Journal. She's written "The Tactics Elon Musk Uses to…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Pope Francis' Final Act Might Be To Spare Pete Hegseth His Termination As Secretary of Defense
Michael opens this episode remembering Pope Francis, who passed today at the age of 88. In an insightful commentary, he weaves into today's poll question at…
- The Smerconish Podcast
30th Anniversary: Remembering The Oklahoma City Bombing
The bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on April 19th, 1995 remains the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Admiral Stavridis ALARM: 5 Signs That The U.S. and China Will Go To War
Tensions between the United States and China are escalating. Michael learns from Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis that while the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
"19 Years Ago, I’d Have Said No" — Michael Smerconish Now Hopes Aliens Have Faith
Religion can be a tricky subject...while it can bring a lot of good, it can also lead to conflict, and even war. Today being Good Friday, this brings us to…
- The Smerconish Podcast
A Spontaneous Town Hall on the Ground-Level Realities of Labor, Immigration, and American Contradiction
Michael hosts a compelling conversation centered around immigration, undocumented workers, and the everyday realities of hiring day laborers—sparked by a…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Politically Speaking, Trump Has A Big Winning Hand Right Now...Until He Doesn't
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Does Trump benefit politically from ALL of the following: 1) fighting Harvard, 2) not facilitating return of…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Mark Halperin Divides Every Element Of The Trump Agenda Into "Big Casino" or "Not Big Casino"
2WAY Editor-in-Chief and Wide World of News Publisher Mark Halperin says we are at an odd moment in the three-side relationship between the Trump agenda, the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Think Twice Before Defunding Harvard Over Antisemitism
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Should federal funding be cut from universities like Harvard in response to perceived failures in addressing…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Wealthy Europeans Are Healthier Than Wealthy Americans: Why?
London School of Economics Professor Irene Papanicolas joins Michael to discuss a study that finds wealthy Americans have similar death rates to poor…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Instinctively, Yes, The IRS Should Audit All Taxpayers Equally. But That May Not Be Practical.
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Should the IRS audit taxpayers of all income levels with equal frequency to ensure fairness and transparency in…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Bill Maher Mingled With Donald Trump, And That's Great
Michael dissects what we learned when Bill Maher talked about his meeting with President Trump nearly two weeks ago, he just spoke about it this past Friday on…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Should You Pay for a 3-Pack-a-Day Smoker’s Medical Bills? Michael Smerconish Says YES, But...
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Answer the question recently raised by RFK Jr.: “If you're smoking three packs of cigarettes a day, should you…
- The Smerconish Podcast
U.S. Manufacturing Is In A Tough Spot, And It's Not Because of Trade Policy
Lots of talk about trade and tariffs lately - but this conversation has a different focus than all the rest. Allysia Finley's op-ed in hte Wall Stret Journal…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Should humans pursue the de-extinction of species like the dire wolf?
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Should humans pursue the de-extinction of species like the dire wolf? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at…
- The Smerconish Podcast
What Salena Zito learned about 'America First' in a Pennsylvania steel mill
Michael welcomes Washington Examiner columnist Salena Zito on an Op-Ed she penned for The Washington Post, after being on the ground with U.S. Steel workers in…
- The Smerconish Podcast
It is possible that President Trump has strengthened our hand with our trading partners
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Setting aside criticism of Trump’s approach and style, do you believe his tariff policies will ultimately benefit…
- The Smerconish Podcast
A Brilliant Tariff Turmoil Tutorial
You will feel a heck of a lot smarter in 30 minutes after listening to this - Michael sure did! A great tutorial on what's happening with all these tariffs -…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Michael Smerconish: Young Men's Decreasing Workforce Participation Poses A Great Challenge To America's Future
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Which poses a greater challenge for America's future: young men's decreasing workforce participation or the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Mitch Landrieu: Trump Being Chaotic Makes It Really Hard For Our Trading Partners To Trust Us
Michael talks trade and tariffs with former Louisiana Lt. Governor and former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who also served as President Biden's senior…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Michael Smerconish: It's A No Brainer, Trump's Tariffs Are A Negotiating Tactic
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Are President Trump's tariffs a permanent fixture of his trade policy or primarily a negotiating tactic? Listen…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Crash A Wedding! A Top Tip After 50 Years of Traveling
Read Kevin Kelly's 50 Years of Travel Tips Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Dow Crashed Friday....Let's Predict What This Coming Friday Will Look Like!
Michael offers a commentary on what's happening in the financial markets as a result of President Trump enacting reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Strange, Post-Partisan Popularity of the Unabomber
The New York Times reporter Charles Homans joins Michael to discuss his new piece "The Strange, Post-Partisan Popularity of the Unabomber'"; a piece that takes…