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
Daily Poll: Should pro-Palestinian groups be banned from state colleges?
Michael lays out today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should pro-Palestinian groups be banned from state colleges? Listen here, then vote! Original…
- The Smerconish Podcast
A difficult but open conversation about the war in Gaza
Eric Cheyfitz is the Ernest I. White Professor of American Studies and Humane Letters at Cornell University. Michael was uncomfortable publishing an essay from…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Occasional mass murder is a reality of American life that will not change
In the wake of the shooting massacre in Lewiston, Maine this week, Michael asks this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Occasional mass murder is an…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Politics of Getting Old: How Aging Makes You More Conservative
Michael talks to Dante Chinni, Wall Street Journal Columnist and Director of the American Communities Project at Michigan State University. They discuss his…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Who or what will rein in the addictive aspects of social media?
Michael lays out today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which has the greatest likelihood of reining in addictive aspects of social media? Platforms…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Fake Ron Klain's Latest Advice To President Biden
Political analyst Mark Halperin at Wide World of News parses through his latest "Fake Ron Klain Memo" with Michael. Original air date 25 October 2023. Hosted…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Should major university donors have a say in the schools' stance on geopolitical issues?
As protests are happening on college campuses across the country on what's happening in the Middle East, and some of those schools are taking stances as…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Police Potheads: State Says Yes, Mayor Says No
It's a case of city versus state, and it has to do with pot. Michael talks to Steven Fulop, the Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey, who does not want officers on…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Should all hostages be released before a ceasefire in the Israel/Gaza War?
Michael discusses the latest Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com. It is an Agree-or-Disagree option today, stating: There should be no ceasefire in the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Two Weeks Into The War, Examining The Protests And A Possible Two-State Solution
16 days since the war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, Michael examines the protests - what are they protesting about and where? And, a look at…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Must any Israeli move into Gaza be paired with a new Israeli commitment to a two-state solution?
Michael asks today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Do you agree with Thomas Friedman that any Israeli move into Gaza must be paired with a new Israeli…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Hamas's Hostage-Taking Handbook: The Atlantic's Graeme Wood Read It
Michael talks to Graeme Wood, staff writer at The Atlantic and co-author of "The Way of the Strangers: Encounters With The Islamic State." He obtained a…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Do you support President Biden's request for $100B in aid to Israel & Ukraine?
Following the address to the nation from the Oval Office last night, Michael asks today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Do you support President…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Make Your Candidacy, Admiral McRaven
A possible third party candidate no one has really talked about yet: Admiral William McRaven. Michael talks to NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd about his…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: If Hezbollah joins the war in Gaza, should the U.S. get involved?
As the fighting escalates in Israel and Gaza, and after Biden visited Israel, Michael asks today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should the U.S…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Domestic Political Implications Of What's Happening In Israel
Michael welcomes political analyst Mark Halperin at Wide World of News to talk about possible shifts in the 2024 presidential race due to the Israel-Hamas…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Will we find out who/what caused the strike on the Hospital in Gaza?
With the war seemingly escalating in the Middle East and President Biden arriving in Israel overnight, Michael offers up today's Daily Poll Question at…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis' take on a possible Israel ground offensive
Every Tuesday, Michael talks with Retired Navy Admiral James Stavridis, the former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO. He is currently vice chair, global affairs…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Does the attack on Israel suddenly make Biden's age and experience more an asset than liability?
Michael offers up today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Does the attack on Israel suddenly make Joe Biden's age and experience more an asset than…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Maher & Smerconish: Los Lonely Boys
Bill Maher says social media is helping us be anything BUT social...it is increasing loneliness and isolation, and Michael agrees. Original air date 16 October…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Should the U.S. accept refugees from Gaza?
Michael offers today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should the U.S. accept refugees from Gaza? Listen, then vote. Original air date 16 October 2023…
- The Smerconish Podcast
J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami on Israel
Michael talks to J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami on what's happening in Israel. From their website, "J Street organizes pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans to…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Should the news media publish the horrifying images from the Hamas attack on Israel?
Michael asks today's Smerconish.com Daily Poll Question: Should the news media publish the horrifying images resulting from the Hamas attack on Israel? Listen…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The American Exchange Project: Connecting our divided country
Michael welcomes David McCullough III (grandson of '1776' author David McCullough, to talk about the AEP, where he is co-founder and CEO of the organization…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Should students who blame Israel be blacklisted by prospective employers?
Michael offers thoughts on today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should students who blame Israel for the Saturday Hamas attack be blacklisted by…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Richard Clarke: The War 50 Years After The War
An important perspective on the Israel-Hamas War - former Defense and State Department official Richard Clarke talks about his exclusive Smerconish.com piece…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Should President Biden encourage PM Netanyahu to exercise restraint?
Michael examines today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Either publicly or privately, should President Biden encourage PM Netanyahu to exercise…
- The Smerconish Podcast
What It Means To Be An Independent
Michael shares some words for independent minds, a day after Robert F Kennedy, Jr. switches to run for President as an independent candidate in 2024. Original…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Will RFK Jr. make more or less of an impact on 2024 as an Independent than as a Democrat?
Michael offers today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will RFK Jr. make more or less of an impact on 2024 as an Independent than as a Democrat? Listen…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt: Third Parties Will Help Trump Win in 2024
Is 2024 the year for a successful third party presidential candidate? Many groups. including No Labels, hope so - however - others fear their efforts may help…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Daily Poll: Will the Israel/Hamas conflict remain localized or become a broad regional war?
Michael offers today's daily poll question at Smerconish.com: Will the Israel/Hamas conflict remain localized or become a broad regional war? Original air date…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Life is staggeringly shorter in America without a college degree
Michael talks to Princeton University Professor Anne Case, about her recent co-authored essay published in the New York Times, "Without a College Degree, Life…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Explaining How Speaker McCarthy Got Ousted, Through Gerrymandering & Redistricting
Cook Political Report Senior Editor & Elections Analyst David Wasserman joins Michael to analyze how 8 people in the House were able to move to oust Speaker…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Michael and Mark Halperin analyze the ousting of Speaker McCarthy
Michael chats with regular-guest of the show Mark Halperin about the recent ousting of former US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The two discuss the outcome of…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down on the Secret Memo from the General who foresaw Black Hawk Down
Michael welcomes "Black Hawk Down" author Mark Bowden to the program on the 30th anniversary of The Battle of Mogadishu. The two go in-depth on what exactly…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Elon Musk visited the border. What's next?
Michael chats with Rodney Scott, Senior Fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and former Chief of US Border Patrol, about a variety of topics pertaining…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The more connected we've become, the more lonely and detached we've become
There has been an existential crisis for young men for years. and now, with the ability to get an A.I. girlfriend, it is getting even worse. Original air date…
- The Smerconish Podcast
A.I. Girlfriends Are Ruining Men
Michael talks to Washington University of St. Louis Professor Liberty Vittert about her op-ed in The Hill, "AI girlfiends are ruining an entire generation of…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Amazon: Good or Bad For America?
With US regulators at 17 states suing Amazon over allegations of price inflation and overcharging sellers, Michael lays out today's poll question at…
- The Smerconish Podcast
A deep dive into Biden's bad poll numbers with Pollster Neil Newhouse
The conversation on new poll numbers out in two ABC and NBC polls this week continues, with Neil Newhouse at Public Opinion Strategies, which conducted the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
President Biden's New Polling Data is Bad: Should Democrats be concerned?
Michael lays out new 2024 race polling data from ABC News and NBC News and asks today's poll question at Smerconish.com: Should Democrats be alarmed about…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Is Deion Sanders Good For College Football?
Michael is looking forward to watching Colorado vs Oregon this weekend, and asks today's Smerconish.com Daily Poll Question - Coach Prime: Good or bad for…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Get a drivers license, get registered to vote automatically?
Michael asks today's Smerconish.com Daily Poll Question: Should states automatically register to vote eligible residents when they obtain driver’s licenses?…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Should elderly politicians undergo mandatory cognitive testing?
With President Biden, 80, and former President Trump, 77, both leading their respective parties in the 2024 presidential contest, Michael asks today's poll…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Is it right to ditch the Senate Floor dress code?
Should the U.S. Senate have a dress code for members while on the Senate floor? That is today's Smerconish.com Daily Poll Question posed by Michael, who was…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Should the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame have removed Jann Wenner from its Board of Directors?
Michael lays out today's poll question at Smerconish.com: Should the Rock Hall have removed Jann Wenner from its board based on his comments about why he…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Will Joe Biden Pardon Hunter?
With Hunter Biden getting indicted on federal gun charges, Michael asks in today's Smerconish.com Poll Question, will his father, President Joe Biden, pardon…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Today's Poll Question: Should Law Enforcement Have Posed With Danelo Cavalcante After His Capture?
At Smerconish.com today, Michael asks: Was it appropriate for law enforcement to pose with Danelo Cavalcante after his capture? He offers thoughts on the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Explaining Today's Poll Question: Should Biden Step Aside In 2024?
Michael looks at today's Smerconish.com poll question, on if President Biden should step aside and not run for reelection in 2024. Original air date 13…
- The Smerconish Podcast
When do we go back to some normal sense of calm? When the Baby Boomers die off
Michael talks to longtime political commentator Doug Sosnik, on his latest Strategy Memo about the current state of politics in the U.S. Original air date 12…
- The Smerconish Podcast
As Climate Risks Grow, Your Insurance Policy Shrinks
As Hurricane Lee approaches the Atlantic Seaboard and the recent Hurricane Idalia's path of destruction is on the mind, Washington Post business and technology…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Does Joe Biden Need Primary Opponents?
Michael offers a commentary on new polling showing very low approval ratings for President Biden, which makes some wonder if he is not the best candidate for…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Epidemiologist Dr. Tom Jefferson, Lead Author of the Cochran Review on Masks
As Michael's recent conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci continues to be a central part of the story on whether masks are effective against preventing COVID or…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Pulitzer Prize Winning Editorial Cartoonist Rob Rogers on Joining The Smerconish Daily Newsletter
Michael welcomes Rob Rogers, former cartoonist for the Pittsburg Post Gazette, who is now drawing an exclusive political cartoon for the Smerconish.com Daily…
- The Smerconish Podcast
About that interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci
Michael offers follow-up thoughts to a weekend interview he conducted with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Michael's Report Card: Honor Roll Status
Michael checks out the latest Ad Fontas Media Bias Chart, and he likes where he's landed. Original air date 29 August 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Marijuana Memories: Michael's Nose Knows
As news comes out that the Biden administration wants to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana and lower its drug classification, Michael takes an olfactory…
- The Smerconish Podcast
A White Sculptor, A Harriet Tubman Statue, And Not Everyone's Happy
Michael speaks with Wesley Wofford, a sculptor selected by the city of Philadelphia to create a statue of Harriet Tubman. He is white, and many were not happy…
- The Smerconish Podcast
If Biden Doesn’t Run, Will He Endorse Harris?
Michael talks to Wide World of News political analyst Mark Halperin about the latest in the 2024 presidential race, including what might happen on the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Weak Ties: Important For Our Mental Health
Michael and TC engage in a conversation about a piece in the LA Times by Marisa Gerber, titled "Americans face an epidemic of loneliness. For some, supermarket…