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
She Is The Most Intriguing Person in Washington: Senator Kyrsten Sinema Is A Maverick
Michael is fascinated by the story of the newly-changed-to-Independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona apparently selling items on Facebook Marketplace. This…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Not Red or Blue (or Purple), but Green: A Story of Lawn Politics
Homeowners Associations. Everyone's got a story - this one out of Maryland caught Michael's eye. Let's talk about the politics of lawns. Original air date 15…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Mark Halperin's Wide World of News 2023 Prediction Pool
Michael speaks with Wide World of News founder and political analyst Mark Halperin every Wednesday. In his final 2022 appearance, he runs through his 2023…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Will You Attend A Religious Service During The Holidays?
Michael breaks down the cultural shift in faith and religion as religious organizations adapt to the requests and desires of younger generations. Callers also…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Intriguing Story Of Whitey Bulger's Final Hours
Michael talks with NBC News Investigative Unit Reporter Rich Schapiro on his report "‘Don’t believe everything you see’: Inside Whitey Bulger’s bloody final…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Brittney Griner-Viktor Bout Prisoner Swap Is A Lopsided Deal
Michael offers his take on the United States securing WNBA star Brittney Griner's freedom from Russia in exchange for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Meet Victoria Cobb: The Woman Whose Organization Was Denied Service At A Restaurant Over Opposing Views
Michael chats with Victoria Cobb, President of The Family Foundation, on her experience being refused service by the Richmond restaurant that disagreed with…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Explaining Moore v. Harper, The Esoteric But High-Stakes Elections SCOTUS Case
Michael opens with more follow-up on the 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis case, involving the Colorado-based graphic designer who refused to make a website for a…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Should The Website Designer Be Able To Refuse Service To A Gay Couple?
Michael discusses the case of Lorie Smith, a website designer who is challenging a Colorado law that prohibits most businesses from discriminating against…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Elon Musk, Twitter, Hunter Biden's Laptop, Trump, The Constitution: We Need To Cover It All. So Let's Do That.
Michael offers a commentary on several interconnected news stories coming out of the weekend, some of which are not all being covered by different news…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Princess Diana's Private Secretary Patrick Jephson Tells The Real Story About The 1995 Martin Bashir Interview
If you are currently watching "The Crown" on Netflix, you absolutely want to hear this conversation. Patrick Jephson, former private secretary to the late…
- The Smerconish Podcast
What To Do About Homelessness
Michael looks at a plan set forth by New York City Mayor Eric Adams to involuntarily hospitalize certain homeless people, and asks what can be done about the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Jeff Greenfield's Early Clue on Trump's Republican Support
Five-time Emmy-winning network television analyst and author Jeff Greenfield on his Politico opinion piece "An Early Clue on Trump's Republican Support."…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Selecting Barbies and Checking Your Privilege
Michael offers a commentary on checking privilege when selecting holiday gifts for underprivileged kids, and a University of Delaware requirement for freshman…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Rethinking The Need For College Degrees
In the tightened labor market, employers are dropping the requirement for college degrees for many open positions. Michael speaks with Dr. Nicole Smith, Chief…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Is it time to acknowledge that mass shootings are a permanent part of American life?
Michael offers a commentary after a second mass shooting in America this week, at a Walmart in Chesapeake, VA. That after a shooting at a night club in…
- The Smerconish Podcast
After Colorado Springs Shooting, Rethinking "Run, Hide, Fight"
Michael talks to homeland security and disaster expert Juliette Kayyem, now a lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School. Author of "Security Mom" and "The Devil…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Four Score and Seven Years Ago: A Researcher Has Found Where Lincoln Actually Stood at Gettysburg
When President Abraham Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address, where did he actually stand? UNC-Asheville Professor Christopher Oakley, a historian and…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The JFK Assassination: We Still Don't Know Everything
Michael is joined by Philip Shenon, author of "A Cruel and Shocking Act, The Secret History of the Kennedy Assassination," in a conversation about the various…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Yale Law's Jed Rubenfeld: Expand the Civil Rights Act to protect political beliefs at work
Expand the Civil Rights Act to protect employees from being fired for their political beliefs. So says Yale Law School Professor Jed Rubenfeld, he joins…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Trump Illusion
"The Trump Illusion" is how Mark Halperin headlined his Wide World of News Newsletter today. He joins Michael to discuss former President Donald Trump…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Should Donald Trump's "Special Announcement" Be Covered Live? GWU's Frank Sesno Weighs In
Michael talks with Frank Sesno, Director of Strategist Initiatives at George Washington University's School of Media & Public Affairs. Original air date 15…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Spoiler Alert: Michael Reviews "The Banshees of Inisherin"
Michael went to the movies over the weekend and saw "The Banshees of Inisherin" and has thoughts to share about it. Spoiler Alert: He leaves nothing out!…
- The Smerconish Podcast
If Trump Fades, Will MAGA Fade Too?
With Midterm voting at a close and Republican support being less than projected, Michael deliberates on whether the end of Trump is near, and if so, how may…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Squirrel Gate: The Very Alarming Uninvited Visitor Into Michael's Home Office
Michael tells the tale of meeting a squirrel in his home, and hilarity ensues. Original air date 9 and 10 November 2022. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz…
- The Smerconish Podcast
How Did The Polls Do?
David Byler, a Washington Post Political Columnist and Data Analyst, joins Michael Smerconish in a conversation about midterm polling accuracy. Callers also…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Expertise on the new legal fight over mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania
Michael lays out an 11th-hour election issue that has popped up in Pennsylvania regarding the counting of mail-in ballots. He gets expertise from longtime PA…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Final Midterm Election Predictions with Pollster Robert Cahaly & CBS News Correspondent Robert Costa
Michael opens with his latest analysis of the midterm elections, one day before election day. Then, hear from Trafalgar Group Senior Strategist and Pollster…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Cook Political Report's David Wasserman on Democrats Losing Momentum Ahead of Midterms
The Cook Political Report's very own David Wasserman joins Michael Smerconish in a conversation about upcoming elections and the upper edge Republicans may…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Discrimination Against Black Americans Has Not Been Undone: A Case for Affirmative Action
Michael welcomes University of Chicago Law Professor Geoffrey R. Stone who co-authored a piece in The Atlantic, "The End of Affirmative Action Would Be A…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Phillies win Game 3, and Let's Consider Releasing the Pelosi Attack Video to Squash Conspiracy Theories
Michael opens this episode by telling the story of attending World Series Game 3 in Philadelphia, and then offers a commentary on the news of video of the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Addressing the Conspiracy Theories About the Attack Against Paul Pelosi
Michael offers a commentary as new information following the attack of Paul Pelosi, husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, comes to light. Original air date 1…
- The Smerconish Podcast
No One Is Talking About The National Debt And Deficit...So Let's Do That
In recent years, less attention has been to the level of US national debt. That is a problem, because it is certainly a threat to the future of the country. In…
- The Smerconish Podcast
CNN's Dana Bash on "Being...The Second Gentleman"
Michael talks to CNN's Dana Bash about this weekend's special airing on CNN about Douglas Emhoff, "Being...The Second Gentleman." Original air date 28 October…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Can A Jury Be Fair To President Donald Trump At Trial?
Michael talks with veteran criminal defense attorney William J Brennan, who is defending a Trump-entity in a trial in New York City. The question: Can they…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Mark Halperin Prepares The Script For Michael's Interview With Him, On Fetterman-Oz Debate
Wide World of News political analyst makes his weekly visit with Michael, but he prepared a little differently this time. No Fake Ron Klain Memo's today…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Two Weeks Until Election Day: A Conversation With Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) On The Ohio Senate Race
Michael talks with Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) who is running for Senate against Republican candidate JD Vance, to replace the retiring Senator Rob Portman…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Democratic Strategist Paul Begala Does Not Understand Why Democrats Don't Want To Talk About Crime, Saying They Should Own It
Why do Democrats not want to talk about crime? Michael talks with CNN Democratic Strategist Paul Begala about his cnn.com piece "The slogan hurting Democrats'…
- The Smerconish Podcast
A deep dive into Gallup's polling of Ukranians with Editor-in-Chief Mohamed Younis
Are Americans losing interest in Ukraine? Michael has a conversation with Gallup Editor-in-Chief Mohamed Younis, he oversees Gallups news division, where they…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Michael Responds To Listener Poll Suggestions
With the recently new and improved Smerconish.com allowing listeners to propose their own poll questions for the program, Michael reads and reacts to some of…
- The Smerconish Podcast
A deep dive into the races: Get ready for more Republican Senators
Michael analyzes the current political landscape ahead of Midterms, and callers offer their own thoughts on this election season. Original air date 19 October…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Midterm Election Day is three weeks from today. Did Democrats peak too soon?
The midterm elections are three weeks away. Democratic candidates across the United States have made serious gains in the polls in recent weeks, but, Michael…
- The Smerconish Podcast
No "Um's," "Uh,s" or "Likes": Ruby Cramer profiles AZ Gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake
Michael talks to Washington Post national politics enterprise reporter Ruby Cramer about the hotly contested Arizona gubernatorial race where MAGA-Republican…
- The Smerconish Podcast
If Vladimir Putin Fires Nuclear Weapons in Ukraine, How Should The US Respond?
The prospect of nuclear war is now being weighed as seriously as any time since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, but the thinking among government officials has…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Covering it more by empathy, or by objectivity: A conversation with Salena Zito on John Fetterman's stroke recovery
National Political Reporter Salena Zito has interviewed every President and Vice President in the 21st century, and has covered Pennsylvania politics for a…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Jon Ralston: Democrats Can't Afford To Lose Nevada
Michael invites Jon Ralston, CEO of The Nevada Independent, to the program for a conversation about Nevada's Senate race and the high stakes which democrats…
- The Smerconish Podcast
On The L.A City Council, A Resignation...But Not
Michael offers thoughts on the news of LA City Council President Nury Martinez resigning as council President, but not resigning from the council, after audio…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Is the media to blame for political polarization? A Conversation with Former MSNBC President Phil Griffin & Former CNN President Jeff Zucker
Is the media to blame for political polarization? Michael recaps the panel that he hosted last Friday afternoon (7 October) at the 2022 Un-Convention, where he…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Michael's "State of the Union" Speech at The Un-Convention
For more on the Un-Convention, visit http://www.unconvention2022.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Did OPEC+ cut oil production hoping to politically harm Biden & Democrats?
The politics of oil and gas prices. Michael looks at the latest move by the Saudis and OPEC+ to cut oil production just five weeks ahead of the US midterm…
- The Smerconish Podcast
It's Balance, Delivered Daily: Introducing You To The New Smerconish.com and "Erik X"
This episode is not just an advertisement for a new website - Michael is very proud to present to you a new unbiased news source - a unique home base for…
- The Smerconish Podcast
How Car Commuters and Fast Food Diners Lean Toward Trump
Michael chats about exciting new content on his Book Club podcast and looks forward to tomorrow's launch of the all-new Smerconish.com website, plus, he is…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Should Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa have played afer the big hit? A conversation with Dr. Chris Nowinski, Concussion Legacy Foundation Founding CEO
Michael talks with Dr. Chris Nowinski, Ph.D., founding CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, about renewed debates on the NFL (and other sports) concussion…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Will Hurricane Ian Damage Change Not Only How We Build But Also Where We Build?
Michael opens today first with the story of his special evening with former Homeland Security Secretary andGovernor Tom Ridge (R-PA) last night, and then turns…
- The Smerconish Podcast
She Feels Violated: Meet Lindsay Marsh, Who Was Ordered By A Judge To Turn Boudoir Photos Over To Her Ex-Husband
Michael talks to Lindsay Marsh of Utah. She divorced from her husband and the judge ordered her to hand over edited Boudoir photo books to her ex-husband, who…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Retail Politics: Patronizing a Business Knowing You Disagree With The Owner's Political Views...Or Not
As election campaign finance reports come out revealing what donors are supporting candidates, Michael ponders, would you patronize a business knowing that you…
- The Smerconish Podcast
6 Weeks From The Midterms, Here Are The Issues That Matter Most
WIth Midterms just over a month away, Michael lays out the key issues candidates and voters are focused on during this current election cycle including crime…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Lindsey Graham and Alotta Fagina
Michael speaks on recent interest in Lindsey Graham's sexuality, a topic stemmed from discussions and jokes on programs like The View and MSNBC. Michael raises…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Does racism preclude the hiring of black coaches in the NFL?
Michael chats with sports enterprise reporter Michael Lee of the Washington Post about the large disparity between black coaches and white coaches within the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Breaking Down the Adnan Syed Case with NBC Legal Analyst Danny Cevallos
Michael is joined in conversation by NBC Legal Analyst Danny Cevallos as the two attempt to decipher the complex case of Adnan Syed. Original air date 21…