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
The Associated Press Dives Deep Into What The FBI Concluded On The Epstein Files
Associated Press investigative reporter Michael Sisak joins Michael to unpack newly released FBI and Justice Department documents related to Jeffrey Epstein…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Today's Poll: Did Jeffrey Epstein Traffic Girls for Powerful Men?
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Do you believe that Jeffrey Epstein was running a sex trafficking ring for powerful men? Michael Smerconish urges…
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Why the Super Bowl Still Matters in a Fractured America
Michael breaks down a Super Bowl that was more cultural flashpoint than classic game. From a lackluster matchup and standout commercials to Bad Bunny’s…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Today's Poll: How Many Stars for Bad Bunny's Halftime Show?
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "How many stars for Bad Bunny's half time show?" Michael reflects on the Super Bowl as one of the last shared cultural…
- The Smerconish Podcast
When a House Has a Dark Past: What Sellers Are (and Aren’t) Required to Disclose
What happens when you buy a home—and uncover a shocking symbol hidden beneath the floor? Michael and TC unpack a viral legal case out of western Pennsylvania…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The TV Shows That Defined Every Decade—from I Love Lucy to Stranger Things
Television has shaped American culture for more than 70 years—but which shows truly defined each decade? Michael is joined by legendary TV critic Alan…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Today's Poll: Since He's Rich, Should Jeff Bezos Be Expected to Save The Washington Post?
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Should Jeff Bezos be held to a higher standard of financial commitment to the Washington Post because of his personal…
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Scott Galloway Warns of a “Slow Burn Into Fascism” — and Says THIS is the Only Fix
Serial entrepreneur, bestselling author and NYU Professor Scott Galloway joins Michael for a wide-ranging and provocative conversation about power, politics…
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Today's Poll: Is Boycotting Big Tech an Effective Way to Protest ICE Policies?
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Are major tech companies an appropriate target for those protesting ICE policies?" Michael examines a growing protest…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Blue Wave Incoming? Halperin on Why Republicans Are in Real Trouble
2WAY's Mark Halperin is here for a wide-ranging conversation on power, accountability, and the future of American politics. He and Michael examine why…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Today's Poll: Did Philly’s DA Go Too Far Calling ICE “Wannabe Nazis”?
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Who's right: Philly DA Larry Krasner who called ICE 'wannabe Nazis,' or Gov. Josh Shapiro who said that comment was…
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AI Is Quietly Rewriting Medicine—and Most Patients Have No Idea
Artificial intelligence is already transforming healthcare—often in ways patients don’t even realize. Listen as Michael sits down with Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Should SNAP Benefits Pay for Soda and Candy?
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should states ban the use of food assistance benefits for purchasing candy and soda? A growing number of states are…
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92% of Detentions Aren’t Criminals: Who Is ICE Really Arresting?
Are ICE arrests really targeting dangerous criminals — or is the reality far more complicated? Michael is joined by Dr. Austin Kocher, professor at Syracuse…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Disrupting Worship for Politics? The Smerconish Poll That Has Everyone Talking
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: “Is it ever acceptable to disrupt a religious service to express political views?” Michael Smerconish breaks down the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Cake Is Almost Baked: Doug Sosnik on Trump, the Economy, and the 2026 Midterms
Political strategist and longtime presidential adviser Doug Sosnik joins Michael for a deep-dive into the forces reshaping American politics. Sosnik explains…
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Protester or Agitator? The Video That Complicates the Alex Pretti Case
Today at Smerconish.com, Michael asks you: Was your opinion about Alex Pretti altered by video showing him protesting just 11 days before he was killed? Listen…
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Rahm Emanuel: “Washington Needs a Power Wash”
Rahm Emanuel joins Michael for a wide-ranging conversation on ethics, aging leadership, and the future of American politics. The former congressman, Chicago…
- The Smerconish Podcast
75 and Out? The Growing Case for Age Limits in Government
Should there be a mandatory retirement age of 75 for the president, cabinet officials, members of Congress, and federal judges? Inspired by comments from…
- The Smerconish Podcast
“I’ve Lost Friends on Both Sides”: Halperin & Smerconish on Political Tribalism
Michael Smerconish is joined by political journalist Mark Halperin for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation about the growing cost of refusing to…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Should Guns Be Allowed at Protests?
Michael unpacks today’s poll question: "Should it be unlawful to conceal carry at a demonstration?" In the wake of the fatal Minneapolis shooting this past…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Reasonable Fear or Excessive Force? A Deep Dive Into the Alex Pretti Shooting
Michael takes a careful look at the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, pushing past slogans and snap judgments to examine what the law actually requires. Analyzing…
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Should Big Tech Pay for the Damage to Kids’ Mental Health?
What happens when social media design meets the courtroom? As a landmark trial begins in Los Angeles, Michael breaks down the case that could hold Facebook…
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If the 2024 Election Happened Again Tomorrow, Would Trump Still Win?
What if the 2024 presidential election were rerun today? Michael revisits a familiar—but newly relevant—poll question, weighing Kamala Harris’s post-election…
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NATO, Trump, and a Fracturing West—What Comes Next?
Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, joins Michael to tackle the biggest global questions of the moment: Will NATO survive the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Gun Rights or Property Rights — You Decide
Which matters more: gun rights or property rights? Michael Smerconish breaks down today’s Smerconish.com poll question through the lens of a major Supreme…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Trump 2.0 at One Year: Why Democrats May Take Back the House in 2026
One year into President Trump's second term, all eyes are on the 2026 midterm elections. Michael Smerconish is joined by David Wasserman, senior editor and…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Melting Ice, Rising Stakes: The Climate Reality Behind Trump’s Greenland Push
As global temperatures rise, Greenland is becoming one of the most strategically important places on Earth—but will President Trump ever acknowledge why?…
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Mark Halperin on Trump’s Greenland Strategy, NATO Tensions, and Global Power
Michael Smerconish is joined by political analyst Mark Halperin for a wide-ranging conversation sparked by President Trump’s remarks at Davos. They unpack…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Unthinkable Question: Will NATO Survive Trump?
Will NATO survive Trump? That’s today’s Smerconish.com poll — and it’s no longer hypothetical. As President Trump ramps up pressure on allies, flirts with…
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Is Anything Left That Brings Americans Together?
What do Americans still have in common? Michael sits down with Wall Street Journal entertainment reporter Ben Fritz to explore the rise and fall of the…
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The 2028 Democratic Nominee Fight Is Starting Early—Harris vs. Shapiro
Is Kamala Harris politically toxic—or still a force Democrats can’t ignore? Is Josh Shapiro the party’s future—or a candidate defined by his past? Michael…
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Live From MLK Day of Service: How Volunteerism Can Heal a Divided Nation
Broadcasting live from the nation’s largest Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at Temple University, Michael Smerconish explores what’s really driving…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Would Mandatory National Service Heal America—or Threaten Freedom?
Is mandatory national service the key to rebuilding civic unity—or an unacceptable infringement on personal freedom? In this episode, Michael explains the…
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The Hidden Consequences of America’s Weight Loss Drug Boom
Are GLP-1 weight loss drugs changing America—for better or worse? Michael explores the surprising ripple effects of drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy with PwC…
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If Trump Pulls THIS Off, Is He a 'Successful' President?
Is it possible to call Donald Trump a successful president—even if you oppose him? In this episode Michael breaks down the provocative daily poll question at…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Inside Congress’ Stock Trading Problem — And the Bill to End It
Michael talks with Congressman Bryan Steil (R-WI), chairman of the House Administration Committee, about a bipartisan push to crack down on congressional stock…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Will GLP-1's ACTUALLY Make America Healthier?
As GLP-1 weight loss drugs surge in popularity, Michael asks a big question: will they make society healthier — or undermine exercise and long-term wellness? A…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Trump, Greenland, Iran, and the Edge of War — Mark Halperin Breaks It Down
Mark Halperin is Editor in Chief at 2WAY, and host of Next Up with Mark Halperin. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information…
- The Smerconish Podcast
America Bought Alaska — Should Greenland Be Next?
Should the United States buy Greenland? Michael explains today's Smerconish.com poll question sparked by Senator John Fetterman’s provocative comment…
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Gallup Drops a Bombshell: Independents Now Dominate American Politics
A new Gallup survey reveals a political reality the media has long ignored: independents are now the largest group in American politics. Michael Smerconish…
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America at 250: Should Our Coins Honor 1776—or More Than That?
As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, a new redesign of American coins has sparked a familiar national debate. Should commemorative coins focus solely…
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The Ultimate Mingle: The Grateful Dead
In the wake of Bob Weir’s passing, Michael Smerconish reflects on discovering the Grateful Dead later in life—and what that journey revealed about music…
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Should Transgender Athletes Compete in Women’s Sports?
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear a landmark case on transgender athletes in public school sports, Michael Smerconish explains today’s Smerconish.com Daily…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Mingling Matters: What the Decline of Happy Hour Says About Modern Life
Happy hour used to be where careers were shaped, friendships were formed, and mentors emerged. Now, it’s disappearing. In this episode, Michael explores a Wall…
- The Smerconish Podcast
You Decide: Did the ICE Agent Reasonably Believe He Was in Danger?
Michael takes a deep dive into the Minneapolis ICE shooting that has ignited fierce debate across media and politics. Instead of partisan talking points, he…
- The Smerconish Podcast
When Can ICE Use Deadly Force? The Policies That Decide the Minneapolis Case
A fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis reignites the national debate over immigration enforcement and police use of force. Michael Smerconish examines the video…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Not Chaos...but Strategy? A Provocative Question About Trump’s Presidency
Michael Smerconish unpacks today’s Smerconish.com poll question: "Is there less chaos and more purpose in the decision making process of President Trump than…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The ‘Trump Is Finished’ Narrative Returns—Why Mark Halperin Isn’t Buying It
Is Donald Trump finally “doomed,” or is that a familiar storyline playing on repeat? Michael Smerconish sits down with political analyst Mark Halperin to…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Do January 6 Defendants Deserve Empathy? Smerconish Asks the Question Few Will
Five years after January 6, Michael Smerconish tackles a deeply uncomfortable question: should Americans feel any empathy for the defendants who say they…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Five Years Later, The J6 Rioters Still Believe They Were The Patriots
Robert Pape is a professor of political science at the University of Chicago and director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats. He is a leading…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Iran Protests Escalate: Should the U.S. Respond With Force?
As protests spread across Iran amid soaring inflation and economic collapse, President Trump warns that the U.S. could respond “very hard” if Iranian…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Maduro Captured: A Military Masterstroke—or the Start of America’s Next Forever War?
The United States has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a dramatic, highly coordinated military operation—but what happens next? in this episode…
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Minnesota Fraud: Shocking Exception—or Proof the System Is Broken?
Michael Smerconish breaks down today’s Smerconish.com poll question: Is the Minnesota fraud the exception or the norm? From a viral video alleging widespread…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Case for Volunteering as a Cure for Loneliness
Why are fewer Americans volunteering—and why does it matter? Michael digs into new data showing a long-term decline in volunteerism, echoing warnings first…
- The Smerconish Podcast
If You Trust Your Phone With Your Money, Why Not Your Vote?
Can you really trust your smartphone to cast a secure vote? Michael Smerconish talks with venture capitalist and political strategist Bradley Tusk about a…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Trump Wants New Battleships — Admiral Stavridis Explains Why That Could Be a Mistake
President Trump announces plans for a new class of massive U.S. Navy warships—but are battleships the future or a relic of the past? Michael Smerconish speaks…
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Faith, Politics, and Fracture: America at a Crossroads
Is the United States a Christian nation — and should it be? Michael breaks down Vice President JD Vance’s explosive comments at Turning Point USA, sparking a…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Hunting Bears, Not Each Other: A Rare Look at Life Beyond Politics
What can bear hunting in rural Pennsylvania teach us about American politics? Michael speaks with Washington Post columnist and bestselling author Salena Zito…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Is Turning Point USA an Asset or Liability for the Republican Party?
In this episode, Michael dives deep into the chaos at Turning Point USA’s America Fest. With more than 30,000 attendees, the event revealed a growing rift…