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
Is Birthright Citizenship an American Exception — or a Constitutional Mistake?
Birthright citizenship is headed to the Supreme Court — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Michael Smerconish sits down with Washington Post columnist and…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Epstein Files Drop Today. Nothing Will Change.
Michael breaks down today’s poll question at Smerconish.com: Will the Friday release of Epstein materials be of any great consequence? With the DOJ racing to…
- The Smerconish Podcast
A NYT Epstein Bombshell Drops — And Trump’s Agitated Speech Makes New Sense
In today’s episode, Michael Smerconish unpacks President Trump’s unusually rapid and partisan White House address — and explores whether a major New York Times…
- The Smerconish Podcast
UK Arrests Protesters Over “Globalize the Intifada”: Could This Ever Happen Here?
Michael breaks down a fast-moving news cycle—from President Trump’s national address and a bombshell New York Times report on Trump and Epstein, to a…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Susie Wiles, Vanity Fair & Trump: Mark Halperin On What You Weren’t Told
Mark Halperin is editor-in-chief of 2WAY and host of the Next Up podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Post That Shocked Even Trump Allies: Was It a New Low?
Michael breaks down today’s Smerconish.com Daily Poll Question: Are President Trump’s comments about Rob Reiner a new low? After Trump issued a controversial…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Indefensible: David Urban on Breaking Rank From Trump
Michael is joined by longtime Trump adviser David Urban for a candid conversation about the president’s controversial Truth Social post following the tragic…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Is antisemitism becoming normalized in our society today?
Antisemitic incidents are rising across the U.S. and around the world. Michael's answer to today's Smerconish.com poll question, "Is antisemitism becoming…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Reclassifying Marijuana: An Unexpected Trump Move
In this episode, Michael speaks with attorney Shane Pennington, a leading expert on cannabis rescheduling, about reports that President Trump is preparing an…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Mass Shootings Are A Facet Of American Life That Will Never Change
In this episode, Michael Smerconish confronts a deeply troubling question: Are mass shootings a permanent part of American life? Following a devastating…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Will the Great Wealth Transfer Spark a Millennial Civil War?
Michael explores the political impact of the massive intergenerational wealth transfer underway. With over $124 trillion set to pass from Baby Boomers to…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Feds vs. States: The Fight for AI Control Just Got Real
Michael digs into today’s poll question: Who should regulate AI — the federal government, the states, or no one at all? With Trump’s new executive order…
- The Smerconish Podcast
“Dead Men Tell No Tales”: Listeners Clash Over Trump’s Border Strike
Raw, emotional, and fiercely divided—today’s Smerconish Program features some of the most intense calls yet. Listeners share heartbreaking stories of fentanyl…
- The Smerconish Podcast
TIME’s Shocking 2025 Person of the Year Reveal: Did They Get It Right?
TIME Magazine has officially named the “Architects of AI” as the 2025 Person of the Year — and Michael says it was the only possible choice. In today’s…
- The Smerconish Podcast
“He’ll Never Be Disciplined”: Mark Halperin on Trump’s Speech, Post & Party Panic
Michael and political analyst Mark Halperin unpack Trump’s marathon Pennsylvania speech and the instantly infamous late-night Truth Social post that followed…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Australia Protects Its Teens. Should America Also Enact An Under-16 Social Media Ban?
Australia just logged out more than a million under-16 social media accounts — an unprecedented national ban aimed at protecting kids from the harms of…
- The Smerconish Podcast
America’s Military at Risk? Admiral Stavridis on the NYT’s Shocking ‘Overmatch’ Report
Michael Smerconish sits down with Admiral James Stavridis—former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO—to break down the intensifying debate over the U.S. boat…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Is Legalizing Cocaine and Heroin the Only Way to Stop Fentanyl-Related Deaths?
Michael Smerconish dives into today’s provocative poll question: Would legalizing heroin and cocaine actually reduce fentanyl deaths and improve global…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The COVID-Cash Fraud Nobody Saw Coming — Except Michael Smerconish
Minnesota Star Tribune investigative reporter Jeffrey Meitrodt joins Michael Smerconish to break down the massive fraud scandal rocking Minnesota — from the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The Video They Don’t Want You to See? Smerconish Explores the Boat-Strike Mystery
Michael breaks down today’s Smerconish.com poll question: Why hasn’t video of the second boat strike been released? He explores the competing theories—from…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Inside the J6 Pipe Bomb Arrest: Motive, Misconceptions, and a Stunning Legal Question
Robert A. Pape Professor, Political Science Department Director, Chicago Project on Security and Threats University of Chicago Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Drugs, War Crimes, and Politics: When Will We See The Boat Strike Video?
Michael digs into the controversy surrounding the unreleased video of the second boat strike — the tape lawmakers saw but the public hasn’t. He breaks down…
- The Smerconish Podcast
AI Boom or Bust? Ron Insana on the Real Risk Behind Today’s Stock Market Surge
CNBC and MSNBC commentator Ron Insana joins Michael to break down what’s really driving the stock market — and why most investors aren’t feeling the gains…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Not Feeling Rich: $1 Million Isn’t What It Used to Be
Is a $1 million net worth still considered wealthy in 2025? New research reveals that most American millionaires don’t think so — and they’re more financially…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Admiral Stavridis on the Pentagon Firestorm: Congressional Inquiry Required
Michael Smerconish sits down with Admiral James Stavridis to unpack the explosive controversy surrounding a September military strike now under congressional…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Second Strike Scandal: Is Admiral Bradley Responsible?
Should Admiral “Mitch” Bradley face disciplinary action for authorizing a second strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat? Michael is asking this poll…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Teens Don't Trust The News–And Think Spider-Man Is A Journalist
Michael sits down with Peter Adams at the News Literacy Project to unpack a startling new study on how 13–18-year-olds view journalism—revealing deep distrust…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Should Ole Miss Have Let Lane Kiffin Finish the Season? Michael Battles His Emotions vs. Logic
Today’s Smerconish.com poll asks: “Should Ole Miss have allowed Lane Kiffin to finish the season even after he accepted the LSU job?” Michael breaks down the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Did the U.S. Commit a War Crime? Andrew McCarthy on the Drug Boat Strikes
Andrew C. McCarthy is a senior fellow at National Review Institute, an NR contributing editor, and author of Ball of Collusion: The Plot to Rig an Election and…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Is $50K… or $150K Enough? America’s True Cost of Living For A Family Of Four
Michael dives into today’s "Cyber Monday" Smerconish.com poll: "How much does a family of four truly need to live independently in America?" He breaks down new…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Can Mentorship Fix America? Inside California’s Bold New Plan for Young Men
Michael Smerconish talks with Josh Fryday, California’s Chief Service Officer and candidate for Lieutenant Governor, about the alarming crisis facing young men…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Hell Yes, Airline Passengers Should Dress Up!
Michael dives into the Smerconish.com poll question inspired by DOT Secretary Sean Duffy’s controversial claim that airline passengers should “dress with…
- The Smerconish Podcast
A Dirty Deal or the Only Deal? Admiral Stavridis on Ukraine’s Impossible Choice
Breaking news meets expert analysis. As reports emerge that Ukraine may have agreed to a peace proposal with Russia, Michael brings in one of the world’s most…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Should Ukraine Trade Land for Peace?
Michael dives into today’s hot-button poll question that he's asking at Smerconish.com: Should Ukraine agree to a peace deal involving territorial concessions…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Disobeying Orders: Congress, the Military, and the Line Between Duty and Defiance
When six Democratic members of Congress released a video urging troops to “refuse illegal orders,” President Trump called it seditious behavior. But was the…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Trump Calls It Treason — But Was The Democrats' 'Refuse Illegal Orders' Video Wrong?
Was it appropriate for members of Congress to release a video urging military personnel to refuse illegal orders? That's today's Smerconish.com poll…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Texas Backfires, California Panics: The Redistricting Crisis No One Saw Coming
A three-judge federal panel just struck down Texas’s mid-decade redistricting map — and the fallout could reshape the 2026 House majority. Michael invites Yale…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Redistricting Showdown: Should California Hit Pause If Texas Is Blocked?
Michael breaks down today’s poll question: If courts halt Texas’s redistricting, should California pause theirs too? He explores the legal, political, and…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Inside Amazon’s Robot-Powered Future — And What It Means for YOUR Job.
Michael digs into a groundbreaking New York Times report revealing Amazon’s push to automate up to 600,000 jobs — and what it means for the future of American…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Mobile Voting: The Future of Democracy or a Disaster Waiting to Happen?
Michael tackles today’s big question: Should Americans be able to vote from their phones? In this episode, he explores the security risks, potential benefits…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Why Trump’s Stance on the Epstein Files is Raising Eyebrows
Mark Halperin dives deep into the ongoing debate surrounding the release of Jeffrey Epstein files and why Donald Trump's decision to withhold them is raising…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Has the Epstein Saga Finally Cracked Trump’s Grip on MAGA?
Michael analyzes whether the GOP’s swift vote to release the Epstein files signals a meaningful shift in Trump’s influence over his party. With new data…
- The Smerconish Podcast
"Tell It Early, Tell It All": What Trump Should Have Done About Epstein
Veteran crisis-manager and former White House Special Counsel Lanny Davis joins Michael to break down how President Trump handled the Epstein files — and what…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Will The Majority Of House Republicans Vote To Release The Epstein Files?
Michael Smerconish invites listeners to consider this question: Will The Majority Of House Republicans Vote To Release The Epstein Files? Listen here, and then…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s ‘Epiphany’: Evolution or Pure Opportunism?
Michael unpacks Marjorie Taylor Greene’s surprising shift toward political “kindness,” comparing it to his own evolution as a Republican-turned-independent. Is…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Marjorie Taylor Greene: Evolution or Opportunism?
With Marjorie Taylor Greene making headlines for her newfound politics in addition to comments on Donald Trump and the Epstein Files, Michael Smerconish raises…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Trump, Epstein, and the Missing Bark: The Mystery Deepens
Listen to Michael's first Book Club Podcast Interview with Barry Levine about "The Spider." (Podcast July 2025, the book was published in 2020). Hosted by…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Broken Housing Market: Young Adults Are Delaying Homeownership
Michael breaks down a new data point from the National Association of Realtors: the median age of U.S. home buyers has climbed to 59. He explores what’s…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Epstein Email Bombshell: Why Is Trump Acting Like He's Guilty?
In this episode, Michael unpacks the stunning release of thousands of Jeffrey Epstein emails that have Washington on edge. What began as a selective Democratic…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Democrats Divided: Why the Shutdown Backfired—or Maybe Didn’t
Michael digs into today’s Smerconish.com poll question: "Did the ends of the Democrat-supported government shutdown justify the means?" After weeks of…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Mark Halperin on the New Epstein Revelation Fallout, and Gavin Newsom's Rising Star Power
Michael Smerconish is joined by political analyst Mark Halperin to unpack breaking revelations from Jeffrey Epstein’s newly surfaced emails — including what…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Postmarked By--But Received After--Election Day: Should Your Vote Count?
Michael Smerconish dives into today’s Smerconish.com poll, asking: Should the Supreme Court allow states to count mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day…
- The Smerconish Podcast
The End of the Trump Era? Doug Sosnik Explains What’s Next for 2026 and 2028
Doug Sosnik is a policy and political expert who has closely advised President Bill Clinton and multiple U.S. Senators, governors, Fortune 100 corporations…
- The Smerconish Podcast
He Walked Home From the Pentagon on 9/11 — Admiral Stavridis on What Veterans Day Really Means
Admiral James Stavridis is a retired four-star U.S. naval officer. He is currently Partner and Vice Chair of Carlyle, a global investment firm. He is also 12th…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Pollsters vs. Predictors: Why 2028 May Be Decided by Wagers, Not Surveys
On Veterans Day, Michael asks: Which is a more reliable predictor of elections — traditional polls or betting markets? With new data from Vanderbilt showing…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Bari Weiss, Jeff Yass, and the Rise of a New ‘Fearless’ University
Billionaire trader and philanthropist Jeff Yass joins Michael to discuss his $100 million donation to the University of Austin, a new institution co-founded by…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Bipartisan Breakthrough or Betrayal? 8 Democrats Cross The Aisle To End Shutdown
41 days later...Eight Democrats broke ranks to help end the government shutdown — but was it the right call? Michael weighs in on today’s hot-button…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Netflix’s 'A House of Dynamite' Is Fiction—But the Threat Isn’t
The #1 movie on Netflix, 'A House of Dynamite', imagines the unthinkable: a ballistic missile headed straight for Chicago. Michael Smerconish sits down with…
- The Smerconish Podcast
A Hoagie, a Federal Agent, and a Not Guilty Verdict — Seriously?
'Sandwichgate' has concluded. Did the jury get it right in acquitting the man who threw a sandwich at a federal officer? While the internet laughs and trades…
- The Smerconish Podcast
Frank Luntz Sells Democratic Socialism (As An Exercise!)
Michael challenges Dr. Frank Luntz—legendary GOP messaging guru—to do the unthinkable: craft a winning pitch for democratic socialism. Luntz lays out a…