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.
- Update frequency
- every day
- Average duration
- 20 minutes
- Episodes
- 1543
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
Doug Sosnik: America’s Real Political Divide Isn’t Red vs. Blue—It’s College vs. No College
Veteran political strategist Doug Sosnik joins Michael to dissect the deepening educational divide in American politics. Why are Republicans dominating among non-college voters? Can Democrats win bac…
00:33:41 |
Fri 05 Sep 2025
Killing Drug Traffickers at Sea: Legal Strike or Dangerous Precedent?
In today’s episode, Michael tackles the explosive story of a U.S. military strike on suspected drug traffickers in international waters. It is the subject of today's poll question at Smerconish.com: …
00:15:18 |
Fri 05 Sep 2025
Admiral Stavridis on Trump’s "Drug Boat" Strike: Show Me the Evidence
Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis joins Michael to unpack China’s military parade, Russia’s escalating aggression, and Trump’s explosive claim of a deadly drug boat strike …
00:25:00 |
Thu 04 Sep 2025
Trump Says 'Hoax,' But GOP Rebels Want Epstein Docs Out — Will It Happen?
Strange bedfellows in Congress are teamed up in asking for the full release of the Epstein files, with four Republicans joining all Democratic representatives in that push. Michael dives in to today'…
00:10:05 |
Thu 04 Sep 2025
From Rioters to Victims? The Shocking Push for January 6 Payouts
Michael Smerconish reacts to a jaw-dropping development: January 6 rioters, already pardoned by President Trump, are now seeking financial compensation from the U.S. government — drawing comparisons …
00:26:05 |
Wed 03 Sep 2025
Nearly 60 Shot in Chicago — Is the National Guard the Answer?
A violent Labor Day weekend in Chicago leaves nearly 60 shot and 8 dead — should the National Guard be sent in? Michael Smerconish explores Trump’s controversial proposal and its shaky legal footing.…
00:13:34 |
Wed 03 Sep 2025
Thoughts and Prayers with Jonah Goldberg
After a tragic school shooting in Minneapolis reignites the national debate, Michael sits down with Jonah Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of The Dispatch, to unpack the fierce backlash against offering “th…
00:30:27 |
Tue 02 Sep 2025
From Maine to Mayhem: Michael’s Vacation Sparks a Tip Tax Debate
Michael returns from vacation in Maine and dives into today's Smerconish.com poll question on this hot topic: should tips be tax-free? From golf caddies to DJs, he unpacks the 68 jobs newly exempt un…
00:12:48 |
Tue 02 Sep 2025
Oklahoma’s ‘Anti-Woke’ Teacher Test: Civics Questions Teachers Should Know
Michael gives listeners a surprise civics pop quiz—straight from Oklahoma’s new teacher screening exam. With controversy swirling around the state’s “anti-woke” education agenda, are these questions …
00:23:38 |
Fri 29 Aug 2025
Serving on a School Board Might Be the Riskiest Job in America
Michael Smerconish speaks with Shannon Hiller, Executive Director of the Bridging Divides Initiative at Princeton, about the alarming rise in threats and harassment against local officials—from schoo…
00:41:13 |
Thu 28 Aug 2025
Is Mail-In Voting Under Threat? Trump’s Bold Promise vs. The Facts
President Trump says he’ll end mail-in voting by executive order—but can he? Michael Smerconish dives into the facts with Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor of Political Science Dr. Char…
00:33:05 |
Wed 27 Aug 2025
The Summer America Tried to Replace Migrant Workers with Teens—It Was a Disaster
What happened when the U.S. government tried to replace Mexican farm workers with high school athletes in the 1960s? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gustavo Arellano joins Michael to unpack a forgo…
00:39:21 |
Tue 26 Aug 2025
We're Losing Touch with Nature — And It's Worse Than You Think
Are we forgetting nature? Michael speaks with Professor Miles Richardson, a leading expert on "nature connectedness" at the University of Derby. Richardson’s research shows a 60% drop in our connecti…
00:29:18 |
Mon 25 Aug 2025
Live From The New Joint
Today’s episode marks a milestone over 30 years in the making. Michael Smerconish unveils his brand new studio—affectionately dubbed The New Joint—a space he’s envisioned for decades and finally brou…
00:13:41 |
Fri 22 Aug 2025
California’s Political Earthquake: Is Redistricting Reform About to End?
Gerrymandering is bad. But self-sorting? It might be the silent force doing even more damage to American democracy. In today’s episode, Michael Smerconish dives into California’s surprising move to p…
00:11:58 |
Fri 22 Aug 2025
A Bad Day For World Peace
Michael reflects on what he calls a truly bad day for world peace. From Israel’s explosive expansion of West Bank settlements to Russia’s massive new strike on Ukraine, he connects the dots and expla…
00:29:33 |
Thu 21 Aug 2025
Too Left? Too Elitist?... Why Dems Are Hemorrhaging Voters
The numbers are in—and they’re brutal. In today’s episode, Michael Smerconish unpacks what the data reveals—and just as importantly, what it doesn’t. Democrats have lost ground to Republicans in ever…
00:10:45 |
Thu 21 Aug 2025
'Shambolic But Strategic’: Mark Halperin on Trump’s Ukraine Move
Listen to Mark's Next Up Podcast.
00:31:22 |
Wed 20 Aug 2025
Yes, Voting By Mail Is Secure
Is voting by mail secure? With President Trump vowing to ban it and bringing election integrity back in the spotlight, Michael explores the real data behind mail-in voting. From Civil War history to …
00:15:59 |
Wed 20 Aug 2025
Could Trump Really Win the Nobel Peace Prize?
Could Donald Trump ever be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? Michael speaks with with University of Agder Professor Dr. Øyvind Tønnesson, a former advisor to the Nobel Institute, for a provocative conve…
00:28:18 |
Tue 19 Aug 2025
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