Focus with Paul W. Smith - podcast cover

Focus with Paul W. Smith

Cumulus Media Detroitpodcasts.apple.com
National Radio Hall of Fame Inductee Paul W. Smith takes middays live and local for a show that goes in-depth with the newsmakers who are shaping the future of Southeast Michigan. Tune in as Paul connects with politicians, business and community leaders, entrepreneurs, and entertainers for longform conversations about why the efforts behind the headlines really matter. Accessible, informative, balanced, and bold, with diverse voices and thought-provoking questions that bring it all into Focus.
Last refreshed:
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

US Creates $1.3 Billion Lawfare fund

May 19, 2026 ~ Tom Leonard, Partner at Plunkett Cooney, former Republican Gubernatorial Candidate discusses the lawfare account created during Trump's settlement with the IRS. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 19, 20268 minEp. 9688

Focus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 18, 2026 ~ Full Show

May 18, 2026 ~ Are primaries going Trump's way? Pistons lose in game 7. Police warning of realistic looking squirt guns, stepping up patrols because of teen takeovers. Police thwart large scale antisemitic attacks. Deaths in Michigan are outpacing births and the day's biggest headlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 18, 20261 hr 4 minEp. 9686

Police Warning About Realistic Squirt Guns and Teen Takeovers

May 18, 2026 ~ Steve Dolunt, Retired Detroit Police Assistant Chief discusses "water wars" and teen takeovers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 18, 20267 minEp. 9684

Michigan Deaths Outpacing Births

May 18, 2026 ~ Patrick Anderson, Founder and CEO of Anderson Economic Group discusses the economic impact of deaths outpacing births in Michigan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 18, 20265 minEp. 9687

Pistons Lose in Game 7 and The Latest Episode of "Angels Along the Way"

May 18, 2026 ~ Jamie Edmonds, co-host JR’ Morning with Chris, Lloyd and Jamie and Jamie's Journey: Angels Along The Way discusses the Pistons loss to the Cavs and her latest episode of "Angels Along the Way." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 18, 20267 minEp. 9683

Are More Trump Primary Victories on the way this Week?

May 18, 2026 ~ Kaitlyn Buss, Deputy Editorial Page Editor for the Detroit News discusses a busy week of primaries coming up this week. Will the Trump effect have an impact? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 18, 20269 minEp. 9682

Focus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 16, 2026 ~ Victor's Roofing Special

May 16, 2026 ~ Paul W. is live from the site of the Victor's Giveback Program in this special weekend edition of Focus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 16, 202639 minEp. 9681

Focus With Paul W. Smith ~ May 15, 2026 ~ Full Show

May 15, 2026 ~ President Trump wraps up his trip to China. Senate votes to withhold pay during shutdowns. Macomb County starts huge sanitary sewer project. Detroit's population continues to grow and the day's biggest headlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 15, 20261 hr 3 minEp. 9680

Detroit Population Grows Again

May 15, 2026 ~ Jeff Monosso, Fox News Correspondent and WJR Contributor discusses the latest population numbers from Detroit. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 15, 20265 minEp. 9679

Riger Reviews Obsession and Marty, Life is Short

May 15, 2026 ~ Dave Riger of Riger Reviews it reviews "Obsession" in theaters and "Marty, Life is Short" on Netflix. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 15, 20267 minEp. 9678

Michigan Court of Claims Grants Injunction Against Earmarks

Friday 15, 2026 ~ Patrick J. Wright, Vice President for Legal Affairs, Mackinac Center for Public Policy, discusses their lawsuit challenging hidden earmarks in the state budget process. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 15, 20268 minEp. 9677

Macomb County to Repair Sanitary Sewers

May 15, 2026 ~ Candice Miller, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner discusses the large sanitary sewer pipe repair starting on the same week as the massive water main break in Oakland County. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 15, 20267 minEp. 9676

Senate Votes to Not Get Paid During Future Shutdowns

May 15, 2026 ~ Dennis Darnoi, Founder of Densar Consulting discusses the vote in the Senate to withhold pay during shutdowns. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 15, 20266 minEp. 9675

Wrap Up of President Trump's China Trip

May 15, 2026 ~ Tom Watkins, Director, President and CEO of TDW and Associates a US/China Business and Education Consulting Firm gives his thoughts on President Trump's China trip. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 15, 202610 minEp. 9674

Focus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 14, 2026 ~ Full Show

May 14, 2026 ~ President Trump visits with Xi. Pistons lose to the Cavs. CIA Whistleblower testifies on COVID. Alex Murdaugh murder conviction overturned and the day's biggest headlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 14, 20261 hr 2 minEp. 9673

South Carolina Supreme Court Overturns Murdaugh Conviction

May 14, 2026 ~ Todd Flood, Managing Partner at Flood Law PLLC, host of "Behind the Bench" with Todd Flood on WJR discusses the overturning of Alex Murdaugh's murder conviction. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 14, 20267 minEp. 9672

Yesterday's CIA Whistleblower Hearing on COVID

May 14, 2026 ~ Eben Brown, Fox News Correspondent and WJR Contributor discusses yesterday's hearing with a CIA whistleblower on COVID. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 14, 20266 minEp. 9671

Bad No Call and 4th Quarter Collapse Lead to Pistons Loss to Cavs

May 14, 2026 ~ Anthony Bellino, co-host of SportsWrap with Lomas Brown and Anthony Bellino, weeknights at 6pm discusses last night's Pistons loss. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 14, 20265 minEp. 9670

Chris Swanson Checks in from the Campaign Trail

May 14, 2026 ~ Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, Running for Governor as a Democrat checks in from the campaign trail. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 14, 20267 minEp. 9669

Focus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 13, 2026 ~ Full Show

May 13, 2026 ~ Trump lands in China. New polling on president, governor and senate. Progress being made on giant water main break. Black bear sighted in Wayne and Monroe County. California Mayor turns out to be a Chinese asset and the day's biggest headlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 13, 20261 hr 2 minEp. 9667

New Texting Scam and COVID Era Tax Rebates

May 13, 2026 ~ Susan Tompor, Personal Finance Columnist for the Detroit Free Press discusses her columns “Michigan drivers hit again by texts for unpaid tolls” and “You could be owed IRS refund from COVID‑era penalties — if you act soon” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 13, 20267 minEp. 9666

California Mayor Confesses to Being an Agent for China

May 13, 2026 ~ Andy Arena, Director of the Detroit Crime Commission, former special agent in charge of the Detroit FBI discusses the California mayor who has been working for China. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 13, 20266 minEp. 9665

Two Black Bear Sightings in Monroe and Wayne County

May 13, 2026 ~ Marie Osborne, WJR's Director of Community Affairs and News discusses two black bear sightings in Southeast Michigan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 13, 20263 minEp. 9664

Trump Lands in China, New Polling for Governor, Senate and President

May 13, 2026 ~ Nolan Finley, Editorial Page Editor for the Detroit News, co-author of “The Civility Book A Guide to Building Bridges Across the Political Divide” by Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson With Lynne Golodner discusses President Trump landing in China and new polling on Governor, President and Senate. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 13, 20268 minEp. 9662

Crews Replace Giant Pipe in Oakland County

May 13, 2026 ~ David Coulter, Oakland County Executive discusses what's next after a giant water main is replaced in Oakland County. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 13, 20268 minEp. 9663

Focus with Paul W. Smith ~ April 12, 2026 ~ Full Show

May 12, 2026 ~ Looking ahead to Trump's China trip. Wayne County launches new gun safety campaign. Will President Trump suspend the gas tax? Latest on the Oakland County water main break. Pistons drop game 4 to the Cavs and the day's biggest headlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 12, 20261 hr 3 minEp. 9661

Cavs Even Up Series with Piston 2-2

May 12, 2026 ~ Nick Lundberg, WJR Digital Sports Reporter recaps last night's Pistons game and reacts to early Lions schedule leaks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 12, 20265 minEp. 9660

Mike Bouchard on Water Main Break and Arrest Using Drone

May 12, 2026 ~ Mike Bouchard, Oakland County Sheriff gives us an update on the big water main break and discusses an arrest made over the weekend using one of their drones. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 12, 202610 minEp. 9659
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android