Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which was worse: Mike Waltz creating the Signal chat and including an outsider, or Pete Hegseth's revelations in the chat? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it ...
Mar 28, 2025•11 min•Ep. 1310
Should Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, have announced his presence when he was inadvertently added to a classified group chat among Trump administration officials on Signal? That's just one of many ethical questions a journalist must consider. Michael gets expertise on all these questions and concerns in this conversation with Kelly McBride, Senior Vice President and Chair, Craig Newmark Center for Ethics and Leadership at The Poynter Institute. Original air date 27 March 2025...
Mar 27, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1309
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Ethically speaking, when should journalist Jeffrey Goldberg have revealed his presence in the Houthi group chat on Signal? Immediately, Once the attack commenced, or Nev Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begin...
Mar 27, 2025•16 min•Ep. 1308
2WAY Editor-in-Chief Mark Halperin poses several important questions about the use of the Signal App in government, and offers expertise on government communications in this conversation with Michael. Original air date 26 March 2025.
Mar 26, 2025•26 min•Ep. 1307
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: On a scale of 1 (least) to 10 (most) damaging, how do you rate the political impact of the Houthi group chat on the Trump Administration? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael ...
Mar 26, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1306
Richard A. Clarke served for thirty years in US government national security agencies, including the Pentagon, the State Department, and the White House National Security Council. Admiral James Stavridis is a retired four-star U.S. naval officer. He is currently Partner and Vice Chair, Global Affairs of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. He is also 12th Chair of Rockefeller Foundation board.
Mar 25, 2025•33 min•Ep. 1305
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which was more indicative of poor judgment regarding the Houthi group chat, that they used Signal, or the content of the discussion? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks...
Mar 25, 2025•15 min•Ep. 1304
Michael talks to Independent Senator Angus King of Maine, about President Trump's promise to not touch Social Security, while people in his administration seem to be trying to cut the entitlement that millions of Americans pay in to. Original air date 24 March 2025.
Mar 24, 2025•12 min•Ep. 1303
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Is AOC becoming the new face of the Democratic Party? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday.
Mar 24, 2025•13 min•Ep. 1302
The World Happiness Report for 2025 is out. Today, Michael's eye was drawn toward Chapter 3, because of its connection to mingling: "Sharing Meals With Others Supports Happiness And Social Connections." Listen to his conversation with one of the authors of this chapter, Micah Katz, a doctoral student in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. He is also a research associate at the Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford, and a senior analyst at the Happiness Research Institute. Original air dat...
Mar 21, 2025•16 min•Ep. 1301
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should education policy be directed more from the federal or state/local level? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday.
Mar 21, 2025•17 min•Ep. 1300
Listen to Michael's 2013 interview with Gerald Posner about his book "Case Closed" here on the Book Club with Michael Smerconish Podcast.
Mar 20, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1299
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles be prosecuted as hate crimes? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday.
Mar 20, 2025•16 min•Ep. 1298
Mark Halperin, 2Way Editor-in-Chief and political analyst, offers his take on today's headlines, including Elon Musk's influence in the Trump administration, the Russia-Ukraine war, immigration, disarray on the Democratic side of the aisle, and more. Original air date 19 March 2025.
Mar 19, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1297
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Admiral James Stavridis says that while he “hates” Russia keeping land it seized from Ukraine, such is the “military reality” of negotiated peace. Do you agree or disagree? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always be...
Mar 19, 2025•13 min•Ep. 1296
President Trump has a net-negative approval rating, but for him, the numbers aren't bad. That said, there are some real danger signs for him ahead, in particular on the economy. But, balance that against his work with DOGE, which is viewed favorably, as is his hardline stance on immigration. There are a lot of data nuggets you will hear in Michael's conversation with Doug Sosnik, who was a longtime senior advisor to President Bill Clinton and has also advised US Governors and Senators. He has re...
Mar 18, 2025•28 min•Ep. 1295
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which side benefits politically from the El Salvador deportation controversy: Trump or his opponents? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each ...
Mar 18, 2025•15 min•Ep. 1294
It all started with the McDonald's hot coffee case in 1994, and it still happens today. Customers who have sued and won over injuries resulting from spilled food and drink from restaurants at drive-thru windows. The latest, a $50 million jury award to a plaintiff who sued Starbucks over spilled hot tea, reminds Michael of an interview he conducted with Judy Allen, the daughter of the original McDonald's lawsuit plaintiff, Stella Liebeck. Hear that archive audio here as part of a conversation wit...
Mar 17, 2025•18 min•Ep. 1293
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which should be the Democratic priority: collaboration with Republicans so as to influence legislation or blocking the GOP agenda? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks a...
Mar 17, 2025•20 min•Ep. 1292
Michael goes back to 1993 in Somalia, in this conversation with Mark Bowden, author of 'Black Hawk Down', the book which was made into a hit movie. The subject matter is now being revisited in a new series on Netflix, "Surviving Black Hawk Down." Original air date 14 March 2025.
Mar 14, 2025•19 min•Ep. 1291
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Is Gavin Newsom helping, hurting, or neither, his presidential ambitions by hosting Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon on his podcast? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks ab...
Mar 14, 2025•13 min•Ep. 1290
Dr. Duane Bratt is professor and chair in the Department of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University. Dr. Bratt's research interests include Canadian nuclear policy, Canadian foreign policy, and Alberta politics. Listen To His analysis here on tariffs between The U.S. & Canada - Michael asks him If Canada Could become the The United States 51st State. Original air date 13 March 2025.
Mar 13, 2025•40 min•Ep. 1289
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should public support for Hamas be grounds for revoking the green card of a legal resident? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday....
Mar 13, 2025•17 min•Ep. 1288
Jeffrey Collins has covered South Carolina for the Associated Press for 25 years. He has witnessed 11 executions of convicted prisoners sentenced to the death penalty. The first 10 of those did not prepare him for the 11th, this past Friday night: Watching the firing squad death of Brad Sigmon. Listen to his shocking account here - Michael asks him for all the details of how it all works. Original air date 12 March 2025.
Mar 12, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1287
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: If Ukraine and Russia make peace, does President Trump deserve credit? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday.
Mar 12, 2025•11 min•Ep. 1286
Philip Bump is a columnist for The Washington Post based in New York. He writes the weekly newsletter How To Read This Chart , to which you should subscribe . He's also the author of The Aftermath : The Last Days of the Baby Boom and the Future of Power in America.
Mar 11, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1285
Michael is an owner of the Tesla Model Y.
Mar 11, 2025•13 min•Ep. 1284
The FBI is warning that sexual extorsion schemes, or "sextortion", targeting underage boys are leading to an alarming increase in suicides of teenage boys. This happens when a scammer threatens and coerces a minor into sending sending sexually explicit photographs through social media. Today, Michael speaks with South Carolina State Representative Brandon Guffey, who's 17-year-old son Gavin died by suicide in 2022, after being a victim of 'sextortion.' This is a heartbreaking story to hear, but ...
Mar 10, 2025•32 min•Ep. 1283
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Pick the person best suited to be the face of opposition to Donald Trump right now, of the following choices: Pete Buttigieg, George Clooney, Mark Cuban, John Favreau, John Fetterman, Kamala Harris, Hakeem Jeffries, Ro Khanna, Rachel Maddow, Gavin Newsom, AOC, Jared Polis, Josh Shapiro, Elissa Slotkin, Elizabeth Warren. Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question...
Mar 10, 2025•13 min•Ep. 1282
Michael welcomes legendary sportscaster Bob Costas back for a conversation on the late baseball player Pete Rose's legacy and chances of getting into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame following President Trump saying he would pardon Rose. But for what exactly, no one knows. And, a presidential pardon has no effect on MLB's hall of fame, as Costas explains here. Costas retired from full time baseball play-by-play at the end of last season. Pete Rose passed away from heart disease in November...
Mar 07, 2025•15 min•Ep. 1281
