The Smerconish Podcast - podcast cover

The Smerconish Podcast

SiriusXMwww.siriusxm.com
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.
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Episodes

Stop Making Cents? President Trump Wants To Get Rid Of The Penny

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should the U.S. Treasury stop minting new pennies? 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. ...

Feb 11, 202520 minEp. 1244

$20 MILLION of our tax dollars for 'Sesame Street' in Iraq?

There's more to the story: If the USAID doesn't spend $20M on funding Sesame Street broadcasts in war-torn areas to teach literacy, inclusion, and critical health lessons to children, who will they learn from instead of Big Bird? Some might say, Al-Qaeda. This conversation is about the bigger picture, about how programs like the aforementioned are part of the United States showing its "Soft Power" around the world. Learn much more here in Michael's interview with the person who coined that "Soft...

Feb 10, 202527 minEp. 1243

If We Re-Ran the 2024 Election Today, Would The Result Change? This Poll Will Make You Think!

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: If the 2024 presidential election were re-run today, would the result be the same? 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. Hosted by ...

Feb 10, 202513 minEp. 1242

ESPN's Sal Pal's Bold Prediction For Sunday: Eagles 34, Chiefs 30

Sal Paolantonio covers the National Football League for SportsCenter, Sunday NFL Countdown, NFL Life and Fantasy Football Now. He also hosts the long-running X's and O's weekly preview show, NFL Matchup. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 07, 202510 min

We tried what Elon Musk is doing with federal spending once before, on Obama's watch

While Elon Musk and his "Department of Government Efficiency" are slashing areas of federal spending to combat the current national debt ($36 trillion) and the current fiscal year's deficit ($711 billion), we remember going through something similar back in 2010: Simpson-Bowles, known as "The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform." There were 12 members of Congress and 6 private citizens on the commission. In the end, they failed to get the required super-majority vote to advan...

Feb 07, 202534 minEp. 1241

Oscar or Opinion: Should Personal Views Decide Who Wins in Hollywood? The Karla Gascon Controversy Debate

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should the personal views and public statements of an actor/actress influence whether they win an Academy Award? 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 po...

Feb 07, 202517 minEp. 1240

Climate Crisis and Your Home’s Value: What You Need to Know About Insurance

Abrahm Lustgarten wrote this Op-Ed for the New York Times, "That Giant Sucking Sound? It’s Climate Change Devouring Your Home’s Value." He is the author of On The Move: The Overheating Earth and the Uprooting of America. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Feb 06, 202516 minEp. 1239

Musk, Money, and Mayhem: What Poses a Greater Threat to America?

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which poses a greater threat to the U.S.? 1) Elon Musk's unchecked influence over federal bureaucracy, or 2) Uncontrolled federal spending and deficit growth. 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 c...

Feb 06, 202515 minEp. 1238

Gaza "An Evolving Matter"

Michael asks American journalist and founder of the interactive media platform 2WAY , "Should The U.S. take over Gaza?". Mark Halperin joins Michael every Wednesday during the second our of his program to discuss the most pressing politics of the day. He offers two different points of view on this "evolving matter". Original air date 5 February 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising...

Feb 05, 202535 minEp. 1237

THE RIVIERA OF THE MIDDLE EAST! Should America Take Control of Gaza?

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should the U.S. take over Gaza? 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.ads...

Feb 05, 202516 minEp. 1236

Trump's Tariffs: Economic Genius or Economic Gamble?

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Did the United States benefit from President Trump's tariff threats against Canada and Mexico? 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...

Feb 04, 202511 minEp. 1234

Senator Chris Coons' (D-DE) first comments on a July 2024 Senate Democratic Caucus meeting about Biden and whether he should drop out of the race

Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) joins Michael to talk about President Trump's tariff plans, trade, and other headlines surrounding the new President and Congress. Michael opens the conversation asking about a July 10, 2024 Senate Democratic Caucus meeting that was written about by Annie Karni and Luke Broadwater in a forthcoming book "Mad House." Senator Coons was not interviewed for that book, and shares his version of what happened inside that room, regarding discussions about calls for then-Presid...

Feb 03, 202523 minEp. 1233

Your 2024 Vote: How honest are you about how you cast your ballot?

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 03, 202515 minEp. 1232

'This whole thing is blowing my mind'

In his NY Post piece, Professor Francione writes "I’ve been concerned about the direction of the party for a while now, but I was hoping it would correct itself. I was certain it would do so after getting completely hammered in the last election. But I was wrong. The Democratic Party seems determined to continue its headlong march into the oblivion of identity politics. The straw that made the camel leave the party came in the form of the Democratic reaction to H.R. 28, Protection of Women and G...

Feb 01, 202514 minEp. 1231

The DC Air Collision: Was DEI to Blame?

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 31, 202511 minEp. 1229

Tulsi Gabbard's Unorthodox Path to Trump's Intel Team

A deep dive into former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump's pick to be the next Director of National Intelligence. Michael welcomes New York Times Features Writer Elizabeth Williamson who has written about Gabbard. The conversation then expands to Robert F Kennedy Jr's nomination for Health and Human Services Secretary, and we wonder, which of the two has a more difficult path forward? Original air date 30 January 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz...

Jan 30, 202529 minEp. 1228

Daily Poll: Which nomination is more in peril, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. or Tulsi Gabbard?

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 30, 202515 minEp. 1227

Ron Insana's really good explanation of DeepSeek

Multiple headlines read "A shocking Chinese AI advancement" ... what?! Michael turns to IFi-AI CEO and CNBC Senior Analyst and Commentator Ron Insana for expert insight into what caused US stocks to drop sharply on Monday. Then, hear stories, including from Michael, on how artificial intelligence is affecting people's work across various industries. Original air date 28 January 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and us...

Jan 28, 202533 minEp. 1224

Daily Poll: Should transgender individuals be precluded from military service?

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should transgender individuals be precluded from military service? 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an A...

Jan 28, 202513 minEp. 1223

Marking 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz

Michael speaks about the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz, where Nazi Germany murdered over 1 million people, most of them Jews. Original air date 27 January 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 27, 202513 minEp. 1222

Daily Poll: Should the U.S. use tariffs to pressure countries to accept deportation flights of their nationals?

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should the U.S. use tariffs to pressure countries such as Colombia to accept deportation flights of their nationals? 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 thi...

Jan 27, 202516 minEp. 1221

ESPN's Sal Pal and Stanford's Matt Doyle with everything you need to know about football

In just over 30 minutes, learn everything you need to know about this weekend's NFL playoffs, and all-and we mean ALL-the changes that have happened in college football in the last few years. First, Michael welcomes ESPN National Correspondent Sal Paolantonio to preview the Commanders v. Eagles and Bills v. Chiefs matchups. Then, from the introduction of money and NFTs, to the complete upending of recruiting practices and more, Stanford University Senior Associate Athletics Director Matt Doyle g...

Jan 24, 202537 minEp. 1220

Daily Poll: Do you believe the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK were each committed by a lone gunman?

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 24, 202516 minEp. 1219

A remarkable end to the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme

Richard Breeden is former Chair of the Securities & Exchange Commission, former advisor to President George HW Bush, and now founder and CEO, Breeden Capital Management, where for the last two decades he has overseen funds for victims of unlawful conduct, including the victims of Bernie Madoff's ponzi scheme which was discovered in 2008. He joins Michael now that the fund has finished paying out money to over 40,000 Madoff victims, who recouped 94% of losses, to the tune of $4.3 billion. Ori...

Jan 23, 202532 minEp. 1218

Daily Poll: Is it ethical for the wealthy to hire private firefighters during public emergencies?

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 23, 202515 minEp. 1217

J6 Pardons, Executive Orders, Cabinet Hearings...Mark Halperin on the Trump Administration's Fast Start

A firehose of decisions and information has been coming out in just the first 48 hours since President Trump took the Oath of Office. 2WAY Editor in Chief Mark Halperin offers his analysis on all of it in this in-depth conversation. Original air date 22 January 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 22, 202528 minEp. 1216
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