Is Senator John Fetterman in trouble? In this eye-opening episode, Michael Smerconish speaks with New York Magazine’s Ben Terris about his report detailing growing concerns over the Pennsylvania senator’s health, behavior, and fitness to serve. Terris shares details from a confidential letter written by Fetterman’s former chief of staff, who warned of reckless behavior, skipped medical treatments, and signs of serious mental health decline. Is this a mental health success story unraveling? Liste...
May 05, 2025•31 min•Ep. 1362
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Will President Trump's ambivalence about upholding the Constitution cause ANY erosion of his support among Republicans? Listen to Michael explain the issue, then cast YOUR ballot 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. Mic...
May 05, 2025•19 min•Ep. 1361
Author Daniel Pink argues that grade inflation is ruining education. Michael welcomes him to discuss his Washington Post op-ed "Why not get rid of grades?" Original air date 4 March 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
May 02, 2025•20 min•Ep. 1360
Read Elie Honig's piece in New York Magazine here. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
May 02, 2025•15 min•Ep. 1359
In this powerful episode, Michael Smerconish is joined by bestselling author Brad Meltzer—whose writing career began not with thrillers, but by penning the AmeriCorps oath at just 24. As AmeriCorps faces budget cuts from the federal government, Meltzer defends the national service program he helped shape, calling it "the best part of American government." They discuss the transformative power of community service, the bipartisan legacy of AmeriCorps, and the urgent need to protect it. With perso...
May 01, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1358
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Should retailers itemize tariff surcharges on customer bills? Listen to Michael explain the issue, then cast YOUR ballot 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 b...
May 01, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1357
In this comprehensive analysis, four of America's top political minds dissect the first 100 days of Trump's second term. Michael talks to Mark Halperin, Karl Rove, Doug Sosnik, and David Axelrod. Four incredible conversations in a row, exploring The controversial tariff policies affecting the economy, the dramatic shift in voter demographics based on education levels, and the transformation of Republicans into the working-class party. The experts examine how economic disparities and educational ...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 1356
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Should charter schools with religious affiliations be eligible to receive public funds? Listen to Michael explain the issue, then cast YOUR ballot 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 podc...
Apr 30, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1355
Michael and the Admiral reference Michael's conversation upcoming with Admiral William McRaven - listen to that on the Book Club with Michael Smerconish Podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Apr 29, 2025•26 min•Ep. 1354
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: If voters knew what they know 100 days into Trump 2.0, would Trump have defeated Harris? Listen to Michael explain the issue, then cast YOUR ballot 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 pod...
Apr 29, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1353
Saturday Morning was quite a morning amidst the funeral of Pope Francis. Michael offers a play-by-play of how his show still went on-air on CNN, where he offered a commentary completely unrelated to what was happening in the news that morning, on "Festivus" and the spat between Bill Maher and Larry David, the former having recently met with President Trump, and the latter comparing it to sharing a meal with a modern day Hitler. Here, Michael gives you the full back story on what happened. Origin...
Apr 28, 2025•26 min•Ep. 1352
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: If a state judge helps a migrant evade federal ICE agents, should that judge be arrested and charged with obstruction and concealment? Listen to Michael explain the issue, then cast YOUR ballot 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 co...
Apr 28, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1351
Dr. Richard Wood is President of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Apr 25, 2025•32 min•Ep. 1350
Where Have All The Nicknames Gone? Read In The Wall Street Journal Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Apr 25, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1349
The war between Russia and Ukraine is top of mind today. Michael is asking you this Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Is achieving peace worth the cost if it means officially ceding Crimea and other Ukraine territory to Russia? Listen to Michael explain the issue and his 'yes' vote, then cast YOUR ballot 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 int...
Apr 25, 2025•19 min•Ep. 1348
Michael loves his Tesla. So listen to his take here on Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Which is more likely: Tesla recovers its brand loyalty among progressives, or conservatives embrace electric vehicles (EVs)? Listen to Michael explain the issue and his 'yes' vote, then cast YOUR ballot 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 int...
Apr 24, 2025•14 min•Ep. 1347
Michael is joined by political analyst Mark Halperin for a whirlwind tour of the most pressing stories shaping Washington. From Donald Trump's surprise pivot on China and Jerome Powell that sent the markets into a tailspin, to RFK Jr.'s headline-grabbing move to phase out artificial food dyes, and JD Vance’s meteoric rise as perhaps the most influential VP in modern history—nothing is off limits. Is Trump acting like a day-trader-in-chief? Why is the MAGA movement now pushing health reform? And ...
Apr 23, 2025•35 min•Ep. 1346
The Supreme Court hearing oral arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor this week, where a group of parents want to be able to opt their children out of LGBTQ+ themed lessons in school, has Michael asking this poll question at Smerconish.com today: Should parents have the right to exempt their children from school materials that include LGBTQ+ themes? Listen to Michael explain the issue and his 'yes' vote, then cast YOUR ballot at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The D...
Apr 23, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1345
Also listen to Michael's commentary in Episode #1332, Bill Maher Mingled With Donald Trump, And That's Great from 14 April 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Apr 22, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1344
Today's poll question at Smerconish.com asks: With birth rates declining in many developed nations, should governments adopt policies that actively encourage citizens to have more children? Listen to Michael lay it out, then cast YOUR ballot 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 ...
Apr 22, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1343
Michael talks with Dana Mattioli, technology investigations and enterprise reporter for the Wall Street Journal. She's written "The Tactics Elon Musk Uses to Manage His 'Legion' of Babies--and Their Mothers." Then, the audience weighs in on pronatalism. Original air date 21 April 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Apr 21, 2025•33 min•Ep. 1342
Michael opens this episode remembering Pope Francis, who passed today at the age of 88. In an insightful commentary, he weaves into today's poll question at Smerconish.com, which asks: Will Pete Hegseth's tenure as SecDef survive reports of a second Signal breach?Listen to Michael lay it out, then cast YOUR ballot 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 othe...
Apr 21, 2025•26 min•Ep. 1341
The bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on April 19th, 1995 remains the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. Michael reads from an email he received this morning from his friend Sara Sweet, who's father, W. Stephen Williams, was killed in the bombing. She hopes no one ever forgets this horrific day thirty years ago. Original air date 18 April 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about o...
Apr 18, 2025•8 min
Tensions between the United States and China are escalating. Michael learns from Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis that while the two countries are duking it out over trade and tariffs, less-noticed concerns are taking place in cyberspace, near Taiwan, and at Chinese shipyards. Original air date 17 April 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Apr 18, 2025•28 min•Ep. 1340
Religion can be a tricky subject...while it can bring a lot of good, it can also lead to conflict, and even war. Today being Good Friday, this brings us to today's poll question at Smerconish.com, which asks: Should we hope possible life forms on exoplanet K2-18b have religious beliefs? Listen to Michael lay it out, then cast YOUR ballot 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 po...
Apr 18, 2025•20 min•Ep. 1339
Michael hosts a compelling conversation centered around immigration, undocumented workers, and the everyday realities of hiring day laborers—sparked by a memorable and candid call from "Tom in Texas." This came after a conversation with Philip Bump at the Washington Post about how the story of Kilmar Abrego García - the Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador after being arrested trying to get day labor work outside a Home Depot - tells us far more than the narrative on immigration and d...
Apr 17, 2025•25 min•Ep. 1338
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Does Trump benefit politically from ALL of the following: 1) fighting Harvard, 2) not facilitating return of Abrego Garcia, and 3) reducing the IRS workforce? Yes or No - Listen to Michael lay it out, then cast YOUR ballot 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...
Apr 17, 2025•19 min•Ep. 1337
2WAY Editor-in-Chief and Wide World of News Publisher Mark Halperin says we are at an odd moment in the three-side relationship between the Trump agenda, the establishment reaction to the Trump agenda, and the dominant media coverage of the Trump agenda. It is through that lens that he and Michael run through President Trump's recent policy moves, speeches, and more. Original air date 16 April 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our c...
Apr 16, 2025•26 min•Ep. 1336
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Should federal funding be cut from universities like Harvard in response to perceived failures in addressing campus antisemitism? Michael's vote is No: Listen here to his explanation, then cast YOUR ballot 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...
Apr 16, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1335
London School of Economics Professor Irene Papanicolas joins Michael to discuss a study that finds wealthy Americans have similar death rates to poor Europeans. Listen to find out what explains this health-wealth disparity, and Michael's audience reaction to it. Original air date 15 April 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Apr 15, 2025•31 min•Ep. 1334
