The Smerconish Podcast

Michael Smerconish talks with Josh Fryday, California’s Chief Service Officer and candidate for Lieutenant Governor, about the alarming crisis facing young men — rising loneliness, declining engagement, and surging mental-health challenges. Fryday explains the newly launched California Men’s Service Challenge, a statewide push to recruit 10,000 male mentors, coaches, and role models. Together, the...

Michael dives into the Smerconish.com poll question inspired by DOT Secretary Sean Duffy’s controversial claim that airline passengers should “dress with respect” to promote civility. From shocking in-flight behavior stats to a viral DOT video, Michael explores whether our clothing really influences how we act in the air. Listen to this lively, timely conversation heading into Thanksgiving travel,...

Breaking news meets expert analysis. As reports emerge that Ukraine may have agreed to a peace proposal with Russia, Michael brings in one of the world’s most trusted strategic minds — Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO. In this urgent conversation, the Admiral reacts in real time to developing headlines, explains how the peace plan has shifted, and breaks down the di...

Michael dives into today’s hot-button poll question that he's asking at Smerconish.com: Should Ukraine agree to a peace deal involving territorial concessions to Russia if its future security is guaranteed? From Tom Friedman’s “dirty vs. filthy” deal framework to the evolving U.S.-Ukraine peace plan, Michael breaks down the politics, principles, and tough trade-offs of ending the war. Plus, behind...

When six Democratic members of Congress released a video urging troops to “refuse illegal orders,” President Trump called it seditious behavior. But was the video itself appropriate—or reckless? Michael speaks with Lt. Col. Rachel VanLandingham (ret.), a former Air Force JAG and law professor, who says the lawmakers “did more harm than good.” Together, they unpack what the law actually says about...

Was it appropriate for members of Congress to release a video urging military personnel to refuse illegal orders? That's today's Smerconish.com poll question...While President Trump’s fiery response suggesting the Democrats in the video be tried for treason grabbed headlines, Michael explores the deeper issue — was the video itself a political provocation or a necessary act of principle? Hear Mich...

A three-judge federal panel just struck down Texas’s mid-decade redistricting map — and the fallout could reshape the 2026 House majority. Michael invites Yale constitutional law professor Jed Rubenfeld to break down why the court called it an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, how a “volcanic” dissent all but guarantees Supreme Court review, and what this means for California’s controversial Pr...

Michael breaks down today’s poll question: If courts halt Texas’s redistricting, should California pause theirs too? He explores the legal, political, and constitutional stakes behind state-by-state redistricting battles—and what “fairness” really means in the process. Vote in today’s poll and watch the full show on Smerconish.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz....

Michael digs into a groundbreaking New York Times report revealing Amazon’s push to automate up to 600,000 jobs — and what it means for the future of American work. NYT tech correspondent Karen Weise joins to explain what she saw inside Amazon’s most advanced robotic facility, how automation is reshaping warehouse labor, and why this shift is already underway. Michael also revisits a professor’s b...

Michael tackles today’s big question: Should Americans be able to vote from their phones? In this episode, he explores the security risks, potential benefits for voter turnout, global experiments with digital voting, and how mobile ballots could reshape U.S. politics. Plus, he reviews audience reactions to the Daily Poll and the ongoing debate over trust in American elections. A timely, thought-pr...

Mark Halperin dives deep into the ongoing debate surrounding the release of Jeffrey Epstein files and why Donald Trump's decision to withhold them is raising more questions than answers. In this thought-provoking discussion, Halperin explains the political strategy, potential risks, and the broader implications of releasing sensitive files—while also shedding light on the complexities of Trump's r...

Michael analyzes whether the GOP’s swift vote to release the Epstein files signals a meaningful shift in Trump’s influence over his party. With new data, expert perspectives, and a look at the growing media angles, he explores whether this moment is a blip—or the beginning of a broader rupture. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collecti...

Veteran crisis-manager and former White House Special Counsel Lanny Davis joins Michael to break down how President Trump handled the Epstein files — and what he should have done instead. Davis explains the “tell it early, tell it all, tell it yourself” rules Trump ignored, why resistance fuels speculation, and how the story could have been neutralized from the start. Plus: his upcoming book Findi...

Michael Smerconish invites listeners to consider this question: Will The Majority Of House Republicans Vote To Release The Epstein Files? Listen here, and then vote! And, please rate, review, and share this podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael unpacks Marjorie Taylor Greene’s surprising shift toward political “kindness,” comparing it to his own evolution as a Republican-turned-independent. Is MTG experiencing genuine growth—or just chasing relevance? Michael invites listeners to weigh in on political about-faces and what sparks them. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our...

With Marjorie Taylor Greene making headlines for her newfound politics in addition to comments on Donald Trump and the Epstein Files, Michael Smerconish raises this question; Marjorie Taylor Greene: Evolution or Opportunism? Listen here, and then vote! And, please rate, review, and share this podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our c...

Listen to Michael's first Book Club Podcast Interview with Barry Levine about "The Spider." (Podcast July 2025, the book was published in 2020). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael breaks down a new data point from the National Association of Realtors: the median age of U.S. home buyers has climbed to 59. He explores what’s driving the shift—from affordability crises to shifting priorities—and examines new proposals like 50-year mortgages and portable home loans. Plus, how America’s housing shortage ties into mental health, generational trends, and global comparisons...

In this episode, Michael unpacks the stunning release of thousands of Jeffrey Epstein emails that have Washington on edge. What began as a selective Democratic leak of three explosive emails suggesting Donald Trump knew more about Epstein’s abuse than he admitted soon became a political firestorm — with Republicans countering by releasing over 20,000 documents. Michael walks listeners through what...

Michael digs into today’s Smerconish.com poll question: "Did the ends of the Democrat-supported government shutdown justify the means?" After weeks of stalemate, Democrats ended the fight without key concessions—but may have reframed the national debate on health care. Was the pain worth the politics? Plus, insights on yesterday's poll results - listen here, and then vote! And, please rate, review...

Michael Smerconish is joined by political analyst Mark Halperin to unpack breaking revelations from Jeffrey Epstein’s newly surfaced emails — including what they suggest Donald Trump may have known about Epstein’s conduct. Then, shifting gears to dissect the GOP’s healthcare dilemma, rising insurance premiums, and what both parties risk in the next budget showdown. Finally, they look ahead to 2028...

Michael Smerconish dives into today’s Smerconish.com poll, asking: Should the Supreme Court allow states to count mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day but arriving afterward? He breaks down the upcoming Supreme Court case, explores how 30 states already handle this issue, and weighs both sides of the debate — from election integrity to voter access. Plus, reflections on yesterday’s conversat...

Doug Sosnik is a policy and political expert who has closely advised President Bill Clinton and multiple U.S. Senators, governors, Fortune 100 corporations, foundations and universities. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Admiral James Stavridis is a retired four-star U.S. naval officer. He is currently Partner and Vice Chair of Carlyle, a global investment firm. He is also 12th Chair of Rockefeller Foundation board.  Previously he served for five years as the 12th Dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He led the NATO Alliance in global operations from 2009 to 2013 as 16th Supreme Al...

On Veterans Day, Michael asks: Which is a more reliable predictor of elections — traditional polls or betting markets? With new data from Vanderbilt showing gamblers outperformed pollsters in 2024, he wonders if polling as we know it is on the way out. Listen in and see if you agree, and vote at Smerconish.com, and please rate, comment, and review this podcast! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz com...