The Smerconish Podcast

In this episode of The Smerconish Podcast , Michael Smerconish is joined by Jim VandeHei, co-founder and CEO of Axios , to discuss VandeHei’s widely shared “Message to College Students.” His candid advice has gone viral for its tough love and optimism, urging young people to tune out the noise of toxic politics, social media doom scrolling, and fear-driven headlines — and instead recognize that “A...

In this episode, Michael tackles today’s poll question at Smerconish.com: Should Jimmy Kimmel have been suspended for comments made about the assassination of Charlie Kirk? He breaks down the First Amendment issues, the FCC’s role, and the political backlash surrounding Kimmel’s remarks. Michael also connects the debate to broader conversations on free speech, cancel culture, and media bias — whil...

Michael Smerconish welcomes political analyst Mark Halperin for a wide-ranging conversation in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Halperin shares personal reflections on Kirk, examines how the media and political opponents are framing his legacy, and discusses Donald Trump’s response. The two also debate whether America can find unity amid deep political divides, the role of social media in...

Michael digs into today’s Smerconish.com poll question, sparked by a fiery legal debate after comments made by Attorney General Pam Pondi on going after people who were spreading 'hate speech'' in the wake of the death of Charlie Kirk: “Agree or Disagree: ‘Hate speech does not exist legally in America. There’s ugly speech… gross speech… evil speech. And ALL of it is protected by the 1st Amendment....

Michael sits down with Cato Institute Vice President for Economic and Social Policy Studies Alex Nowrasteh to unpack hard data on politically motivated violence—who commits it, how often it happens, and what the numbers really show since 1975, and in a refocused set since 2020. A rigorous, nonpartisan, “stats over spin” conversation that challenges assumptions, separates outliers like 9/11, and pu...

Michael spotlights Utah Governor Spencer Cox and asks today's Smerconish.com poll question: “Could Utah Governor Spencer Cox be elected president?” Why does he call it a trick question? Because national electability and party nomination aren’t the same thing. From “disagree better” to social-media backlash and primary math, Michael unpacks what it would take—and what’s in the way. Listen here, the...

Michael Smerconish welcomes Stephen A. Smith ahead of the launch of "Straight Shooter" on SiriusXM's POTUS Channel 124 (premieres Wednesday Sept 17). Known for his fiery sports commentary, Stephen A. explains why he’s stepping into political talk, what being a centrist means to him, and how he hopes to bring honesty and open-minded debate to today’s polarized media landscape. Also, his thoughts fo...

On this morning's episode, Michael dives into the Monday poll question at Smerconish.com: "Do you agree with Senator Fetterman that Democrats should not refer to President Trump as an autocrat?" Michael unpacks Fetterman’s warning to his party about political strategy, reflects on past poll results highlighting voter pessimism, and considers whether Democrats risk alienating swing states by leanin...

Michael reflects on a powerful and unsettling political cartoon drawn in the aftermath of the killing of Charlie Kirk (by Scott Stantis, exclusively for the Smerconish.com Daily Newsletter) — a piece that captures the intensity of America’s overheated political climate. After wrestling with the heaviness of the moment, he shifts gears to lighten things up with a conversation on film. Joined by Dan...

**NOTE: This podcast episode began recording while suspect in the shooting of Charlie Kirk was still at-large. While Michael was recording this (and live on YouTube), the news broke that President Trump announced that a suspect was in custody.** Is America entering a new and dangerous phase? Peggy Noonan argues the assassination of Charlie Kirk marks a turning point, one that could reverberate in...

Michael speaks with Dr. Alan Wiseman of Vanderbilt University about groundbreaking new research into the education divide in American politics. Once, both parties in Congress shared a common bond: many lawmakers, regardless of ideology, came from elite universities. Today, that landscape has dramatically shifted. While Democrats have largely maintained their ties to Ivy League and other selective...

On this September 11th, Michael Smerconish reflects on both the tragic anniversary of 9/11 and the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk. With raw honesty, Michael asks whether this latest act of political violence could possibly mark a turning point toward lowering the temperature of America’s toxic national debate — and why, sadly, he doubts it. That is today's poll question at Smerconish.com....

In this episode, Michael Smerconish speaks with Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, about Israel’s controversial strike in Qatar and the fallout for U.S. alliances, hostage negotiations, and the wider Middle East. Stavridis also weighs in on rising tensions in Europe after Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace. Afterward, Michael takes listener calls that reveal...

A viral moment at a Phillies game has the internet fired up — but should we just leave “Phillies Karen” alone? In today’s episode, Michael dives deep into the debate surrounding a now-infamous ballpark incident involving a woman dubbed “Phillies Karen.” From listener calls and powerful personal stories to reflections on empathy and cancel culture, this discussion goes far beyond a viral clip. Plus...

A Phillies home run sparked a viral moment, an internet witch hunt, and a national debate over civility. Michael Smerconish dives into the controversy surrounding "Philly Karen," the unidentified woman who walked off with a ball meant for a kid. Should she be outed? Has the internet gone too far? Listeners weigh in—with surprising takes. Original air date 9 September 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an...

In this episode, Michael dives into today's Smerconish.com poll question: Which is more politically damaging to Donald Trump — his denial of involvement in the Epstein birthday video, or the greeting itself? With approval ratings, looming elections, and other elements to worry about, every headline counts. Michael breaks down the implications, public reactions, and what this strange controversy re...

Michael speaks with New York Times journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Dave Philipps about a shocking top-secret SEAL Team 6 mission in North Korea that went fatally off-course. What started as a high-stakes intelligence op to spy on Kim Jong Un quickly escalated into deadly chaos — and could have derailed nuclear negotiations. Hear the behind-the-scenes details and the journalistic debate over w...

Michael explores today's provocative poll question at Smerconish.com: "Should the New York Times have revealed a secret 2019 Navy SEALs operation in North Korea?" He doesn't share his final answer here yet — because he still has more questions, for when on today's radio program on SiriusXM's POTUS Channel 124 he speaks with Dave Philipps at the New York Times about this story, and he'll get those...

Veteran political strategist Doug Sosnik joins Michael to dissect the deepening educational divide in American politics. Why are Republicans dominating among non-college voters? Can Democrats win back the working class? And is Trump a cause—or a symptom—of something much bigger? From voting patterns to shifting political power in the South and West, this episode offers a critical look at the struc...

In today’s episode, Michael tackles the explosive story of a U.S. military strike on suspected drug traffickers in international waters. It is the subject of today's poll question at Smerconish.com: Should the U.S. military conduct lethal strikes against suspected drug traffickers in international waters without a formal declaration of war? Plus, new developments in the Epstein investigation stir...

Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis joins Michael to unpack China’s military parade, Russia’s escalating aggression, and Trump’s explosive claim of a deadly drug boat strike in the Caribbean. Was it justified—or just political theater? Get expert insight on global power plays in this dynamic conversation with a former four-star Navy Admiral. Original air date 4 September 2...

Strange bedfellows in Congress are teamed up in asking for the full release of the Epstein files, with four Republicans joining all Democratic representatives in that push. Michael dives in to today's poll question at Smerconsih.com: Will two more Republicans join Reps. Massie, Mace, Boebert, and Greene in supporting the Democrats to release the DOJ's Epstein-Maxwell investigation files? With thes...

Michael Smerconish reacts to a jaw-dropping development: January 6 rioters, already pardoned by President Trump, are now seeking financial compensation from the U.S. government — drawing comparisons to 9/11 victim funds. Is this a rewriting of history or political theater at its peak? Then, political analyst Mark Halperin joins for a wide-ranging conversation on Trump’s crime messaging, the role o...

A violent Labor Day weekend in Chicago leaves nearly 60 shot and 8 dead — should the National Guard be sent in? Michael Smerconish explores Trump’s controversial proposal and its shaky legal footing. That's the basis for today's Smerconish.com poll question. Plus, on yesterday's poll question, a heated debate over tax-free tips for certain workers, and the shocking possibility of January 6 rioters...

After a tragic school shooting in Minneapolis reignites the national debate, Michael sits down with Jonah Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of The Dispatch, to unpack the fierce backlash against offering “thoughts and prayers.” Is it a hollow gesture or a necessary human response? They explore how political polarization and social media have turned even grief into a culture war — and what needs to happen...