The Smerconish Podcast

Michael returns from vacation in Maine and dives into today's Smerconish.com poll question on this hot topic: should tips be tax-free? From golf caddies to DJs, he unpacks the 68 jobs newly exempt under Trump’s proposed “no tax on tips” plan. Michael shares his own tipping experiences and explains why he thinks this policy might do more harm than good. A must-listen debate on fairness, wages, and...

Michael gives listeners a surprise civics pop quiz—straight from Oklahoma’s new teacher screening exam. With controversy swirling around the state’s “anti-woke” education agenda, are these questions just basic knowledge—or politically loaded? Hear real callers take the test, debate the motives behind it, and weigh in on whether teachers should be required to pass such an exam. Can YOU answer all f...

Michael Smerconish speaks with Shannon Hiller, Executive Director of the Bridging Divides Initiative at Princeton, about the alarming rise in threats and harassment against local officials—from school board members to township supervisors. Why are these public servants under siege, and what can be done to stop the violence? A sobering look at the state of American democracy, backed by data and per...

President Trump says he’ll end mail-in voting by executive order—but can he? Michael Smerconish dives into the facts with Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor of Political Science Dr. Charles Stewart III, an expert in election integrity. They unpack the myths, explore the data, and discuss the real differences between absentee voting and all-mail elections. Original air date 19 August 2...

What happened when the U.S. government tried to replace Mexican farm workers with high school athletes in the 1960s? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gustavo Arellano joins Michael to unpack a forgotten federal program called the “A-Team.” Then, listeners from around the country call in with their own hilarious, humbling, and often painful stories of trying to do farm work—and explain why those j...

Are we forgetting nature? Michael speaks with Professor Miles Richardson, a leading expert on "nature connectedness" at the University of Derby. Richardson’s research shows a 60% drop in our connection to nature since 1800—reflected in everything from language to lifestyle. Together, they explore why children are growing up without a bond to the natural world, how urbanization plays a role, and wh...

Today’s episode marks a milestone over 30 years in the making. Michael Smerconish unveils his brand new studio—affectionately dubbed The New Joint—a space he’s envisioned for decades and finally brought to life. This isn’t just a backdrop for broadcasting; it’s the physical realization of a lifelong dream, built with purpose, precision, and a whole lot of personality. In this special episode, Mich...

Gerrymandering is bad. But self-sorting? It might be the silent force doing even more damage to American democracy. In today’s episode, Michael Smerconish dives into California’s surprising move to potentially dismantle its independent redistricting commission—a system once hailed as the national model for fairness and transparency. Why now? What’s driving this shift? Should California abandon its...

Michael reflects on what he calls a truly bad day for world peace. From Israel’s explosive expansion of West Bank settlements to Russia’s massive new strike on Ukraine, he connects the dots and explains why these developments may mark the death of the two-state solution and a dangerous new phase in global instability. Sobering, passionate, and essential listening...all starting with something he f...

The numbers are in—and they’re brutal. In today’s episode, Michael Smerconish unpacks what the data reveals—and just as importantly, what it doesn’t. Democrats have lost ground to Republicans in every single state that tracks party registration—an eye-popping 4.5 million voter swing since 2020. Why are so many Americans abandoning the Democratic Party? Michael lays out six possible explanations. H...

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Is voting by mail secure? With President Trump vowing to ban it and bringing election integrity back in the spotlight, Michael explores the real data behind mail-in voting. From Civil War history to MIT studies to recent political firestorms, this episode breaks down what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what’s at stake for 2026 and 2028. Spoiler: The fraud rate is lower than your chances of getting st...

Could Donald Trump ever be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? Michael speaks with with University of Agder Professor Dr. Øyvind Tønnesson, a former advisor to the Nobel Institute, for a provocative conversation about peace, politics, and character. With historical insight and sharp commentary, they debate whether Trump — even if he brokered peace in Ukraine — would ever be a viable candidate. An unmis...

Michael dives into one of the most provocative poll questions he's ever posed: Should Ukraine join NATO — and should the United States invoke Article 5 and go to war with Russia? What prompted such a bold ask? A pattern of consistently hawkish responses from his audience on past Ukraine-related poll questions. With 79% recently supporting U.S. troop deployment to enforce peace in Ukraine, Michael...

In this eye-opening episode, Michael Smerconish sits down with body language expert Chris Ulrich , founder of CU in the Moment , to analyze the high-stakes optics of the recent Trump-Putin meeting in Anchorage . What did the red carpet, the handshake, the subtle smirks, and even the way the leaders stood and sat reveal about power, control, and unspoken dynamics? Ulrich, a seasoned consultant in n...

Michael dives deep into today’s provocative poll question at Smerconish.com: "Should President Trump commit to deploying U.S. troops alongside those of European nations to provide security to Ukraine once hostilities have ended?" With major diplomatic moves unfolding and Europe pushing for security guarantees, Michael breaks down what’s at stake, why this moment matters, and what the public really...

Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times journalist John Branch joins Michael to discuss the fascinating history and fragile geology of Mount Rushmore, and why adding a fifth face—like Donald Trump’s—is more complicated than it sounds. From the original sculptor’s vision to political dreams and structural realities, this episode dives deep into one of America's most iconic monuments—and the controver...

Michael unpacks a startling trend: fewer Americans are drinking alcohol—and it’s not just about health or cost. And people voting on today's Smerconish.com poll question first thing this morning were voting before listening to this episode...it's important, eye-opening, and isolating: Drawing from new Gallup data, cultural commentary, and The “Mingle Project,” he argues that a growing lack of soci...

In this episode, Michael is joined by Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, to dissect the high-stakes Trump-Putin summit in Anchorage. With Zelensky absent from the table, can any deal truly hold? Admiral Stavridis offers sharp analysis on the potential for a ceasefire, the personalities involved, historical parallels, and why he thinks a resolution could be just six m...

Will the war between Russia and Ukraine end within the next six months? Michael shares his surprising take on today's Smerconsih.com Poll Question—and why he’s leading with his heart, not his head. Plus, analysis of the Trump-Putin summit, body language predictions, and what a peace deal might really require. Listen here, rate and review this podcast, and vote at smerconish.com! Hosted by Simpleca...

New Gallup data shows U.S. alcohol consumption has hit a record low—and Republicans are leading the trend. Michael digs into the numbers, which reveal a surprising 20-point drop in drinking among GOP'ers. He explores the cultural and political factors at play, and takes calls from listeners on whether it’s weed, wellness, or something deeper driving Americans to drink less. Original air date 13 Au...

Is America actually under-policed and over-incarcerated? Michael breaks down today's Smerconish.com poll question—and the surprising research behind it. From Trump’s National Guard plan in DC to a groundbreaking academic paper, this episode dives deep into whether our justice system is prioritizing the wrong solutions. With insights from the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and scholarly...

Crime is down — so why is President Trump sending the National Guard to DC? Michael digs into the President's surprising decision to deploy 800 National Guard troops to our nation's capital — despite data showing crime is at a 30-year low. Listen to his sharp commentary, and what our audience has to say about it. Original air date 12 August 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https...

Michael unpacks today's poll question: Should Trump reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug? He explains his "yes" vote, the surprising politics behind the shift, and how cannabis is becoming an 80/20 issue. Plus, reflections on Trump-Putin peace talks and the strategic optics behind Zelensky’s possible absence. Don’t miss this blend of politics, polling, and pot. Hosted by Simplecast, an Ad...

Psychoanalyst and author Erica Komisar joins Michael to discuss the rise of FAFO (“F*** Around and Find Out”) parenting — a viral, consequence-driven style gaining popularity as a backlash to gentle parenting. Komisar explains why she believes both extremes miss the mark, and why the real solution lies in combining empathy with firm limits. What went wrong in raising Gen Z? Are we too sensitive —...