The Smerconish Podcast

O.J. Simpson, charged with, and acquitted of, killing his ex-wife in 1994, died of cancer on 11 April 2024. Michael dusted off this conversation from his archives to share with you, speaking with Denise Simpson in November 2005, 11 years after her sister was murdered. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data...

"Arkansas led the nation sending letters home from school about obesity. Did it help?" This NPR-titled story is the basis of Michael's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today. Listen here as he explains the question: Should schools send parents letters alerting them to obesity concerns in their children? Then, vote! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for info...

A new look at undecided voters. Michael talks to Lynne Kelleher, one of the subjects of The Atlantic piece penned by Elaine Godfrey, "The RFK-Curious Women Of Bucks County." Original air date 10 April 2024. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains it here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot - today he's asking: Will Biden and Trump debate in 2024? Listen, then vote! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of perso...

Michael has noticed something in the last few days: a change in the course of the 2024 election. Listen in. Original air date 10 April 2024. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Biden has unveiled a new student loan debt relief plan. Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question today at Smerconish.com: Should President Biden cancel up to $20,000 in unpaid student interest for borrowers who owe more than their initial loan amount? Listen here, then cast your vote! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collect...

Michael has a look at the newly-released questionnaire for potential jurors for former President Trump's upcoming hush-money trial in New York, and gets some expertise and thoughts on the jury selection process from veteran criminal defense attorney William J. Brennan. Original air date 9 April 2024. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our co...

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains his thoughts here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot - today he's asking: Does it help or hurt Trump politically to say that he favors immigration from “nice” countries like Denmark and Switzerland? Listen, then vote - and please rate and revi...

Michael recaps his sold-out speeches over the weekend in Sellersville, Pennsylvania, where he offered his new presentation known as "The Mingle Project." He is on a mission to restore civility and compromise to our public discourse. For three decades he’s had a front row seat to the increase in polarization that has gripped the nation. He sees the current climate as part of a much larger disconnec...

One of the major issues in this election cycle headlines today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com. Michael asks you: Do you support a national ban on abortion after 15 weeks? Listen to him lay it out here, then vote! And please leave a rating and review of this podcast on your favorite podcast player. Thank you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for informa...

Wrestlemania is hugely popular - Michael had no idea this is such a big deal! Alas, WWE's signature annual event, "Wrestlemania" is taking over Philadelphia this weekend - we get expertise on it from SiriusXM Vice President of Programming Operations Doug Mortman. A wrestling superfan, he co-created "Busted Open" which airs on SiriusXM's Fight Nation Channel 156. Original air date 5 April 2024. Hos...

Every day, we post a thought-provoking poll question for you to vote on at Smerconish.com. Michael explains his thoughts here to give you some insight behind the question, and then asks you to cast your ballot - today he's asking: Which is a bigger hurdle to electing a third-party president - candidate, or demand? Listen here, vote there! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.a...

A new Associated Press-NORC poll finds that a majority of Americans share many core beliefs, despite the apparent deep divisions our country is currently facing. Michael is very happy about this news - listen here! Original air date 4 April 2024. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A lawmaker in California is sponsoring legislation that would, if made into law, allow employees to ignore after-hours communications from their employers. Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Should states give workers the right to ignore after-hours calls, emails and texts from their employers? Listen to this podcast, leave a review, and then vote! Hosted by Simplec...

Michael talks to Mark Halperin at The Wide World of News (subscribe at walkingduck.com/mark) about the latest WSJ poll on the 2024 race between Biden and Trump. Original air date 3 April 2024. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Each day, Michael poses a new Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com, and lays out his thoughts in this podcast. Today's question: Do you agree with RFK Jr. that “we shouldn’t make pariahs” of those who believe the 2020 election was stolen? Listen here, and please rate and review this podcast before you vote! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information abou...

Michael has been watching CBS 60 Minutes' investigation into 'Havana Syndrome' where government and military personnel report pain, ringing in ears and other symptoms, that seem ot be caused by actions of foreign entities. Attorney Mark Zaid represents clients who have suffered symptoms - Michael welcomes him for a conversation to learn more about these "anomalous health incidents." Original air d...

President Biden has been criticized by former President Trump and others for his recognizing the Transgender Day of Visibility this past weekend. Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Should President Biden have issued a proclamation in support of Transgender Day of Visibility which coincided with Easter? Listen to his thoughts in this podcast, then vote! Hosted by Sim...

Michael's "Mingle Project" is underway - where he is pushing to get us all out of our bubbles to get together and...mingle, to make the world a better place. This Monday, he runs through a few headlines that fit the bill. Original air date 1 April 2024. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertisin...

Starting today, the minimum wage for food workers in California is $20/hour, while other industry minimum wages are $15.50/hour. Michael asks you today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should other states follow California raising its minimum wage for food workers to $20 per hour? Listen here, then vote! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information...

A story at NBC News caught Michael's eye, "Experts war-gamed what might happen if deepfakes disrupt the 2024 election. Things went sideways fast." Issue One Founder & CEO Nick Penniman joins Michael to talk about these deepfakes and the need for a never center to combat them. Original air date 28 March 2024. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information abou...

As we wrap up another week that saw some wild headlines, including former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel getting hired and then fired by NBC News, Michael asks you this Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which side benefits politically from the Ronna McDaniel/NBC flap? Democrats, Republicans, or Neither? Listen to his thoughts here, then vote! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pc...

Lars Mapstead is a tech entrepreneur, road racing enthusiast, and 2024 Libertarian Candidate for President. He joins Michael to discuss his candidacy for president and the role of third party candidates in the 2024 election cycle. Original air date 28 March 2024. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for...

Recently, former President Trump's Truth Social hit the stock market and has been soaring as a "meme" stock. This has Michael asking you this daily poll question at Smerconish.com today: Would politics factor into your personal investment decisions? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. named his pick for Vice President last night as Nicole Shanahan. Michael takes calls and discusses the place Kennedy and other third party candidates have in the 2024 race. Original air date 27 March 2024. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.