The Smerconish Podcast

Bestselling higher education writer Jeffrey Selingo, author of "Who Gets In And Why: A Year Inside College Admissions", joins Michael to talk about the Supreme Court’s decision this week to gut affirmative action - making it unlawful for colleges to take race into consideration as a specific factor in admissions. Original air date 30 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https:/...

New York Times reporter Glenn Thrush briefs Michael on his piece "Competing Accounts of Justice Dept.’s Handling of Hunter Biden Case." Listen to hear the differing stories from an IRS investigator versus the one from Attorney General Merrick Garland. Original air date 29 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use o...

There is more information in the Hunter Biden story, with IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley speaking on CBS News, plus recent comments from Attorney General Merrick Garland, and Delaware US Attorney David Weiss. Michael takes a deeper dive. Original air date 28 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal dat...

Michael offers a commentary on the leaked audio tape of President Trump, first shared by CNN, sharing classified documents with people in a room who were not authorized to view them. Original air date 27 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael tackles the tough questions raised by the context of wealth in last week's unprecedented OceanGate saga. Dr. Arun Upneja, Dean & Professor at Boston University School's of Hospitality Administration joins to offer his academic take. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael begs the question: how do we define the good old days? Experimental psychologist and author of science blog Experimental History Adam Mastroianni helps tackle this question and more. Original air date 23 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael does a deep, comprehensive dive into the recent ruling in Arkansas on the medical rights of transgender youth. He details the nitty gritty of a case that came into the national spotlight on Tuesday when a federal district court judge sided with trans youth. Original air date: 22 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our colle...

Michael unpacks the Hunter Biden plea deal news with past interviews and recent updates. Callers share opinions and lived experiences with addiction, the Trump children, and more. Original air date 21 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2024 Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy joins Michael at the historic Centre Theater in Norristown, PA for a SiriusXM Town Hall. They talk affirmative action, the Trump indictment, and more with a live studio audience. Original air date 20 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data fo...

An incredible story on how four indigineous children survived 40 days in the Amazon rain forest. Michael hears it from Eliran Arazi, PhD researcher in Anthropology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (Paris). Original air date 16 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collecti...

Michael previews a looming Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action in the college admissions process. Hear his analysis, which includes an important part of a speech by former President Lyndon Baines Johnson from 1965, which is suddenly highly relevant today. Original air date 16 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collect...

Michael welcomes Associated Press reporter Richard Lardner to talk about COVID-19 relief funds and how much of the money that came from the government to help Americans was stolen or wasted. And, listeners then share their stories. Original air date 15 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for...

A day after former President Donald J. Trump was arraigned in federal court in Miami, FL, Michael looks ahead to what the trial might look like, and how a jury will be chosen in south Florida. Could you be a fair and impartial juror in the case of United States v. Donald J. Trump? Original air date 14 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information...

On the day of former President Trump's arraignment on federal charges in a Miami courtroom, Michael argues we should be able to watch it unfold live on TV. Plus, what is an arraignment, and what are the next steps? We get a great explainer of this entire process and what is to come for Trump and his defense attorneys, and the federal prosecutors, from longtime criminal defense attorney Mark O'Mara...

In late December 2022, investigators arrested Bryan Kohberger in connection with the murder of four University of Idaho students over a month prior. He was found on the other side of the country thanks to DNA evidence - Michael gets the incredible details from "The DNA Detective" Genetic Genealogist CeCe Moore. Original air date 12 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://p...

Michael offers his thoughts on the politics of a brand new federal indictment of former President Donald Trump as he continues on the 2024 campaign trail, and then welcomes NBC News legal analyst Danny Cevallos to the conversation with the legal aspect of what it all means for the former President, his opponents, and the country. original air date 9 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz comp...

We're all eagerly awaiting the outcome of former President Trump's legal entanglements. CNN senior legal analyst and author of 'Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away with It' Elie Honig breaks down the potential outcomes with Michael. Original air date 8 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal dat...

Not counting the candidates themselves, there are several key people to watch who could make or break their candidate's chances in the 2024 presidential race. Wide World of News political analyst Mark Halperin offers insights today with Michael. Original air date 7 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of perso...

Michael sits back and parses through his Town Hall conversation with 2024 presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr from yesterday. From RFK's voice, to vaccines, to his political ideas, hear Michael's take on it all. Original air date 6 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael sits down with 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in a Town Hall at the historic Centre Theater in Norristown, PA. Listen to a wide ranging conversation covering his campaign platform, stance on vaccines and autism, the anniversary of his fathers' assassination, and more. Original air date 5 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.ads...

Over the years, there have been different pronunciations of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' (R) name. It has become a hot topic as he hits the 2024 campaign trail, does it depend where he is and who he is talking to, as to how he pronounces it? Listen to Michael Smerakanich's observations and analysis. Original air date 1 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz....

NBC News Justice Correspondent Ken Dilanian joins Michael to talk about an incredible story that would be great fodder in any law school class - or - any dinner table, like it was at Michael's house. Listen to hear about Ken's story "Case against ex-CIA officer accused of abusing women may collapse because of how federal agents searched his phones." Original air date 1 June 2023. Hosted by Simplec...

Michael discusses the current "War on Pride" that has crept up with major brands either engaging in, or staying away from, LGBTQ+ related marketing, advertising, and products. What is driving this war - is it bigotry? Fear of indoctrination? Concerns over the sexualization of children? Listen to today's conversation. Original air date 31 May 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See http...

Michael offers thoughts on the finale of HBO's "Succession." (Spoiler Alert!) Original air date 30 May 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

CNN Legal Analyst Elie Honig on the three separate major lawsuits in NY and GA that former President Trump is facing while on the 2024 campaign trail. Original air date 26 May 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.