Book Club with Michael Smerconish

Latest Episodes:

James Fishkin: "Can Deliberation Cure the Ills of Democracy?" Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Michael Smerconish speaks with Stanford political scientist Dr. James Fishkin about his groundbreaking book "Can Deliberation Cure the Ills of Democracy?" They explore how bringing diverse Americans together for civil, informed discussion—through experiments like America in One Room—can reduce polarization and lead to surprising consensus. A hopeful look at democratic reform in a divided age. Original air date 15 July 2025. The book was published on 3 July 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tyler Pager: "2024" Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Michael welcomes New York Times White House Correspondent Tyler Pager, co-author (with Josh Dawsey and Isaac Arnsdorf) of "2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America." Hear the behind-the-scenes drama, exclusive scoops, and pivotal moments that defined the 2024 election — from Kamala Harris’s rocky campaign to Trump’s post-assassination rise and Biden’s fateful debate decision. Original air date 15 July 2025. The book was published on 8 July 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Carter Sherman: "The Second Coming" Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

Carter Sherman, reproductive health reporter at The Guardian joins Michael with her book "The Second Coming: Sex and the Next Generation’s Fight Over Its Future." They explore how politics, technology, and social norms are reshaping the way young Americans think about and experience sex. From "hookup culture" to the "sex recession," and from Roe v. Wade to TikTok, this conversation dives deep into the evolving sexual landscape—and the clash between sexual conservatism and progressivism defining it. Original air date 11 July 2025. The book was published on 24 June 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jim Abbott: "Imperfect" Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

Watch the "Book Club" special event at Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA on June 12, 2012 where Michael and Jim Abbott talk in front of 1,000 people in the stadium here!

On Sunday, July 13th, 2025, Jim Abbott is the subject of a new ESPN E60 Documentary, Southpaw: The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott. Michael spoke with Abbott about this new feature about his incredible story on The Smerconish Daily Podcast this week (Wednesday, July 29 2025). Listen to that episode here!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Salena Zito: "Butler" Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Michael Smerconish talks with journalist and author Salena Zito about her new book "Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America’s Heartland." Salena shares her firsthand account of being just feet away during the shooting of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, explores the significance of this pivotal moment, and reveals the profound impact on Trump, the crowd, and the broader political landscape. A powerful look at trauma, resilience, and the heart of America's working-class communities. Original air date 8 July 2025. The book was published on 8 July 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kevin Hines: "Cracked, Not Broken" Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Kevin Hines attempted suicide in 2000 in San Francisco and fortunately lived to tell about it, and wrote a powerful memoir in 2013. In 2016, there was a string of suicides on the University of Pennsylvania campus. In that context, Michael had this conversation with Kevin about "Cracked, Not Broken: Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt." Kevin shares his story of surviving a suicide attempt from the Golden Gate Bridge and living with bipolar disorder. His journey highlights resilience, mental health advocacy, and the ongoing struggle—and hope—in living well with mental illness. Original air date 18 April 2016. The book was published on 13 June 2013. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

David Litt: "It's Only Drowning" Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

Surfing, politics, and...finding common ground! Michael is joined by former Obama speechwriter and author David Litt to discuss his new book "It's Only Drowning: A True Story of Learning to Surf and the Pursuit of Common Ground." They explore Litt’s unexpected friendship with his apolitical, Joe Rogan–loving brother-in-law, the lessons of surfing, and what it all says about bridging America’s political divide. Original air date 27 June 2025. The book was published on 24 June 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sophie Gilbert: "Girl on Girl" Jun 27, 2025

Show notes

Michael Smerconish is joined by Atlantic staff writer Sophie Gilbert to discuss her new book, "Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves." Together, they explore the powerful influence of media, the evolution of pornography, and how pop culture has shaped modern views on sex, identity, and connection—for both women and men. A candid, thought-provoking conversation you won’t want to miss. Original air date 27 June 2025. The book was published on 29 April 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seymour Hersh: "Reporter" Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning, best-selling author and preeminent investigative journalist of our time—a heartfelt, hugely revealing memoir of a decades-long career breaking some of the most impactful stories of the last half-century, from Washington to Vietnam to the Middle East. Seymour Hersh's fearless reporting has earned him fame, front-page bylines in virtually every major newspaper in the free world, honors galore, and no small amount of controversy. Now in this memoir he describes what drove him and how he worked as an independent outsider, even at the nation's most prestigious publications. Listen to his conversation with Michael about "Reporter: A Memoir." Original air date 12 June 2018. The book was published on 5 June 2018. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

David Soucie: "Why Planes Crash" Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

There is one reason why planes crash. Michael asks the question to David Soucie in this conversation about his book "Why Planes Crash: An Accident Investigator's Fight for Safe Skies." This interview happened just a few months after the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight 370, which through today remains one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries. Soucie is a longtime aviation accident investigator and industry expert, and penned this book three years prior. Original air date 17 July 2014. The book was published in 2011. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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