The Smerconish Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Today's Poll Question: Is The Left's Israel Litmus Test Driven More By Policy or Antisemitism? Jun 25, 2026

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Today's Poll Question: Is the Left's Israel litmus test driven more by policy or antisemitism? Michael examines the Democratic divide over Israel after Zohran Mamdani's political wins, a high-profile New York primary, and shifting public opinion. Where does legitimate criticism end and anti-Semitism begin? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mark Halperin's Shock Prediction: Bernie 2028 Isn't Dead Jun 24, 2026

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Michael welcomes political analyst Mark Halperin for a wide-ranging conversation on what New York's latest election results reveal about the future of the Democratic Party. From the growing influence of progressive candidates to the prospects of a Bernie Sanders comeback in 2028, Halperin argues that Democrats are heading toward a defining showdown between the party establishment and its energized left wing. They discuss the political impact of Israel-related debates, the next generation of Democratic leadership, and why the road to 2028 may already be taking shape. Original air date 24 June 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question: Will the Nancy Guthrie case ever be solved? Jun 24, 2026

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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie ever be solved? Five months after the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie vanished from her Arizona home, investigators still have no suspect, no arrest, and no clear explanation. Michael examines the baffling case, from blood discovered at the scene and the mysterious “porch guy” captured on camera to ransom messages, conflicting law-enforcement accounts, and Savannah Guthrie’s emotional public appeal for answers. In an age of smartphones, surveillance cameras, DNA databases, and digital footprints, how can a case like this remain unsolved? Michael explores the evidence, the unanswered questions, and whether justice is still possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is the iPhone the Most Effective Birth Control Ever Invented? Jun 23, 2026

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America's birth rate has fallen dramatically over the past two decades—but why? Michael speaks with Middlebury College economist Caitlin Myers about her provocative research linking the rise of smartphones to declining fertility. Using the iPhone's early AT&T-exclusive rollout as a natural experiment, Myers argues that smartphones may have fundamentally changed how people socialize, date, and form relationships. The conversation explores loneliness, social media, pornography, and whether technology has reshaped modern life in ways nobody anticipated. Is the smartphone merely correlated with falling birth rates—or could it be a cause? Original air date 23 June 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question: Algae at The Reflecting Pool...Act of God, Construction, or Vandalism? Jun 23, 2026

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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Algae at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool: Act of God, construction, or vandalism? Michael examines the growing controversy surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after a costly renovation was followed by algae blooms, peeling blue coating, vandalism accusations, and political finger-pointing. With America’s 250th birthday celebration approaching, the debate has become a high-profile test of accountability. Is this the result of a rushed construction project, intentional damage by visitors, or simply the predictable effects of heat, sunlight, and stagnant water? Listen here, then cast your ballot! And be sure to rate, review and share this podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

"It Was Already Over": Doug Sosnik's Brutal 2024 Election Analysis Jun 22, 2026

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Doug Sosnik, former senior adviser to President Bill Clinton, joins Michael Smerconish to deliver what he calls the "real Democratic autopsy." Sosnik argues that Democrats lost the 2024 election long before Joe Biden's debate performance or Kamala Harris's 107-day campaign. He identifies three key factors—the decision for Biden to seek a second term, early immigration policy choices, and the party's misreading of the 2022 midterms—and explains what Democrats must learn before 2028. Original air date 17 June 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question: Will democratic socialism be the future of the Democratic party? Jun 22, 2026

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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Will democratic socialism be the future of the Democratic Party? New polling data reveals a dramatic shift inside the Democratic Party: favorable views of socialism have surged while support for capitalism has declined. Michael Smerconish examines the numbers highlighted by CNN’s Harry Enten, the growing influence of Democratic Socialists of America candidates, and the political rise of figures including Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Zohran Mamdani. Is this a temporary moment driven by activist energy and primary voters, or evidence of a lasting ideological realignment? Michael explores what the trend means for Democrats heading into future elections and asks listeners to make a prediction—not a value judgment—about where the party is headed next. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question: Should Athletes Be Judged for Visiting the White House? Jun 19, 2026

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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Agree or Disagree: An athlete's choice to accept or reject a White House invitation shouldn't be judged. The New York Knicks’ decision to accept a White House invitation from President Trump has reignited a long-running debate about sports, politics, and tradition. Michael Smerconish explores how White House visits evolved from largely nonpartisan championship celebrations into cultural flashpoints, tracing examples from Larry Bird and Michael Jordan to Steph Curry, the Eagles, and Saquon Barkley. Should athletes be free to attend—or decline—without public scrutiny? And what does it say about America when even a ceremonial visit becomes a political statement? Listen here, then vote, and be sure to rate, review, and share this podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rabbi David Wolpe on Iran, Israel, and the Rise of Antisemitism Jun 18, 2026

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Named The Most Influential Rabbi in America by Newsweek and one of the 50 Most Influential Jews in the World  by The Jerusalem Post, and twice named one of the 500 Most Influential People in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal, David Wolpe is the Max Webb Emeritus Rabbi of Sinai Temple. Rabbi Wolpe has taught at Harvard, the Jewish Theological Seminary, the American Jewish University, Hunter College, and UCLA. Rabbi Wolpe has published widely, including in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Time, Newsweek and TheAtlantic. He has been featured on The Today Show, Face the Nation, ABC This Morning, and CBS This Morning as well as series on PBS, A&E, History Channel, and Discovery Channel, and has engaged in widely watched public debates with Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker and many others about religion and its place in the world. Rabbi Wolpe is the author of eight books, including the national bestseller Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times (Riverhead). His latest is titled David, the Divided Heart (Yale U Press). It was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Awards, and has been optioned for a movie by Warner Bros.

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

Today's Poll Question: How long will the Iran ceasefire hold? Jun 18, 2026

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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: How long will the Iran ceasefire hold: Less than six months, six months to a year, or more than a year? Michael examines the newly signed U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement and asks the question at the center of today’s poll: how durable is this peace? He reviews key provisions of the memorandum of understanding, highlights concerns raised by critics, and explains why he believes the ceasefire is likely to last more than a year. The conversation explores unresolved issues involving Israel, Hezbollah, frozen Iranian assets, the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Plus, Michael reflects on the political fallout surrounding the agreement and what it could mean heading into the midterm elections. 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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