The Smerconish Podcast

Latest Episodes:

"19 Years Ago, I’d Have Said No" — Michael Smerconish Now Hopes Aliens Have Faith Apr 18, 2025

Show notes

Religion can be a tricky subject...while it can bring a lot of good, it can also lead to conflict, and even war. Today being Good Friday, this brings us to today's poll question at Smerconish.com, which asks: Should we hope possible life forms on exoplanet K2-18b have religious beliefs? Listen to Michael lay it out, then cast YOUR ballot at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Spontaneous Town Hall on the Ground-Level Realities of Labor, Immigration, and American Contradiction Apr 17, 2025

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Michael hosts a compelling conversation centered around immigration, undocumented workers, and the everyday realities of hiring day laborers—sparked by a memorable and candid call from "Tom in Texas." This came after a conversation with Philip Bump at the Washington Post about how the story of Kilmar Abrego García - the Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador after being arrested trying to get day labor work outside a Home Depot - tells us far more than the narrative on immigration and deportation we are hearing from the Trump White House. Original air date 17 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.

Politically Speaking, Trump Has A Big Winning Hand Right Now...Until He Doesn't Apr 17, 2025

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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Does Trump benefit politically from ALL of the following: 1) fighting Harvard, 2) not facilitating return of Abrego Garcia, and 3) reducing the IRS workforce? Yes or No - Listen to Michael lay it out, then cast YOUR ballot at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday. 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 Divides Every Element Of The Trump Agenda Into "Big Casino" or "Not Big Casino" Apr 16, 2025

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2WAY Editor-in-Chief and Wide World of News Publisher Mark Halperin says we are at an odd moment in the three-side relationship between the Trump agenda, the establishment reaction to the Trump agenda, and the dominant media coverage of the Trump agenda. It is through that lens that he and Michael run through President Trump's recent policy moves, speeches, and more. Original air date 16 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.

Think Twice Before Defunding Harvard Over Antisemitism Apr 16, 2025

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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Should federal funding be cut from universities like Harvard in response to perceived failures in addressing campus antisemitism? Michael's vote is No: Listen here to his explanation, then cast YOUR ballot at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Wealthy Europeans Are Healthier Than Wealthy Americans: Why? Apr 15, 2025

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London School of Economics Professor Irene Papanicolas joins Michael to discuss a study that finds wealthy Americans have similar death rates to poor Europeans. Listen to find out what explains this health-wealth disparity, and Michael's audience reaction to it. Original air date 15 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.

Instinctively, Yes, The IRS Should Audit All Taxpayers Equally. But That May Not Be Practical. Apr 15, 2025

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Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Should the IRS audit taxpayers of all income levels with equal frequency to ensure fairness and transparency in the tax system? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bill Maher Mingled With Donald Trump, And That's Great Apr 14, 2025

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Michael dissects what we learned when Bill Maher talked about his meeting with President Trump nearly two weeks ago, he just spoke about it this past Friday on HBO/Max's "Real Time with Bill Maher." Michael references Sunday's daily smerconish.com poll question which asked, "Agree or disagree with Bill Maher: "A crazy person doesn't live in the White House. A person who plays a crazy person on TV a lot lives there."" Listen in for an interesting perspective on this dinner between Maher and Trump. How it all played out is not how many likely thought it would have. Original air date 14 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.

Should You Pay for a 3-Pack-a-Day Smoker’s Medical Bills? Michael Smerconish Says YES, But... Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Answer the question recently raised by RFK Jr.: “If you're smoking three packs of cigarettes a day, should you expect society to pay when you get sick?” Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

U.S. Manufacturing Is In A Tough Spot, And It's Not Because of Trade Policy Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

Lots of talk about trade and tariffs lately - but this conversation has a different focus than all the rest. Allysia Finley's op-ed in hte Wall Stret Journal caught Michael's eye this week: "A Good Man for U.S. Manufacturing Is Hard to Find." It circles back to the conversation about how young men's behaviors are changing due to a variety of social factors - and they are not taking these good paying jobs in factories that are open. Michael talks with Finley about the changing workforce. Original air date 11 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.

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