The Smerconish Podcast
Spirited discussions of government, politics, and current events without predictable left/right bias. The Smerconish Podcast is for Independent Minds. The Michael Smerconish Program airs live on SiriusXM's POTUS Channel 9AM-12PM ET and replays 9PM-12AM East, Monday-Friday.
Episodes
July 3, 2025 • 22 mins
Michael and audience members take a quiz together on the American Dream, looking to see if it is still possible. The quiz was published in the Washington Post - listen in to find out! Original air date 20 June 2025.
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July 2, 2025 • 23 mins
When President Trump dropped the F-Bomb last week while discussing the cease fire between Iran and Israel, Michael noted its effectiveness, and then moved into a conversation on other effective, public uses of the swear word that is the favorite of many. Enjoy the conversation! Original air date 24 June 2025.
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July 1, 2025 • 27 mins
How much does it cost to be a sports fan today? Try $4,785. Michael Smerconish sits down with journalist Joon Lee to unpack how streaming has splintered sports viewing, inflated fan costs, and eroded one of America’s great cultural touchpoints: watching the game together. From sports bars going silent to six streaming subscriptions just to follow your team, this episode explores the steep financial—and social—price we’re now paying...
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June 30, 2025 • 32 mins
Michael dives into the relentless heat wave scorching millions across the U.S. and how climate change is hitting home—literally. From buying carports and generators to battling insurance claims and sky-high AC bills, Michael and callers share personal stories about how extreme weather is disrupting daily life. Is this the new normal? Tune in and take your temperature. Original air date 24 June 2025.
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June 27, 2025 • 32 mins
Michael notices that President Trump has just had a really great 10 days in his Presidency. Will it last? And does Michael agree with everything that's happened? From Iran to the Supreme Court and everything in between....listen to find out. Original air date 27 June 2025.
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June 27, 2025 • 16 mins
On today's TGIF edition, Michael Smerconish dives into the latest Smerconish.com poll: Will voters who shifted away from Democrats in 2024 return to the party anytime soon? With fresh data from Pew Research, Michael unpacks surprising demographic trends—from Latino voters moving right, to young voter drop-offs, to the impact of Democratic socialism in NYC. Plus: a lighthearted detour into a ChatGPT evaluation of Smerconish... as pr...
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June 26, 2025 • 31 mins
Michael Smerconish sits down with veteran NYC political strategist Jordan Barowitz to unpack one of the most shocking political upsets in recent memory. How did Zohran Mamdani, a little-known democratic socialist, surge past establishment figures like Andrew Cuomo to become the likely next mayor of New York City? What does this mean for moderates, for the Democratic Party nationwide, and for the future governance of the most comple...
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June 26, 2025 • 26 mins
Michael dives into today's provocative Smerconish.com poll question: "Is the nomination of Zohran Mamdani for Mayor of NYC a winning model for Democrats nationwide?" In this episode, he dissects the stunning upset in New York’s Democratic mayoral primary and explores what it reveals about the Democratic Party’s internal tensions, the power of progressive messaging, and the establishment’s growing disconnect. Is Mamdani's victory a ...
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June 25, 2025 • 30 mins
Michael is joined by political analyst Mark Halperin to unpack the political earthquake in New York City, where Zohran Mamdani— a self-described Democratic socialist — defeated Andrew Cuomo in a stunning upset. What does this mean for the future of the Democratic Party? Will centrists like Clinton and Bloomberg lose their grip? Plus, analysis on U.S. airstrikes in Iran and their global implications. Real talk, smart insights, no sp...
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June 25, 2025 • 13 mins
Michael dives into today’s poll question at Smerconish.com: Will we ever know the true impact of the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites? With conflicting reports from Trump, the Pentagon, Israeli intel, and intercepted Iranian communications, the picture remains murky. Was it a crushing blow or just a temporary setback? Listen here, then vote! And please leave a rating and review of this podcast.
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June 24, 2025 • 30 mins
Michael Smerconish opens with Donald Trump’s surprise claim that Iran and Israel have agreed to a total ceasefire—declaring the war over on Truth Social - Was he right? Add to that and the President's comment that neither country "knows what the f**k they are doing" and there's a lot to dissect. Admiral James Stavridis, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and a CNN military analyst, joins to unpack the reality behind the airstrike...
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June 24, 2025 • 17 mins
After brokering a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel, Donald Trump lashed out with a headline-grabbing f-bomb: “Neither side knows what the fuck they’re doing.” In his episode, Michael Smerconish reacts to the chaos, examines whether Trump’s Iran strategy was actually right, and breaks down the evolving conflict. Cast your vote at smerconish.com on poll question after listening:
"Agree/Disagree: Trump was right about Iran."...
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June 23, 2025 • 24 mins
Lt. General David Deptula joins Michael to unpack the jaw-dropping U.S. air mission that stunned Iran—and the world. From deception tactics to 37-hour bomber flights, Deptula reveals why this flawless operation is a “holy cow” moment for American military capability. Michael also gets audience reaction to the mission, and its implications for global adversaries and future force readiness. David A. Deptula is the Dean of the Mitchel...
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June 23, 2025 • 15 mins
After a dramatic U.S. airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Michael Smerconish poses a sobering question: Did this move make it more or less likely that Iran will ultimately develop nuclear weapons? In this episode, Smerconish unpacks the political stakes, intelligence gaps, and diplomatic fallout—raising concerns about whether the U.S. may have pushed Iran further underground and out of global oversight.
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June 20, 2025 • 40 mins
Should Congressional approval be mandatory before the U.S. takes any military action against Iran? Michael answers Yes. In this episode Michael shares his perspective on the Israel-Iran conflict and weighs in on why he believes Congress needs to have a say in whether or not the U.S. formally enters this conflict. Original air date 20 June 2025.
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June 20, 2025 • 16 mins
Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com asks: Should Congressional approval be mandatory before the U.S. takes any military action against Iran? 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....
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June 19, 2025 • 19 mins
On this Juneteenth, Michael Smerconish explores a provocative mix of headlines: the deeper meaning of the holiday, the Supreme Court's major decision upholding Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors, and what it says about equal protection under the law. Plus, he dives into public opinion on U.S. action in Iran and shares listener voting patterns on the Smerconish.com daily poll question. Be sure to vote today on what ...
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Michael speaks with retired Secret Service agent and ABC News contributor Don Mihalek about the alarming rise in politically motivated violence following the targeted killings of Minnesota lawmakers. Mihalek explains how grievances, political polarization, and easy access to personal information—fueled by the internet and dark web—are creating unprecedented threats to public officials. He warns that local leaders, once considered s...
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June 18, 2025 • 29 mins
Political analyst Mark Halperin joins Michael to break down an explosive New York Times piece on Trump, Netanyahu, and a possible U.S. airstrike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. With Halperin putting the odds of military action at 75%, the conversation turns to what’s motivating Trump, how Israel’s intelligence influence is shaping American policy, and whether the U.S. is inching toward another Middle East conflict. Plus, listener rea...
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June 18, 2025 • 13 mins
Michael Smerconish tackles today's high-stakes poll question at Smerconish.com: Should the U.S. use a B-2 bomber to drop a bunker buster bomb on Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility? With historical context, recent intel contradictions, and looking at reactions from leaders like JD Vance and Tulsi Gabbard, Michael examines the risks, politics, and precedent behind a potential strike — and what might come the day after.
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