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The Smerconish Podcast

Latest episodes

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Apr 25, 2025 • 32min

Conclave Countdown: Politics, Papal Legacy & Who’s Watching?

Dr. Richard Wood is President of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California. 
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Apr 25, 2025 • 27min

Lizard Breath, Ponch, Beysh and Smerc: What Happened To Nicknames?

Where Have All The Nicknames Gone? Read In The Wall Street Journal
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Apr 25, 2025 • 19min

The Price of Peace Between Russia and Ukraine

The war between Russia and Ukraine is top of mind today. Michael is asking you this Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Is achieving peace worth the cost if it means officially ceding Crimea and other Ukraine territory to Russia? Listen to Michael explain the issue and his 'yes' vote, 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.
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Apr 24, 2025 • 14min

Tesla’s Struggle to Rebuild Progressive Trust vs. Winning Over Conservative

Michael loves his Tesla. So listen to his take here on Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com today: Which is more likely: Tesla recovers its brand loyalty among progressives, or conservatives embrace electric vehicles (EVs)? Listen to Michael explain the issue and his 'yes' vote, 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.
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Apr 23, 2025 • 35min

Chaos or Strategy? Mark Halperin on Trump's Shocking Market Moves, JD Vance's Power Grab, and RFK Jr.'s Dye Ban

Michael is joined by political analyst Mark Halperin for a whirlwind tour of the most pressing stories shaping Washington. From Donald Trump's surprise pivot on China and Jerome Powell that sent the markets into a tailspin, to RFK Jr.'s headline-grabbing move to phase out artificial food dyes, and JD Vance’s meteoric rise as perhaps the most influential VP in modern history—nothing is off limits. Is Trump acting like a day-trader-in-chief? Why is the MAGA movement now pushing health reform? And has Pete Hegseth finally pushed things too far? Hear deep insights, sharp commentary, and a few laughs as Smerconish and Halperin break down the chaos with clarity. Original air date 23 April 2025.
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Apr 23, 2025 • 22min

Michael Smerconish Unpacks the Parental Right to Say No to LGBTQ+ School Lessons

The Supreme Court hearing oral arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor this week, where a group of parents want to be able to opt their children out of LGBTQ+ themed lessons in school, has Michael asking this poll question at Smerconish.com today: Should parents have the right to exempt their children from school materials that include LGBTQ+ themes? Listen to Michael explain the issue and his 'yes' vote, 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.
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Apr 22, 2025 • 27min

A time for choosing between two of Michael's favorites: Bill Maher or Larry David

Also listen to Michael's commentary in Episode #1332, Bill Maher Mingled With Donald Trump, And That's Great from 14 April 2025.
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Apr 22, 2025 • 22min

People Aren't Having Kids. The Government Could Step In To Encourage Them To Do So!

Today's poll question at Smerconish.com asks: With birth rates declining in many developed nations, should governments adopt policies that actively encourage citizens to have more children? 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.
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Apr 21, 2025 • 33min

Elon Musk's Pronatalism View: The world will collapse without more babies

Michael talks with Dana Mattioli, technology investigations and enterprise reporter for the Wall Street Journal. She's written "The Tactics Elon Musk Uses to Manage His 'Legion' of Babies--and Their Mothers." Then, the audience weighs in on pronatalism. Original air date 21 April 2025.
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Apr 21, 2025 • 26min

Pope Francis' Final Act Might Be To Spare Pete Hegseth His Termination As Secretary of Defense

Michael opens this episode remembering Pope Francis, who passed today at the age of 88. In an insightful commentary, he weaves into today's poll question at Smerconish.com, which asks: Will Pete Hegseth's tenure as SecDef survive reports of a second Signal breach?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.

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