Book Club with Michael Smerconish

Bestselling author Michael Lewis joins Michael Smerconish to discuss his new book, "Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State", an inside look at the people and forces reshaping the federal government during Trump’s second term. Lewis examines DOGE, Elon Musk’s role, the sidelining of career civil servants, and whether the highly publicized hunt for “waste, fraud and abuse” was ultimately a distraction from a much larger transfer of executive power. Original air date 6 October 2026. The book was published on 6 October 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael sits down with bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell to discuss his new book," The American Way of Killing: The Invention of an Epidemic." Gladwell challenges conventional thinking about America’s relationship with guns, the meaning of the Second Amendment, and why lethal violence is so much more common in the United States than in other countries. They explore the difference between crime and violence, America’s approach to policing and prisons, the role of trauma care in homicide statistics, and Gladwell’s provocative argument that the U.S. may actually be under-policed, rather than over-policed. Original air date 5 October 2026. The book publish date is 29 September 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gabriel Zucman is Professor of economics at the Paris School of Economics and Ecole normale supérieure – PSL, Summer Research Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and founding Director of the International Tax Observatory.He is the author of articles published in journals such as the Quarterly Journal of Economics, the American Economic Review, the Review of Economic Studies, and of three books. His research focuses on the accumulation, distribution, and taxation of global wealth and has renewed the analysis of the macroeconomic and distributional implications of globalization. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear preparing for a presidential run? Michael sits down with Beshear to discuss his memoir, Go and Do Likewise, and the faith and values that shape his approach to politics. From winning as a Democrat in deep-red Kentucky to abortion, LGBTQ+ issues, guns, Trump, democratic socialism and political civility, Beshear explains his governing philosophy—and opens up about the major decision that could lie ahead. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most of what we hear about artificial intelligence is a warning. Josh Tyrangiel went looking for the other side of the story. Michael talks with the author of "AI for Good: How Real People Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Fix Things That Matter" about how AI is already helping teachers, doctors, hospitals, cities, and government agencies solve real-world problems. The key, Tyrangiel argues, is using AI to strengthen human judgment—not replace it. Original air date 23 September 2026. The book was published on 12 May 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

CNN Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash joins Michael to discuss her new book, "The Elections That Changed the World: Fifteen Pivotal Moments That Shaped How We Live" co-written with David Fisher. Listen and learn about pivotal elections whose consequences reached far beyond the ballot box—from Winston Churchill’s stunning 1945 defeat and the little-known vote that helped elevate Martin Luther King Jr., to Ronald Reagan’s 1966 victory in California. It’s a fascinating look at the campaigns, personalities, turning points, and unexpected outcomes that helped shape political history—and a reminder that some elections only reveal their true significance with the passage of time. Original air date 22 September 2026. The book was published on 22 September 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hear Tim Harford discuss his book "The Data Detective" in episode #433. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael talks with University of Chicago economist Eric Zwick, co-author of "The Everywhere Millionaire: Who Is Really Rich in America and How They Got There", about the surprising people who hold much of America’s wealth. Zwick explains how Main Street entrepreneurs—from car dealers and contractors to restaurant and franchise owners—are quietly building fortunes across the country, and what their success reveals about entrepreneurship, economic mobility, and the enduring American Dream. Original air date 14 September 2026. The book publish date is 15 September 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael Smerconish speaks with Tara Bayne about her memoir, "Evolution of a Heart: From the Darkness of 9/11 to Rebuilding a Life and Finding Joy." Bayne lost her husband, Michael, in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. She shares the painful story of that day, the grief and unanswered questions that followed, and how yoga, ritual, art, and the Garden of Reflection helped her rebuild a life while keeping Michael’s memory alive. Original air date 10 September 2026. The book was published on 31 July 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jim VandeHei, journalist, media entrepreneur, and co-founder of Axios and Politico, discusses his book Simplify. He explores the “hell yes” test for commitments, reclaiming time from email, reducing decision fatigue, and making meetings shorter. The conversation also considers how cutting distractions can create more room for family, meaningful connection, and deliberate long-term planning.