

Book Club with Michael Smerconish
SiriusXM
Reading for Independent Minds. Unlike many author interviews, if Michael didn't actually read the book, you won't hear about it. If he read it, you'll hear it and you'll love it. Insights into a wide range of topics, including many titles you've probably never heard of. The perfect book is just one listen away.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 27, 2023 • 22min
Avi Loeb: "Extraterrestrial"
In late 2017, scientists at a Hawaiian observatory glimpsed an object soaring through our inner solar system, moving so quickly that it could only have come from another star. Dr. Avi Loeb, the Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard University says there was only one conceivable explanation: the object was a piece of advanced technology created by a distant alien civilization. Hear the New York Times bestselling author's conversation with Michael on "Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth." Original air date 26 January 2021. The book was published on 26 January 2021.

Jul 24, 2023 • 22min
Henry & Thomas Bloch: "Many Happy Returns"
Michael's conversation with Thomas M. Bloch, the co-founder of the H&R Block tax preparation company, he is the subject of the book written by his son, "Many Happy Returns: The Story of Henry Bloch, America's Tax Man." Original air date 23 June 2015. Thomas Bloch passed away in 2019 at 96 years old. The book was published on 9 November 2010.

Jul 21, 2023 • 22min
Ken Smukler: "The JailBird Diet"
Shaped by the unique stories of his time in federal custody, Ken Smukler's "The JailBird Diet: Losing 100 Pounds and Finding Myself Behind Bars" takes the reader into the world of incarceration that challenges the mind, body, and spirit at every turn. A long time friend of Michael's, Smukler sits down in studio for a conversation on this book on his year in prison. Original air date 21 July 2023. The book was published on 23 June 2023.

Jul 19, 2023 • 19min
D.L. Hughley: "Surrender, White People!"
Michael's conversation with actor, comedian and activist D.L. Hughley on his book "Surrender, White People!: Our Unconditional Terms for Peace." Original air date 14 July 2020. The book was published on 30 June 2020. Check out two other interviews with D.L. Hughley, Episode #5 "How To Survive America" and Episode #219 "How Not To Get Shot."

Jul 17, 2023 • 18min
Femi Ayanbadejo: "The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Successful Soul Professional"
"Before I was 10 years old, I was sexually assaulted, twice." So begins Former NFL Star Femi Ayanbadejo's chapter that he wrote for Camille L. Miller's "The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Successful Soul Professional: 22 Powerful Growth Strategies for Upleveling Your Soul-Aligned Business." Hear Michael's conversation about his Femi's, an excerpt of which was shared at Smerconish.com. Original air date 13 July 2023. The book was published on 9 July 2023.

Jul 14, 2023 • 16min
Jake Tapper: "All The Demons Are Here"
Prepare to be transported to the 1970s underground world of cults, celebrities, tabloid journalism, serial killers, disco, and UFOs. Bestselling author and CNN Anchor Jake Tapper joins Michael with his new book "All the Demons Are Here: A Thriller." Original air date 12 July 2023. The book was published on 11 July 2023.

Jul 12, 2023 • 17min
Jim Davis: The Great Dechurching
When is the last time you attended a worship service? For 40 million of us, the answer is, not in quite some time. Listen to Pastor Jim Davis, co-author of "The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back?" Davis is teaching pastor at Orlando Grace Church. Original air date 10 July 2023. The book will be published on 22 August 2023.

Jul 10, 2023 • 41min
Richard Dreyfuss: "One Thought Scares Me"
Academy Award winning actor and activist Richard Dreyfuss is now very interested in civics, and is worried that civics is not taught in America much anymore - he joins Michael to talk about his latest book "One Thought Scares Me...: We Teach Our Children What We Wish Them to Know; We Don't Teach Our Children What We Don't Wish Them to Know." Original air date 6 July 2023. The book was published on 18 October 2022.

Jul 7, 2023 • 19min
Kay Redfield Jamison: "Fires In The Dark"
The acclaimed author of An Unquiet Mind considers the age-old quest for relief from psychological pain and the role of the exceptional healer in the journey back to health. Hear Michael's conversation with Kay Redfield Jamison on her book "Fires in the Dark: Healing the Unquiet Mind." Original air date 6 July 2023.

Jun 30, 2023 • 25min
Brian Muraresku: The Immortality Key
"A groundbreaking dive into the role psychedelics have played in the origins of Western civilization, and a real-life quest for the Holy Grail." Michael's conversation with attorney and author Brian Muraresku, on "The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion with No Name." Original air date 9 October 2020. The book was published on 29 September 2020.