The Smerconish Podcast

4.2 (372)
POLITICS
UPDATED DAILY

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.

3H AGO

Protester or Agitator? The Video That Complicates the Alex Pretti Case

Today at Smerconish.com, Michael asks you: Was your opinion about Alex Pretti altered by video showing him protesting just 11 days before he was killed? Listen in as Michael examines what the footage reveals, what it doesn’t change legally, and why video evidence so powerfully shapes public opinion — even when it shouldn’t. A thoughtful discussion on reasonableness, law enforcement standards, and the difference between the courtroom and the court of public opinion. Please rate, review, and share this podcast! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

11 min
20H AGO

Rahm Emanuel: “Washington Needs a Power Wash”

Rahm Emanuel joins Michael for a wide-ranging conversation on ethics, aging leadership, and the future of American politics. The former congressman, Chicago mayor, White House chief of staff, and U.S. ambassador argues for mandatory retirement at 75, sweeping ethics reform, and what he calls a much-needed “power wash” of Washington. Emanuel also weighs in on the economy, consumer confidence, healthcare costs, immigration enforcement, and whether there’s a path forward for his brand of politics in today’s Democratic Party. Original air date 29 January 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

27 min
1D AGO

75 and Out? The Growing Case for Age Limits in Government

Should there be a mandatory retirement age of 75 for the president, cabinet officials, members of Congress, and federal judges? Inspired by comments from former congressman, White House chief of staff, Chicago mayor, and ambassador Rahm Emanuel, Michael Smerconish digs into America’s growing discomfort with aging leadership. With some of the oldest elected officials in U.S. history still wielding power, is it time for age limits — or should voters decide at the ballot box? Michael examines polling data, constitutional hurdles, existing retirement rules in other professions, and historical examples of extraordinary leadership later in life — all while previewing today’s Smerconish.com poll question - listen here, then vote! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

12 min
1D AGO

“I’ve Lost Friends on Both Sides”: Halperin & Smerconish on Political Tribalism

Michael Smerconish is joined by political journalist Mark Halperin for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation about the growing cost of refusing to take sides in today’s polarized America. From Trump’s evolving response to the Minnesota ICE shooting to the backlash faced by journalists who insist on nuance, Halperin and Smerconish explore why centrism now draws fire from both the left and the right. They also dig into Trump’s political instincts, Democratic 2028 contenders like Rahm Emanuel, Gavin Newsom, and Josh Shapiro, and whether the political middle can still survive in an era of outrage. Original air date 28 January 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

29 min
2D AGO

Should Guns Be Allowed at Protests?

Michael unpacks today’s poll question: "Should it be unlawful to conceal carry at a demonstration?" In the wake of the fatal Minneapolis shooting this past weekend, he examines gun laws at protests, Second Amendment contradictions within the GOP, and what the Supreme Court’s Heller decision actually allows. With states split on whether firearms are permitted at demonstrations, this episode explores where constitutional rights collide with public safety — and why this debate is suddenly front and center. Listen here, then vote! And please rate, review, and share this podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

16 min
2D AGO

Reasonable Fear or Excessive Force? A Deep Dive Into the Alex Pretti Shooting

Michael takes a careful look at the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, pushing past slogans and snap judgments to examine what the law actually requires. Analyzing video evidence, use-of-force standards, and the “reasonable officer” test, Michael explains why this case may be fundamentally different from similar recent incidents—and why at least one officer could face serious legal exposure. A conversation about policing, protests, guns, and the cost of abandoning nuance. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

26 min
3D AGO

Should Big Tech Pay for the Damage to Kids’ Mental Health?

What happens when social media design meets the courtroom? As a landmark trial begins in Los Angeles, Michael breaks down the case that could hold Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube legally responsible for teen screen addiction. Drawing on polling data, psychological research, and product-liability law, Michael explains why he’s voting “yes” on today’s poll—and why this jury’s decision could reshape Big Tech’s future. Listen here, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please rate, review, and share this podcast! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

15 min
4D AGO

If the 2024 Election Happened Again Tomorrow, Would Trump Still Win?

What if the 2024 presidential election were rerun today? Michael revisits a familiar—but newly relevant—poll question, weighing Kamala Harris’s post-election momentum against Donald Trump’s declining approval ratings and fiercely loyal base. With fresh polling data, swing-state context, and a look at why voters got it wrong before, Michael games out whether a rematch would really change the outcome—or deliver the same surprise all over again. Listen here, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please rate, review, and share this podcast! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

12 min

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TRAILER

Coming Soon!

Coming soon from Michael Smerconish and SiriusXM: Spirited discussions of government, politics, and current events without predictable left/right bias. The Smerconish Podcast is for Independent Minds. Content will be pulled from the live show: The Michael Smerconish Show airs live M-F 9-Noon ET and replays M-F 9-Midnight ET

06/24/2021

•

1 min

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4.7 (13428)

SELF-IMPROVEMENT
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4.4 (96591)

TRUE CRIME
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COMEDY
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TRUE CRIME
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COMEDY
After 25 years at the Late Night desk, Conan realized that the only people at his holiday party are the men and women who work for him. Over the years and despite thousands of interviews, Conan has never made a real and lasting friendship with any of his celebrity guests. So, he started a podcast to do just that. Deeper, unboundedly playful, and free from FCC regulations, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is a weekly opportunity for Conan to hang out with the people he enjoys most and perhaps find some real friendship along the way. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

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COMEDY

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Michael Smerconish

Host
Mark Halperin

Guest
James G. Stavridis

Guest
Dave Wasserman

Guest
Todd Bernstein

Guest
Ali Furman

Guest

4.2

out of 5

372 Ratings

Great

Jan 14

RR#1 Fan

Insightful and helpful. Figure it out for yourself
Keep it 💯

10/14/2025

frankwhitenyking

Trump deserves the Noble Peace Prize for negotiating the Peace between Israel and Gaza Do you know what Trump just proved? It’s easier to negotiate with terrorist than Democrats….. Think about that liberals. You’re losing Big Time 💯🇺🇸
Middle is not Binary

12/20/2025

VadenGray

Poll Questions are binary in a gray world. Michael claims to be middle, but his poll questions are binary with only 2 choices. I also find him self centered and self promoting more so than enlightening. Often he name drops gratuitously when telling a story. His show on POTUS is a feeder for his podcast and CNN. Count the number of times he says “I or ME” next time you listen.
We Can Agree to Disagree—What a Concept! 😃

10/13/2025

Thinkin' Thoughts

I love Smerconish because he makes me THINK! I crack up when I hear someone from the right commenting that Michael is aligned with the left… and vice versa. I listen precisely because he doesn’t push a political agenda. It’s about having a dialogue and being able to respectfully disagree.

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.