Episodes

  • Christopher Kennedy Lawford: "What Addicts Know"

    Christopher Kennedy Lawford: "What Addicts Know"
    Mar 16 2026

    Christopher Lawford passed away in 2018.


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    42 mins
  • Bob Crawford: "America's Founding Son"

    Bob Crawford: "America's Founding Son"
    Mar 10 2026

    The conversation delves into Adams’ fierce opposition to slavery, his role in shaping the Monroe Doctrine, and the striking political parallels between his era and today—from media polarization to debates over tariffs and national identity. Blending rigorous research with vivid storytelling, Crawford reintroduces one of America’s most complex leaders and makes the case for why John Quincy Adams’ legacy still matters now.

    Find America's Founding Son here!

    Bob Crawford is bassist for the Avett Brothers and co-host of The Road To Now podcast. He is also a guest host of The Michael Smerconish Program on SiriusXM.


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    16 mins
  • Dr. Debra Soh: "Sextinction"

    Dr. Debra Soh: "Sextinction"
    Mar 3 2026

    Dr. Debra Soh is a neuroscientist who specializes in human sexuality and biological explanations for behavior.

    Find "Sextinction" here!


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    26 mins
  • Michael Shermer: "Truth"

    Michael Shermer: "Truth"
    Feb 18 2026
    Is America living in a “post-truth” era? In this episode of Book Club, Dr. Michael Shermer — founding publisher of Skeptic magazine and author of "Truth: What It Is, How to Find It, and Why It Still Matters" — joins Michael for a wide-ranging conversation about belief, evidence, and critical thinking in a complicated age. Shermer addresses the recent surge of UFO and UAP claims, explaining why decades of investigation have left him unconvinced of extraterrestrial visits. From conspiracy theories and alternative facts to AI-generated deepfakes and declining trust in institutions, the discussion explores how we determine what’s real — and why skepticism remains essential. Are we more gullible than ever? Can truth survive politics, social media, and artificial intelligence? And what does healthy skepticism actually look like? A thoughtful, timely conversation about how to separate fact from fiction — and why it still matters. Original air date 12 February 2026. The book was published on 27 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.
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    18 mins
  • Jean Becker & Tom Collamore: "Don't Tell The President"

    Jean Becker & Tom Collamore: "Don't Tell The President"
    Feb 13 2026
    What really goes into a presidential visit? In this episode of Book Club, Michael sits down with Jean Becker and Tom Collamore to discuss their new book, "Don’t Tell the President: The Best, Worst, and Mostly Untold Stories from Presidential Advance." From George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama, Becker and Collamore pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of “advance” work — the behind-the-scenes operatives who plan every detail of a president’s public appearances. The conversation features unforgettable stories, including the controversy over a papal backdrop, the infamous Dukakis tank photo, assassination attempts on President Ford, a royal riser mishap with Queen Elizabeth II, and even Smerconish’s own unexpected detour into a Brussels brothel while advancing Vice President Bush. It’s a candid, entertaining, and revealing look at the moments that shaped presidential history — and the unsung professionals who made (and sometimes nearly broke) them. Original air date 11 February 2026. The book was published on 3 February 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    38 mins
  • Josh Shapiro: "Where We Keep the Light"

    Josh Shapiro: "Where We Keep the Light"
    Feb 11 2026
    Michael sits down with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to discuss his new memoir, "Where We Keep the Light: Stories from a Life of Service." Shapiro reflects on the values that shaped him—faith, family, and public service—and opens up about the defining moments of his life and career. From a traumatic arson attack on the Governor’s Residence to leading the investigation that exposed widespread abuse within the Catholic Church, Shapiro shares deeply personal stories about resilience, leadership, and moral responsibility. The conversation also explores mental health, political courage, campus protests, bipartisan governance, and the role his wife, Lori, plays in grounding his decisions. It’s a candid and wide-ranging discussion about service, conviction, and finding light in the darkest moments. Original air date 10 February 2026. The book was published on 27 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.
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    24 mins
  • Vanessa Diaz: "P FKN R"

    Vanessa Diaz: "P FKN R"
    Feb 9 2026

    Vanessa Díaz is Associate Professor of Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies at Loyola Marymount University.


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    19 mins
  • Elliot Williams: "Five Bullets"

    Elliot Williams: "Five Bullets"
    Feb 6 2026
    CNN legal analyst Elliot Williams joins Michael to discuss his gripping new book, "Five Bullets: The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York's Explosive '80s, and the Subway Vigilante Trial That Divided the Nation", an in-depth examination of the 1984 Bernhard Goetz subway shooting that shocked New York City. Together, they revisit a crime-ridden, volatile era of the city, unpack the facts and myths surrounding the case, and explore how issues of race, fear, vigilantism, media, and justice collided in what became one of the most polarizing trials of the 1980s. A timely conversation about crime, context, and how one moment can reshape a city—and a country. Original air date 6 February 2026. The book was published on 20 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.
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    22 mins