The Smerconish Podcast

It's hot everywhere, it is raining in many parts of the country, and much of the US is under the threat of severe weather. Time to check in with University of Pennsylvania's Director of the Center for Science, Sustainability & the Media, Dr. Michael Mann, about what's going on. Original air date 10 July 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A recent appellate court decision could put people experiencing homelessness on the west coast at risk of criminal fines for sleeping outside. This case was provoked by a community in Oregon looking for a last resort solution to squash their own homeless encampments. Join Michael and Michael Shellenberger, author of "San Fransicko" as they break down the ruling and lay out how this could become a high profile case to watch. Original air date 7 July 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Would a mandatory draft save our dwindling military? Michael and his guest, Admiral James Stavridis, explain why recruiting efforts are failing and what kind of hoops most of the population would have to jump through to enlist. Original air date 6 July 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael takes the recent SCOTUS decision on affirmative action up a notch, throwing in the question of legacy admissions. When a student applies to a prestigious school their parent attended, how far should their application go? Original air date 5 July 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael welcomes Wall Street Journal enterprise reporter Kirsten Grind to talk about her piece "Magic Mushrooms. LSD. Ketamine. The Drugs That Power Silicon Valley." Then, he receives a surprise phone call from Frank Biden, brother to the President of the United States. Original air date 28 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bestselling higher education writer Jeffrey Selingo, author of "Who Gets In And Why: A Year Inside College Admissions", joins Michael to talk about the Supreme Court’s decision this week to gut affirmative action - making it unlawful for colleges to take race into consideration as a specific factor in admissions. Original air date 30 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New York Times reporter Glenn Thrush briefs Michael on his piece "Competing Accounts of Justice Dept.’s Handling of Hunter Biden Case." Listen to hear the differing stories from an IRS investigator versus the one from Attorney General Merrick Garland. Original air date 29 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There is more information in the Hunter Biden story, with IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley speaking on CBS News, plus recent comments from Attorney General Merrick Garland, and Delaware US Attorney David Weiss. Michael takes a deeper dive. Original air date 28 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael offers a commentary on the leaked audio tape of President Trump, first shared by CNN, sharing classified documents with people in a room who were not authorized to view them. Original air date 27 June 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael tackles the tough questions raised by the context of wealth in last week's unprecedented OceanGate saga. Dr. Arun Upneja, Dean & Professor at Boston University School's of Hospitality Administration joins to offer his academic take. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.