The Smerconish Podcast

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Do you agree with Gavin Newsom that the participation of trans athletes in women’s sports is “deeply unfair”? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As the news of President Trump's plan to fire 70,000 employees from the Department of Veterans Affairs lands, Michael talks to Robert Pape, political science professor at the University of Chicago, about a recent academic, peer-reviewed study that raises powerful warnings about the consequences for violent extremism. Original air date 6 March 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Are we witnessing the final days of NATO? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mark Halperin says "the sources of strength and power of the 'Maven of Mar-a-Lago', for all he is discussed, have been insufficiently examined or understood. The similarities with Bill Clinton are striking and instructive." Michael was thinking about former President Clinton as he watched President Trump deliver his address to a joint session of Congress last night. This sets up for a great conversation analyzing both the speech, and Trump's presidency so far overall. Original air date 5 March 2025. 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 an in-depth analysis of President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress last night. He also touches on today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com, the topic of which also came up in last night's speech, on Ukraine and Russia. Listen to his thoughts here Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Who should we support: Russia, Ukraine, or Neither? Michael discusses the question with Admiral James Stavridis, a retired four-star Navy officer who once served as the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO. Now he is Partner and Vice Chairman, Global Affairs of The Carlyle Group, and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Rockefeller Foundation. Hear his latest analysis of what is happening in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and US President Trump hosting the president of Ukraine in Washington, DC last week. Original air date 4 March 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jo has served 15 years in the Virginia Army National Guard. Her current rank and job title is Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) – UH60 Black Hawk Pilot. She has served in combat zones in Iraq and other operations overseas. She is a transgender woman and recently transitioned while serving in the military. When not serving her country, she works as an IT Engineer in the private sector and previously worked as the Digital Media Manager for Smerconish.com. She enjoys flying airplanes, racing cars, playing musical instruments, and skateboarding. The views and opinions presented are those of Jo Ellis and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or the Army. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Who Do You Support: Russia, Ukraine, or Neither? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tom Nichols is a professor emeritus of national-security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, where he taught for 25 years, and an instructor at the Harvard Extension School. Read his Atlantic essay here: It Was an Ambush: Friday marked one of the grimmest days in the history of American diplomacy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Was JD Vance’s confrontation of Zelensky premeditated or spontaneous? Listen here to Michael's take, then vote at Smerconish.com, and please leave a rating and review of this podcast! The Daily Poll Question is a thought-provoking query each day at Smerconish.com on a political, social, or other human interest issue. Entirely non-scientific, it always begins a great conversation. Michael talks about it in this podcast each weekday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.