The Smerconish Podcast

In a recent Oval Office press conference, Elon Musk revealed that federal employee retirements are processed manually in a Pennsylvania limestone mine. This inefficient process promped Michael to welcome David Fahrenthold for a conversation - he wrote about the mine a decade ago - to delve deeper into this issue. Now at the New York Times, Fahrenthold was at The Washington Post in 2014 when he wrote "Paper mine pushes ahead, but still behind the times." Original air date 14 February 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Howard Blum is the author of New York Times bestsellers including Dark Invasion, the Edgar Award–winner American Lightning, as well as Wanted!, The Gold Exodus, Gangland, The Floor of Heaven and Night of the Assassins. Blum is a contributing editor at Airmail, his series of articles on The Idaho Murders were nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. While at the New York Times, he was twice nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting. Read Howard Blum at Air Mail  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: Do you agree with Jamie Dimon that "the young generation is being damaged" by remote work? 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.

Senator Angus King (I-ME) joins Michael to share his thoughts on today's top headlines. Original air date 13 February 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: Is it essential for any peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine to include Russia surrendering all territories seized since 2014? 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.

With the fast moves that Elon Musk is making under the "Department of Government Efficiency" umbrella as directded by President Trump, many say this might be illegal under the constitution, as all other branches of government are not being involved in the decision making. Are we in a constitutional crisis? NBC/MSNBC Legal Analyst Danny Cevallos joins Michael to say, no. Original air date 12 February 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: If Elon Musk uncovers substantial waste, fraud, and abuse, will skepticism about his motives overshadow his findings? 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.

Admiral James Stavridis is a retired four-star U.S. naval officer. He is currently Partner and Vice Chair, Global Affairs of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. He is also 12th Chair of Rockefeller Foundation board.  Previously he served for five years as the 12th Dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He led the NATO Alliance in global operations from 2009 to 2013 as 16th Supreme Allied Commander with responsibility for Afghanistan, Libya, the Balkans, Syria, counter piracy, and cyber security. He also served as Commander of U.S. Southern Command, with responsibility for all military operations in Latin America from 2006-2009. He earned more than 50 medals, including 28 from foreign nations in his 37-year military career. 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: Should the U.S. Treasury stop minting new pennies? 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.

There's more to the story: If the USAID doesn't spend $20M on funding Sesame Street broadcasts in war-torn areas to teach literacy, inclusion, and critical health lessons to children, who will they learn from instead of Big Bird? Some might say, Al-Qaeda. This conversation is about the bigger picture, about how programs like the aforementioned are part of the United States showing its "Soft Power" around the world. Learn much more here in Michael's interview with the person who coined that "Soft Power" term, Joseph S. Nye Jr. He is University Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, and former Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Original air date 10 February 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.