Advertise on podcast: Book Club with Michael Smerconish

Is all this convenience actually making our lives better—or are we losing something valuable along the way? Michael talks with author Gabe Bullard about his new book, "Against Convenience: Embracing Friction in an Age of Endless Ease." From streaming music and online shopping to rideshare apps and artificial intelligence, Bullard explores how technology designed to make life easier may also be making us more isolated, less connected, and increasingly dependent on algorithms. Have we sacrificed meaningful human interaction in the name of convenience? And is it time to embrace a little friction? Original air date 22 October 2026. The book was published on 15 September 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are smartphones and social media really to blame for the youth mental health crisis? Michael talks with Dr. Peter Gray, Boston College research professor and author of "Restoring Childhood: How to Set Kids Free in the Age of Anxiety," who challenges conventional wisdom about what's making kids anxious and depressed. Gray argues that the real culprits may be academic pressure, overprotective parenting, and the disappearance of unstructured play. It's a thought-provoking conversation that even makes Michael rethink some of his long-held beliefs about technology and childhood. Original air date 19 October 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Was Havana Syndrome the result of a secret weapon, mass hysteria, or a government cover-up? Michael talks with 60 Minutes investigative producers Michael Rey and Oriana Zill about their new book, "The Havana Syndrome: Secret Weapons, a Government Cover-Up, and the Greatest Spy Mystery of Our Time." After nine years of investigating mysterious illnesses affecting American diplomats, intelligence officers, and their families around the world, the authors reveal disturbing evidence, unanswered questions, and why they believe the U.S. government has failed to confront one of the most baffling national security mysteries of our time. Original air date 12 October 2026. The book publish date is 13 October 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bestselling author Michael Lewis joins Michael Smerconish to discuss his new book, "Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State", an inside look at the people and forces reshaping the federal government during Trump’s second term. Lewis examines DOGE, Elon Musk’s role, the sidelining of career civil servants, and whether the highly publicized hunt for “waste, fraud and abuse” was ultimately a distraction from a much larger transfer of executive power. Original air date 6 October 2026. The book was published on 6 October 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael sits down with bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell to discuss his new book," The American Way of Killing: The Invention of an Epidemic." Gladwell challenges conventional thinking about America’s relationship with guns, the meaning of the Second Amendment, and why lethal violence is so much more common in the United States than in other countries. They explore the difference between crime and violence, America’s approach to policing and prisons, the role of trauma care in homicide statistics, and Gladwell’s provocative argument that the U.S. may actually be under-policed, rather than over-policed. Original air date 5 October 2026. The book publish date is 29 September 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gabriel Zucman is Professor of economics at the Paris School of Economics and Ecole normale supérieure – PSL, Summer Research Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and founding Director of the International Tax Observatory. He is the author of articles published in journals such as the Quarterly Journal of Economics, the American Economic Review, the Review of Economic Studies, and of three books. His research focuses on the accumulation, distribution, and taxation of global wealth and has renewed the analysis of the macroeconomic and distributional implications of globalization. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear preparing for a presidential run? Michael sits down with Beshear to discuss his memoir, Go and Do Likewise, and the faith and values that shape his approach to politics. From winning as a Democrat in deep-red Kentucky to abortion, LGBTQ+ issues, guns, Trump, democratic socialism and political civility, Beshear explains his governing philosophy—and opens up about the major decision that could lie ahead. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most of what we hear about artificial intelligence is a warning. Josh Tyrangiel went looking for the other side of the story. Michael talks with the author of "AI for Good: How Real People Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Fix Things That Matter" about how AI is already helping teachers, doctors, hospitals, cities, and government agencies solve real-world problems. The key, Tyrangiel argues, is using AI to strengthen human judgment—not replace it. Original air date 23 September 2026. The book was published on 12 May 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

CNN Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash joins Michael to discuss her new book, "The Elections That Changed the World: Fifteen Pivotal Moments That Shaped How We Live" co-written with David Fisher. Listen and learn about pivotal elections whose consequences reached far beyond the ballot box—from Winston Churchill’s stunning 1945 defeat and the little-known vote that helped elevate Martin Luther King Jr., to Ronald Reagan’s 1966 victory in California. It’s a fascinating look at the campaigns, personalities, turning points, and unexpected outcomes that helped shape political history—and a reminder that some elections only reveal their true significance with the passage of time. Original air date 22 September 2026. The book was published on 22 September 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hear Tim Harford discuss his book "The Data Detective" in episode #433. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael talks with University of Chicago economist Eric Zwick, co-author of "The Everywhere Millionaire: Who Is Really Rich in America and How They Got There", about the surprising people who hold much of America’s wealth. Zwick explains how Main Street entrepreneurs—from car dealers and contractors to restaurant and franchise owners—are quietly building fortunes across the country, and what their success reveals about entrepreneurship, economic mobility, and the enduring American Dream. Original air date 14 September 2026. The book publish date is 15 September 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael Smerconish speaks with Tara Bayne about her memoir, "Evolution of a Heart: From the Darkness of 9/11 to Rebuilding a Life and Finding Joy." Bayne lost her husband, Michael, in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. She shares the painful story of that day, the grief and unanswered questions that followed, and how yoga, ritual, art, and the Garden of Reflection helped her rebuild a life while keeping Michael’s memory alive. Original air date 10 September 2026. The book was published on 31 July 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael Smerconish talks with Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei about "Simplify: Do 50% More With 50% Less", his new book co-authored with Mike Allen and Roy Schwartz. They explore how to cut unnecessary meetings, decisions and distractions, reclaim valuable time, and focus on what really matters—in work and in life. Original air date 8 September 2026. The book publish date is 15 September 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael Smerconish sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist James B. Steele to revisit "America: What Went Wrong?", the landmark 1991 bestseller he co-authored with the late Donald Barlett. More than three decades later, Steele explains why their warnings about the hollowing out of the middle class, Wall Street excess, tax policy, lost manufacturing jobs, pensions, and growing inequality remain strikingly relevant — especially as the national debt surpasses $40 trillion. Original air date 20 August 2026. The book was published in 1991. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michael talks with CNN’s Jake Tapper about The Hellfire Club, Tapper’s bestselling debut novel set in the political intrigue of 1950s Washington. Tapper discusses the real history woven into the thriller, its echoes of modern politics, the secret society that inspired the story, and why writing fiction proved more challenging than nonfiction. Original air date 23 May 2018. The book was published on 24 April 2018. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.