Advertise on podcast: Book Club with Michael Smerconish

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.

Michael sits down with Boston University religion professor Stephen Prothero to discuss his book "Why Liberals Win the Culture Wars (Even When They Lose Elections)". In this 2016 conversation, Prothero traces America’s long history of cultural conflict and explains why battles over religion, abortion, same-sex marriage, immigration, and the Supreme Court can energize conservatives politically—even as the broader culture often moves in a more liberal direction. Original air date 17 February 2016. The book was published in January 2016. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From the archives, in 2014 Michael spoke with Congressman Paul Ryan to discuss "The Way Forward: Renewing The American Idea." Hear Ryan’s reflections on conservatism, poverty, entitlement reform, and the future of the Republican Party. Ryan also looks back on the 2012 presidential campaign, the influence of Jack Kemp, and, Michael asked him back then about his plans for the 2016 election, before Donald Trump was on anyone's radar. Original air date 20 August 2014. 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 Frederick J. Ryan Jr., former chief of staff to Ronald Reagan and chair of the Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, to ask whether America can find common ground again. From Reagan and Tip O’Neill to social media outrage, sports, Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart, Ryan shares lessons from the new Civility Handbook on rebuilding connection in a deeply divided country. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pulitzer Prize finalist Annie Jacobsen joins Michael to discuss her chilling new book, "Biological War: A Scenario." Drawing on interviews with top military, intelligence, and public health experts, Jacobsen explores how a single lab leak could trigger global catastrophe, the ethics of gain-of-function research, and why the threat of biological warfare may be far more real than most people realize. 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 New York Times White House correspondents Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan about their book "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump." Drawing on more than 1,000 interviews, they examine how Trump returned to the White House better prepared, more powerful and more willing to test the limits of presidential authority—and what makes his second term so different from his first. Original air date 27 July 2027. The book was published on 23 June 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.