Show overview
Book Club with Michael Smerconish has been publishing since 2021, and across the 5 years since has built a catalogue of 541 episodes, alongside 2 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 180 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a several-times-a-week cadence.
Episodes typically run ten to twenty minutes — most land between 17 min and 22 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. It is catalogued as a EN-language Arts show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed yesterday, with 27 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2022, with 141 episodes published. Published by SiriusXM.
From the publisher
Reading for Independent Minds. Unlike many author interviews, if Michael didn't actually read the book, you won't hear about it. If he read it, you'll hear it and you'll love it. Insights into a wide range of topics, including many titles you've probably never heard of. The perfect book is just one listen away.
Latest Episodes
View all 541 episodesRussell Muirhead: "A Lot of People Are Saying"
Dr. Nassir Ghaemi on The Psychology of Great Leaders: The Creative Power of Mental Illness
Susan Page: "The Queen and Her Presidents"
Robert Putnam Revisits "Bowling Alone" with The Mingle Project
Julian Zelizer: "The Presidency of Joseph R. Biden"
Sarah Isgur: "Last Branch Standing"
Jonathan Zimmerman: "Free Speech - And Why You Should Give A Damn"
Lanny Davis: "Finding The Third Way"
Melissa S. Kearney: "The Two-Parent Privilege"
Richard Louv: "Vitamin N"
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld: "Trump's Ten Commandments"
Mark Halperin & John Heilemann: "Double Down"
Seth Davis: "Wooden"
Ep 526David Pogue: "Apple"
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Ep 525Christopher Kennedy Lawford: "What Addicts Know"
Christopher Lawford passed away in 2018. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 524Bob Crawford: "America's Founding Son"
The conversation delves into Adams’ fierce opposition to slavery, his role in shaping the Monroe Doctrine, and the striking political parallels between his era and today—from media polarization to debates over tariffs and national identity. Blending rigorous research with vivid storytelling, Crawford reintroduces one of America’s most complex leaders and makes the case for why John Quincy Adams’ legacy still matters now. Find America's Founding Son here! Bob Crawford is bassist for the Avett Brothers and co-host of The Road To Now podcast. He is also a guest host of The Michael Smerconish Program on SiriusXM. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 523Dr. Debra Soh: "Sextinction"
Dr. Debra Soh is a neuroscientist who specializes in human sexuality and biological explanations for behavior. Find "Sextinction" here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 522Michael Shermer: "Truth"
Is America living in a “post-truth” era? In this episode of Book Club, Dr. Michael Shermer — founding publisher of Skeptic magazine and author of "Truth: What It Is, How to Find It, and Why It Still Matters" — joins Michael for a wide-ranging conversation about belief, evidence, and critical thinking in a complicated age. Shermer addresses the recent surge of UFO and UAP claims, explaining why decades of investigation have left him unconvinced of extraterrestrial visits. From conspiracy theories and alternative facts to AI-generated deepfakes and declining trust in institutions, the discussion explores how we determine what’s real — and why skepticism remains essential. Are we more gullible than ever? Can truth survive politics, social media, and artificial intelligence? And what does healthy skepticism actually look like? A thoughtful, timely conversation about how to separate fact from fiction — and why it still matters. Original air date 12 February 2026. The book was published on 27 January 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 521Jean Becker & Tom Collamore: "Don't Tell The President"
What really goes into a presidential visit? In this episode of Book Club, Michael sits down with Jean Becker and Tom Collamore to discuss their new book, "Don’t Tell the President: The Best, Worst, and Mostly Untold Stories from Presidential Advance." From George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama, Becker and Collamore pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of “advance” work — the behind-the-scenes operatives who plan every detail of a president’s public appearances. The conversation features unforgettable stories, including the controversy over a papal backdrop, the infamous Dukakis tank photo, assassination attempts on President Ford, a royal riser mishap with Queen Elizabeth II, and even Smerconish’s own unexpected detour into a Brussels brothel while advancing Vice President Bush. It’s a candid, entertaining, and revealing look at the moments that shaped presidential history — and the unsung professionals who made (and sometimes nearly broke) them. Original air date 11 February 2026. The book was published on 3 February 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ep 520Josh Shapiro: "Where We Keep the Light"
Michael sits down with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to discuss his new memoir, "Where We Keep the Light: Stories from a Life of Service." Shapiro reflects on the values that shaped him—faith, family, and public service—and opens up about the defining moments of his life and career. From a traumatic arson attack on the Governor’s Residence to leading the investigation that exposed widespread abuse within the Catholic Church, Shapiro shares deeply personal stories about resilience, leadership, and moral responsibility. The conversation also explores mental health, political courage, campus protests, bipartisan governance, and the role his wife, Lori, plays in grounding his decisions. It’s a candid and wide-ranging discussion about service, conviction, and finding light in the darkest moments. Original air date 10 February 2026. The book was published on 27 January 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.