Episodes

  • $20 MILLION of our tax dollars for 'Sesame Street' in Iraq?

    $20 MILLION of our tax dollars for 'Sesame Street' in Iraq?
    Feb 10 2025
    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.
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    27 mins
  • If We Re-Ran the 2024 Election Today, Would The Result Change? This Poll Will Make You Think!

    If We Re-Ran the 2024 Election Today, Would The Result Change? This Poll Will Make You Think!
    Feb 10 2025
    Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: If the 2024 presidential election were re-run today, would the result be the same? 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.
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    13 mins
  • ESPN's Sal Pal's Bold Prediction For Sunday: Eagles 34, Chiefs 30

    ESPN's Sal Pal's Bold Prediction For Sunday: Eagles 34, Chiefs 30
    Feb 7 2025

    Sal Paolantonio covers the National Football League for SportsCenter, Sunday NFL Countdown, NFL Life and Fantasy Football Now. He also hosts the long-running X's and O's weekly preview show, NFL Matchup.
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    10 mins
  • We tried what Elon Musk is doing with federal spending once before, on Obama's watch

    We tried what Elon Musk is doing with federal spending once before, on Obama's watch
    Feb 7 2025
    While Elon Musk and his "Department of Government Efficiency" are slashing areas of federal spending to combat the current national debt ($36 trillion) and the current fiscal year's deficit ($711 billion), we remember going through something similar back in 2010: Simpson-Bowles, known as "The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform." There were 12 members of Congress and 6 private citizens on the commission. In the end, they failed to get the required super-majority vote to advance their recommendations to Congress. Michael today speaks with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), who sat on the committee, and voted against the commission's recommendations 15 years ago. Then, hear from the audience on the current fiscal state of the United States. Original air date 7 February 2025.
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    34 mins
  • Oscar or Opinion: Should Personal Views Decide Who Wins in Hollywood? The Karla Gascon Controversy Debate

    Oscar or Opinion: Should Personal Views Decide Who Wins in Hollywood? The Karla Gascon Controversy Debate
    Feb 7 2025
    Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should the personal views and public statements of an actor/actress influence whether they win an Academy Award? 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.
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    17 mins
  • Climate Crisis and Your Home’s Value: What You Need to Know About Insurance

    Climate Crisis and Your Home’s Value: What You Need to Know About Insurance
    Feb 6 2025

    Abrahm Lustgarten wrote this Op-Ed for the New York Times, "That Giant Sucking Sound? It’s Climate Change Devouring Your Home’s Value." He is the author of On The Move: The Overheating Earth and the Uprooting of America.
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    16 mins
  • Musk, Money, and Mayhem: What Poses a Greater Threat to America?

    Musk, Money, and Mayhem: What Poses a Greater Threat to America?
    Feb 6 2025
    Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which poses a greater threat to the U.S.? 1) Elon Musk's unchecked influence over federal bureaucracy, or 2) Uncontrolled federal spending and deficit growth. 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.
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    15 mins
  • Gaza "An Evolving Matter"

    Gaza "An Evolving Matter"
    Feb 5 2025
    Michael asks American journalist and founder of the interactive media platform 2WAY , "Should The U.S. take over Gaza?". Mark Halperin joins Michael every Wednesday during the second our of his program to discuss the most pressing politics of the day. He offers two different points of view on this "evolving matter". Original air date 5 February 2025.
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    35 mins