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PODCAST

Book Club with Michael Smerconish

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.

arts books

All Episodes

00:18:56

Dimitris Xygalatas: "Ritual"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/01/14

, Michael speaks with cognitive scientist and anthropologist Dr. Dimitris Xygalatas, author of Ritual: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living. From firewalking and pilgrimages to sports fandom and workplace traditions, they explore why rituals are a fundamental part of human nature—and why shared, in-person experiences create meaning, connection, and belonging. Drawing on research, personal stories, and Michael’s own “Mingle Project,” this conversation makes the academic and emotional

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00:27:10

Brad Meltzer: "The Viper"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/01/12

Bestselling author Brad Meltzer joins Michael Smerconish for a wide-ranging conversation about his first thriller in four years, "The Viper: A Fast Paced Thriller of Family Bonds and Deadly Conspiracies." Meltzer discusses the viral University of Michigan commencement speech that sparked a national conversation about empathy and kindness, the deeply personal experiences that shaped it, and how those themes inform his writing. The discussion also dives into the gripping opening of The Viper, the

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00:19:13

Dr. Zeke Emanuel: "Eat Your Ice Cream"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/01/07

Michael Smerconish sits down with renowned physician and bioethicist Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel to discuss his new book, "Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life." Their wide-ranging conversation explores why social connection is a powerful predictor of health and happiness, how everyday interactions can improve both mental and physical well-being, and what science says about living longer—and better. From the importance of “mingling” to managing technology, embracing community,

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00:19:13

Andy Webb: "DIANARAMA"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/12/19

British journalist Andy Webb joins Michael to discuss his explosive new book, "Dianarama: Deception, Entrapment, Cover-Up: The Betrayal of Princess Diana." Webb reveals how BBC journalist Martin Bashir used deception, forged documents, and fear to secure Princess Diana’s infamous Panorama interview—and the lasting consequences that followed. Drawing on firsthand accounts and newly uncovered evidence, this conversation revisits one of the most consequential media scandals in modern history and

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00:15:44

Roger Stone, "The Man Who Killed Kennedy: The Case...

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/12/12

Political Strategist, Roger Stone, joins Michael to discuss his provocative book, "The Man Who Killed Kennedy: The Case Against LBJ." Stone outlines why he believes Lyndon Johnson played a central role in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, drawing on decades of political experience and his own interpretation of historical records. In this conversation, Stone explains the motives, alleged cover-ups, and longstanding political rivalries that shape his controversial theory. Hosted by

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00:18:13

NEW REVELATIONS: Gerald Posner Revisits 'Case Closed'...

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/12/05

"Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK" was first published in 1993."Killing the Dream : James Earl Ray and the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr." was first published in 1998.You can hear Michael's other book interviews with Gerald Posner in Episodes #214 (God's Bankers), #222 (Pharma), #285 (Case Closed). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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00:39:13

Larry Magid: "The Philadelphia Music Book" and Live...

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/11/26

In this wide ranging conversation, Larry Magid shares candid reflections about artists at their peak, surprising backstage moments, the rise and fall of careers, and the behind-the-scenes chaos that helped define some of rock’s most iconic performances.Whether you’re a music historian, a Live Aid nostalgist, or a fan of the Philly music scene, this episode is a treasure trove of anecdotes—and a tribute to the man who spent his life bringing live music to millions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz

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00:41:37

Chris Matthews: "Lessons From Bobby"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/11/21

On Robert F. Kennedy’s 100th birthday, Chris Matthews joins Michael for an in-depth conversation on why RFK’s legacy still matters today. With rare moments and firsthand historical insight, they revisit RFK’s most powerful speeches, his moral courage after MLK’s assassination, his 1966 “Ripple of Hope” moment in South Africa, and the tragic 1968 campaign that changed American politics forever. Matthews also weighs in on the politics of the present and the alternate history of what might have

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00:20:27

Codie Sanchez: "Main Street Millionaire"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/11/19

Michael sits down with Codie Sanchez—entrepreneur, investor, and author of "Main Street Millionaire"—to unpack the surprising wealth hidden in “boring” businesses like laundromats, car washes, HVAC companies, and vending routes. Sanchez explains why these recession-resistant, AI-proof businesses are often more profitable than glamorous careers, why boomers are desperate to sell, and how anyone can start buying small businesses using simple, practical frameworks. A must-listen for parents, young

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00:21:43

Andrew Ross Sorkin: "1929"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/11/17

Michael sits down with NYT's Journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin to discuss his riveting new book, "1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History--and How It Shattered a Nation," a narrative dive into the personalities, excess, and miscalculations that fueled the most infamous market crash in history. From Jesse Livermore’s billion-dollar bet to the birth of American credit culture—and even Winston Churchill’s front-row seat—Sorkin reveals surprising parallels to today’s AI-driven boom. A

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00:22:50

Alex DeMille: "The Tin Men"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/11/10

In this special Book Club episode, Michael reflects on the life and legacy of his late friend and favorite novelist, Nelson DeMille, the master of the modern thriller. Michael revisits a memorable 2004 conversation with DeMille about the real-life tragedy that inspired Night Fall, then welcomes Alex DeMille, Nelson’s son and co-author of "The Tin Men: A Novel" —the final novel from the iconic writer.Together, they discuss Nelson’s extraordinary career, his meticulous research, and how Alex helped

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00:19:13

Scott Galloway: "Notes on Being a Man"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/11/07

What you'll hear in this episode:-Why young men are struggling: friendship decline, school/labor trends, and mental health-The case for “leaving the house”: proximity, promotions, and purpose-Boy Scouts, shared rituals, and learning respect, discipline, and outdoor skills-Mingling > scrolling: phones, algorithms, and the engagement economy-Dancing as a confidence signal (and why “fearless” beats “perfect”)-Alcohol: risks acknowledged, but also its historic role in rites of passage and bonding-Porn:

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00:26:08

Stephen Dubner: "Freakonomics" (20th Anniversary...

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/11/03

Listen to Michael's original 5-part-series interview with co-author Steven Levitt from 2005 here! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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00:20:15

Joe Manchin: "Dead Center"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/10/22

Former Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) joins Michael to discuss his memoir, "Dead Center: In Defense of Common Sense." Together, they explore the deep divides in American politics, what it means to 'lead from the middle,' and why Manchin believes the center is the only path forward for the country. From his candid reflections on the Democratic Party’s evolution to his efforts to build bipartisan cooperation through his “Americans Together” initiative, Manchin opens up about lessons learned in Washington

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00:44:21

John Malone: "Born To Be Wired"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/10/17

In this fascinating conversation, Michael Smerconish sits down with legendary media mogul John Malone — Chair of Liberty Media, Liberty Broadband, and Liberty Global, and former CEO of Telecommunications, Inc. — to discuss his new memoir, "Born to Be Wired: Lessons from a Lifetime Transforming Television, Wiring America for the Internet, and Growing Formula One, Discovery, Sirius XM, and the Atlanta Braves." Malone reflects on the origins of the cable television industry, the rise of “cable

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00:23:03

Nate Soares: "If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/10/15

Michael talks with Nate Soares, co-author of "If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All", about the alarming risks of advanced artificial intelligence. Soares, president of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute, explains why AIs are not designed but grown, how that leads to unpredictable behavior, and why even their creators can’t control them. They discuss chilling examples—from rogue chatbots to lab “escape” attempts—and why simply “unplugging” an AI may not be

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00:20:24

Dr. Ben Rein: "Why Brains Need Friends"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/10/10

Ben Rein, PhD, is an award-winning neuroscientist, chief science officer of the Mind Science Foundation, adjunct lecturer at Stanford University, clinical assistant professor at SUNY Buffalo, and renowned science educator. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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00:14:03

Betty Medsger: "The Burglary"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/10/03

Michael speaks with journalist and author Betty Medsger about her book "The Burglary: The Discovery of J. Edgar Hoover’s Secret FBI." Medsger recounts the 1971 break-in at a small FBI office in Media, Pennsylvania, where activists uncovered secret files exposing Hoover’s widespread surveillance and targeting of dissenters and Black Americans. She shares how the documents reached The Washington Post, the fierce debate over whether to publish them, and the lasting impact on government accountability

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00:19:47

David Paul Kuhn: "The Hardhat Riot"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/10/01

In this episode of The Book Club with Michael Smerconish, Michael sits down with journalist and author David Paul Kuhn to discuss his book The Hardhat Riot: Nixon, New York City, and the Dawn of the White Working-Class Revolution. Together, they revisit the dramatic events of May 1970, when construction workers and anti-war protesters clashed in lower Manhattan following the Kent State shootings and President Nixon’s expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia.Kuhn explains how the so-called Hard

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00:30:25

Bill McKibben: "Here Comes the Sun"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2025/09/26

Michael Smerconish invites environmentalist and author Bill McKibben to the program to discuss McKibben's new book "Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization." Michael asks McKibben about climate change, solar power, natural disasters, and other environmental topics. Original air date 25 September 2025. The book was published on 19 August 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and

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