Book Club with Michael Smerconish

00:23:08

Malcolm Gladwell: "The American Way of Killing"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/10/05

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,

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00:22:14

Gabriel Zucman: "We Need To Tax Billionaires"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/09/30

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

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01:46:04

Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY): "Go And Do Likewise"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/09/25

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

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00:27:41

Josh Tyrangiel: "AI For Good"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/09/23

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

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00:19:46

Dana Bash: "The Elections That Changed the World"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/09/22

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,

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00:17:11

Tim Harford: "Fifty Inventions That Shaped the Modern...

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/09/18

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.

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00:23:29

Eric Zwick: "The Everywhere Millionaire"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/09/14

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

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00:24:37

Tara Bane: "Evolution Of A Heart"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/09/11

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

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00:19:39

Jim VandeHei: "Simplify"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/09/09

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.comfor information about our collection

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00:59:44

James B. Steele Revisits "America: What Went Wrong"...

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/09/04

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

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00:14:59

Jake Tapper: "The Hellfire Club"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/08/31

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.comfor information

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00:12:03

Stephen Prothero: "Why Liberals Win the Culture Wars...

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/08/26

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

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00:12:32

Paul Ryan: "The Way Forward"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/08/19

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

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00:23:59

Frederick J. Ryan Jr.: "The Civility Handbook"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/08/11

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.comfor information about our collection

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00:24:15

Annie Jacobsen: "Biological War"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/08/04

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

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00:23:01

Maggie Haberman & Jonathan Swan: "Regime Change"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/07/27

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

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00:12:36

Julian Zelizer: "Burning Down The House"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/07/24

Michael Smerconish speaks with Princeton historian Dr. Julian Zelizer about "Burning Down the House: Newt Gingrich, the Fall of a Speaker, and the Rise of the New Republican Party." Zelizer explores how Gingrich used confrontation, cable television, and talk radio to transform Republican politics—and help set the stage for the Trump era. They also discuss Gingrich’s rapid rise in Washington, his political and personal controversies, and the lasting impact of his no-holds-barred approach to partisan

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00:46:43

Dr. Joseph Turow: "The Problem With Personalization"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/07/20

Michael sits down with media scholar Dr. Joseph Turow to discuss his new book, "The Problem with Personalization: How Advertisers Learned to Make and Break Us from Ancient Times to the AI Age." Their conversation explores how AI, advertisers, and tech platforms are reshaping not only our privacy, but our perception of the world. Turow explains how hyper-personalized media and marketing could erode the shared experiences that hold society together, creating increasingly isolated digital realities

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00:20:58

Dr. Jared Horvath: "The Digital Delusion"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/07/17

Michael speaks with neuroscientist and educator Dr. Jared Horvath about his provocative book, "The Digital Delusion:How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids' Learning–and How to Help Them Thrive Again." Drawing on cognitive science and classroom data, Horvath argues that the widespread use of laptops, tablets, and other digital devices in schools is harming students' ability to learn, remember, and think critically. They explore why reading on paper still matters, the decline in cognitive performance

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00:27:33

Tad Devine: "How The Democrats Screwed Bernie"

Book Club with Michael Smerconish ·

2026/07/13

Tad Devine, chief strategist for Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign, joins Michael Smerconish to discuss his book, "How the Democrats Screwed Bernie." Devine argues that the Democratic establishment tilted the primary process against Sanders, examines the role of superdelegates and party leadership, and explains why he believes Bernie could have defeated Donald Trump. It's a candid conversation about the Democratic Party's past, present, and the lessons it must learn before the next

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