Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan vs. the System: Inside His Independent Run for Governor
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan joins Michael Smerconish to discuss his surprising 2026 run for Michigan governor—as an independent. Duggan talks about Detroit's remarkable comeback, why he’s breaking from the Democratic Party, and how he plans to disrupt the political status quo. Can he really win without a party? This conversation might change your mind. Original air date 5 August 2025.
8 Elo 12min
Screens Aren’t the Problem. Lack of Freedom Is. Open The Door And Let The Kids Out To Mingle
Learn more about The Mingle Project.
8 Elo 25min
'Trojan Horse' Border Agents
A Penske truck. Disguised border agents. Day laborers at an L.A. Home Depot. In this episode, Michael unpacks the controversial “Operation Trojan Horse” immigration sting in Los Angeles—and asks if it was an ingenious enforcement tactic or a violation of civil rights. Plus, poll results on Hiroshima/Nagasaki, Peggy Noonan’s emotional plea, and the deeper debate over immigration, labor, and legality in America. Listen here, then head over to Smerconish.com and let us know your thoughts.
8 Elo 15min
Social Life on Life Support: Why Americans Are Staying Home More Than Ever
Learn more about Michael's Mingle Project here.Diana Lind is author of the New Urban Order Substack and a recent visiting fellow at the Center for Economy and Society at Johns Hopkins University.
7 Elo 30min
Were the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki justified?
Listen to Michael's conversation with Garrett Graff, author of The Devil Reached Toward the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb on The Book Club with Michael Smerconish Podcast.
7 Elo 17min
The Gerrymandering Problem No One Wants to Fix
Today, Michael dives deep into the complex and controversial issue of gerrymandering — what it is, where it’s happening, and how you can find out if you live in a distorted district. Prompted by today's Daily Poll Question at Smerconish.com (“Do you live in a gerrymandered legislative district?”), this episode offers a clear, engaging primer on political redistricting, the history behind it, and the real-life consequences playing out in places like Texas. Plus, hear Michael’s thoughts on how fair maps could actually work — and why that’s such a rare outcome. Listen here, and please share, rate, and review this podcast!
6 Elo 14min
America Is Fractured. Here’s What Michael Told Thousands of State Lawmakers About Fixing It
Michael reflects on an extraordinary day in Boston, where he addressed thousands of state lawmakers attending the National Conference of State Legislators annual legislative summit. From powerful speeches about bipartisanship and political violence — including emotional remarks from a Minnesota state senator who survived an attack — to a candid fireside chat with Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Michael shares what he saw, heard, and believes we must do next to repair America’s broken public discourse. And it all involves getting out and mingling. Original air date 5 August 2025.
5 Elo 34min
