From Lock 'Em Up to Light 'Em Up? Trump’s Marijuana Shift
Michael unpacks today's poll question: Should Trump reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug? He explains his "yes" vote, the surprising politics behind the shift, and how cannabis is becoming an 80/20 issue. Plus, reflections on Trump-Putin peace talks and the strategic optics behind Zelensky’s possible absence. Don’t miss this blend of politics, polling, and pot.
12 Aug 15min
F**k Around and Find Out: A Tough-Love Parenting Approach
Psychoanalyst and author Erica Komisar joins Michael to discuss the rise of FAFO (“F*** Around and Find Out”) parenting — a viral, consequence-driven style gaining popularity as a backlash to gentle parenting. Komisar explains why she believes both extremes miss the mark, and why the real solution lies in combining empathy with firm limits. What went wrong in raising Gen Z? Are we too sensitive — or not sensitive enough? This episode dives deep into the parenting pendulum, resilience, and what kids really need to thrive. Original air date 11 August 2025.
11 Aug 30min
Ukraine Peace Deal: Should Russia Be Forced to Return All Seized Land?
Michael Smerconish dives into today's poll question that he asks at Smerconish.com: Should Ukraine reject any peace deal that does not require Russia to return all the territory it has seized since the 2022 invasion? With peace talks possibly on the horizon, he explores the harsh realities behind public sentiment, Gallup polling, and what Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. may have to compromise. Plus, thoughts on Trump, Zelensky, and whether a “win” is even possible.
11 Aug 14min
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 Aug 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 Aug 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 Aug 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 Aug 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 Aug 17min
