Book Club with Michael Smerconish
382 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★★★ - 73 ratingsReading 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.
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Episodes
Maya Angelou: "Letter To My Daughter"
December 29, 2023 19:11 - 7 minutes - 6.74 MBWinding back the clock, today's book club podcast Michael is joined by Maya Angelou an American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist. She discusses her book "Letter To My Daughter." Original Air Date: September 2008. The book was published on 23 September 2008.
Admiral William McRaven: "The Hero Code"
December 25, 2023 13:53 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBFrom the acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Make Your Bed—a short, inspirational book about the qualities of true, everyday heroes. Listen to Michael talk to Admiral William McRaven about "The Hero Code: Lessons Learned from Lives Well Lived." Original air date 15 April 2021. The book was published on 13 April 2021.
Jane Leavy: "The Big Fella"
December 18, 2023 20:41 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBListen to Michael's conversation with Jane Leavy, the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Boy and Sandy Koufax, author of "The Big Fella: Babe Ruth and the World He Created" - the definitive biography of Babe Ruth—the man Roger Angell dubbed "the model for modern celebrity." Original air date 14 December 2018. The book was published on 16 October 2018.
Phil Lesh: "Searching For The Sound"
December 15, 2023 13:56 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBThe Grateful Dead is one of Michael's favorite bands - listen to his conversation with legendary bass player Phil Lesh, on his book "Searching for the Sound: My Life with the Grateful Dead." Original air date April 2006. The book was published on 25 April 2006.
Liz Cheney: "Oath and Honor"
December 13, 2023 12:16 - 17 minutes - 16 MBLiz Cheney served as a member of Congress from 2017 to 2023, rising to chair the House Republican Conference until her stand against the January 6th insurrection caused her party to strip away that role, and led to her defeat in the 2022 primary election. An attorney and national security specialist, Cheney previously worked in Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine and the Middle East while serving in the State Department during the George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush administrations.
Chip Colwell: "Stuff"
December 11, 2023 17:57 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBMichael is joined by American anthropologist and author Chip Colwell to discuss his new book "Stuff: Humanity's Epic Journey from Naked Ape to Nonstop Shopper." Original air date 11 December 2023. The book was published on 16 November 2023.
Melissa Rivers: "Joan Rivers Confidential"
December 08, 2023 15:35 - 15 minutes - 14 MBComedian Joan Rivers passed away in 2014. In 2018, her daughter published this great book "Joan Rivers Confidential: The Unseen Scrapbooks, Joke Cards, Personal Files, and Photos of a Very Funny Woman Who Kept Everything." Listen to Michael's conversation with Melissa Rivers, right as the MeToo movement was underway, and what would her mom have said about it? Original air date 11 January 2018. The book was published on 24 September 2017.
Buz Teacher: "Among Friends"
December 06, 2023 17:33 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBAn incredible homage to the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of the book business in the 20th century. Book publisher Buz Teacher, co-founder of Running Press, joins Michael to discuss his new book "Among Friends: An Illustrated Oral History of American Book Publishing and Bookselling in the 20th Century." Original Air Date 06 December 2023. The book was published on 23 September 2023.
Jack Bogle: "The Battle for the Soul of Capitalism"
December 04, 2023 18:47 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBHow the American financial system lost its way, and how it can right its course...from deep in Michael's archives, a conversation with the founder and former CEO of Vanguard Jack C. Bogle, on his book "The Battle for the Soul of Capitalism." Mr. Bogle passed away in 2019. Original air date 8 November 2005. The book was published on 1 November 2005.
Angelo Cataldi: "Loud"
December 01, 2023 08:00 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBLegendary Philadelphia sports talk radio host Angelo Cataldi, now retired, is out with a great new book and joins Michael to talk about "Angelo Cataldi: LOUD: How a Shy Nerd Came to Philadelphia and Turned up the Volume in the Most Passionate Sports City in America." Original air date 30 November 2023. The book was published on 28 November 2023.
Arnold Schwarzenegger: "Total Recall"
November 29, 2023 19:27 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MBFrom his days on local radio in Philadelphia, Michael spoke with former California Governor and Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger about the news of the day (2012 election, remember Mitt Romney's campaign?), and his book "Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story." Also in the conversation are TC, and Michael's former producer at WPHT Greg Stocker. Original air date 8 October 2012. The book was published on 1 October 2012.
Adam Nagourney: "The Times"
November 27, 2023 13:56 - 20 minutes - 19 MBMichael has to physically touch the New York Times every day. The newsprint in his hands - its the only paper he has a copy of. It's a newspaper that has seen massive changes over the past four decades. Listen to Adam Nagourney, National Political Reporter for the Times, talk about his book "The Times: How the Newspaper of Record Survived Scandal, Scorn, and the Transformation of Journalism." Original air date 21 November 2023. The book was published on 26 September 2023.
Jimmy Carter: "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid"
November 24, 2023 08:00 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MBMichael's conversation with former President Jimmy Carter on his book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid." The conversation is followed up by reaction from Harvard Professor Alan Dershowitz, who has differing opinions than President Carter - an interesting listen nearly 20 years later. Original air date 30 November 2006. The book was published on 16 November 2006.
Jesse Ventura: "They Killed Our President"
November 22, 2023 12:53 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBQuite the conversation here from the archives: In October 2013 just before the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy Assassination, Michael hosted former MN Governor Jesse Ventura in front of a live studio audience in New York, on his new book "They Killed Our President: 63 Reasons to Believe There Was a Conspiracy to Assassinate JFK." Original air date 1 October 2013. The book was published on 1 January 2013.
Brian Stelter: "Network Of Lies"
November 20, 2023 13:48 - 15 minutes - 14 MBMichael is joined by journalist and author, Brian Stelter to discuss his new book "Network of Lies: The Epic Saga of Fox News, Donald Trump, and the Battle for American Democracy." It tells the story of how Fox News paid almost a billion dollars in legal settlements to bury the contents of this explosive account of the network’s attempts to manipulate the truth. Original air date: 16 November 2023. The book was published on 14 November 2023.
Garrett Graff: "UFO"
November 17, 2023 14:53 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBMichael welcomes New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Garrett M. Graff with his new book, "UFO: The Inside Story of the US Government's Search for Alien Life Here―and Out There." Listen to this interview about the first comprehensive and eye-opening exploration of our government’s decades-long quest to solve one of humanity’s greatest mysteries: Are we alone in the universe? Original air date 15 November 2023. The book was published on 14 November 2023.
David Brooks: "How To Know A Person"
November 15, 2023 16:15 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBBestselling author and New York Times Columnist David Brooks joins the podcast to discuss his new book "How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen," which pulls from his own observations and research and dives into the topic of human connection and its importance in today's society. Original Air Date 14 November 2023. The book was published on 24 October 2023.
Jim McGreevey: "The Confession"
November 13, 2023 15:34 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBFormer New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey, who in 2004 came out as gay and resigned from office, is back in the news, now announcing (in November 2023) that he is running for Mayor of Jersey City, NJ. In 2006, Michael spoke with him about his candid memoir, "The Confession." The book was published on 19 September 2006.
Nelson DeMille: "Blood Lines"
November 10, 2023 18:15 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MBMichael talks with New York Times bestselling author Nelson DeMille on his new novel "Blood Lines." The story features the return of Army CID Special Agents Brodie and Taylor who are on the hunt for the cold-blooded murderer of one of their fellow agents. Original air date 10 November 2023. The book was published on 10 October 2023.
Robert Rubin: "The Yellow Pad"
November 07, 2023 17:30 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBMichael talks with Robert Rubin, former secretary of the Treasury and co-chairman of Goldman Sachs, on his book "The Yellow Pad: Making Better Decisions in an Uncertain World." Original air date 7 November 2023. The book was published on 16 May 2023.
Ralph Nader: " Unstoppable"
November 03, 2023 16:19 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBMichael talks to former presidential candidate Ralph Nader about his book "Unstoppable: The Emerging Left-Right Alliance to Dismantle the Corporate State," wherein he argues of the dangers that a politically divided America can bring. Original air date 23 March 2014. The book was published on 29 April 2014.
Jeffrey Rosen: "Conversations with RBG"
November 01, 2023 15:38 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBMichael Smerconish talks with Jeffery Rosen, President& CEO of the National Constitution Center. His book about the life and career of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is "Conversations with RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Life, Love, Liberty, and Law." This conversation happened almost a hear before Justice Ginsburg passed away, she died in September 2020. Original air date 6 November 2019. The book was published on 5 November 2019.
McKay Coppins: "Romney"
October 30, 2023 16:07 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBA remarkably illuminating biography of one of America’s most fascinating political figures—including news-making revelations from Mitt Romney himself about dissension within today’s Republican Party—written with his full cooperation by an award-winning writer at The Atlantic. Michael welcomes McKay Coppins for a conversation on "Romney: A Reckoning." Original air date 27 October 2023. The book was published on 24 October 2023.
Frances Haugen: "The Power Of One"
October 27, 2023 17:02 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MBMichael's conversation with the Facebook Whistleblower, Frances Haugen, on her book "The Power of One: How I Found the Strength to Tell the Truth and Why I Blew the Whistle on Facebook." Original air date 26 October 2023. The book was published on 13 June 2023.
Mike Huckabee: "God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy"
October 25, 2023 16:15 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBFormer Governor Mike Huckabee (R-AR) asks, "Have I been taken to a different planet than the one on which I grew up?" The New York Times bestselling author explores today's fractious American culture, where divisions of class, race, politics, religion, gender, age, and other fault lines make polite conversation dicey, if not downright dangerous. Listen to Michael's conversation with him on his book "God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy." Original air date 27 January 2015. The book was published on 20 ...
Robert Sapolsky: "Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will"
October 23, 2023 12:47 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MBOne of our great behavioral scientists, the bestselling author of "Behave", plumbs the depths of the science and philosophy of decision-making to mount a devastating case against free will, an argument with profound consequences. Listen to Michael's conversation with Stanford University Professor of biology and neurolgy Dr. Robert M. Sapolsky, author of "Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will." Original air date 19 October 2023. The book was published on 17 October 2023.
Melissa DeRosa: "What's Left Unsaid"
October 20, 2023 21:07 - 16 minutes - 15 MBOne of the most powerful women in New York State government history shares her gripping and candid story for the first time - Melissa DeRosa became a household name as an aide to then-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo when he was thrust onto the national stage during COVID. She joins Michael with her memoir "What's Left Unsaid: My Life at the Center of Power, Politics & Crisis." Original air date 20 October 2023. The book was published on 24 October 2023.
Khizr Khan: "An American Family"
October 18, 2023 19:47 - 21 minutes - 20 MBHe was a captivating speaker at the 2016 Democratic National Convention - and he wrote a captivating book. Hear Michael speak with Khizr Khan, on "An American Family: A Memoir of Hope and Sacrifice." Original air date 27 October 2017. The book was published on 24 October 2017.
Greg Lukianoff: "The Canceling of the American Mind"
October 16, 2023 17:46 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBAs companies are refusing to hire prospective employees who are voicing their opinions against Israel defending itself against the terrorist attacks from Hamas, its a perfect time for a conversation with Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) President & CEO Greg Lukianoff, co-author of "The Canceling of the American Mind: Cancel Culture Undermines Trust and Threatens Us All―But There Is a Solution." Original air date 12 October 2023. The book was published on 17 October 2023.
Ben Bradlee, Jr: "The Forgotten"
October 13, 2023 16:26 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBHear how voters in Luzerne County, PA, a pivotal county in a crucial swing state, came to feel like strangers in their own land, and after voting democratic for decades...flipped. Michael talks to Ben Bradlee, Jr on his book "The Forgotten: How the People of One Pennsylvania County Elected Donald Trump and Changed America." Original air date 30 October 2018. The book was published on 2 October 2018.
Senator Doug Jones: "Bending Toward Justice"
October 11, 2023 16:31 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBSenator Doug Jones (D-AL) prosecuted the last of the living bombers of the 1963 Birmingham church bombing. He talks about it with Michael in his book "Bending Toward Justice: The Birmingham Church Bombing that Changed the Course of Civil Rights." Original air date 4 March 2019. The book was published on 5 March 2019.
Dr. Morris Fiorina: "Unstable Majorities"
October 10, 2023 11:57 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBPartisan politics, gridlock, incivility, division. All negative words - but there is hope. Listen to Michael's conversation with Stanford University's Dr. Morris Fiorina, author of "Unstable Majorities: Polarization, Party Sorting, and Political Stalemate." Original air date 9 April 2020. The book was published on 1 November 2017.
Aurelian Craiutu: "Why Not Moderation?"
October 06, 2023 15:30 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBMichael talks with Indiana University Political Science Professor Aurelian Craiutu, author of "Why Not Moderation?: Letters to Young Radicals." Original air date 6 October 2023. The book was published on 12 October 2023.
Scott Stankavage: "The QB Mentor"
October 05, 2023 14:31 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBMichael's conversation with Scott Stankavage, author of "The QB Mentor: Words of Wisdom From an NFL Veteran For An Injured Quarterback That Can Improve Your Life and Career." Original air date 15 March 2016. The book was published on 1 January 2016.
David Bianculli: The Platinum Age of Television
October 02, 2023 07:00 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBWith the 2023 Hollywood writers strike in the rear view mirror, its the perfect time to listen to David Bianculli on his book "The Platinum Age of Television: From I Love Lucy to The Walking Dead, How TV Became Terrific." Original air date 21 November 2016. The book was published on 15 November 2016.
Diane Dimond: "We're Here To Help"
September 29, 2023 17:04 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBMichael talks to author Diane Dimond about her new book "We're Here to Help: When Guardianship Goes Wrong." Original air date 29 September 2023. The book was published on 19 September 2023.
Brian Grazer: "Face To Face"
September 27, 2023 13:54 - 17 minutes - 16 MBHollywood producer and bestselling author Brian Grazer on his book "Face to Face: The Art of Human Connection." Original air date 20 September 2019. The book was published on 17 September 2019.
John Kasich: "It's Up To Us"
September 25, 2023 17:28 - 16 minutes - 15 MBMichael's conversation with former Governor of Ohio, John Kasich, author of "It's Up to Us: Ten Little Ways We Can Bring About Big Change." Original air date 17 October 2019. The book was published on 15 October 2019.
Matt Taibbi: "Insane Clown President"
September 22, 2023 07:00 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBMichael's conversation with Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi, author of "Insane Clown President: Dispatches from the 2016 Circus." Original air date 18 January 2017. The book was published on 17 January 2017.
Sheila Johnson: "Walk Through Fire"
September 20, 2023 07:00 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBShe is the co-founder of BET and America's first African American female billionaire - listen to Michael's conversation with Sheila Johnson, on her book "Walk Through Fire: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Triumph." Original air date 19 September 2023. The book was published on 19 September 2023.
David Fajgenbaum: "Chasing My Cure"
September 18, 2023 18:15 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBThe powerful memoir of a young doctor and former college athlete diagnosed with a rare disease who spearheaded the search for a cure—and became a champion for a new approach to medical research. Michael talks to David Fajgenbaum, author of "Chasing My Cure: A Doctor's Race to Turn Hope into Action; A Memoir."
Aaron David Miller: "The End Of Greatness"
September 15, 2023 18:18 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBMichael talks with Aaron David Miller, author of "The End of Greatness: Why America Can't Have (and Doesn't Want) Another Great President." The End of Greatness explores the concept of greatness in the presidency and the ways in which it has become both essential and detrimental to America and the nation's politics. Original air date 14 October 2014. The book was published on 7 October 2014.
Ashton Applewhite: "This Chair Rocks"
September 13, 2023 16:50 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MBYou're never too old to listen to a great conversation - Michael talks with author and activist Ashton Applewhite, about "This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism." Original air date 8 September 2016. The book was published in 2016.
Gerald Posner: "Case Closed"
September 11, 2023 13:07 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBIn 2013, Michael spoke with Gerald Posner on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy - he's author of the 1993 book "Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK." Original air date 15 November 2023. The book was published in 1993 and republished in paperback on 9 September 2003.
Franklin Foer: "The Last Politician"
September 08, 2023 13:56 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBMichael talks with Franklin Foer, writer at The Atlantic, about his new book "The Last Politician: Inside Joe Biden's White House and the Struggle for America's Future." Original air date 7 September 2023. The book was published on 5 September 2023.
Caveat Magister: "The Scene That Became Cities" (Burning Man)
September 06, 2023 19:16 - 20 minutes - 19 MBMichael talks to Benjamin Wachs, who under the pen name Caveat Magister is the author of "The Scene That Became Cities: What Burning Man Philosophy Can Teach Us about Building Better Communities." Michael spoke to him on the occasion of Burning Man 2023. Original air date 5 September 2023. The book was published on 25 June 2019.
Nelson Schwartz: "The Velvet Rope Economy"
September 01, 2023 15:58 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MBA gripping investigation into how a virtual velvet rope divides Americans in every arena of life. Michael talks to New York Times business reporter Nelson D. Schwartz about his book "The Velvet Rope Economy: How Inequality Became Big Business." Original air date 10 March 2020. The book was published on 3 March 2020.
Dr. Avi Loeb: "Interstellar"
August 29, 2023 17:56 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBHarvard University astrophysicist Dr. Avi Loeb breaks news that metallic spheres found on the floor of the Pacific Ocean are interstellar in origin, on the same day that he releases his new book "Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future in the Stars." Original air date 29 August 2023. The book was released on 29 August 2023.
Carter Malkasian: "The American War in Afghanistan"
August 28, 2023 18:56 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MBMichael's conversation with Carter Malkasian, the Special Assistant for Strategy to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, eneral Joseph Dunford, from 2015 to 2019. His book is "The American War in Afghanistan: A History" - the first comprehensive history of America's longest war. Original air date 8 July 2021. The book was published on 1 July 2021.
Saul Austerlitz: "Kind of a Big Deal"
August 25, 2023 16:44 - 22 minutes - 21 MBOne of the most iconic comedies to hit the big screen in the last 20 years, "Anchorman" - is worthy of the full treatment of a great book. Michael welcomes NYU Professor Saul Austerlitz, author of "Kind of a Big Deal: How Anchorman Stayed Classy and Became the Most Iconic Comedy of the Twenty-First Century." Original air date 25 August 2023. The book was published on 22 August 2023.