Book Club with Michael Smerconish

Michael talks with bestselling author and educator Sharon McMahon about her new book "We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing", an illustrated companion to her hit book "The Small and the Mighty." McMahon shares the inspiring stories of overlooked Americans whose courage and determination helped shape the nation, from civil rights pioneer Septima Clark to Constitution framer Gouverneur Morris. The conversation also explores the importance of civic education, free speech, and McMahon’s recent controversy surrounding her canceled university commencement address. Original air date 18 May 2026. The book was published on 19 May 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Michael Smerconish sits down with George Washington University law professor Andrew Guthrie Ferguson, author of "Your Data Will Be Used Against You: Policing in the Age of Self-Surveillance," for a timely conversation about privacy, policing, and the rise of AI-powered surveillance. From license plate readers and facial recognition to Tesla “hurry up mode” and automated school bus tickets, they explore how technology is reshaping law enforcement — and what Americans may be sacrificing in the name of safety. Where should society draw the line between public security and personal privacy? Original Air Date 05/18/26, The book was published on 17 May 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Michael welcomes retired four-star Admiral James Stavridis to discuss "2084: A Novel of Future War", the gripping finale to his bestselling trilogy co-written with Elliot Ackerman. From great power conflict and artificial intelligence to climate catastrophe and the future of democracy, Stavridis explores the real-world forces shaping his vision of the late 21st century. The conversation ranges from China and NATO to sea-level rise, civil unrest, and the dangers of unintended war — while also revealing the hopeful message at the heart of the novel. A fascinating deep dive into geopolitics, storytelling, and the future of humanity. Original air date 15 May 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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As conspiracies about whether any of the three assassination attempts on President Donald Trump were staged or not, Michael speaks with Dartmouth professor Russell Muirhead, co-author of "A Lot of People Are Saying: The New Conspiracism and the Assault on Democracy", about the rise of modern conspiracism and its impact on democracy. From JFK theories to 2020 election claims and online misinformation, Muirhead explains how social media and “a lot of people are saying” culture have replaced evidence with repetition — and why rebuilding trust, skepticism, and real-world connection is more important than ever. Original air date 13 May 2026. The book was published on 16 April 2019. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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In this episode of Book Club with Michael Smerconish, Michael speaks with psychiatrist and author Dr. Nassir Ghaemi about the surprising connection between mental illness and exceptional leadership. Drawing from Dr. Ghaemi’s books "A First-Rate Madness" and the newly published "Soul on Fire", the conversation explores how figures like Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Ted Turner may have drawn strength from struggles with depression or bipolar disorder during times of crisis. It’s a thought-provoking discussion about stigma, creativity, resilience, and the misunderstood realities of mental health. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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