Author M.W. Craven joins Michael Smerconish in a discussion about Craven's captivating novel titled "Nobody's Hero." The duo chat about a variety of topics including the thrilling yet mysterious tone of the book, the Ben Koenig series in which "Nobody's Hero" belongs to, and the familiar names found within Craven's stories. Original air date 29 July 2025. The book was published on 03 December 2024.

Michael Smerconish sits down with Barry Levine, author of "The Spider: Inside the Criminal Web of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell." They discuss the disturbing details of Epstein’s abuse network, Ghislaine Maxwell’s role, and the lingering questions surrounding powerful individuals, including Donald Trump. A compelling conversation rooted in years of investigative reporting, conducted in the contexts of this week's news around the push for the release of the Epstein Files, amidst the continued pushback and deflections from the White House. Original air date 25 July 2025. The book was published on 20 October 2020.

Michael's conversation from deep in the archives with with Steve Lopez, author of "The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music." An intimate portrait of gifted violinist Nathaniel Ayers traces his promising education at Juilliard, his struggles with schizophrenia, and the factors that led to his homelessness in Los Angeles, circumstances that prompted their friendship and the author's efforts to improve the musician's life in spite of numerous setbacks. Original air date 16 August 2009. The book was published in 2008.

Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Michael Moss joins Michael to unpack his explosive book "Hooked: Food, Free Will, and How the Food Giants Exploit Our Addictions," which explores how processed food companies have engineered their products—and our eating habits. In this candid and eye-opening conversation, Moss reveals how food giants manipulate our biology, emotions, and even memories to keep us coming back for more, using tactics eerily similar to Big Tobacco. Moss breaks down how our free will has been quietly undermined by decades of food innovation aimed at maximizing profit—not health. Hear why Oreos might be more addictive than cigarettes, what’s really in your fridge, and how companies design packaging to encourage mindless eating. Original air date 14 April 2021. The book was published on 2 March 2021.

Michael Smerconish speaks with Stanford political scientist Dr. James Fishkin about his groundbreaking book "Can Deliberation Cure the Ills of Democracy?" They explore how bringing diverse Americans together for civil, informed discussion—through experiments like America in One Room—can reduce polarization and lead to surprising consensus. A hopeful look at democratic reform in a divided age. Original air date 15 July 2025. The book was published on 3 July 2025.

Michael welcomes New York Times White House Correspondent Tyler Pager, co-author (with Josh Dawsey and Isaac Arnsdorf) of "2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America." Hear the behind-the-scenes drama, exclusive scoops, and pivotal moments that defined the 2024 election — from Kamala Harris’s rocky campaign to Trump’s post-assassination rise and Biden’s fateful debate decision. Original air date 15 July 2025. The book was published on 8 July 2025.

Carter Sherman, reproductive health reporter at The Guardian joins Michael with her book "The Second Coming: Sex and the Next Generation’s Fight Over Its Future." They explore how politics, technology, and social norms are reshaping the way young Americans think about and experience sex. From "hookup culture" to the "sex recession," and from Roe v. Wade to TikTok, this conversation dives deep into the evolving sexual landscape—and the clash between sexual conservatism and progressivism defining it. Original air date 11 July 2025. The book was published on 24 June 2025.

In 2012, legendary Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Abbott wrote "Imperfect: An Improbable Life" and joined Michael in front of 1,000 people at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia for a special "Book Club" conversation, which you can watch on Michael's YouTube channel (link in episode notes). Ahead of that event, Michael had Abbott on his morning radio program to discuss the book - this is that interview, originally aired on WPHT. Born without a right hand, Jim Abbott dreamed of someday being a great athlete. By twenty-one, he’d won the gold medal game at the 1988 Olympics and—without spending a day in the minor leagues—cracked the starting rotation of the California Angels. In 1991, he would finish third in the voting for the Cy Young Award. Two years later, he would don Yankee pinstripes and pitch one of the most dramatic no-hitters in major-league history. An incredible story. Original air date 11 June 2012. The book was published in April 2012.

In this episode, Michael Smerconish talks with journalist and author Salena Zito about her new book "Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America’s Heartland." Salena shares her firsthand account of being just feet away during the shooting of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, explores the significance of this pivotal moment, and reveals the profound impact on Trump, the crowd, and the broader political landscape. A powerful look at trauma, resilience, and the heart of America's working-class communities. Original air date 8 July 2025. The book was published on 8 July 2025.

Kevin Hines attempted suicide in 2000 in San Francisco and fortunately lived to tell about it, and wrote a powerful memoir in 2013. In 2016, there was a string of suicides on the University of Pennsylvania campus. In that context, Michael had this conversation with Kevin about "Cracked, Not Broken: Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt." Kevin shares his story of surviving a suicide attempt from the Golden Gate Bridge and living with bipolar disorder. His journey highlights resilience, mental health advocacy, and the ongoing struggle—and hope—in living well with mental illness. Original air date 18 April 2016. The book was published on 13 June 2013.

Surfing, politics, and...finding common ground! Michael is joined by former Obama speechwriter and author David Litt to discuss his new book "It's Only Drowning: A True Story of Learning to Surf and the Pursuit of Common Ground." They explore Litt’s unexpected friendship with his apolitical, Joe Rogan–loving brother-in-law, the lessons of surfing, and what it all says about bridging America’s political divide. Original air date 27 June 2025. The book was published on 24 June 2025.

Michael Smerconish is joined by Atlantic staff writer Sophie Gilbert to discuss her new book, "Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves." Together, they explore the powerful influence of media, the evolution of pornography, and how pop culture has shaped modern views on sex, identity, and connection—for both women and men. A candid, thought-provoking conversation you won’t want to miss. Original air date 27 June 2025. The book was published on 29 April 2025.

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning, best-selling author and preeminent investigative journalist of our time—a heartfelt, hugely revealing memoir of a decades-long career breaking some of the most impactful stories of the last half-century, from Washington to Vietnam to the Middle East. Seymour Hersh's fearless reporting has earned him fame, front-page bylines in virtually every major newspaper in the free world, honors galore, and no small amount of controversy. Now in this memoir he describes what drove him and how he worked as an independent outsider, even at the nation's most prestigious publications. Listen to his conversation with Michael about "Reporter: A Memoir." Original air date 12 June 2018. The book was published on 5 June 2018.

There is one reason why planes crash. Michael asks the question to David Soucie in this conversation about his book "Why Planes Crash: An Accident Investigator's Fight for Safe Skies." This interview happened just a few months after the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight 370, which through today remains one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries. Soucie is a longtime aviation accident investigator and industry expert, and penned this book three years prior. Original air date 17 July 2014. The book was published in 2011.

Michael hosted Marcus Luttrell in front of 1000 people at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood, New Jersey, for the release of "Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10" where you can hear a pin drop while Luttrell tells incredible stories. The book was later made in to a movie. Original air date 21 May 2008. The book was published on 12 June 2007.

In 2007, Michael welcomed bestselling author Walter Isaacson to talk about "Einstein: His Life and Universe." Listen to the author of the acclaimed bestseller "Benjamin Franklin" discuss the first full biography of Albert Einstein since all of his papers have become available. How did his mind work? What made him a genius? Isaacson's biography shows how the imagination that distinguished his science sprang from the rebellious nature of his personality. His fascinating story, a testament to the connection between creativity and freedom, reflects the triumphs and tumults of the modern era. Original air date 31 May 2007. The book was published on 10 April 2007.

An inspiring conversation between Michael and Dawn Staley about her book "Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Life Lessons I Learned from All Three." A three-time Olympic gold medalist, six-time WNBA All-Star, and the first person to win the Naismith College Player of the Year award as both a player and coach, Staley has shattered expectations at every level of the game. While her name resonates with both longtime WNBA fans and newcomers, she has kept her personal life private. Uncommon Favor reveals the journey that led to Staley’s success, including the challenges she faced. From dealing with sexism on the court to feeling isolated in new environments, Staley honed her skills and learned valuable life lessons about mental fortitude and maturity that have grounded her throughout her career. Beginning with her humble origins on the North Philadelphia basketball court and her rise to national fame at the University of Virginia—where she led her team to three Final Fours—Staley recounts the key moments that shaped her winning mindset. Original air date 6 June 2025. The book was published on 20 May 2025.

The Lamoureux twins—Olympic gold medalists on the historic 2018 US women’s ice hockey team—tell their story of grit and determination, from youth hockey dominated by boys to the big business of elite international sports, fighting for gender equity in hockey, sports, and beyond. Michael welcomes Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando, authors of "Dare to Make History: Chasing a Dream and Fighting for Equity." Original air date 23 February 2021. The book was published on 23 February 2021.

America has a powerful new president... And her husband's on trial for murder. Former President Bill Clinton and bestselling author James Patterson are back with another thriller: The First Gentlemen. Yes, it IS a work of fiction, but as you'll hear in Michael's conversation with them, there are very real-life, real-world points the book makes, particularly on the debt situation in the US. Listen to this fun conversation and pick up the book. Original air date 2 June 2025. The book was released on 2 June 2025.

Michael hosted an author conversation at the Philadelphia Free Library in 2019, focusing on cyber security, with Richard Clarke and Robert Knake. They are the authors of "The Fifth Domain: Defending Our Country, Our Companies, and Ourselves in the Age of Cyber Threats." The book offers an urgent new warning from two bestselling security experts--and a gripping inside look at how governments, firms, and ordinary citizens can confront and contain the tyrants, hackers, and criminals bent on turning the digital realm into a war zone. Originally recorded 18 July 2019. The book was published on 16 July 2019.