Reading 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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Contact path
Verified email
Booking probability
39%
Guest openness
Selective
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Signup to Generate a PitchReading 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.
Recent episodes include "Gabe Bullard: "Against Convenience"" (22 October 2026, 22 minutes), "Dr. Peter Gray: "Restoring Childhood"" (19 October 2026, 27 minutes), and "Michael Lewis: "Blockers"" (7 October 2026, 26 minutes).
Book Club with Michael Smerconish publishes roughly a few times a week, with episodes averaging 27 minutes.
Booking probability for Book Club with Michael Smerconish is 39%, and the host is rated Selective on guests. Book Club with Michael Smerconish requires a Pod Score of 80 or higher. Book Club with Michael Smerconish's contact route on record: verified email.
Book Club with Michael Smerconish is an arts show.
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Episode #573
Is all this convenience actually making our lives better—or are we losing something valuable along the way? Michael talks with author Gabe Bullard about his new book, "Against Convenience: Embracing Friction in an Age...
Episode #572
Are smartphones and social media really to blame for the youth mental health crisis? Michael talks with Dr. Peter Gray, Boston College research professor and author of "Restoring Childhood: How to Set Kids Free in the...
Episode #570
Bestselling author Michael Lewis joins Michael Smerconish to discuss his new book, "Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State", an inside look at the people and forces reshaping the federal government during Trump’s second...
Episode #569
Michael sits down with bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell to discuss his new book," The American Way of Killing: The Invention of an Epidemic." Gladwell challenges conventional thinking about America’s relationship...
Episode #568
Gabriel Zucman is Professor of economics at the Paris School of Economics and Ecole normale supérieure – PSL, Summer Research Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and founding Director of the...
Episode #567
Is Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear preparing for a presidential run? Michael sits down with Beshear to discuss his memoir, Go and Do Likewise, and the faith and values that shape his approach to politics. From winning as...
Episode #566
Most of what we hear about artificial intelligence is a warning. Josh Tyrangiel went looking for the other side of the story. Michael talks with the author of "AI for Good: How Real People Are Using Artificial...
Episode #565
CNN Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash joins Michael to discuss her new book, "The Elections That Changed the World: Fifteen Pivotal Moments That Shaped How We Live" co-written with David Fisher. Listen and learn...
Episode #564
Hear Tim Harford discuss his book "The Data Detective" in episode #433. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Episode #563
Michael talks with University of Chicago economist Eric Zwick, co-author of "The Everywhere Millionaire: Who Is Really Rich in America and How They Got There", about the surprising people who hold much of America’s...
Episode #562
Michael Smerconish speaks with Tara Bayne about her memoir, "Evolution of a Heart: From the Darkness of 9/11 to Rebuilding a Life and Finding Joy." Bayne lost her husband, Michael, in the World Trade Center on September...
Episode #561
Michael Smerconish talks with Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei about "Simplify: Do 50% More With 50% Less", his new book co-authored with Mike Allen and Roy Schwartz. They explore how to cut unnecessary meetings, decisions...
Episode #560
Michael Smerconish sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist James B. Steele to revisit "America: What Went Wrong?", the landmark 1991 bestseller he co-authored with the late Donald Barlett. More...
Episode #559
Michael talks with CNN’s Jake Tapper about The Hellfire Club, Tapper’s bestselling debut novel set in the political intrigue of 1950s Washington. Tapper discusses the real history woven into the thriller, its echoes of...
Episode #558
Michael sits down with Boston University religion professor Stephen Prothero to discuss his book "Why Liberals Win the Culture Wars (Even When They Lose Elections)". In this 2016 conversation, Prothero traces America’s...
Episode #557
From the archives, in 2014 Michael spoke with Congressman Paul Ryan to discuss "The Way Forward: Renewing The American Idea." Hear Ryan’s reflections on conservatism, poverty, entitlement reform, and the future of the...
Episode #556
Michael sits down with Frederick J. Ryan Jr., former chief of staff to Ronald Reagan and chair of the Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, to ask whether America can find common ground again. From Reagan and...
Episode #555
Pulitzer Prize finalist Annie Jacobsen joins Michael to discuss her chilling new book, "Biological War: A Scenario." Drawing on interviews with top military, intelligence, and public health experts, Jacobsen explores...
Episode #554
Michael Smerconish talks with New York Times White House correspondents Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan about their book "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump." Drawing on more than 1,000...
Episode #553
Michael Smerconish speaks with Princeton historian Dr. Julian Zelizer about "Burning Down the House: Newt Gingrich, the Fall of a Speaker, and the Rise of the New Republican Party." Zelizer explores how Gingrich used...
Recent guests on Book Club with Michael Smerconish. Study who booked and why before you pitch.
bestselling author, educator, creator of “@SharonSaysSo”, Utah Valley University
social scientist, Harvard
Malcolm Stevenson Forbes, Class of 1941 Professor of History and Public Affairs, Princeton University
ABC News legal analyst, co-host of Advisory Opinions podcast, editor of SCOTUSblog, author of The Last Branch Standing, ABC
Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:
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