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Book Club with Michael Smerconish

SiriusXM
Donald Trump
Social Media
Ronald Reagan
Mental Health
Covid-19
John F. Kennedy
Vietnam War
Hillary Clinton
2016 Presidential Election
United States
FBI
Barack Obama
CIA
Russia
Free Speech
Cold War
Nelson Demille
Joe Biden
Siriusxm
Communication

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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes546Founded5 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Michael sits down with former Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO Lloyd Blankfein to discuss his new memoir, "Streetwise: Getting To and Through Goldman Sachs." Blankfein reflects on his journey from Brooklyn public housing to Harvard and the top of Wall ... more

Listen to Michael's conversation with Richard Louv about "Last Child In The Woods" here.

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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 inspiri... more

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... more

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Recent Guests

Sharon McMahon
Author and government educator known for The Small and the Mighty and We Are Mighty
Author, Illustrator Susanna Chapman (illustrator)
Episode: Sharon McMahon: "We Are Mighty"
Andrew Guthrie Ferguson
Professor of Law at George Washington University Law School, author of Your Data Will Be Used Against You, Policing in the Age of Self-Surveillance
George Washington University Law School
Episode: Andrew Guthrie Ferguson: "Your Data Will Be Used Against You"
Russell Muirhead
Robert Clements Professor of Democracy and Politics at Dartmouth College; co-author of A Lot of People Are Saying
Dartmouth College
Episode: Russell Muirhead: "A Lot of People Are Saying"
Nassir Ghaemi
Professor of Psychiatry and author of Soul on Fire
Boston University/Emory University (as applicable from context)
Episode: Dr. Nassir Ghaemi on The Psychology of Great Leaders: The Creative Power of Mental Illness
Susan Page
Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today; author of The Queen and Her Presidents
USA Today
Episode: Susan Page: "The Queen and Her Presidents"
Robert Putnam
Harvard political scientist and author of Bowling Alone
Harvard University
Episode: Robert Putnam Revisits "Bowling Alone" with The Mingle Project
Sarah Isgur
Author, editor at SCOTUSblog, host of Advisory Opinions Podcast
SCOTUSblog
Episode: Sarah Isgur: "Last Branch Standing"
Jonathan Zimmerman
Professor of Education and History at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: Jonathan Zimmerman: "Free Speech - And Why You Should Give A Damn"
Lanny Davis
Author of Finding the Third Way, longtime political figure
Former White House Counsel to Bill Clinton
Episode: Lanny Davis: "Finding The Third Way"

Host

Michael Smerconish
Host of Book Club with Michael Smerconish

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 110 ratings
  • Audio quality

    I like this podcast when I can hear it. Unfortunately, most of the episodes I’ve listened to have had terrible audio quality on the quests. They should have been able to figure out smooth audio by now.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    printedvintage
    Canada4 months ago
  • Interview with a vanLier

    When you choose to interview Tapper it’s the same as playing with pigs. You get muddy and realize you’re playing with a pig.

    Sorry you put yourself in the role of joining Tapper and his lies. Was he lying when he said Biden just had a stutter and was sharp or is he lying now that he wishes he had covered the story?

    Many good books out there with authors who have knowledge, integrity, and have done hard work. This book is the product of none of that.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    moving on-missu
    United Statesa year ago
  • New To Bookclub

    I listen to Michael on SiriusXM, but only recently found the book club podcast. It is great! I put it on while I’m doing things around the house and just let it play one episode to the next. The variety I’m authors and topics is amazing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jkguhcdf
    United States3 years ago
  • Too rushed

    Interviews are way too short. When he does actually have an interesting guest it’s over in no time.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Project Pratt
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audio quality is praised when clear, but several episodes suffer from inconsistent sound.
New listeners enjoy the variety of authors and topics across episodes.
Some feedback notes short interview lengths and desire for deeper dives.
Interviews with strong guests are appreciated, though some listeners feel pacing could be tighter.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#185
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#74
Indonesia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#173
Indonesia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#198
Philippines/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#233
Russia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#243
Saudi Arabia/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Andrew Guthrie Ferguson: "Your Data Will Be Used Against You"
Q: Tell me about some of the privacy considerations involved in the Troy, New York case and communities like it?
The guest explains that ALPRs collect vehicle data and sometimes personal identifiers, and stress the importance of balancing law enforcement needs with democratic oversight, noting the potential for mass surveillance and the necessity of public dialogue and governance to set boundaries.
Sharon McMahon: "We Are Mighty"
Q: What message do you want readers to take away from these illustrated histories?
That who you are and what you do matters, and anyone—at any age—can decide to take the next needed step and influence the future with durable hope rather than easy optimism.
Sharon McMahon: "We Are Mighty"
Q: What was the process for choosing the unsung Americans to feature in the books?
The approach was to balance time periods and types of contributions, ensuring a variety of stories—from foundational figures to civil rights era participants—so teachers and parents can point to a broad spectrum of American achievement.
Sharon McMahon: "We Are Mighty"
Q: Let's talk about Septima Clark and why her work matters today.
Clark's work as a teacher and organizer who stood firm against discriminatory hiring practices helped lay the groundwork for civil rights advocacy; her approach showed that education and civic engagement can empower people to push for systemic change, even under pressure.
Admiral James Stavridis: "2084"
Q: Why did you choose to co-write with Elliot Ackerman, and did the collaboration influence the book's structure or messages?
The authors describe a back-and-forth writing process that focuses on evolving ideas rather than strict pre-planned structure, drawing on their combined military experience and storytelling approach to produce a trilogy that can be read standalone.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Book Club

What is Book Club about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The program features in-depth conversations with authors, journalists, and thought leaders who explore politics, civics, history, leadership, and public policy through books and current events. Guests range from notable historians and legal scholars to politicians and business leaders, with regular attention to democracy, free speech, and civic engagement. The host leans into accessible analyses of complex topics, often connecting historical context to contemporary issues, while inviting personal anecdotes and practical takeaways for listeners. A notable pattern is thoughtful, book-centered discourse that pairs rigorous ideas with engaging storytelling, occasionally supplemented by sponsor messages during longer interviews.

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How many listeners does Book Club get?

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How many subscribers and views does Book Club have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Book Club has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Book Club?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Book Club:

1. The Smerconish Podcast
2. Smerconish on CNN
3. The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
4. On with Kara Swisher
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of Book Club are there?

Book Club launched 5 years ago and published 546 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Book Club?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Book Club?

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What guests have appeared on Book Club?

Recent guests on Book Club include:

1. Sharon McMahon
2. Andrew Guthrie Ferguson
3. Russell Muirhead
4. Nassir Ghaemi
5. Susan Page
6. Robert Putnam
7. Sarah Isgur
8. Jonathan Zimmerman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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