Rephonic
Artwork for Book Club

Book Club with Michael Smerconish

SiriusXM
Donald Trump
Social Media
Ronald Reagan
Covid-19
John F. Kennedy
Vietnam War
Mental Health
2016 Presidential Election
United States
FBI
Barack Obama
Hillary Clinton
CIA
Russia
Free Speech
Joe Biden
Nelson Demille
Artificial Intelligence
Democratic Party
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 weeklyEpisodes574Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsDaily NewsNews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Book Club

Latest Episodes

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 Age of Anxiety," who challenges ... more

Was Havana Syndrome the result of a secret weapon, mass hysteria, or a government cover-up? Michael talks with 60 Minutes investigative producers Michael Rey and Oriana Zill about their new book, "The Havana Syndrome: Secret Weapons, a Government Cov... more

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 term. Lewis examines DOGE, Elon Mu... more

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 with guns, the meaning of the Seco... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Smerconish on CNN
Smerconish on CNNCNN Podcasts
The Daily
The DailyThe New York Times
Pivot
PivotNew York Magazine
The Chuck ToddCast
The Chuck ToddCastiHeartPodcasts

Recent Guests

Peter Gray
Research Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Boston College
Boston College
Episode: Dr. Peter Gray: "Restoring Childhood"
Oriana Zill
Investigative producer, 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
Episode: Michael Rey & Oriana Zill: "The Havana Syndrome"
Michael Rey
Co-author, Investigator
60 Minutes
Episode: Michael Rey & Oriana Zill: "The Havana Syndrome"
Gabriel Zucman
Professor of economics at UC Berkeley and Paris School of Economics; author of We Need to Tax Billionaires
UC Berkeley; Paris School of Economics
Episode: Gabriel Zucman: "We Need To Tax Billionaires"
Eric Zwick
Co-author of The Everywhere Millionaire, Professor of Economics and Finance
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Episode: Eric Zwick: "The Everywhere Millionaire"
Owen Zidar
Co-author of The Everywhere Millionaire
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Episode: Eric Zwick: "The Everywhere Millionaire"
Tara Bane
Author of Evolution of a Heart
Author, Evolution of a Heart
Episode: Tara Bane: "Evolution Of A Heart"
Jim VandeHei
Co-founder of Axios, author of Simplify
Axios
Episode: Jim VandeHei: "Simplify"
James Steele
Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, co-author of America, What Went Wrong
Philadelphia Inquirer
Episode: James B. Steele Revisits "America: What Went Wrong" 35 Years Later

Host

Michael Smerconish
Host of Book Club with Michael Smerconish

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 111 ratings
  • Tad Devine: "How The Democrats Screwed

    I just listened to how Democrats screwed Bernie. One thing you left out maybe it’s in the book 90% of young people supported Bernie. The Democratic Party screwed themselves out of their own future.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    each eve hff gf C de
    United States3 months ago
  • 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
    Canada9 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.

Some listeners criticize inconsistent audio quality and brevity of interviews.
Fans value long-form, in-depth discussions over quick takes and feel the show offers unique perspectives on politics and culture.
New listeners appreciate the variety of authors and topics, noting it as a strong entry point for book discussions with public affairs context.
Listeners praise the show's thoughtful, book-centered conversations and civility-focused approach.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#96
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#236
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#163
Saudi Arabia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#196
Norway/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#198
Saudi Arabia/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Stephen Prothero: "Why Liberals Win the Culture Wars (Even When They Lose Elections)"
Q: What explains why liberals win culture-war battles even as conservatives win some elections tied to those issues?
The core idea is that culture-war narratives shape identity and emotion; conservatives may win votes on specific issues, but liberals win the cultural narrative, which over time shifts public opinion and policy as the story of what America should be evolves.
Stephen Prothero: "Why Liberals Win the Culture Wars (Even When They Lose Elections)"
Q: Conservatives typically start the battles and liberals almost always win them. Explain.
Prothero explains that conservatives often initiate culture-war battles, but liberals tend to win the public debate, largely because the narrative around change and adaptation feels more appealing to broader audiences, and because liberals are better at storytelling about a more inclusive future.
Jake Tapper: "The Hellfire Club"
Q: How do you handle factual accuracy when weaving real figures into a work of fiction?
I stick to the broad truth and documented details, but I also take liberties where needed to drive the narrative and character development, making clear that some elements are fictionalized for storytelling, while others reflect verifiable history.
Jake Tapper: "The Hellfire Club"
Q: What inspired you to set the story in the 1950s, and how did you decide on the timeframe?
I experimented with different periods, finally landing on 1954 because it offered a balance of naiveté and looming menace, which fit the novel's tension and allowed historical events to shape the plot without being tethered to contemporary politics.
Paul Ryan: "The Way Forward"
Q: How did Jack Kemp influence your approach to public service and policy?
Kemp's mentorship inspired Ryan to pursue conservatism that emphasizes opportunity and inclusion, and to actively bring conservative ideas to all corners of the country, not just traditional strongholds.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Book Club

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

A long-form interview show that centers on author books, politics, civility, and current affairs, often featuring prominent journalists, policymakers, academics, and business leaders. Episodes mix deep-dive conversations about books with broader discussions on democracy, media, technology, and public life, offering historical context and practical takeaways. Notable strengths include a careful, substance-first approach to book discussions, a willingness to tackle controversial topics, and guests that span politics, journalism, and academia. A distinctive angle is balancing memoir-style storytelling with policy analysis, often anchored by a clear emphasis on civility, civic engagement, and the role of media in public discourse.

Where can I find podcast stats for Book Club?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Book Club. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Book Club and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Book Club get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Book Club, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Book Club?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Book Club, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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 Daily
4. Pivot
5. The Chuck ToddCast

How many episodes of Book Club are there?

Book Club launched 5 years ago and published 574 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Book Club from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Book Club?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Book Club. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Book Club?

Recent guests on Book Club include:

1. Peter Gray
2. Oriana Zill
3. Michael Rey
4. Gabriel Zucman
5. Eric Zwick
6. Owen Zidar
7. Tara Bane
8. Jim VandeHei

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days