Episodes

  • Sophie Gilbert: "Girl on Girl"

    Sophie Gilbert: "Girl on Girl"
    Jun 27 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.
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    25 mins
  • Seymour Hersh: "Reporter"

    Seymour Hersh: "Reporter"
    Jun 25 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.
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    22 mins
  • David Soucie: "Why Planes Crash"

    David Soucie: "Why Planes Crash"
    Jun 18 2025
    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.
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    21 mins
  • Marcus Luttrell: "Lone Survivor"

    Marcus Luttrell: "Lone Survivor"
    Jun 16 2025

    Follow along a Navy SEAL's firsthand account of American heroism during a secret military operation in Afghanistan in this true story of survival and difficult choices.
    On a clear night in late June 2005, four U.S. Navy SEALs left their base in northern Afghanistan for the mountainous Pakistani border. Their mission was to capture or kill a notorious al Qaeda leader known to be ensconced in a Taliban stronghold surrounded by a small but heavily armed force. Less then twenty-four hours later, only one of those Navy SEALs remained alive.
    This is the story of fire team leader Marcus Luttrell, the sole survivor of Operation Redwing, and the desperate battle in the mountains that led, ultimately, to the largest loss of life in Navy SEAL history.

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    1 hr
  • Walter Isaacson: "Einstein"

    Walter Isaacson: "Einstein"
    Jun 9 2025
    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.
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    13 mins
  • Dawn Staley: "Uncommon Favor"

    Dawn Staley: "Uncommon Favor"
    Jun 6 2025
    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.
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    16 mins
  • Jocelyne & Monique Lamoureux: "Dare To Make History"

    Jocelyne & Monique Lamoureux: "Dare To Make History"
    Jun 4 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.
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    18 mins
  • Bill Clinton & James Patterson: "The First Gentleman"

    Bill Clinton & James Patterson: "The First Gentleman"
    Jun 2 2025
    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.
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    17 mins