The Smerconish Podcast

Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada David L. Cohen joins Michael to unpack the escalating U.S.-Canada trade fight, President Trump’s tariffs, and whether Canada has really been taking advantage of the United States. Cohen explains who actually pays the price for tariffs, why he believes America has “wronged” its closest neighbor, and whether the historic alliance can recover. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.

Football season is back—but would you let your kid take the field? Michael weighs the alarming new CTE data, the dangers of youth tackle football, and the social pressure parents face when everyone else is playing. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.

Meta has agreed to an historic nearly $18 billion settlement over claims that Facebook and Instagram harm kids—but Michael says the story is bigger than teenagers. With new limits on screen time, overnight access and notifications, could adults live by the same rules? Michael examines America’s growing dependence on phones, the decline of face-to-face interaction, and takes calls from listeners about whether social media has taken too much from our lives. Original air date 27 August 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Are the US and Canada still allies? For generations, the U.S.-Canada relationship was one Americans rarely had reason to question. Now tariffs, collapsed trade negotiations, Donald Trump’s “51st state” rhetoric, and growing Canadian resistance are putting that assumption under strain. Michael examines both sides: NATO, NORAD and Five Eyes cooperation remain intact, while Canada is reconsidering defense purchases, Canadians are cutting U.S. travel, and Prime Minister Mark Carney is drawing firm lines around trade and sovereignty. Today’s poll asks whether the alliance remains as strong in practice as it does on paper - Michael will, later today, ask former US Ambassador to Canada David L. Cohen that question as well. Hear that live on SiriusXM, and on this podcast! Please rate, review and share this episode now! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.

Michael remembers Dolly Parton and asks what made her such a rare, universally beloved American figure - she did what politics can't: Unite us. Bob Crawford of The Avett Brothers calls in from the road to discuss Dolly’s authenticity, her place in American culture, and whether anyone today can still bring people together across political and generational divides. Original air date 26 August 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.