Focus with Paul W. Smith
News & Politics
About
National Radio Hall of Fame Inductee Paul W. Smith takes middays live and local for a show that goes in-depth with the newsmakers who are shaping the future of Southeast Michigan. Tune in as Paul connects with politicians, business and community leaders, entrepreneurs, and entertainers for longform conversations about why the efforts behind the headlines really matter. Accessible, informative, balanced, and bold, with diverse voices and thought-provoking questions that bring it all into Focus.
Episodes
- Focus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 8, 2026 ~ Full Show
Paul W. Smith broadcasts live from the Detroit Golf Club on May 8, 2026. This episode is the full show.
- Riger Reviews It ~ Mortal Kombat 2 and Star Wars Maul The Shadow Lord
Kyle Emmi reviews the films Mortal Kombat 2 and Star Wars Maul The Shadow Lord. This discussion was featured on the podcast Focus with Paul W. Smith.
- Doug Buser, VP Sports and Entertainment at Rocket
Doug Buser, VP Sports and Entertainment at Rocket, is featured in this episode of Focus with Paul W. Smith, joining host Paul W. Smith.
- Pistons Head to Cleveland Up 2-0
Anthony Bellino, co-host of SportsWrap, talks about the Pistons being up 2-0 as they head to Cleveland. This discussion is featured on Focus with Paul W. Smith.
- James and Johnson Signatures Called into Question
Kaitlyn Buss, Deputy Editorial Page Editor for the Detroit News, discusses the petition signatures of John James and Perry Johnson. The signatures have been called into question.
- Rocket Classic Announces First Wave of Golfers
Mark Hollis, Tournament Director for the 2026 Rocket Classic, announces the initial group of golfers. He discusses this first wave of participants for the tournament.
- Spirit Collapse Could be Financial Hit for Metro
Marie Osborne, WJR's Director of Community Affairs and News, discusses Spirit Airlines and Metro Airports.
- Senate quietly bans lawmakers from betting on prediction markets
Eben Brown, Fox News Correspondent and WJR Contributor, discusses the Senate's decision to ban its members from betting on prediction markets.
- Autonomy Event and Congressional Testimony
Michael Robbins, CEO of Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, previews the XPONENTIAL event and his congressional testimony. This discussion is featured on the podcast "Focus with Paul W. Smith" and took place on May 8, 2…
- Court Rules Against Tariffs, Refunds Set to go Out Next Week
Patrick Anderson, Founder & CEO of Anderson Economic Group, discusses further court rulings against Trump tariffs. Refunds are anticipated to be distributed next week.
- Focus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 7, 2026 ~ Full Show
This episode of Focus with Paul W. Smith, recorded on May 7, 2026, was broadcast live from Mattaei Botanical Gardens. The show was presented by Destination Ann Arbor.
- Chad Wiebesick, Director of Media Relations at Destination Ann Arbor
Chad Wiebesick, Director of Media Relations at Destination Ann Arbor, joined Paul W. Smith to discuss National Travel and Tourism Week.
- Latest in Iran
Doron Levin, a freelance journalist born in Israel, joins Paul W. Smith to discuss the latest news and developments concerning Iran.
- Katie Scott, Washtenaw County Commissioner District 9
Katie Scott, Washtenaw County Commissioner District 9, joins Paul W. Smith to discuss Washtenaw County's 200th Anniversary.
- Marco Rubio Meets with Pope Leo
On May 7, 2026, WJR's Director of Community Affairs and News, Marie Osborne, provided a recap of Senator Marco Rubio's meeting with Pope Leo.
- Alleged Epstein Suicide Note Released
Bill Ballenger, Editor of The Ballenger Report, discusses the alleged Epstein suicide note. The note was released on May 7, 2026.
- Dave Cicotte, Marketing and Events at Michigan Brewers Guild
Dave Cicotte, who handles Marketing and Events for the Michigan Brewers Guild, joined Paul W. Smith on Focus to discuss the details of this summer's beer festival.
- Executive Chef Joe VanWagner
Executive Chef Joe VanWagner joined Paul W. Smith on Focus to discuss the dining scene in Ann Arbor. The conversation took place on May 7, 2026.
- Latest on the Hantavirus Outbreak on a Cruise Ship
Jonathan Savage, a Fox News Correspondent and WJR Contributor, provides an update on the Hantavirus outbreak affecting a cruise ship. The discussion took place on May 7, 2026.
- Anthony Kolenic, Director of the U-M’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum
On May 7, 2026, Anthony Kolenic, Director of the U-M’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, was a guest on the show Focus with Paul W. Smith.
- Focus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 6, 2026 ~ Full Show
This episode of Focus with Paul W. Smith was broadcast live on May 6, 2026, from the Midland Center For the Arts.
- Kayla Pionk, Director, PR + Leisure Tourism - Go Great Lakes Bay
Kayla Pionk, Director of PR and Leisure Tourism for Go Great Lakes Bay, joined host Paul W. Smith on the May 6, 2026, episode of Focus.
- Detroit to get a PWHL Team
Marie Osborne, WJR’s Director of Community Affairs and News, discusses Detroit being awarded a professional women's hockey team. The PWHL will be based in Detroit.
- Nicki Bailey, Assistant Director of Hotel Operations- The Mill at Zehnder’s Park - Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth
Nicki Bailey, the Assistant Director of Hotel Operations at The Mill at Zehnder’s Park at Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, appears on Focus with Paul W. Smith.
- William Pavlov, Manager, Bay City Boat Lines
On May 6, 2026, William Pavlov, Manager of Bay City Boat Lines, appeared on the Focus with Paul W. Smith program.
- Is Operation Epic Fury Over?
Ret. Lt. Colonel Rocky Raczkowski joins Focus with Paul W. Smith to discuss the latest developments regarding Iran.
- Sarah Shuler, Conservation, Education Manager, Saginaw Children’s Zoo
Sarah Shuler, Conservation and Education Manager at Saginaw Children's Zoo, was a guest on Focus with Paul W. Smith on May 6, 2026. She joined the show to discuss her role and conservation efforts.
- Elizabeth Lumbert, Executive Director, Dow Gardens
Elizabeth Lumbert, Executive Director of Dow Gardens, was interviewed by Paul W. Smith on the show Focus on May 6, 2026.
- Trump Backed Candidates Do Well, New State Senator Elected
Oakland University Political Science Professor Nicole Mathew joins Paul W. Smith to analyze the primary election results from May 6, 2026. The discussion covers the success of Trump-backed candidates and the election of a new state senator.
- Joshua Holliday, Vice President, Marketing, Communications + Sales, Midland Center for the Arts
Joshua Holliday, Vice President of Marketing, Communications + Sales at Midland Center for the Arts, was a guest on the podcast Focus with Paul W. Smith on May 6, 2026.
- Focus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 5, 2026 ~ Full Show
This episode of Focus with Paul W. Smith was broadcast live on May 5, 2026, from the Heritage Museum of Newaygo County.
- Kelly Wawsczyk, Area Manager Newaygo County
Kelly Wawsczyk, Area Manager for Newaygo County, was a guest on the Focus program with host Paul W. Smith. The episode aired on May 5, 2026.
- Ceasefire is on Thin Ice
Former Congressman and Army Veteran Peter Meijer joins Focus with Paul W. Smith to discuss the latest developments regarding Iran.
- Mark Kraus, Economic Development Director, Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership
Mark Kraus, Economic Development Director for the Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership, was a guest on Focus with Paul W. Smith on May 5, 2026. He discussed economic development in Newaygo County.
- Chuck Marshall, President, ITC Michigan
On May 5, 2026, Paul W. Smith interviewed Chuck Marshall, President of ITC Michigan. The discussion focused on energy infrastructure.
- Suspect Injured in Shooting Near White House
On May 5, 2026, Marie Osborne of WJR's Director of Community Affairs and News provided an update on a shooting incident that took place near the White House on May 4, 2026.
- Nolan Finley on The Decline of Debates and McMorrow Backtracking on Deleted Posts
Nolan Finley, Editorial Page Editor for The Detroit News, joins Paul W. Smith to discuss the decline of political debates and comments made by Mallory McMorrow regarding deleted social media posts. Finley is also the co-author of "The Civi…
- Jenna Smalligan, Director of Community Investment, Fremont Area Community Foundation
On May 5, 2026, Jenna Smalligan, Director of Community Investment at the Fremont Area Community Foundation, was interviewed by Paul W. Smith.
- Stand Up for Men's Health
Dr. Craig Rogers, Chair of Urology at Henry Ford Health, and prostate cancer survivor Stan Finsilver discuss the
- Steve Radtke, Executive Director, The Heritage Museum of Newaygo County
Paul W. Smith hosts Steve Radtke, Executive Director of The Heritage Museum of Newaygo County, on the program Focus. They discuss the museum.
- Focus with Paul W. Smith ~ May 4, 2026 ~ Full Show
This episode of Focus with Paul W. Smith features a live broadcast from the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, recorded on May 4, 2026.
- Elizabeth Schweitzer, Master Sommelier Mackinac Grand Hotel
Elizabeth Schweitzer, Master Sommelier at Mackinac Grand Hotel, joined Focus with Paul W. Smith to discuss the Cork & Fork annual event, this year's theme, and new wine offerings for the season.
- Spirit Airlines Goes Out of Business
David Shepardson from Reuters discusses the collapse of Spirit Airlines on Focus with Paul W. Smith.
- Bob Tagatz, Resident Historian Mackinac Grand Hotel
Bob Tagatz, Resident Historian at the Mackinac Grand Hotel, shares details about a new lecture on the history of the American Resort, the 'Moments in Time' movie memorabilia exhibit, and updated garden terrace displays.
- Grant DeMoss, Director of Golf, Mackinac Grand Hotel
Grant DeMoss, Director of Golf at Mackinac Grand Hotel, joins the show to talk about 125 years of golf history and the new Grand American Evenings.
- Pistons Battle Back, Jamie Launches Her Podcast
Jamie Edmonds joins the show to discuss the Detroit Pistons' comeback and the launch of her new podcast, 'Jamie's Journey: Angels Along The Way,' available on TheGreatVoice.com.
- James Guarnaccia, VP Retail Mackinac Grand Hotel
James Guarnaccia, VP of Retail for Mackinac Grand Hotel, shares insights into current retail trends and updates.
- US to Help Ships in Hormuz, Rudy Giuliani in Hospital
Jared Halpern, Fox News Correspondent and WJR Contributor, discusses the latest developments in Iran and Rudy Giuliani. The episode references US assistance to ships in the Hormuz Strait.
- Jeff Hess, VP Operations, Mackinac Grand Hotel
Paul W. Smith speaks with Jeff Hess, VP Operations at Mackinac Grand Hotel, about the hotel's new partnerships planned for 2026.
- Chris Shepler, President Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry
Chris Shepler, President of Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry, shares his outlook for the company in 2026.