David M. Smick, Sr. is a multifaceted individual who has traversed various careers, from global macroeconomic strategist to magazine publisher, best-selling author, and documentary filmmaker.
He founded Johnson Smick International, a global strategic advisory firm in Washington, D.C., in partnership with former Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Manuel H. Johnson. The firm has provided strategic advice to numerous successful investors worldwide.
Smick has penned op-ed pieces for prominent publications such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and USA Today. He has also appeared as a commentator on various news outlets, including CNN, CNBC, The Charlie Rose Show, Bloomberg News, Fox Business, and Morning Joe.
In 2020, Smick wrote and directed the documentary "Stars and Strife," which predicted a tidal wave of political, social, and economic division in America and globally. The film, executive produced by Academy Award-winning director Barry Levinson, premiered on Starz and received widespread acclaim.
Smick's subsequent documentary, "America's Burning," had its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival and was shown nationwide by Regal Cinemas. The film, executive produced by Academy Award-winners Michael Douglas and Barry Levinson, and narrated by Michael Douglas, delves into the economic reasons behind America's division, including the weakening of the middle class and decline of the American Dream.
The film received high praise from critics, with David Ignatius of the Washington Post calling it "incredibly powerful" and Whoopi Goldberg on The View labeling it "imperative."
Smick's additional documentary credits include executive-producing "Bucks County, USA," directed by Levinson, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
Smick's literary endeavors include the award-winning bestseller "The World Is Curved," published in 32 languages and described by David Brooks of the New York Times as "astonishingly prescient." The book discusses the financial perils of globalization and has been praised by notable figures, including Bill Clinton, who called it "one of the three best books on the financial crisis."
