Tavis Smiley

Actor Kenric Green, star of the new film “Sarah's Oil”, recounts the story of a young Black girl who became a millionaire after “black gold” was discovered on her Oklahoma land and shares what it's like to be one half of a Hollywood power couple with Sonequa Martin-Green.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Kristin Crowell, executive director of Fair Share America, explains why billionaires, not SNAP recipients, are the ones who need to stop feeding at the government trough - and how her group wants to make them pay.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Lori Wallach, director of the Rethink Trade program at American Economic Liberties Project, gives up the lowdown on President Donald Trump's $2,000 stimulus plan, which will supposedly be paid for by all those tariffs.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

CNN commentator Shermichael Singleton is back with his conservative take on the Epstein file scandal and other top stories of the week.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Ruth E. Carter, two-time Oscar-winning costume designer, joins Tavis in studio for a career conversation, including the story behind Eddie Murphy's red leather suit, and expands on her comments in the new documentary, "Being Eddie".Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Marshall Shepherd, geography professor at the University of Georgia and director of its atmospheric sciences program, lays out the three kinds of bias that shape our worldview, particularly around climate change and weather.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Danielle Moodie, CEO and founder of DAM Media Strategies and host of “The "Danielle Moodie Show” on YouTube, gives her analysis about the Trump administration's fraud crackdown of SNAP and other trending political topics.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Dr. Cornel West, scholar, leading public intellectual, author, and special contributor, shares his thoughts about the integration of schools 65 years ago by Ruby Bridges and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Decoteau J. Irby, University of Illinois Chicago professor and co-editor and co-author of “Doing the Work of Equity Leadership for Justice and Systems Change”, looks at the impact of the DEI pushback on school administrators, teachers, and our children.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

John Nichols, executive editor of The Nation magazine, is back with his insider's view of post-shutdown Washington and what the Democrats will do with their election mandate.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) is back with his new memoir, “The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation”.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

NAACP award-winning historian and Fulbright scholar Karida Brown, Emory University sociology professor, goes inside her two latest texts, “The Battle for the Black Mind” and “The New Brownies' Book: A Love Letter to Black Families”.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, outgoing CEO of Feeding America, is back with her insider's view of the hunger crisis in America - and the latest updates on SNAP funding.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Josh Paul and Tariq Habash, founders of A New Policy, share what it was like to resign from their government jobs in protest of the Biden administration's policy toward Gaza - and where their work and witness will take them next.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Dr. Cornel West, scholar, leading public intellectual, author, and special contributor, opines on the moral cost of the shutdown strategy, the Trump-Epstein emails controversy and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Professor of African American Studies at UCLA and author of "Radical Reparations: Healing The Soul Of A Nation," Marcus Anthony Hunter shares his commentary about how California's colorblind laws fail Black students and other trending political topics.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

C.J. Farley, journalist, author, and a former editor of the Harvard Lampoon, shares his new novel about AI, “Who Knows You By Heart: A Novel”.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Eleven years old Bryce and his mother Adrienne share their hopeful story of Bryce's diagnosis with sickle cell disease as an infant to becoming a healthy pre-teen, thanks to a bone marrow transplant from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Dr. Cornel West, scholar, leading public intellectual, author, and special contributor, gives his post election day analysis, his take about the relevance of progressivism at this moment and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

David Miliband, president of the International Rescue Committee and former British foreign minister, is back with an update about Sudan, Gaza, and the world's humanitarian hot spots.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Vincent Intondi, Cornell University scholar, managing editor of the Nuclear Times, and executive director of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, reflects on the new Netflix film, "A House of Dynamite," in the context of his work on the intersection of race and nuclear weapons.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

India Walton, Buffalo, N.Y. activist and senior strategist at the Roots Action Education Fund, is back with her post-election assessment of how the Mamdani movement could power a progressive surge in 2026 - and beyond.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

USA Today Opinion Columnist and host of The Reconstruction Project on KBLA Talk 1580AM, John Wood Jr. discusses his launch of a citizen commission on immigration to find common ground and other trending political topics.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Former MSNBC host and bestselling author, Chris Matthews, is back to talk about his new book, "Lessons from Bobby: Ten Reasons Why Robert F. Kennedy Still Matters", his son RFK Jr. and the U.S. Senate defectors who have demoralized the Democratic baseBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Rachel Corbett, award-winning features writer at New York magazine, discuss her new book, "The Monsters We Make: Murder, Obsession, and the Rise of Criminal Profiling." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Christian Menefee, Harris County Attorney and run-off candidate for Texas' storied 18th Congressional seat, tells us how he plans to fill the big shoes of those who came before him, including Sylvester Turner, Sheila Jackson Lee, Mickey Leland, and Barbara Jordan. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Attorney, public health professional, and social media influencer, Elizabeth Booker Houston, talks about what's next on health insurance for Americans as the shutdown appears to be ending, and other trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, is back to go inside her new book, “Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy”.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Jesse Jackson Jr and Nii-Quartelai Quartey join Tavis SmileyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Journalist Nell Bernstein follows up on her award-winning book, “Burning Down the House”, with her newest work, “Our Future We Are Free: The Dismantling of the Youth Prison”.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Dr. Cornel West, scholar, leading public intellectual, author, and special contributor, offers insight about AB 715, California's new law that establishes new rules for public schools to prevent and address antisemitism and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Connie Rice, famed civil rights attorney and co-founder of the Urban Peace Institute, gives her analysis about the Trump administration asking for a pause on fully funding SNAP and other trending political topics.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Is SoCal Edison's “Fast Pay” Program Truly Fast and Fair?In Part Two of this conversation, Tavis Smiley, Chief Visionary Officer and flagship host of KBLA Talk 1580, and KBLA host James Farr lead an Altadena Town Hall on Thursday, November 6, 2025, where fire survivors are still left without answers to critical questions about SCE's settlement fund.Tavis and James are joined by fire victims, community leaders, and advocates, including panelists Martin Gordon, Chair of the Pasadena Community Coalition; Jacque Robinson-Bailey, Former Pasadena Vice Mayor; Toni Bailey-Raines, Community Organizer and host of Altadena Talks; and Dr. William Syms, Vice President of Student Services at West LA College.If you or someone you know was affected by the Altadena/Eaton Canyon Fire and still needs answers, make your voice heard — contact Pedro Pizarro, President & CEO of Edison International, at pedro.pizarro@sce.com or call 626.302.2255 (press #1).Your Voice. Your Questions. Your Community.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Is SoCal Edison's “Fast Pay” Program Truly Fast and Fair?In part one in this town hall conversation, KBLA Talk 1580's Chief Visionary Officer and flagship host, Tavis Smiley, along with KBLA host James Farr, lead an important discussion in Altadena on Thursday, November 6, 2025, where fire survivors are still left without answers to critical questions about SCE's settlement fund.Tavis and James are joined by fire victims, community leaders, and advocates, including panelists Dr. Echelle Williams, MFL, Brandon Lamar (President, Pasadena NAACP), and Zaire Calvin, High School Football Coach.If you or someone you know was affected by the Altadena/Eaton Canyon Fire and still needs answers, make your voice heard. Contact Pedro Pizarro, President & CEO of Edison International, at pedro.pizarro@sce.com or call 626.302.2255 (press #1).Your Voice. Your Questions. Your Community.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Altadena resident and consumer advocate Andrew Wessels talks about his report "Fix What You Broke: Survivor's Recommendations for a Fair and Fully Funded Edison Recovery Program" about holding Southern California Edison accountable for the unprecedented destruction of the Altadena community.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Ainissa Ramirez, materials engineer and science communicator, shares her debut children's book, “Spark: Jim West's Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone”, plus, Tavis speaks to Johns Hopkins University Professor Jim West directly.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Raquel Graham, "Shark Tank" winner, CEO of Roq Innovation, and host of "Entrepreneuring with Raquel Graham" on KBLA Talk 1580AM talks about the latest struggles of Black and minority businesses impacted by the shutdown, the venture capital crossroads Black women entreprenuers are now facing and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

President and Senior Lecturer of Repairers of The Breach and Moral Mondays, Bishop William J. Barber II, talks about the redistricting effort in North Carolina, his meeting with U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Maya Wiley, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, reacts to the results of New York's mayoral race and the so-called election monitors dispatched to blue states.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Singer, songwriter, and now actress Aiyana-Lee previews her performance at Deadline's 2025 Sound & Screen Festival this Friday in Los Angeles, in celebration of her breakout role in the new Spike Lee joint “Highest 2 Lowest”.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Obie Award-winning actress Adrianna Mitchell is On the Come Up, now starring opposite Tracy Morgan in the new comedy series “Crutch”, which premiered on Paramount+.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Ashley D. Farmer, UT Austin History and African Studies professor, shares her brand-new book, “Queen Mother: Black Nationalism, Reparations, and the Untold Story of Audley Moore”.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Political analyst Galen Druke is back with his take on today's elections and what it could all mean for the 2026 midterms and the 2028 horse race.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) is back with a final push for California's one and only ballot item this year - Proposition 50, which seeks to balance out Republican-led gerrymandering in states like Texas.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America and author of the book "America, We Need to Talk: a Self Help Book for the Nation", explains why President Donald Trump is allowing food stamp funding to run out.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Cleveland, Ohio Mayor Justin Bibb makes his final re-election push for Tuesday's election as the incumbent frontrunner and explains what it has been like to be a big-city Black mayor in the era of President Donald Trump.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

In light of Election Day, Dr. Cornel West, scholar, leading public intellectual, author, and special contributor, shares his analysis about congressional, gubernatorial and mayoral resistance against Trumpism and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Amanda K. Edwards, a leading candidate for Texas' storied 18th Congressional District, talks about how her campaign fits into the national redistricting fight and government shutdown.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

St. Paul, Minn. Mayor Melvin Carter takes us inside his re-election campaign and the pitfalls of being a Black, progressive, pro-reparations leader in these times.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Mississippi Native and comedian Jay Jurden is On The Come Up and shares his debut comedy special “Yes Ma'am” now on Hulu, his recent appearance on “The Tonight Show”, and his current Nothing Special Tour.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Legendary author Walter Mosley is back with Killer Mike to take us inside his newest novel, “Gray Dawn: An Easy Rawlins Mystery”, and inside the writer's room of the new FX series, “The Lowdown”, where he was a contributing writer.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.