T.J. Smith

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. Maryland’s redistricting fight took center stage as the hosts unpacked a judge’s ruling blocking a referendum question from moving forward, at least for now. Delegate Jason Buckle joined the conversation to explain the legal deadlines, the role of the Maryland Supreme Court, and why the ballots may still be printed even if the question’s final fate remains unse...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. The episode opens with a discussion of the chaotic youth gathering at the Rotunda on the first day of school and the larger question of how communities, schools, parents, and businesses should respond. The conversation looks back at a time when kids moved through malls and neighborhoods without the same level of disruption, then asks why similar behavior now se...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. This episode moves from traffic enforcement to public safety to education policy, offering a close look at Montgomery County’s new speed-on-green camera program. The discussion explores whether cameras change driver behavior, whether they are a money grab, and how they may be used more effectively in high-risk areas and work zones. The conversation also examine...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. Baltimore and Maryland are seeing a major decline in violent crime, with the state’s violent crime rate down 18% and the city on pace for fewer murders than in previous years. In this episode, the discussion explores whether the drop is tied to policing, community action, demographic shifts, fewer street conflicts, or broader national trends that are also showi...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. This episode opens with a detailed discussion about the ICE detention of a University of Maryland pharmacy professor and the broader debate over immigration enforcement, bond decisions, and whether limited detention space should be reserved for higher-risk cases. The conversation explores public polling, concerns about aggressive deportation tactics, and the po...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. This episode blends local Baltimore issues with broader policy questions about education, housing, and consumer finance. From long-vacant properties and neighborhood redevelopment to the structure of the school year and the risks of deferred payments, the conversation asks how leaders can create real opportunity without leaving vulnerable communities behind. Th...

TJ Smith opens the episode with a firsthand account of navigating the barricades and ID checks in Fells Point, raising questions about how much security is too much in a public area. Callers and texters join the conversation with mixed reactions, including support for common-sense discretion and concern that the policy could hurt foot traffic and local businesses. Brittany Stephens from iMentor an...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith, as he revisits his interview that he had with Gubernatorial Candidate Dan Cox yesterday. TJ provides additional reaction and discusses if Cox improves his chances to become the new Governor of Maryland. Plus, how much use is too much use for Chromebooks in schools? TJ reacts to the breaking news of Luigi Mangione pleading guilty to federal stalking charges in c...

Dan Cox lays out his campaign message as a pro-Hogan, pro-economy approach centered on affordability, tax relief, and public safety

Marylanders are feeling the strain of inflation, rising utility costs, and a growing sense of uncertainty about the future. In this episode, TJ Smith breaks down new polling that shows many residents are worried about their own finances, household bills, and the state economy, while also weighing what lawmakers can realistically do to help. The conversation moves through electricity rates, budget...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith as he discusses the use of Flock cameras and citizens' fears about privacy. Dayvon Love, Director of Public Policy for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle (LBS), a grassroots think tank that advances the public policy interests of Black people, joins the show to discuss juvenile crime with TJ. Also, TJ speaks about the updated vaccine recommendations signed by Presi...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. In this episode, Baltimore’s quality-of-life crimes take center stage in this episode, as the conversation moves from graffiti and littering to loitering, public drinking, illegal dumping, and reckless dirt bikes. The discussion focuses on how low-level offenses can shape how residents and visitors experience neighborhoods, especially when abandoned buildings,...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. The episode opens with a deep dive into the latest controversy surrounding the Preakness Stakes and Maryland racing. The discussion focuses on the reported exclusion of the Preakness from a championship series, why the Maryland Jockey Club and the Moore administration say they were blindsided, and what that could mean for Pimlico, Park Heights, and the future o...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. The conversation begins with the future of the Preakness Stakes and the decision to move the race back one week. The discussion explores whether the change could help Baltimore turn the Preakness into a bigger festival weekend, bring back more community excitement, and strengthen the race's place in the Triple Crown and the broader horse racing business. The ep...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. In this episode, Mark Anthony Thomas of the Greater Baltimore Committee joins the show to discuss the major developments shaping Baltimore and Maryland. The conversation starts with the Preakness Stakes and the newly announced six-race racing series, with a focus on what it means for Baltimore, the state’s ownership of the Preakness intellectual property, and t...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. Baltimore’s Fells Point is once again at the center of a debate over public safety, access, and business survival. The episode explores the city’s checkpoint strategy, the use of barricades and ID checks, and the concerns from shop and restaurant owners who say the blockades can discourage customers from coming down to the district. At the same time, some visit...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. Maryland’s special session centers on a high-stakes redistricting fight that could reshape the state’s congressional map. The discussion focuses on why Democratic leaders are pushing a constitutional amendment, how the Trump administration’s moves in Texas helped trigger a broader national redistricting battle, and why leaders in Annapolis argue Maryland must r...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. Artificial intelligence took center stage in this episode as the conversation explored both its rapid growth and the unease many people feel about where it is headed. The discussion focused on how AI is already affecting schools, jobs, creativity, and everyday tools, while also raising concerns about safety, misuse, and the need for clear boundaries. The episod...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. This episode opens with a spirited debate over Baltimore’s dirt bike issue, where the conversation centers on public safety, enforcement, and the role of lawmakers. TJ Smith argues that the problem cannot be solved by police alone and that the real conversation belongs with state legislators and city leaders who can create clear rules, accountability, and possi...

The TJ Smith Podcast brings listeners live to Baltimore Ravens training camp in Owings Mills, where a new head coach, a new offensive staff, and a new game-day atmosphere set the tone for the 2026 season. TJ Smith and guests break down the shift from the John Harbaugh era to Jesse Minter’s leadership, along with the impact of earlier morning practices, a revised offense, and the continued pressure...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. In this episode, TJ Smith opens with a conversation about bike lanes in Baltimore and the tension between traffic calming, commuter concerns, and neighborhood impact. The discussion focuses on North Dukeland Street near Gwynns Falls Parkway, where residents raised questions about parking, traffic flow, evacuation routes, and whether the community had a meaningf...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. In this episode, TJ digs into a frustrating pattern of vandalism, youth disorder, and the strain it places on Baltimore’s public assets. From Lime scooters being pulled out of the Inner Harbor to repeated pool vandalism at Patterson Park and Walter P. Carter, the conversation centers on how quickly shared resources become damaged and costly to repair. The discu...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. This episode opens with a deeply emotional discussion of the Baltimore County case involving the deaths of a 15-year-old girl and her 9-year-old brother. The conversation explores the shock of the announcement, the psychological toll on first responders, and the public speculation that followed before charging documents revealed more details about the suspect a...

Join the conversation with TJ Smith as he discusses the current situation with the administration requesting more funding for the Iran Conflict. Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley joined the program to discuss the dirt bike issues facing Baltimore. Also, TJ talks about the recent incident at the Morgan Wallen concert here in Baltimore.

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. This episode opens with a deep dive into what is happening in Fells Point, where city leaders, police, and business owners are trying to keep entertainment districts safe after dark. The conversation focuses on curfews, youth activity, checkpoints, and the larger question of whether security deployments are solving the problem or simply moving it elsewhere. The...