Tavis Smiley

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, com...

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...

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 .

The Chair of the Department of Africana Studies at California State University Long Beach, Dr. Maulana Karenga, talks about the fate of Black History as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa), The African American Cultural Center and his long standing social and cultural justice group, Organization Us. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.s...

Political activist Rashad Robinson is back to talk about the shutdown, election day, and his new newsletter, “How We Win”. 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 insights about the Democrats allegations that Trump and the GOP are "weaponizing hunger" for political gain and more.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Everett B. Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, explains why AFGE is calling on Congress to end the shutdown without health care measures sought by Democratic lawmakers.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Deroy Murdock, Fox News commentator, American Spectator contributing editor, and Daily Signal columnist, is back with his take on the New York City mayor’s race, the government shutdown, and Spike Lee’s latest joint. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .