Tavis Smiley

Nationally syndicated columnist for Creators Syndicate and writer of the Navarrette Nation at Substack, Ruben Navarrette shares his analysis about Trump's comments about L.A. & San Diego, the state's gubernatorial race and other trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

U.S. Senate Democratic nominee for Tennessee and environmental advocate Marquita Bradshaw talks about her rematch with incumbent Republican Bill Hagerty and her historic campaign to become the first Black U.S. Senator from the Volunteer State.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Civil rights activist, humanitarian and interfaith advocate Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs reflects on the double standard between October 7th and 9/11 commemorations and why we did not see anti-American protests on 9/11 even though we are seeing “anti-Israel” protests this week. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Democratic State Controller of California, Malia Cohen talks about her re-election campaign and the work of overseeing an office responsible for tracking and disbursing state funds.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Devin Remiker, talks about how the high-stakes fight for state-level political power is heating up with the 2026 vote. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Elie Mystal, justice correspondent for The Nation magazine, podcast host and author, discusses why it’s the people versus the Supreme Court and other justice topics.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Comedian, actor, radio host and New York Times bestselling author D.L. Hughley takes us inside his long-awaited coming-of-age story, Charlie’s Boy: A Memoir, as he reveals his childhood in South Central Los Angeles, his time in the infamous Bloods gang, and how humor became his salvation. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

New York Times bestselling author and a New America Fellow, Casey Gerald talks about his latest book, The Great Refusal: A New Vision of Resistance, and why joyous dissent and a stunning vision is a survival guide to a society in crisis. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Bill Hillsman, an expert on independent voters, progressive political strategist and founder of North Woods Advertising, shares his thoughts on the GOP’s strategy to use taxpayer-funded Trump ads for the midterms and other political stories. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Founder and CEO of The CLJackson Group, Crystal L. Jackson joins Tavis in-studio to share her journey from teen mom to global entrepreneur and introduce The READY Life, a strategic business platform designed to develop leaders, transform organizations and help them build on purpose and thrive. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Adolph Reed, Jr., professor emeritus of political science at the University of Pennsylvania and author, returns to discuss Iraq’s Sovereignty Day as U.S. forces leave the country and the races Black voters should be watching in this year’s midterms. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

GRAMMY-nominated poet, acclaimed journalist, humanitarian and author Kevin Powell talks about his 17th book and fourth poetry collection, A Poem for Evangeline, And Other Songs, a series of love letters to his wife and a sacred poetic manifesto for America and humanity.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Tavis recaps last weekend’s historic “California Voices Town Hall & Ballot Forum” with his colleagues and co-moderators of the event, which was broadcast live on C-SPAN, Nii-Quartelai Quartey and Dominique DiPrima.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Civil rights attorney and activist Connie Rice shares her analysis of trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Acclaimed Jamaican-American master of jazz piano Monty Alexander, best known for his distinct blend of bebop, blues and gospel with the vibrant rhythms of reggae and calypso, joins Tavis for a conversation spanning his seven-decade career.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Denver mayoral candidate, city councilwoman and Democratic Socialist Shontel M. Lewis talks about her proposal for a “labor acknowledgment” for enslaved people at the start of city council meetings, the response to the proposal and its subsequent withdrawal. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Tevon Blair, co-founder of Xceleader (pronounced EXCEL LEADER), talks about the work of his nonprofit, which is focused on closing the leadership gap from campuses to communities and beyond through their VOTE HBCU campaign. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

John Nichols, executive editor of The Nation magazine, shares his thoughts about the botched Tennessee execution of Christa Pike and other trending political topics.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Attorney, investor, and restaurateur Kevin Kelley gives Tavis the scoop on his growing food and nightlife empire and what’s next for the hospitality mogul. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Danish actress, writer, director, and filmmaker Maria Sten talks about her starring role as former Army Master Sergeant Frances Neagley on the Reacher spinoff series Neagley, the #1 show on Amazon Prime, surpassing its predecessor. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Reginald Dwayne Betts, poet, lawyer, and Founder & CEO of Freedom Reads, shares his incredible story from jail to Yale and why he believes having libraries inside prisons is a form of freedom. He also discusses his documentary March Forth and his mission to bring books and libraries to people in prison. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/...

Tavis pulls back the curtain on the California Voices Town Hall & Ballot Forum with major updates.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Austin Sarat, attorney, writer, and professor, gives his analysis on the Supreme Court allowing Trump’s “third country” deportation policy and other trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Award-winning actress, model, director, and producer Meagan Good joins Tavis in studio to discuss her latest role as District Attorney Regina Harris in the upcoming fourth season of Hulu’s hit legal drama Reasonable Doubt and her noteworthy career. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Former police officer, author, and conservative commentator Brandon Tatum explains why he doesn’t think race is a factor in the tragic death of Nolan Wells. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .