Straight Shooter with Stephen A.

5 years removed from his NBA career, Matt Barnes is just getting started. He is the co-host of the award-winning podcast, All the Smoke, an activist with potential political aspirations, and the executive producer of a new docuseries about his life, (R)evolution . His story may not be what you think, and it’s one you need to hear.  Support the show: http://www.youtube.com/@stephenasmith Hosted by...

In a post game press conference, LeBron James called out the media for failing to ask him any questions regarding the Jerry Jones controversy. In this episode, Stephen A. explains how Lebron was not only right to do so but reveals why it was a brilliant move that might possibly be a game changer.   Support the show: http://www.youtube.com/@stephenasmith Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. Se...

Stephen A. seethes about the backlash he received from the Black community following his reaction to a 1957 photo of Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, standing in a crowd of White students blocking six Black students from entering North Little Rock High School in Arkansas. He calls out the lack of free thought amongst the Black community, as well as the hypocrisy, taunts, insults, and irrationali...

Laurence Fishburne and Jason Wilson visit Stephen A. to discuss their award-winning film, “The Cave of Adullam”. The poignant documentary centers on four Black boys who attend Wilson’s Detroit martial arts studio and the transformative principles he instills in them as they each deal with unresolved trauma, anger, fear, and anxiety. It is a revealing conversation about the importance of Black fath...

On this critically important episode, Stephen A. sits down with Anti-Defamation League CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, to discuss the meaning of antisemitism, the controversies surrounding Kanye West, Kyrie Irving, and Dave Chappelle, the longstanding relationship between Jewish people and African Americans that dates back over a century, and the path forward to education and understanding. Support the...

Stephen A. shares the importance of breaking stereotypes. Known as a sports analyst most of his career, he discusses the time he stepped out of his comfort zone to host a late night talk show and how it changed people's perception of him. He is later joined by accompished actor, Omari Hardwick, who shares his own journey from homelessness to star of the hit Starz series, Power , and the multi-dime...

Dave Chappelle’s recent appearance as guest host of Saturday Night Live had social media buzzing. Stephen A. shares his thoughts on the brilliance of Chappelle’s opening monologue, that touched on Kanye West, the NBA’s Kyrie Irving, the midterm elections, and the enigma that is Donald Trump. Stephen A. questions why the public reaction is often just as sensational as the original offense. As it pe...

Stephen A. shares something in common with today's guest. Outside of being from New York, they both have overcome significant obstacles to achieve their respective level of success. On today's show Stephen A. interviews Bronx-born rapper Fat Joe about his early struggles growing up in the projects of New York, his award-winning and pioneering music career, the state of Hip Hop today, and his life...

It’s been a wild and strange start to the NBA season, both on and off the court. The drama-filled Nets, the putrid Lakers, the shocking success of the Utah Jazz, and the devastatingly mediocre Knicks…Stephen A. gets into it all.  Then, he is joined by two-time NBA Champion and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas to discuss the state of the league, life after basketball, and the most important players today...

Stephen A. is fired up about the midterm elections. Hear what he has to say about the hotly contested senate and gubernatorial races, along with what he's sensing for the future of our democracy on this special Know Mercy episode. Support the show: http://www.youtube.com/@stephenasmith Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of per...

On this special Election Day episode, Stephen A. talks to New York Times bestselling author and distinguished University Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt University, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, about the hot button issues of the day. From affirmative action, cancel culture, and the conservative Supreme Court, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and the dilemmas rapper Kanye...

Stephen A. gets candid about surviving two bouts of COVID-19, getting older, and prioritizing his health. He is then joined by the most watched comedian on YouTube and the first comedian to sell out back-to-back shows at historic Dodgers Stadium Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias. They discuss his life on the road 46 weeks a year, representing Latin culture, and comedy in the "woke" era. Support the show:...

How far are you willing to go to make your dreams come true? That’s the question Stephen A. poses on this episode. He talks to Akbar Gbajabiamila, co-host of The Talk and American Ninja Warrior about growing up in South Central LA, journey in the NFL, dream career in entertainment, and his inspirational book, Everyone Can Be A Ninja: Find Your Inner Warrior and Achieve Your Dreams . Support the sh...

Respectful disagreement, compromise, basic human decency… what happened to it? Stephen A. gives his thoughts on the lack of civility in American society and how politicians on both sides of the aisle have failed to set the tone for the country. From their lack of leadership following the attack on the Capitol to presidential candidate Hillary Clinton labeling Americans as Deplorables, Stephen A. e...

Everyone, including some of the most successful and well-known people in our society, experiences internal struggle. Stephen A. shares key examples and opens up about how he gets through his own dark days. He’s then joined by outspoken radio host, TV personality and bestselling author, Charlamagne tha God for a candid conversation about his rise as a radio titan, battles with anxiety and depressio...

The attack on American democracy is a topic on Stephen A’s mind. On this episode he talks to New York Times and Washington Post bestselling author Steve Phillips, host of the color-conscious political podcast Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips, to discuss the history of white supremacy in this country, how Barack Obama’s historic presidency ushered in the possibility of a Trump administration,...

Stephen A. is fired up about many things, but there is one subject that really gets under his skin – taxes. Income tax. Sales tax. Property tax. Payroll tax. Capitol gains tax. FICA. He shouts it loudly, I Am Tired of These Damn Taxes. On this solo episode, Stephen A. gripes about the IRS. The rich who stay wealthy through loopholes. And talks about celebrities who tried to game the system – Nicol...

Stephen A. opens up about a pivotal moment in his career, what it taught him, and how learning to value his worth changed his journey. He is then joined by rapper/entrepreneur Master P, who shares the decision to walk away from a million-dollar deal and bet on himself early in his career, the business ventures that landed him on the prestigious Forbes list, and his desire to now help others in the...

Stephen A. admits he was wrong about Kanye West. He revisits and breaks down the recent and ongoing controversies surrounding the artist, including his social media ban, outbursts on talk shows, antisemitic claims, and major public figures speaking out against him. Is the tide turning on one of hip-hop’s wealthiest and most talented moguls? Stephen A. believes so. Support the show: http://www.yout...

Stephen A. tackles the hot-button topic of Roe v. Wade. Then, he is joined by award-winning producer/director Tonya Lewis Lee, whose Hulu documentary film, 'Aftershock', explores the movement around Black maternal health and birth justice. Support the show: http://www.youtube.com/@stephenasmith Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and u...

On this episode Stephen A. does what he does best -- sports. Ahead of the 2022-2023 NBA season, he shares his thoughts on who will be making noise in the East and the West, updates his take on both the Ime Udoka situation and the Draymond Green punch, and, of course, delves into his love-hate relationship with the New York Knicks! Support the show: http://www.youtube.com/@stephenasmith Hosted by S...

Stephen A. has a charmed life. But getting there hasn’t been easy. There were obstacles along the way. He didn’t give up, though. He learned from his mistakes, continued to grind, and is now at the top of his game. The lesson Stephen A. learned is that when it is your time, nothing can stop you. On this episode, he talks to Emmy Award-Winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph about her Hollywood career, he...

Gone are the days of the traditional media dictating the narrative. Social media has changed the landscape of how people interact and tell their stories. At the top of that world are influencers. Yes, social media influencers are the new frontier. Stephen A. sits down with one of the biggest stars in the social media game, Jake Paul. It’s an honest, no holds barred conversation about Jake’s early...

Stephen A. shares the trials and tribulations on his road to success and pays homage to those that helped him get there. He is then joined by Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show host, Tamron Hall, who details her historic role as the first Black woman to co-host The Today Show, betting on herself after her departure, the joy of motherhood in her late forties, and passion for helping people on her...

Stephen A. jumps into headline-making news and addresses what's on his mind: Kanye West. He shares his point of view on Kanye's recent decision to wear a White Lives Matter shirt at his Paris Fashion Week show, the fallout from the decision, and the public reaction it stirred up. Stephen A. goes deep, dissecting Kanye's conscious and subconscious motivations and tactics, whether his billionaire st...