Tavis Smiley

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, as she goes 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 .

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Vincent Intondi, Cornell University scholar, managing editor of The Nuclear Times, and executive director of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility—as he 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: ht...

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Joel Berg—CEO of Hunger Free America and author of America, We Need to Talk: A Self-Help Book for the Nation—as he 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 .

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with materials engineer and science communicator Ainissa Ramirez as she shares her debut children’s book, Spark: Jim West’s Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone—plus, Tavis speaks directly with Johns Hopkins University Professor Jim West. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smi...

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Joseph Viteritti, Hunter College professor and former senior advisor to the Chancellor of New York City public schools, as he previews his new book, "Radical Dreamers: Race, Choice, and the Failure of American Education." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with soul singer and songwriter Matthew Grant, as they discuss turning pain into power, love, his music, and much more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with John Fugelsang, actor, comedian, political commentator, and host of the SiriusXM radio show Tell Me Everything as he discusses his New York Times bestseller, :Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds." Become a supporter of this po...

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Paul Rieckhoff, host of the Independent Americans podcast and founder of Independent Veterans of America, as he gives his battlefield assessment on the future of Defense Secretary-for-now Pete Hegseth and President Trump’s crackdown on the alleged Anti-Christian bias at the Veterans Administration. Become a supporter of this...

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with world-renowned composer and musician Terence Blanchard and the one and only Aaron Neville as they reflect on their native New Orleans 20 years after Hurricane Katrina. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Renée Watson, New York Times bestselling author and mentee of famed poet Nikki Giovanni, as she shares her final collection, The New Book: Poems, Letters, Blurbs, and Things. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Ian K. Smith—former co-host of The Doctors and author of the bestselling book Shred: The Revolutionary Diet—as he shares the latest project from his successful side hustle as a novelist, Beyond Midnight, featuring private investigator Ashe Cayne. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smil...

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Patrick Kennedy—former member of Congress for 16 years and the youngest child of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy as he discusses his latest book, "Profiles in Mental Health Courage," new evidence surrounding the assassination of his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, and the family’s views on his cousin, RFK Jr. Become a support...

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Luenell, who talks about her recent sold-out show at the Apollo, her hilarious role in the Emmy-winning series Hacks, and a preview of her new So Cal residency, That Time of the Month. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

In this Best of 2025 episode, Tavis Smiley remembers actor and musician Malcolm-Jamal Warner, reprising their final public conversation. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi—Director of the Howard University Institute for Advanced Study, co-founder of The Emancipator, and author of ten New York Times bestsellers as he discusses his latest book for the next generation, "Malcolm Lives! The Official Biography of Malcolm X for Young Readers." Become a supporter of this podcast: ht...

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with award-winning writer, director, and producer Malcolm D. Lee, reflecting on his life and career and the release of his debut novel, "The Best Man: Unfinished Business." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Jessica Fulton, Joint Center Senior Fellow for Political and Economic Studies, on her project "Forward Together: Black Policy Playbook for an Equitable America." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

In our third-hour roundtable, our White House correspondent Nii-Quartelai Quartey, Pennsylvania state Rep. Chris Rabb, and former U.S. Rep. Cori Bush look ahead to the upcoming midterm elections, the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

For our second-hour roundtable, scholar Cornel West, attorney Elizabeth Booker Houston, and philosopher Tim Golden look at the progressive challenges and victories of 2025. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

It’s our big year-in-review for all three hours! In our first-hour roundtable, civil rights attorney Connie Rice, social justice organizer Rashad Robinson, and political commentator Danielle Moodie reflect on the attacks on civil rights and the Constitution this past year. Plus, our surprise guest, Black Thought, helps us kick it off. It's our big year-in-review for all three hours! For our first-...

Songwriter Nadine McKinnor, co-writer of Donny Hathaway’s anthem “This Christmas,” recalls her collaboration on this holiday classic. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Boston Globe film critic Odie Henderson is back with his Top 10 films of 2025, as well as his 10 favorite performances of the year, and honors the cinematic legacy of Rob Reiner. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Nicholas Buccola, professor of Government, Humanism, and Ethics at Claremont McKenna College, goes inside his latest text, “One Man’s Freedom: Goldwater, King, and the Struggle over an American Ideal,” and explains why you may never hear Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech the same way again. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Christopher D. Cook, author of the stinging RootsAction autopsy of the Democratic Party’s 2024 presidential campaign, reveals how his findings have been received and how Democrats should respond. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Tavis reprises his 2016 conversation with Rob Reiner and his son Nick who has been formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the death of his parents. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .