Tavis Smiley

Glass artist Jason McDonald explains how his collaboration with Solange Knowles put him on the map and how he hopes to break down barriers for Black craft artists. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Arlene Reckson, former music executive and production coordinator for John Lennon and Yoko Ono, goes inside the recording session of their iconic holiday song, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” which included young voices from the Harlem Community Choir. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Butch Ware, Green Party candidate for California governor and UC Santa Barbara professor, is back in the studio with a progressive outsider’s look at the big races in 2026 — from the battle for Congress to statehouse showdowns. 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, gives his take on the Venezuelan boat attacks, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s run for Texas governor, and his warning for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Dr. Todd Boyd, USC media studies professor, a.k.a. “Notorious Ph. D.,” celebrates today’s 50th anniversary of the seminal Parliament album “Mothership Connection” and shares his favorite hip-hop albums of 2025. 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 thoughts on whether Progressives should draft their own Project 2029 plan and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

John Nichols, executive editor of The Nation magazine, gives his analysis on how Trump is dragging Republicans to a crushing defeat and other trending political news.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Cecil Brown, UC Berkeley professor and Richard Pryor’s longtime friend and collaborator, celebrates the life of the GOAT as we mark 20 years since his passing this week.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Eva Aridjis-Fuentes, director of the fascinating documentary "Goodbye Horses: The Many Lives of Q Lazzarus,” helps us celebrate what would have been the 65th birthday of the mysterious singer, best known for her haunting track “Goodbye Horses” in Jonathan Demme’s film “The Silence of the Lambs.”    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Rev. Willie Williams, chair of the Emmett Till Interpretive Center in Sumner, Mississippi, talks about their latest acquisition — the barn where the Black teenager from Chicago was lynched, tortured and killed 70 years ago. 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 thoughts on the passing of the first Black education secretary Rod Paige, the progressive autopsy report by RootsAction that tells how Democrats lost the White House and more.   Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Barbara McQuade, University of Michigan law professor and author of the New York Times bestseller “Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America,” gives an update on the ongoing smackdown between President Donald Trump and the U.S. Constitution. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Lee Bey, architecture critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, is back with his exclusive look inside Home Court, the first Obama Center building to be completed, and reflects on the legacy of the late Frank Gehry.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Justin Elliott and Jahreem Samuels, co-founders of the WRTH app, “the world’s first AI and blockchain-verified commerce platform,” reveal details of their new six-figure investment from AWS. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

LaDoris Cordell, retired Superior Court judge and author of "Her Honor: My Life on the Bench... What Works, What's Broken, and How to Change It," offers her perspective on trending political and legal topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) explains how ranked-choice voting will be a factor in the 2026 primaries and why he increased his security following a recent incident involving one of the pardoned January 6th perpetrators. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Kal Raustiala, UCLA law professor and author of “The Absolutely Indispensable Man: Ralph Bunche, the United Nations, and the Fight to End Empire,” celebrates today’s 75th anniversary of the civil rights leader’s acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Thomas Wilkins, Principal Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, previews his upcoming holiday program at Disney Concert Hall in celebration of Duke Ellington, “The Nutcracker,” and Carlos Simon’s “Four Black American Dances.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Donna Beisel, Director of Museum Operations at the Rosa Parks Museum at Troy University in Montgomery, Alabama, discusses their new exhibit featuring never-before-seen photos of the iconic civil rights leader. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

 Associate Professor and Founding Director of the Race, Politics, and Policy Center at George Mason University, Dr. Michael K. Fauntroy shares his thoughts on how Trump’s hateful rhetoric has flipped America’s race conversation into a dangerous space for its citizens. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Jaime Harrison, former DNC chair and host of the YouTube show and podcast “At Our Table,” previews a major party leadership meeting in LA this week and what Democrats need to do to become the majority in Congress next year. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Autism interventionist, author, and Vice President of the Los Angeles Speech & Therapy Center, Dr. Ashley Wiley-Johnson joins Tavis in studio to discuss her latest work on autism and how we can better support people who thrive with differences and clinical disorders. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Robert Primus, the recently fired member of the Senate-appointed Surface Transportation Board (STB), discusses his federal racial discrimination lawsuit against the Trump administration as he seeks to return to work. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson returns with the latest on his moral city budget and his new small business initiative. 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 thoughts on Trump receiving the FIFA Peace Prize, his colonial style peace deal with African nations, and more.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .