Tavis Smiley

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the Jan. 6 select committee, recalls the events of Jan. 6, 2021, and discusses what comes next in 2026. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Andre Gaines, director, producer and co-writer of the new André Holland film “The Dutchman,” reflects on the legacy of Amiri Baraka’s controversial play, along with resident Baraka expert Dominique DiPrima, his daughter. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

New York Times investigative reporters Katie Benner and Erica L. Green discuss their new book, “Miracle Children: Race, Education, and a True Story of False Promises,” and weigh in on top stories from their regular beats at the Justice Department and the White House. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Associate professor in the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland and author Dr. Niambi Carter gives her analysis of Minnesota suing the federal government and other trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Comedian David Jolly is in the studio with his hilarious New Year’s wisdom for those observing Dry January, drawn from his own “Five-Year Comedy and Sobriety Experiment.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Jeh Johnson, former Homeland Security secretary under President Barack Obama, shares his concerns about the types of people being recruited for ICE through its “Defund Your Culture” sales pitch. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Ben Burgis, Rutgers University philosophy professor, socialist political commentator and  “Jacobin” columnist, discusses Venezuela and whether the U.S. will extend its aggression to Cuba, Mexico, Brazil and beyond. 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, offers his analysis of Pope Leo’s rebuke of the growing global zeal for war, and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Minneapolis civil rights attorney and founder of the Racial Justice Network, Nekima Levy Armstrong, gives an update on the ICE resistance movement in the city and next steps in seeking justice for Renee Nicole Good. 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, offers his analysis of U.S. imperialism in Greenland, Democratic leaders’ response to Trump’s unauthorized Venezuelan operation, and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Connie Rice, civil rights attorney and co-founder of the Urban Peace Institute, shares her thoughts on the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis, the Donroe Doctrine and other trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

George C. Fraser, chairman and CEO of FraserNet and author of books such as “Success Runs in Our Race,” returns to issue his Power Networking challenge just in time for the new year. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Altadena residents James Farr, a journalist and KBLA Talk 1580 host, and Andrew Wessels, strategy director for the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, discuss the first anniversary of the California wildfires and the next steps in recovery. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

UMass Amherst anthropology professor Nicholas Caverly discusses his latest book, “Demolishing Detroit: How Structural Racism Endures,” and how infrastructural systems maintain white supremacy within Black communities. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Adrianne Shropshire, host of “The Black Pack” radio show on KBLA Talk 1580 and executive director of the political organization BlackPAC, gives her analysis of trending political stories through the lens of Black progressivism. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Daytime soap legend Eric Braeden has a career conversation with Tavis, reflecting on his 45 years as Victor Newman and sharing how the Palisades fire destroyed his home and changed his life. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Hall of Fame speaker, SiriusXM radio and podcast host, and best-selling author Dr. Willie Jolley discusses his new book, “Rich Is Good, Wealthy Is Better!” and how wealth really begins in the mind. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

N’Kenge, the Tony, Emmy, and Grammy-nominated, Juilliard-trained vocalist with a five-octave range and fluency in eleven languages shares her new single, “S’Wonderful,” and previews her upcoming run as Dorothy Dandridge. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, president and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund, returns with a look at the challenges ahead for America’s children, including hunger, health care and housing. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Professor of African American Studies at UCLA and author of "Radical Reparations: Healing the Soul of a Nation," Marcus Anthony Hunter offers analysis on the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection, the future of Cuba and other trending political topics Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Spiritual writer, best-selling author, and wellness educator Lalah Delia talks about how we can enter the new year with clarity, steadiness, and inner alignment. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

LawrenceWare, Oklahoma State University philosophy professor and co-director of theAfricana Studies Program, explains why he was not surprised by Nicki Minaj’s MAGA flirtation over the holidays - and what it could mean for Black voters during the midterms. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Journalist José Luis Granados Ceja, who covers Latin America for Drop Site News, goes inside the U.S. invasion of Venezuela and explains what it means for other left-leaning leaders in our hemisphere. 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 large-scale strike on Venezuela and the capture of its President Nicholas Maduro and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Christina Greer, political scientist, author, and associate professor at Fordham University, is back with her breakdown of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration and what it means for New York City and the Democrats in 2026. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .