Tavis Smiley

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with historian, professor, and UC Santa Barbara Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Jeffrey Stewart as he celebrates the 100th anniversary of The New Negro: An Interpretation, his new edition of that seminal anthology, and his 2019 Pulitzer Prize-winning work on editor Alain Locke. Become a supporter of this podc...

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with University of Michigan professor, award-winning cultural translator, and author Marcus Collins as he shares his thoughts on America confronting the erasure of Black history and progress, the White House’s new media bias tracker, and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286...

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with award-winning organizer, philanthropic consultant, and co-founder of Black Voters Matter, LaTosha Brown, as she discusses her economic pressure campaign We Ain’t Buying It and explains why she’s calling for the boycott of Trump enablers. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--62864...

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit the late Mother Viola Fletcher, the longest-living survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, in her final in-studio conversation with Tavis Smiley. 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 Jaron Lanier—futurist, public intellectual, and computer scientist—as he shares an update on the intersection of AI and humans, marking 35 years since the first web browser, website, and server were launched. 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 Lori Wallach, director of the Rethink Trade program at American Economic Liberties Project, as she breaks down President Donald Trump’s $2,000 stimulus plan, which is supposedly funded by tariffs. 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 Ruth E. Carter, two-time Oscar-winning costume designer, as they discuss her career, the story behind Eddie Murphy’s red leather suit, and her insights featured in the new documentary Being Eddie. 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 U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) as he discusses his new memoir, The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation. 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 NAACP award-winning historian and Fulbright scholar Karida Brown, Emory University sociology professor, as she discusses her two latest books, The Battle for the Black Mind and The New Brownies’ Book: A Love Letter to Black Families. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/s...

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with actor Kenric Green, star of the new film Sarah’s Oil, as he recounts the story of a young Black girl who became a millionaire after “black gold” was discovered on her Oklahoma land and shares what it’s like to be one half of a Hollywood power couple with Sonequa Martin-Green. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.s...

In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Christian Menefee, Harris County Attorney and run-off candidate for Texas’ storied 18th Congressional seat, as he shares how he plans to fill the big shoes of those who came before him, including Sylvester Turner, Sheila Jackson Lee, Mickey Leland, and Barbara Jordan. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker....

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 .