Tavis Smiley

Former MSNBC host and bestselling author, Chris Matthews, is back to talk about his new book, "Lessons from Bobby: Ten Reasons Why Robert F. Kennedy Still Matters", his son RFK Jr. and the U.S. Senate defectors who have demoralized the Democratic base Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Rachel Corbett, award-winning features writer at New York magazine, discuss her new book, "The Monsters We Make: Murder, Obsession, and the Rise of Criminal Profiling."  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Christian Menefee, Harris County Attorney and run-off candidate for Texas’ storied 18th Congressional seat, tells us 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.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Attorney, public health professional, and social media influencer, Elizabeth Booker Houston, talks about what's next on health insurance for Americans as the shutdown appears to be ending, and other trending political topics.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, is back to go 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 .

Jesse Jackson Jr and Nii-Quartelai Quartey join Tavis Smiley Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Journalist Nell Bernstein follows up on her award-winning book, “Burning Down the House”, with her newest work, “Our Future We Are Free: The Dismantling of the Youth Prison”. 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 insight about AB 715, California's new law that establishes new rules for public schools to prevent and address antisemitism and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Connie Rice, famed civil rights attorney and co-founder of the Urban Peace Institute, gives her analysis about the Trump administration asking for a pause on fully funding SNAP and other trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Is SoCal Edison’s “Fast Pay” Program Truly Fast and Fair? In Part Two of this conversation, Tavis Smiley, Chief Visionary Officer and flagship host of KBLA Talk 1580, and KBLA host James Farr lead an Altadena Town Hall on Thursday, November 6, 2025, where fire survivors are still left without answers to critical questions about SCE’s settlement fund. Tavis and James are joined by fire victims, com...

Is SoCal Edison’s “Fast Pay” Program Truly Fast and Fair? In part one in this town hall conversation, KBLA Talk 1580’s Chief Visionary Officer and flagship host, Tavis Smiley, along with KBLA host James Farr, lead an important discussion in Altadena on Thursday, November 6, 2025, where fire survivors are still left without answers to critical questions about SCE’s settlement fund. Tavis and James...

Altadena resident and consumer advocate Andrew Wessels talks about his report "Fix What You Broke: Survivor's Recommendations for a Fair and Fully Funded Edison Recovery Program" about holding Southern California Edison accountable for the unprecedented destruction of the Altadena community. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Ainissa Ramirez, materials engineer and science communicator, shares her debut children’s book, “Spark: Jim West's Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone”, plus, Tavis speaks to Johns Hopkins University Professor Jim West directly. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Raquel Graham, "Shark Tank" winner, CEO of Roq Innovation, and host of "Entrepreneuring with Raquel Graham" on KBLA Talk 1580AM talks about the latest struggles of Black and minority businesses impacted by the shutdown, the venture capital crossroads Black women entreprenuers are now facing and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support...

President and Senior Lecturer of Repairers of The Breach and Moral Mondays, Bishop William J. Barber II, talks about the redistricting effort in North Carolina, his meeting with U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Maya Wiley, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, reacts to the results of New York’s mayoral race and the so-called election monitors dispatched to blue states. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Singer, songwriter, and now actress Aiyana-Lee previews her performance at Deadline’s 2025 Sound & Screen Festival this Friday in Los Angeles, in celebration of her breakout role in the new Spike Lee joint “Highest 2 Lowest”. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Obie Award-winning actress Adrianna Mitchell is On the Come Up, now starring opposite Tracy Morgan in the new comedy series “Crutch”, which premiered on Paramount+. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Ashley D. Farmer, UT Austin History and African Studies professor, shares her brand-new book, “Queen Mother: Black Nationalism, Reparations, and the Untold Story of Audley Moore”. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Political analyst Galen Druke is back with his take on today’s elections and what it could all mean for the 2026 midterms and the 2028 horse race. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) is back with a final push for California’s one and only ballot item this year - Proposition 50, which seeks to balance out Republican-led gerrymandering in states like Texas. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America and author of the book "America, We Need to Talk: a Self Help Book for the Nation", 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 .

Cleveland, Ohio Mayor Justin Bibb makes his final re-election push for Tuesday’s election as the incumbent frontrunner and explains what it has been like to be a big-city Black mayor in the era of President Donald Trump. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

In light of Election Day, Dr. Cornel West, scholar, leading public intellectual, author, and special contributor, shares his analysis about congressional, gubernatorial and mayoral resistance against Trumpism and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Amanda K. Edwards, a leading candidate for Texas’ storied 18th Congressional District, talks about how her campaign fits into the national redistricting fight and government shutdown. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .