The Rick Smith Show

On the Rick Smith Show, Rick speaks with labor attorney David Borer about the recent 5th Circuit Court decision declaring the National Labor Relations Board’s structure unconstitutional after 90 years, a ruling with major implications for workers’ rights and union protections. The conversation underscores the assault on institutions meant to safeguard the working class. Later, Sarah Burris of Raw...

On the Rick Smith Show, Amy Hanauer, Executive Director of the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, discusses how Trump’s tax law slashes essential public spending, reduces federal support to states, and benefits the wealthy at the expense of everyday families. She outlines urgent state-level options for offsetting cuts. Scott Paul, president of the Alliance of American Manufacturing, joins...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with Raw Story’s Sarah Burris about Trump and Putin’s Alaska encounter, a heavily militarized Washington, DC, and new revelations from the Epstein files. Investigative journalist Greg Palast joins to discuss his latest special, All Washed Away: Trump drowns FEMA, uncovering how Trump's FEMA dealings fueled disaster profiteering and tragic consequences, as exp...

Rick opens The Rick Smith Show by examining the challenges teachers face prepping for the new school year often doing so in their own time and buying classroom supplies on their own dime. He discusses what Democrats need to do to win back working class voters, emphasizing policy changes and authentic outreach. Later, Rick welcomes Robert Benson, associate director at American Progress, to analyze...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick speaks with Bill Scher, Politics Editor at Washington Monthly, about the escalating redistricting battles, Trump’s increasing militarization of Washington, D.C., and the negative impact of tariffs on American workers. Later, Rick is joined by Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works, to discuss the Protect Our Checks tour in Montana. Lawson explains how...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick is joined by Max Moran, Sr. Fellow at The Revolving Door Project, to discuss Moran’s provocative article “The Democrats Were Designed For An America That No Longer Exists.” Moran argues the Democratic Party must reinvent itself to survive in a rapidly changing America, urging both politicians and voters to choose and shape the future they want. Later, author Joe Allen...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick speaks with AFT President Randi Weingarten about the rising attacks on labor by the Trump administration and discusses what Democrats must do to support American workers. Later, Raw Story reporter Sarah Burris joins to cover the controversial “Big Balls beating,” Trump’s move to deploy the National Guard, and the latest developments in the Epstein saga. Tune in as the...

Marty Perlmutter, Exec. Dir., Nuclear Disarmament Renewal, Carpenter Institute of Progressive Democrats of America @martyp1.bsky.social nukewise.org In this episode of The Rick Smith Show, guests Deepak Puri, Co-Founder of The Democracy Labs, and Marty Perlmutter, Executive Director of Nuclear Disarmament Renewal at the Carpenter Institute of Progressive Democrats of America, discuss the missions...

On The Rick Smith Show, Hallie Shoffner, a sixth-generation Arkansas farmer who recently lost her family farm and is now running for U.S. Senate shares her personal story of hardship and determination, vowing to fight for working people against a rigged economic system and restore hope for struggling families. Also joining the show is Jasmine Leli, a Buffalo Starbucks barista and Workers United ba...

On The Rick Smith Show, Jennifer Sherer, Deputy Director of the Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN), discusses their new report “Holding the Line: State Solutions to the U.S. Worker Rights Crisis.” Sherer details how states are stepping up to protect worker rights in the face of federal rollbacks—highlighting innovative policies to defend collective bargaining, wages, and workplace safet...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick discusses a recent Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that empowers President Trump to fire federal employees under the guise of national security—a move that strips collective bargaining rights from hundreds of thousands and makes it easier to alter working conditions or terminate staff. Labor attorney David Borer (Gilbert Employment Law) unpacks the legal and co...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick speaks with Dave Demas, President of AFGE Local 3003, about Trump’s sweeping attacks on federal workers’ collective bargaining rights, highlighting how these rollbacks threaten the safety, representation, and well-being of union members working in America’s federal prisons. Sarah Burris, reporter for RawStory, joins to break down the latest chaos in Texas, as the GOP a...

On The Rick Smith Show, Victoria Baranetsky, general counsel at the Center for Investigative Reporting, explains a landmark Ninth Circuit Court decision requiring the federal government to release diversity (EEO-1) data on contractors. The court narrowly interpreted Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, affirming the public’s right and journalists’ access to review workforce demographics...

On The Rick Smith Show, Patrick Carolan, Co-Chair of Catholics Vote Common Good, explores the dynamic influence of the Catholic vote in shaping America’s moral and political direction, emphasizing shifting demographics and values as seen in recent elections . Jason Walsh, Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance, confronts the Trump administration’s aggressive rollback of critical regulations...

On The Rick Smith Show, Chuck Collins, Director of the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute for Policy Studies, introduces his forthcoming book,  Burned by Billionaires , exposing how the ultra-wealthy endanger American democracy, the economy, and the environment by concentrating power and rigging the system. Former Alabama Senator Doug Jones joins to discuss Trump’s attempt...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick explores the state of freedom as Trump cements his authoritarian grip over America. Ken Mash, President of APSCUF, joins to discuss Trump’s escalating assault on public education—warning of deep threats to academic freedom and institutional independence. Alexandra Thornton, Senior Fellow in Financial Regulation at the Center for American Progress, exposes the dangers o...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick shares a powerful wheelchair encounter with a MAGA truck driver, using the moment to highlight how the ADA and “Big Government” laws protect everyone. Guest Denise Murphy McGraw, CAE, Co-Chair of Catholics Vote Common Good, joins to discuss her organization’s mission and argues for why Democrats and progressives must speak out and defend their values. The episode blend...

The Rick Smith Show features Phil Glover, AFGE District 3 National VP, discussing his union’s major legal victory upholding collective bargaining rights and confronting ongoing attacks from the Trump Administration on federal workers. Sarah Burris, reporter for Raw Story, joins to break down South Park’s latest Trump-focused episode and explore the controversy surrounding the recently released Eps...

In this episode of The Rick Smith Show, guests Deepak Puri, Co-Founder of The Democracy Labs, and Marty Perlmutter, Executive Director of Nuclear Disarmament Renewal at the Carpenter Institute of Progressive Democrats of America, discuss the missions of their organizations. Democracy Labs harnesses affordable technology and creative innovation to strengthen democracy and support social justice cam...

In this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Colin Seeberger of the Center for American Progress examines the most harmful provisions of Trump’s OBBBA, highlighting threats to public services and economic fairness. Analilia Mejia, Executive Director of Popular Democracy, shares her organization’s mission and details the Defend the 14th campaign, which mobilizes grassroots action to protect the 14th Ame...

On this episode of  The Rick Smith Show , Laura Packard, founder of Voices of Health Care Action, joins us to break down the dangers of Trump’s “one big beautiful” health care bill—and what it means for future cancer patients like her. Later, Dr. Keith Pochick shares insights from his upcoming book  Tickled Soul , reflecting on his bold journey from emergency room physician to middle school teache...

This episode of The Rick Smith Show features  Alex Lawson , Executive Director of Social Security Works, who discusses the devastating impacts of  Trump and the GOP's "One Big Nightmare" bill  on  rural hospitals  and the broader  health care industry .  Samantha Sanders , Director of Government Affairs, joins to explain how  GOP gig worker portability bills  would loosen independent c...

In this episode of The Rick Smith Show, AFT President Randi Weingarten joins to discuss the dangers of the Supreme Court allowing Trump to dismantle the Department of Education, emphasizing its impact on opportunity and fairness for students. Reporter Sarah Burris from Raw Story talks with Rick about the latest news from the Epstein files, the implications of six months of Trump back in the White...

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On the Rick Smith Show, journalist Pat LaMarche from Bucks County Beacon discussed devastating new Medicaid cuts and the Grants Pass Supreme Court decision, highlighting their disproportionate harm to poor and working-class Americans. She described how changes will strip coverage and critical care from thousands, especially in rural and marginalized communities. Stacy Shorter, President of AFGE Lo...