The Rick Smith Show

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick reflects on his weekend trip to Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, a deep-red, Trump-voting region where candid conversations with working-class rural residents revealed both their struggles and the huge opportunity for outreach. Rick describes how Trump’s policies are quite literally harming the very communities that support him—and why Democrats must show up an...

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with Ed Wytkind, Interim Director of the AFL-CIO Technology Institute, about Elon Musk’s claim that work will be “optional” in 20 years. Wytkind breaks down what AI and automation really mean for workers, warning that without strong labor standards and worker voice, tech could accelerate inequality rather than progress. Later, Renee Saldana, Press...

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage, about the growing national demand for a true living wage. Jayaraman highlights new polling showing overwhelming, cross-demographic support for raising the minimum wage—with a majority of workers backing $25 an hour as the standard needed to keep up with real costs. Later, John Hocevar, Oceans Campai...

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick digs into what everyone is getting wrong about the affordability debate with Heidi Shierholz, president of the Economic Policy Institute. Shierholz cuts through political spin to explain how it's the wages stupid. Later, Michael Negron, senior fellow for economic opportunity at American Progress, breaks down their new report, “Build, Baby, Build: A...

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with Gabe Hagen, owner of Brick Road Coffee, about Small Business for America’s Future’s new survey, “Is Christmas Cancelled?” Hagen describes how affordability pressures, shrinking customer spending, and rising costs are squeezing Main Street from every direction. Later, Naveed Shah, Political Director at Common Defense, joins the show to discuss...

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with author and watchdog expert Lisa Graves about her powerful new book, Without Precedent. Graves unpacks the hidden networks of influence shaping the Supreme Court and reveals how decades-long campaigns by wealthy special interests have quietly reshaped American law. Rick guides a fast-moving, accessible conversation that exposes how corruption,...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick is joined by NC-9 congressional candidate and 24-year Army veteran Rich Ojeda to discuss the Pentagon’s investigation into Senator Mark Kelly and other Democrats over a video reminding soldiers they must refuse illegal orders, and what that means for civil-military relations in a second Trump term. Ojeda warns that weaponizing the chain of command against lawful dissen...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick welcomes Dr. Keith Pochick to examine the Trump Department of Education’s controversial move to exclude nursing from the list of “professional degree” programs, a change that threatens advanced loan access for nursing students and risks deepening the nation’s nursing shortage. Guardian Labor Reporter Michael Sainato joins to expose growing reports of a hostile work env...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick welcomes Guardian labor reporter Steven Greenhouse to unpack Trump’s “affordability week” a campaign push to claim credit for falling prices and economic relief. Greenhouse fact-checks Trump’s economic promises and spotlights ongoing cost-of-living concerns for working families. Rick and Steven challenge political spin and highlight real solutions to make life genuinel...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick addresses Trump’s latest outburst calling for Democrats to be charged with sedition and even executed, following their video urging troops to reject illegal orders. WI-1 congressional candidate Randy Bryce joins Rick to condemn this dangerous rhetoric and discuss the broader threat to democracy and working people when dissent is criminalized. Rick also breaks down what...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick dissects Trump’s Oval Office theatrics with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), spotlighting Trump’s warm praise and dismissive remarks about Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, calling Khashoggi “not well liked” and minimizing Saudi responsibility. With guests Pat LaMarche, journalist, and Jon Schleuss, NewsGuild-CWA president, Rick highligh...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick first welcomes Labor Attorney David Borer to analyze Trump’s OPM rebranded Schedule F policy, which threatens federal workers by stripping collective bargaining rights, making thousands vulnerable to arbitrary firing and weakening protections for whistleblowers and workplace safety. Rick spotlights a rare bipartisan moment, as five Republican lawmakers sign on to defen...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick engages former NLRB chair Lauren McFerran, Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation, to discuss her explosive report, "Trump’s Assault on Independent Agencies Endangers Us All." McFerran exposes how Trump’s unprecedented efforts to politicize federal agencies threaten their ability to serve the public and hold corporations accountable. With mass firings, install...

On the Rick Smith Show, Rick, alongside Raw Story’s Sarah Burris and investigative reporter Greg Palast, breaks down the appearance of Larry Summers’ name in the Jeffrey Epstein emails, emphasizing that Summers’ unethical correspondence and ongoing relationship with Epstein are alarming, but his real damage came from decades of harmful neoliberal policy advocacy. The episode examines how his Wall...

On the Rick Smith Show, Rick questions whether Chuck Schumer’s leadership is serving working people, with author Paul Loeb weighing in on Schumer’s approach and urgency in today’s political climate. AFT President Randi Weingarten focuses on core priorities and the need for Democrats to advance affordability and opportunity for everyday Americans, moving beyond political rhetoric to concrete soluti...

The Rick Smith Show features an in-depth conversation with Bucknell Economics Professor Matias Vernengo about the economy, including the viability of a 50-year mortgage and the resurgence of company towns driven by corporate consolidation. Later, Rick Smith passionately defends his stance by calling for the removal of Senator Chuck Schumer, addressing concerns about political leadership and econom...

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with American Prospect Executive Editor David Dayen about his frustrations with Democratic leaders caving on the government shutdown, highlighting missed opportunities and the harmful consequences for working people. Later, Rick is joined by Brent Booker, General President of LIUNA, who explains how the shutdown “cave” left union members and famil...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick speaks with Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works, about the Chucking Chuck Schumer after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Later, AFGE District 3 VP Phil Glover joins to discuss how Democratic concessions in ending the shutdown may set a troubling precedent and undermine protections for workers nationwide. Through these candid conversations...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick is joined by Pat LaMarche, who discusses her latest report exposing how corporate investors are rapidly buying up single family homes in Philadelphia, affecting affordability, evictions, and local communities. LaMarche highlights concerns about rising rents and lost homeownership in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. Later, Raw Story reporter Sarah Burris analyzes how D...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with Joe Walsh, former Tea Party congressman, about Walsh’s journey to the Democratic Party and whether Democrats are ready to welcome him into their tent. The episode explores Walsh’s transformation, the party’s openness to former conservatives, and what it means for the future of political coalitions. Don’t miss our daily TV show on Free Speech TV:  www.freespe...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick discusses the harmful impact of SNAP cuts with Ismael Cid-Martinez, Economist at the Economic Policy Institute, showing how millions of families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities are threatened by ongoing funding reductions and government shutdowns. Later, Rep. Dani Isaacsohn, Ohio House Minority Leader, explores the challenges of redistricting, advising...

On today’s show, Rick chats with Guardian Labor Reporter Michael Sainato about the Teamsters' 2026 election and his latest article covering the story. Then, Amy Withrow, Lead Negotiator for the Harrisburg Area Community College Education Association, joins us to talk about their ongoing strike. With faculty saying, "Enough is Enough," they’re fighting for fair treatment after years of...

On this episode of the Rick Smith Show Rick discusses the recent Democracy Matters study with Mike Lux of American Family Voices, exploring how Democrats lost touch with the working class and the importance of reconnecting to labor roots. Later, Phil Glover, AFGE District 3 National Vice President, joins to detail the record-breaking government shutdown, highlighting its historic length and severe...

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick welcomes Raw Story reporter Sarah Burris to break down the weekend’s top stories, including Trump’s controversial Great Gatsby Ball at MAGA-Lago. The lavish “Roaring ’20s” party drew widespread criticism for its opulence and timing, as millions of Americans lost SNAP food benefits amid the government shutdown. Later, Katrina Golden, small business owner...

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with Jason Campbell, Senior Researcher at Media Matters, about the bitter split in right-wing media over SNAP and food stamps as they can’t decide to who they hate more, Democrats or poor people. Later, Ryan Boyer, VP of LIUNA, discusses Trump’s war on workers, highlighting the termination of critical infrastructure projects like the Gateway Tunne...