Tavis Smiley

Nationally renowned professor of African American Studies and English at Clark Atlanta University, historian and author Dr. Daniel Black, shares why he believes affirming Blackness is on the ballot. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, returns to discuss Chicago’s first fully elected school board race and why voting in this year’s midterm election is important for a better life. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Phyllis Bennis, activist, author and program director of the New Internationalism Project at the Institute for Policy Studies, shares her thoughts on former President Obama’s remarks about Israel and the role the U.S. is playing in the “continuing Gaza genocide” in the region. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Former President Biden’s deputy press secretary and crisis communications specialist, Andrew Bates, gives his analysis of trending political stories. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Shundra Harris, the Chair-Elect of the Board of Directors for the American Society of Interior Designers and owner of Shundra Harris Interiors, shares her story about her rise as a design industry leader and how she plans to diversify the space.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Sports Marketing Executive  Howard "H" White at Nike, Inc., author and patient advocate Howard “H” White shares his journey of living with ATTR cardiac amyloidosis, an often-overlooked cause of heart failure, as he raises awareness for Black men’s heart health ahead of World Amyloidosis Day on October 26. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/su...

Former President of the Navajo Nation and Democratic congressional candidate for Arizona, Jonathan Nez discusses his historic campaign to flip the state’s second congressional district. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Former IRS attorney, professor and faculty editor of the Pittsburgh Tax Review, Philip Hackney discusses how revoking tax-exempt status for private colleges with DEI policies is cruel and weaponizes civil rights law against itself. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Professor, founding chair of the Department of African American Studies at UCLA and author of Radical Reparations: Healing the Soul of a Nation, Marcus Anthony Hunter offers his analysis of trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Republican Gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton responds to his Democratic rival, Xavier Becerra, dismissing him about his immigrant story, while giving a quick update about his campaign, 2 weeks before the election.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Distinguished professor of history at the University of Texas at Dallas and award-winning author Kevin Waite joins Tavis in-studio to discuss his new book, The Boundless Biddy Mason: An Odyssey from Slavery to Freedom Across the American West, and how the “founding mother” of Black Los Angeles is finally getting her due. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-sm...

NAACP General Counsel Kristen Clarke discusses the organization’s lawsuit to block the Department of Justice from deploying federal prosecutors to polling sites across the country as part of its election monitor program. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Scholar, distinguished professor, author, leading public intellectual and special contributor Dr. Cornel West shares his thoughts on politics, social justice, history and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

New York lieutenant governor Democratic candidate and former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams discusses being part of the first women-led ticket in the 2026 election and why she believes New York is ready for a different model of leadership. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Associate Professor and Founding Director of The Race, Politics, and Policy Center at George Mason University, Michael K. Fauntroy offers his analysis of trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Award-winning actor, director, producer and author Eriq La Salle talks about his career and his latest gripping crime thriller, Laws of Solomon, the fourth installment in his acclaimed Martyr Maker series. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

California Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra joins Tavis in-studio for a special conversation about his campaign, representation and meeting the moment for California. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Harry Waters Jr., known for playing Marvin Berry, celebrates the 100th birthday of his fictional cousin Chuck and previews Back to the Future Day next week. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Famed director Taylor Hackford celebrates Chuck Berry’s 100th birthday and reflects on the making of his 1987 documentary, Hail! Hail! Rock ’n’ Roll. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Shermichael Singleton, conservative CNN contributor and co-founder of the We The Free TV streaming network, shares his thoughts on President Trump’s alleged weaponization of government agencies against Black appointed and elected officials, along with other trending topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

CEO and Chairman of the Real Hip-Hop Network, Atonn Muhammad, discusses the comeback of broadcast media and digital platforms and why the culture needs them now more than ever.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

GOP strategist and former communications director for Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Mark Bednar, shares his thoughts on whether President Trump and Republicans can stay in power amid the possibility of a blue wave and low poll numbers. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Dr. Funmi Olopade, Director of Clinical Cancer Genetics and Global Health at the University of Chicago Medicine, updates us on the growing number of global breast cancer cases and why Black men need to focus on prevention, too. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Joe Cruz, chair of the Philosophy Department and the Program on Cognitive Science at Williams College, sets the record straight on why he believes writing isn’t as important as we think. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Leonard Pitts Jr., Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and Director of The Center for Urban Journalism at Morgan State University, gives his analysis about President Trump's latest attacks on Black women in power such and other trending political topics.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .