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Tavis Smiley

News & Politics Podcasts

"Tavis Smiley" is the flagship program for KBLA, America's newest progressive radio network and LA's first Black-owned talk station. Broadcast live across southern California on 1580AM and around the world on KBLA1580.com and TuneIn, this podcast presents the best of Tavis Smiley's conversations with activists, influencers, thought leaders, and cultural vanguards. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Location:

United States

Description:

"Tavis Smiley" is the flagship program for KBLA, America's newest progressive radio network and LA's first Black-owned talk station. Broadcast live across southern California on 1580AM and around the world on KBLA1580.com and TuneIn, this podcast presents the best of Tavis Smiley's conversations with activists, influencers, thought leaders, and cultural vanguards. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Twitter:

@kbla1580

Language:

English

Contact:

323-290-4690


Episodes
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U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders joins Tavis Smiley

10/8/2025
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) joins guest host Chuck D for an update on the government shutdown and the Fighting Oligarchy Tour. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:16:09

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Khari Wynn joins Tavis Smiley

10/8/2025
Guitarist and music director of Public Enemy, Khari Wynn talks to guest host Chuck D about politics, music and resettling back in Memphis. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:22:02

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Gaye Theresa Johnson joins Tavis Smiley

10/8/2025
Guest host, Chuck D, chats with Author and Associate Professor in the Department of African American Studies and Department of Chicano Studies, Dr. Gaye Theresa Johnson, to talk about how Black America can harness both political and cultural power for this moment. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:17:03

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Dr. Olajide Williams joins Tavis Smiley

10/8/2025
Guest host, Chuck D, chats with Clinician-Educator and Vice Dean of Community Health at Columbia University, Dr. Olajide Williams, to talk about the state of health in Black America. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:21:31

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D. Channsin "Chann" Berry joins Tavis Smiley

10/8/2025
Guest host, Chuck D, chats with multi-talented filmmaker, songwriter and artist D. Channsin "Chann" Berry to talk about how Black artists and influencers can respond to the shutdown, the culture wars and trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:35:32

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Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman join Tavis Smiley

10/8/2025
Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman, co-directors of the highly acclaimed documentary “The Alabama Solution”, goes inside what’s been described as “one of the most powerful exposés of the inhumanity of the American prison system”. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:38:08

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Christopher Sebastian Parker joins Tavis Smiley

10/8/2025
Christopher Sebastian Parker, UC Santa Barbara Professor and Founder and CEO of Black Insights Research, talks about how the National Guard deployment upsets Black voters and other trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:37:58

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Reggie L. Williams joins Tavis Smiley

10/8/2025
Reggie L. Williams, Associate Professor of Black Theology at Saint Louis University, is in studio to reflect on the historic and current relationship between Christianity and fascism. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:38:56

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Dr. Annahita Mahdavi West

10/7/2025
Clinical psychotherapist, social psychologist and professor Dr. Annahita West talks about why we need to normalize depression, especially during moments of political unrest and social uncertainty. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:17:21

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Boney James joins Tavis Smiley

10/7/2025
R&B saxophonist Boney James is in studio to preview his upcoming show in LA and warm us up to his new album, “Slow Burn”. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:21:13

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Matthew Restall joins Tavis Smiley

10/7/2025
Matthew Restall, Penn State history and anthropology professor, shares his newest book on America’s original sinner, “The Nine Lives of Christopher Columbus”. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:16:45

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Dr. Cornel West joins Tavis Smiley

10/7/2025
Dr. Cornel West, scholar, leading public intellectual, author, and special contributor, shares his thoughts on President Donald Trump weaponizing the shutdown for political retribution, the impact it will have on Black America and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:20:00

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Dr. Kaye Wise Whitehead joins Tavis Smiley

10/7/2025
Award-winning talk show host and Founding Director of The Karson Institute for Race, Peace & Social Justice at Loyola University Maryland, Dr. Kaye Wise Whitehead, talks about why Democrats need to stand during this shutdown, her new ice cream flavor and other trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:16:40

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U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove joins Tavis Smiley

10/7/2025
U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) is back in studio with an update on the Prop 50 campaign, California’s response to an old-fashioned Texas showdown. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:22:24

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Cocoa Brown joins Tavis Smiley

10/5/2025
Actress and comedian Cocoa Brown previews her upcoming shows in Las Vegas at Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club and reflects on her career. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:20:39

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Ruben Navarrette joins Tavis Smiley

10/5/2025
Nationally syndicated columnist for The Creators Syndicate, Ruben Navarette, discusses how some Republicans lawmakers in Congress - who are blaming Democrats for the shutdown and threatening to fire thousands of government workers - may come out on the losing end of this high stakes standoff. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:16:22

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Dr. Cornel West joins Tavis Smiley

10/5/2025
Dr. Cornel West, scholar, leading public intellectual, author, and special contributor, shares his thoughts on President Donald Trump weaponizing the shutdown for political retribution, the impact it will have on Black America and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:21:19

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Ashley Etienne joins Tavis Smiley

10/5/2025
Ashley Etienne, political advisor and former communications director for Vice President Kamala Harris, is back with her response to “107 Days” and the current government shutdown. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:16:31

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U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon joins Tavis Smiley

10/5/2025
U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-CA) is back with her take on the government shutdown and what progressive Democrats need to do to win. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:21:37

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Jane Goodall Tribute

10/3/2025
Our tribute to Jane Goodall, the world-renowned scientist who passed away Wednesday at the age of 91, features her 2017 conversation with Tavis Smiley about the documentary “Jane” and her remarkable life and career. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:17:01