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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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KBLA’s Altadena Rising Town Hall: Understanding the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Fund (Part Two)

11/10/2025
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, community leaders, and advocates, including panelists Martin Gordon, Chair of the Pasadena Community Coalition; Jacque Robinson-Bailey, Former Pasadena Vice Mayor; Toni Bailey-Raines, Community Organizer and host of Altadena Talks; and Dr. William Syms, Vice President of Student Services at West LA College. If you or someone you know was affected by the Altadena/Eaton Canyon Fire and still needs answers, make your voice heard — contact Pedro Pizarro, President & CEO of Edison International, at pedro.pizarro@sce.com or call 626.302.2255 (press #1). Your Voice. Your Questions. Your Community. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:40:40

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KBLA’s Altadena Rising Town Hall: Understanding the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Fund (Part One)

11/10/2025
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 are joined by fire victims, community leaders, and advocates, including panelists Dr. Echelle Williams, MFL, Brandon Lamar (President, Pasadena NAACP), and Zaire Calvin, High School Football Coach. If you or someone you know was affected by the Altadena/Eaton Canyon Fire and still needs answers, make your voice heard. Contact Pedro Pizarro, President & CEO of Edison International, at pedro.pizarro@sce.com or call 626.302.2255 (press #1). Your Voice. Your Questions. Your Community. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:59:35

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Andrew Wessels joins Tavis Smiley

11/6/2025
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.

Duration:00:20:54

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Ainissa Ramirez and Jim West join Tavis Smiley

11/5/2025
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.

Duration:00:36:14

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Raquel Graham joins Tavis Smiley

11/5/2025
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.

Duration:00:16:44

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Bishop William J. Barber II joins Tavis Smiley

11/5/2025
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.

Duration:00:22:20

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Maya Wiley joins Tavis Smiley

11/5/2025
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.

Duration:00:34:27

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Aiyana-Lee joins Tavis Smiley

11/5/2025
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.

Duration:00:15:56

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Adrianna Mitchell joins Tavis Smiley

11/5/2025
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.

Duration:00:20:34

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Ashley D. Farmer joins Tavis Smiley

11/5/2025
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.

Duration:00:39:28

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Galen Druke joins Tavis Smiley

11/5/2025
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.

Duration:00:17:39

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

11/5/2025
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.

Duration:00:22:39

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Joel Berg joins Tavis Smiley

11/5/2025
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.

Duration:00:21:38

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Mayor Justin Bibb joins Tavis Smiley

11/5/2025
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.

Duration:00:16:55

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Dr. Cornel West joins Tavis Smiley

11/5/2025
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.

Duration:00:20:25

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Amanda Edwards joins Tavis Smiley

11/5/2025
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.

Duration:00:17:31

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Mayor Melvin Carter joins Tavis Smiley

11/5/2025
St. Paul, Minn. Mayor Melvin Carter takes us inside his re-election campaign and the pitfalls of being a Black, progressive, pro-reparations leader in these times. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:22:41

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Jay Jurden joins Tavis Smiley

11/3/2025
Mississippi Native and comedian Jay Jurden is On The Come Up and shares his debut comedy special “Yes Ma’am” now on Hulu, his recent appearance on “The Tonight Show”, and his current Nothing Special Tour. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:16:11

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Walter Mosley and Killer Mike join Tavis Smiley

10/31/2025
Legendary author Walter Mosley is back with Killer Mike to take us inside his newest novel, “Gray Dawn: An Easy Rawlins Mystery”, and inside the writer’s room of the new FX series, “The Lowdown”, where he was a contributing writer. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:38:46

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Dr. Maulana Karenga joins Tavis Smiley

10/31/2025
The Chair of the Department of Africana Studies at California State University Long Beach, Dr. Maulana Karenga, talks about the fate of Black History as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa), The African American Cultural Center and his long standing social and cultural justice group, Organization Us. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:16:36