

Tavis Smiley
KBLA Talk 1580
"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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 29, 2025 • 22min
Christian Menefee joins Tavis Smiley
In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Christian Menefee, Harris County Attorney and run-off candidate for Texas’ storied 18th Congressional seat, as he shares how he plans to fill the big shoes of those who came before him, including Sylvester Turner, Sheila Jackson Lee, Mickey Leland, and Barbara Jordan.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Dec 29, 2025 • 16min
Randi Weingarten joins Tavis Smiley
In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, as she goes inside her new book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Dec 29, 2025 • 39min
Vincent Intondi joins Tavis Smiley
In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Vincent Intondi, Cornell University scholar, managing editor of The Nuclear Times, and executive director of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility—as he reflects on the new Netflix film A House of Dynamite in the context of his work on the intersection of race and nuclear weapons.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Dec 26, 2025 • 22min
Joel Berg joins Tavis Smiley
In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Joel Berg—CEO of Hunger Free America and author of America, We Need to Talk: A Self-Help Book for the Nation—as he 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.

Dec 26, 2025 • 36min
Ainissa Ramirez and Jim West join Tavis Smiley
In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with materials engineer and science communicator Ainissa Ramirez as she shares her debut children’s book, Spark: Jim West’s Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone—plus, Tavis speaks directly with Johns Hopkins University Professor Jim West.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Dec 25, 2025 • 33min
Matthew Grant joins Tavis Smiley
In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with soul singer and songwriter Matthew Grant, as they discuss turning pain into power, love, his music, and much more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Dec 25, 2025 • 21min
Joseph Viteritti joins Tavis Smiley
In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Joseph Viteritti, Hunter College professor and former senior advisor to the Chancellor of New York City public schools, as he previews his new book, "Radical Dreamers: Race, Choice, and the Failure of American Education."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Dec 25, 2025 • 34min
John Fugelsang joins Tavis Smiley
In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with John Fugelsang, actor, comedian, political commentator, and host of the SiriusXM radio show Tell Me Everything as he discusses his New York Times bestseller, :Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Dec 25, 2025 • 23min
Paul Rieckhoff Joins Tavis Smiley
In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Paul Rieckhoff, host of the Independent Americans podcast and founder of Independent Veterans of America, as he gives his battlefield assessment on the future of Defense Secretary-for-now Pete Hegseth and President Trump’s crackdown on the alleged Anti-Christian bias at the Veterans Administration.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Dec 24, 2025 • 42min
Renée Watson joins Tavis Smiley
In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Renée Watson, New York Times bestselling author and mentee of famed poet Nikki Giovanni, as she shares her final collection, The New Book: Poems, Letters, Blurbs, and Things.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.


