Tavis Smiley

For our second-hour roundtable, scholar Cornel West, attorney Elizabeth Booker Houston, and philosopher Tim Golden look at the progressive challenges and victories of 2025.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

It’s our big year-in-review for all three hours! In our first-hour roundtable, civil rights attorney Connie Rice, social justice organizer Rashad Robinson, and political commentator Danielle Moodie reflect on the attacks on civil rights and the Constitution this past year. Plus, our surprise guest, Black Thought, helps us kick it off.It's our big year-in-review for all three hours! For our first-hour roundtable, Dr. Cornel West, civil rights attorney Connie Rice, social justice organizer Rashad Robinson, and political commentator Danielle Moodie reflect on the attacks on our civil rights and the Constitution this past year.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Songwriter Nadine McKinnor, co-writer of Donny Hathaway’s anthem “This Christmas,” recalls her collaboration on this holiday classic.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Boston Globe film critic Odie Henderson is back with his Top 10 films of 2025, as well as his 10 favorite performances of the year, and honors the cinematic legacy of Rob Reiner.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Nicholas Buccola, professor of Government, Humanism, and Ethics at Claremont McKenna College, goes inside his latest text, “One Man’s Freedom: Goldwater, King, and the Struggle over an American Ideal,” and explains why you may never hear Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech the same way again.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Christopher D. Cook, author of the stinging RootsAction autopsy of the Democratic Party’s 2024 presidential campaign, reveals how his findings have been received and how Democrats should respond.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Tavis reprises his 2016 conversation with Rob Reiner and his son Nick who has been formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the death of his parents.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Glass artist Jason McDonald explains how his collaboration with Solange Knowles put him on the map and how he hopes to break down barriers for Black craft artists.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Arlene Reckson, former music executive and production coordinator for John Lennon and Yoko Ono, goes inside the recording session of their iconic holiday song, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” which included young voices from the Harlem Community Choir.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Butch Ware, Green Party candidate for California governor and UC Santa Barbara professor, is back in the studio with a progressive outsider’s look at the big races in 2026 — from the battle for Congress to statehouse showdowns.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.