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 18, 2025 • 23min
Deroy Murdock joins Tavis Smiley
Deroy Murdock, Fox News commentator, American Spectator contributing editor, and Daily Signal columnist, gives his take on the Venezuelan boat attacks, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s run for Texas governor, and his warning for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 17, 2025 • 34min
Dr. Todd Boyd joins Tavis Smiley
Dr. Todd Boyd, USC media studies professor, a.k.a. “Notorious Ph.D.,” celebrates today’s 50th anniversary of the seminal Parliament album “Mothership Connection” and shares his favorite hip-hop albums of 2025.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 17, 2025 • 37min
Dr. Cornel West joins Tavis Smiley
Dr. Cornel West, scholar, leading public intellectual, author, and special contributor, shares his thoughts on whether Progressives should draft their own Project 2029 plan and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 17, 2025 • 36min
John Nichols joins Tavis Smiley
John Nichols, executive editor of The Nation magazine, gives his analysis on how Trump is dragging Republicans to a crushing defeat and other trending political news. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 12, 2025 • 14min
Cecil Brown joins Tavis Smiley
Cecil Brown, UC Berkeley professor and Richard Pryor’s longtime friend and collaborator, celebrates the life of the GOAT as we mark 20 years since his passing this week. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 12, 2025 • 22min
Eva Aridjis-Fuentes joins Tavis Smiley
Eva Aridjis-Fuentes, director of the fascinating documentary "Goodbye Horses: The Many Lives of Q Lazzarus,” helps us celebrate what would have been the 65th birthday of the mysterious singer, best known for her haunting track “Goodbye Horses” in Jonathan Demme’s film “The Silence of the Lambs.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 12, 2025 • 16min
Rev. Willie Williams joins Tavis Smiley
Rev. Willie Williams, chair of the Emmett Till Interpretive Center in Sumner, Mississippi, talks about their latest acquisition — the barn where the Black teenager from Chicago was lynched, tortured and killed 70 years ago.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 12, 2025 • 22min
Dr. Cornel West joins Tavis Smiley
Dr. Cornel West, scholar, leading public intellectual, author, and special contributor, shares his thoughts on the passing of the first Black education secretary Rod Paige, the progressive autopsy report by RootsAction that tells how Democrats lost the White House and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 12, 2025 • 42min
Barbara McQuade joins Tavis Smiley
Barbara McQuade, University of Michigan law professor and author of the New York Times bestseller “Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America,” gives an update on the ongoing smackdown between President Donald Trump and the U.S. Constitution.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 12, 2025 • 14min
Lee Bey joins Tavis Smiley
Lee Bey, architecture critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, is back with his exclusive look inside Home Court, the first Obama Center building to be completed, and reflects on the legacy of the late Frank Gehry. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
