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 11, 2025 • 38min
Kal Raustiala joins Tavis Smiley
Kal Raustiala, UCLA law professor and author of “The Absolutely Indispensable Man: Ralph Bunche, the United Nations, and the Fight to End Empire,” celebrates today’s 75th anniversary of the civil rights leader’s acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 11, 2025 • 38min
Thomas Wilkins joins Tavis Smiley
Thomas Wilkins, Principal Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, previews his upcoming holiday program at Disney Concert Hall in celebration of Duke Ellington, “The Nutcracker,” and Carlos Simon’s “Four Black American Dances.”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 11, 2025 • 17min
Donna Beisel joins Tavis Smiley
Donna Beisel, Director of Museum Operations at the Rosa Parks Museum at Troy University in Montgomery, Alabama, discusses their new exhibit featuring never-before-seen photos of the iconic civil rights leader.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 11, 2025 • 22min
Michael K. Fauntroy joins Tavis Smiley
Associate Professor and Founding Director of the Race, Politics, and Policy Center at George Mason University, Dr. Michael K. Fauntroy shares his thoughts on how Trump’s hateful rhetoric has flipped America’s race conversation into a dangerous space for its citizens.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 11, 2025 • 40min
Jaime Harrison joins Tavis Smiley
Jaime Harrison, former DNC chair and host of the YouTube show and podcast “At Our Table,” previews a major party leadership meeting in LA this week and what Democrats need to do to become the majority in Congress next year.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 9, 2025 • 17min
Ashley Wiley Johnson joins Tavis Smiley
Autism interventionist, author, and Vice President of the Los Angeles Speech & Therapy Center, Dr. Ashley Wiley-Johnson joins Tavis in studio to discuss her latest work on autism and how we can better support people who thrive with differences and clinical disorders.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 9, 2025 • 22min
Robert Primus joins Tavis Smiley
Robert Primus, the recently fired member of the Senate-appointed Surface Transportation Board (STB), discusses his federal racial discrimination lawsuit against the Trump administration as he seeks to return to work.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 9, 2025 • 16min
Mayor Brandon Johnson joins Tavis Smiley
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson returns with the latest on his moral city budget and his new small business initiative.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 9, 2025 • 21min
Dr. Cornel West joins Tavis Smiley
Dr. Cornel West, scholar, leading public intellectual, author, and special contributor, shares his thoughts on Trump receiving the FIFA Peace Prize, his colonial style peace deal with African nations, and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Dec 9, 2025 • 40min
Leonard Pitts Jr. joins Tavis Smiley
Pulitzer Prize–winning columnist and Director of the Center for Urban Journalism at Morgan State University, Leonard Pitts Jr., gives his analysis on the upcoming Supreme Court decision on birthright citizenship, the New York Times lawsuit against the Pentagon, and other trending political news.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
