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
Jan 20, 2026 • 18min
Slade Douglas on Tavis Smiley
Former law enforcement officer and Army veteran Slade Douglas joins Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey in the studio to tell the story of his police brutality lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and the LAPD, which recently awarded him $6.8 million.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 20, 2026 • 21min
Sheriff Rochelle Bilal on Tavis Smiley
Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, the department’s first elected Black woman, reflects on her viral comments about law enforcement in the Trump era and ICE.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 20, 2026 • 17min
Christopher Sebastian Parker & Terrance Woodbury On Tavis Smiley
Christopher Sebastian Parker, author, professor and founder of BlackInsight Research, and Terrance Woodbury, founder, partner and CEO of HIT Strategies, share their insights on Trump’s first-year performance and the latest public opinion research on how Black America is faring under the polarizing administration. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 20, 2026 • 22min
Jonathan Collins & Richard A. Fowler on Tavis Smiley
Jonathan Collins, co-director of the Politics and Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University, and Richard Fowler, a Fox News contributor and journalism professor at Georgetown University, give their takes on Trump’s first year of his second term and other trending political topics with guest host Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 20, 2026 • 17min
Karim Diané joins Tavis Smiley
Karim Diané, who plays Klingon cadet Jay-Den Kraag in the new series “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,” explains what it is like to be part of a franchise once championed by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 20, 2026 • 22min
Jonathan Eig joins Tavis Smiley
Jonathan Eig, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “King: A Life,” reflects on the civil rights leader’s holiday and how his legacy is faring in the era of President Donald Trump.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 20, 2026 • 18min
Dorothy Tillman joins Tavis Smiley
Former Chicago alderwoman Dorothy Tillman recounts when she was 18 years old and new to the city from the Deep South, working with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 20, 2026 • 36min
John Nichols joins Tavis Smiley
John Nichols, executive editor of The Nation, previews the top political stories of the week.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 20, 2026 • 21min
Dr. Cornel West joins Tavis Smiley
Dr. Cornel West, scholar, leading public intellectual, author, and special contributor, shares his thoughts about Dr. King's legacy and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 16, 2026 • 38min
Wendell Potter joins Tavis Smiley
Wendell Potter, New York Times best-selling author and health insurance industry insider-turned-whistleblower, explains how he became a fierce advocate for single-payer health care reform and discusses the latest changes to the Affordable Care Act.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
