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 13, 2026 • 17min
Ben Burgis joins Tavis Smiley
Ben Burgis, Rutgers University philosophy professor, socialist political commentator and “Jacobin” columnist, discusses Venezuela and whether the U.S. will extend its aggression to Cuba, Mexico, Brazil and beyond.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 13, 2026 • 20min
Dr. Cornel West joins Tavis Smiley
Dr. Cornel West, scholar, leading public intellectual, author and special contributor, offers his analysis of Pope Leo’s rebuke of the growing global zeal for war, and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 13, 2026 • 39min
Nekima Levy Armstrong joins Tavis Smiley
Minneapolis civil rights attorney and founder of the Racial Justice Network, Nekima Levy Armstrong, gives an update on the ICE resistance movement in the city and next steps in seeking justice for Renee Nicole Good.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 12, 2026 • 37min
Dr. Cornel West joins Tavis Smiley
Dr. Cornel West, scholar, leading public intellectual, author and special contributor, offers his analysis of U.S. imperialism in Greenland, Democratic leaders’ response to Trump’s unauthorized Venezuelan operation, and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 12, 2026 • 40min
Connie Rice joins Tavis Smiley
Connie Rice, civil rights attorney and co-founder of the Urban Peace Institute, shares her thoughts on the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis, the Donroe Doctrine and other trending political topics.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 12, 2026 • 40min
George C. Fraser joins Tavis Smiley
George C. Fraser, chairman and CEO of FraserNet and author of books such as “Success Runs in Our Race,” returns to issue his Power Networking challenge just in time for the new year.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 12, 2026 • 16min
James Farr and Andrew Wesselsn join Tavis Smiley
Altadena residents James Farr, a journalist and KBLA Talk 1580 host, and Andrew Wessels, strategy director for the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, discuss the first anniversary of the California wildfires and the next steps in recovery.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 12, 2026 • 22min
Nicholas L. Caverly joins Tavis Smiley
UMass Amherst anthropology professor Nicholas Caverly discusses his latest book, “Demolishing Detroit: How Structural Racism Endures,” and how infrastructural systems maintain white supremacy within Black communities.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 12, 2026 • 40min
Adrianne Shropshire joins Tavis Smiley
Adrianne Shropshire, host of “The Black Pack” radio show on KBLA Talk 1580 and executive director of the political organization BlackPAC, gives her analysis of trending political stories through the lens of Black progressivism.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
Jan 9, 2026 • 38min
Eric Braeden joins Tavis Smiley
Daytime soap legend Eric Braeden has a career conversation with Tavis, reflecting on his 45 years as Victor Newman and sharing how the Palisades fire destroyed his home and changed his life.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.
