

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

Nov 12, 2025 • 22min
Christian Menefee joins Tavis Smiley
Christian Menefee, Harris County Attorney and run-off candidate for Texas’ storied 18th Congressional seat, tells us how he plans to fill the big shoes of those who came before him, including Sylvester Turner, Sheila Jackson Lee, Mickey Leland, and Barbara Jordan. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Nov 12, 2025 • 38min
Elizabeth Booker Houston Joins Tavis Smiley
Attorney, public health professional, and social media influencer, Elizabeth Booker Houston, talks about what's next on health insurance for Americans as the shutdown appears to be ending, and other trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Nov 11, 2025 • 16min
Randi Weingarten joins Tavis Smiley
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, is back to go inside her new book, “Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy”.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Nov 11, 2025 • 21min
Jesse Jackson Jr and Nii-Quartelai Quartey join Tavis Smiley
Jesse Jackson Jr and Nii-Quartelai Quartey join Tavis SmileyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Nov 11, 2025 • 18min
Nell Bernstein joins Tavis Smiley
Journalist Nell Bernstein follows up on her award-winning book, “Burning Down the House”, with her newest work, “Our Future We Are Free: The Dismantling of the Youth Prison”.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Nov 11, 2025 • 29min
Dr. Cornel West joins Tavis Smiley
Dr. Cornel West, scholar, leading public intellectual, author, and special contributor, offers insight about AB 715, California's new law that establishes new rules for public schools to prevent and address antisemitism and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Nov 11, 2025 • 39min
Connie Rice joins Tavis Smiley
Connie Rice, famed civil rights attorney and co-founder of the Urban Peace Institute, gives her analysis about the Trump administration asking for a pause on fully funding SNAP and other trending political topics.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Nov 10, 2025 • 41min
KBLA’s Altadena Rising Town Hall: Understanding the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Fund (Part Two)
Is SoCal Edison’s “Fast Pay” Program Truly Fast and Fair?In Part Two of this conversation, Tavis Smiley, Chief Visionary Officer and flagship host of KBLA Talk 1580, and KBLA host James Farr lead an Altadena Town Hall on Thursday, November 6, 2025, where fire survivors are still left without answers to critical questions about SCE’s settlement fund.Tavis and James are joined by fire victims, community leaders, and advocates, including panelists Martin Gordon, Chair of the Pasadena Community Coalition; Jacque Robinson-Bailey, Former Pasadena Vice Mayor; Toni Bailey-Raines, Community Organizer and host of Altadena Talks; and Dr. William Syms, Vice President of Student Services at West LA College.If you or someone you know was affected by the Altadena/Eaton Canyon Fire and still needs answers, make your voice heard — contact Pedro Pizarro, President & CEO of Edison International, at pedro.pizarro@sce.com or call 626.302.2255 (press #1).Your Voice. Your Questions. Your Community.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Nov 10, 2025 • 60min
KBLA’s Altadena Rising Town Hall: Understanding the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Fund (Part One)
Is SoCal Edison’s “Fast Pay” Program Truly Fast and Fair?In part one in this town hall conversation, KBLA Talk 1580’s Chief Visionary Officer and flagship host, Tavis Smiley, along with KBLA host James Farr, lead an important discussion in Altadena on Thursday, November 6, 2025, where fire survivors are still left without answers to critical questions about SCE’s settlement fund.Tavis and James are joined by fire victims, community leaders, and advocates, including panelists Dr. Echelle Williams, MFL, Brandon Lamar (President, Pasadena NAACP), and Zaire Calvin, High School Football Coach.If you or someone you know was affected by the Altadena/Eaton Canyon Fire and still needs answers, make your voice heard. Contact Pedro Pizarro, President & CEO of Edison International, at pedro.pizarro@sce.com or call 626.302.2255 (press #1).Your Voice. Your Questions. Your Community.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Nov 6, 2025 • 21min
Andrew Wessels joins Tavis Smiley
Altadena resident and consumer advocate Andrew Wessels talks about his report "Fix What You Broke: Survivor's Recommendations for a Fair and Fully Funded Edison Recovery Program" about holding Southern California Edison accountable for the unprecedented destruction of the Altadena community.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.


