"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.
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Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
Erica Smiley joins Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
Executive Director of Jobs With Justice, Erica Smiley discusses the midterm results and their impact on the organized labor movement, along with her recent letter to Blac
Nov 11 41 min
Carolyn Hugley joins Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
Georgia State House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley reflects on the Peach State making history with eight Black women winning statewide offices, while she stands to become
Nov 11 23 min
A.B. Burns-Tucker joins Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
Attorney and political content creator A.B. Burns-Tucker, aka I AM LEGALLY HYPE, shares her thoughts on California voters rejecting the proposed billionaires tax, progres
Nov 11 21 min
John Wood Jr. joins Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
Founding President of the OmniAmerican Society, former national ambassador and leader of Braver Angels, and radio show host John Wood Jr. joins guest host Dr. Nii-Quartel
Nov 11 40 min
Pastor Mike McBride & Steve Pargett joins Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
Pastor Michael “Mike” McBride, Executive Director of LIVEFREE USA, and Steve Pargett, storyteller and founder of Future Culture, discuss how they brought Black faith lead
Nov 10 40 min
Ruben Navarrette joins Special Guest Host Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
Nationally syndicated columnist for Creators Syndicate and writer of the Navarrette Nation at Substack, Ruben Navarrette shares his analysis about the impact of the Latin
Nov 10 16 min
Tanya Acker joins Special Guest Host Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
Attorney, Yale Law graduate, and TV Judge Tanya Acker offers her analysis of the expected legal drama following the Blue Wave, from investigations to impeachment, and the
Nov 10 23 min
Jonathan Collins joins Special Guest Host Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
Co-Director of the Politics and Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University, Jonathan Collins joins guest host Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey to discuss trendin
Nov 10 41 min
Marcellas Reynolds joins Special Guest Host Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
Best-selling author of the Supreme book trilogy, fashion stylist, and award-winning documentarian Marcellas Reynolds discusses the latest shakeup in the fashion world as
Nov 10 17 min
Dr. Valecia Brooks Dunbar joins Special Guest Host Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
Community developer, author, and founder and CEO of The Center for Confidence, Dr. Valecia Brooks Dunbar, also known as Dr. V, discusses why reinvesting in historically B
Nov 10 21 min
Glenn Harris joins Special Guest Host Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
President of Race Forward, Glenn Harris discusses the organization’s biennial conference, Facing Race 2026: Rooted in Resistance, Powered by Solidarity, taking place this
Nov 10 16 min
Yasmin Cader joins Special Guest Host Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
Deputy Legal Director of the ACLU, Yasmin Cader discusses Governor Gavin Newsom’s historic commutation of all death sentences in California and what this means for the fu
Nov 10 22 min
Michael Bland & Dr. Jason Johnson join Special Guest Host Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
Veteran political strategist and Executive Director of Black Men Vote Michael Bland, alongside MS NOW political analyst, author, and journalism professor Dr. Jason Johnso
Nov 10 37 min
Ira Shapiro joins Special Guest Host Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
U.S. Senate staff member, trade representative, and international lawyer Ira Shapiro takes us inside his latest book, Betrayed: America Didn't Vote For This, and explains
Nov 5 36 min
Dr. Mansi Kotwal joins Special Guest Host Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
Pediatrician and board member of Healthcare For Action, Dr. Mansi Kotwal discusses how elected physicians, including Governor-elect Dr. Amy Acton and Senator-elect Dr. An
Nov 5 17 min
Adrianne Shropshire joins special guest host Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
Executive Director of BlackPAC, Adrianne Shropshire reports from Jackson, Mississippi, on the Mississippi Senate race and shares her thoughts on the future of Black polit
Nov 5 22 min
Tim Golden joins special guest host Dr. Nii Quartelai Quartey
Professor, philosopher, and legal analyst Tim Golden discusses the midterm elections and other trending political topics.
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Nov 5 41 min
Brandon Tensley joins Tavis Smiley
Brandon Tensley, Capital B News national politics reporter, breaks down how the rise in Black voter turnout tested the power of redistricting in the midterms.
Become a
Nov 4 6 min
Nii-Quartelai Quartey & Jesse Jackson
White House Correspondent and radio show host Nii-Quartelai Quartey and radio host Jesse Jackson Jr. discuss the impact of the midterms on issues facing Black America.
Nov 4 11 min
Marianna Sotomayor joins Tavis Smiley
Marianna Sotomayor, Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and congressional correspondent for Puck News, talks about the power shifts on the Hill, as the most expensive midte
Nov 4 13 min
Chart trend
Position in the News Commentary chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#101#200AugSepOctNov
#110
all-time peak
226
days in the top 200 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Tavis Smiley ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Nov 12, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
Hello Tavis and all his listeners,
I remember fondly Tavis from his PBS days and was one of many who has missed him beyond measure ever since. I didn’t know about this podcast or else I would’ve written this a long time ago. I always enjoyed his interview style and his energy, so I am thrilled to know he’s got a podcast! I already KNOW that his previous episodes I have yet to listen to are EXCELLENT, as I spent YEARS watching this man every single weekday listening and watching him in action. I am incredibly thrilled to know that I can once again enjoy his presence (watching or not) and his precision interviewing acumen tackle important issues. In this era of a trump 2.0 regime, we need important, experienced voices that can have relevant conversations that can pack a punch. Tavis delivers. Consistently.
Sagely Warrior ML · Jan 2025
Tavis Smiley is a great way to hear what the networks aren’t telling you. I used to listen to Ezra Klein; then I learned about Tavis when he interviewed my seminary’s president. Now Tavis has my ear. He does his work with dignity for all and an appreciation of the worth of each person, just because they are human. I can’t put it like Tavis does, but he does it superbly. Not that Ezra Klein doesn’t do that too, but I find Tavis’s perspective and his guests more helpful.
nick from nepal · Aug 2024
I’m so glad to be able to listen to Tavis’s insights and words of wisdom again through the podcasts. Tavis speaks with honesty and provokes thinking on political and cultural issues at a much deeper level.
His discussion on the LA City Council’s racist behavior is the only commentator who is not afraid to face the issue head on.
MuggsyDog · Oct 2022
I am so happy to have found Brother Smiley back in front of the mic, with the most relevent content; and right where he belongs. I'd been an advid listener of his PBS broadcast and so, so, disappointed in his swift departer from that platform. Will stay turned to KBLA Talk 1580...Welcome back TS!!
wjohnjr · Jul 2022
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
More podcasts like Tavis Smiley
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Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Tavis Smiley, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
