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Tavis Smiley

KBLA Talk 1580
Donald Trump
Haiti
Kamala Harris
Climate Justice
Israel-Palestine Conflict
HBO Documentary
The Long Game
Beyoncé
Ilhan Omar
Climate Change
Black Rodeo Culture
Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
Project 2025
Apartheid
Societal Issues
Netflix
Plant Intelligence
Political Campaigns
Harriet Tubman
Mental Health

"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... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1008Founded4 years ago
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Artwork for Tavis Smiley

Latest Episodes

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, outgoing CEO of Feeding America, is back with her insider’s view of the hunger crisis in America - and the latest updates on SNAP funding.

Become a supporter of this podcast: www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--... more

Josh Paul and Tariq Habash, founders of A New Policy, share what it was like to resign from their government jobs in protest of the Biden administration’s policy toward Gaza - and where their work and witness will take them next.

Become a supporter ... more

C.J. Farley, journalist, author, and a former editor of the Harvard Lampoon, shares his new novel about AI, “Who Knows You By Heart: A Novel”.

Become a supporter of this podcast: www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Eleven years old Bryce and his mother Adrienne share their hopeful story of Bryce's diagnosis with sickle cell disease as an infant to becoming a healthy pre-teen, thanks to a bone marrow transplant from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Become... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot
CEO of Feeding America and one of TIME Magazine's Women of the Year for 2025
Feeding America
Episode: Claire Babineaux-Fontenot joins Tavis Smiley
Rachel Corbett
Award-winning features writer at New York Magazine and author of "The Monsters We Make"
New York Magazine
Episode: Rachel Corbett Joins Tavis Smiley
Christian Menefee
Harris County Attorney and candidate for 18th Congressional seat
Harris County Attorney's Office
Episode: Christian Menefee Joins Tavis Smiley
Elizabeth Booker Houston
Attorney, public health professional and social media influencer extraordinaire.
Episode: Elizabeth Booker Houston Joins Tavis Smiley
Randi Weingarten
National President of the American Federation of Teachers
American Federation of Teachers
Episode: Randi Weingarten joins Tavis Smiley
Nell Bernstein
Journalist and author of the book "In Our Future, We Are Free, The Dismantling of the Youth Prison"
Episode: Nell Bernstein joins Tavis Smiley
Chris Taller
Principal Investigator of the Black Voter Project
Episode: KBLA’s Altadena Rising Town Hall: Understanding the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Fund (Part Two)
Andrew Wessels
Strategy Director for the Eaton Fire Survivors Network and co-author of the report, Fix What You Broke.
Eaton Fire Survivors Network
Episode: Andrew Wessels joins Tavis Smiley
Ainissa Ramirez
Materials Engineer and author of a children's book aimed at inspiring young scientists.
Episode: Ainissa Ramirez and Jim West join Tavis Smiley

Host

Tavis Smiley
Host of the show, Tavis Smiley is known for his insightful interviews and engaging discussions on political and cultural issues.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 124 ratings
  • UK listener!

    A great show, thank you for bringing so many essential and intelligent voices to the airwaves.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sol na Laje
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Travis Smiley is GREAT!!!!!!

    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... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sagely Warrior ML
    United States10 months ago
  • Truth

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nick from nepal
    United Statesa year ago
  • Truth

    Tavis Smiley is a great way to hear what the networks aren’t telling you. And done 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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nick from nepal
    United Statesa year ago
  • Downloading Issues

    Haven’t been able to download an episode for over a week. It keeps saying the episode is temporarily unavailable.

    I am able to download all other podcasts I listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Jeremiah Jahi
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There are occasional complaints regarding technical issues with downloading episodes, but overall satisfaction remains high.
Audience members frequently commend the thoughtful approach to discussing challenging social issues.
Listeners appreciate Tavis Smiley's engaging interview style and depth of conversation.
The show is praised for bringing in diverse and essential voices that are often overlooked in mainstream media.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

KBLA’s Altadena Rising Town Hall: Understanding the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Fund (Part One)
Q: How do we process whatever Edison is going to pay out?
We cannot hold on to this tension without sharing, or it becomes anxiety and depression.
KBLA’s Altadena Rising Town Hall: Understanding the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Fund (Part One)
Q: Why is Edison not interested in making people whole?
Edison prioritizes stockholder profits and minimizes liability, affecting how they handle compensation.
Nell Bernstein joins Tavis Smiley
Q: What are some of the takeaways about how social change can be achieved?
Social change movements require grassroots leadership, often led by the most impacted individuals, and the continuous effort to counter the dehumanization faced by marginalized groups.
Nell Bernstein joins Tavis Smiley
Q: What did you learn about racial disparities with regard to youth prisons?
Racial disparities are actually a form of racial targeting, revealing systemic issues whereby black and brown children are disproportionately represented in youth incarceration.
Nell Bernstein joins Tavis Smiley
Q: What was happening 20, 25 years ago that became the spark for all these local movements?
The concept of 'super predators' popularized by a Princeton professor led to increased youth incarceration, with 44 states passing laws to treat children as adults. This sparked organic local movements in response to the unjust treatment of youth.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tavis Smiley

What is Tavis Smiley about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features engaging and thought-provoking discussions with a variety of influential guests, including activists, journalists, politicians, and cultural figures. Topics frequently revolve around pressing social issues such as political violence, systemic racism, climate justice, and the implications of technology on society. The host brings a unique perspective, often emphasizing the importance of empowerment, historical narratives, and social change, making the content not only informative but also deeply relevant for contemporary audiences. The show's commitment to highlighting marginalized voices and exploring complex topics stands out as particularly noteworthy, appealing to listeners who are seeking in-depth analysis and auth... more

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How many listeners does Tavis Smiley get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Tavis Smiley?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Tavis Smiley:

1. Native Land Pod
2. Karen Hunter Is Awesome!
3. Bad Faith
4. Lurie Breaks It Down
5. Ratchet & Respectable

How many episodes of Tavis Smiley are there?

Tavis Smiley launched 4 years ago and published 1008 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Tavis Smiley?

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What guests have appeared on Tavis Smiley?

Recent guests on Tavis Smiley include:

1. Claire Babineaux-Fontenot
2. Rachel Corbett
3. Christian Menefee
4. Elizabeth Booker Houston
5. Randi Weingarten
6. Nell Bernstein
7. Chris Taller
8. Andrew Wessels

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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