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Tavis Smiley

KBLA Talk 1580
Donald Trump
Kamala Harris
Voting Rights Act
Democratic Party
Iran
Martin Luther King Jr.
Supreme Court
Civil Rights
California
Democracy
Education
Racial Justice
Joe Biden
Israel
Los Angeles
Black Lives Matter
Birthright Citizenship
Trump Administration
Voting Rights
Immigration Policy

"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

Assistant Professor in the Department of Black Studies and the Frederick Douglass Institute at the University of Rochester, Philip V. McHarris explains how the DSA victories in New York’s primary could revive the push to “Defund the Police” and why s... more

Writer for Jacobin Magazine, Alex Bronzini-Vender marks the 10th anniversary of Hamilton by examining its legacy of sanitizing the Founding Fathers and functioning as an ideological defense of establishment politics.

Become a supporter of this podca... more

Investigative journalist for The Guardian and award-winning New York Times bestselling author Tracie McMillan discusses how renters are pushing back against the growing surge of “take it or leave it” apartment fees and why the proposed housing bill c... more

Executive editor of The Moral High Ground and managing editor of the political satire site Wonkette, Evan Hurst discusses why love feels like blasphemy when you worship power, along with other trending political topics.

Become a supporter of this po... more

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Recent Guests

Tracie McMillan
Investigative reporter and author
Episode: Tracie McMillan joins Tavis Smiley
Stacy Davis Gates
President of Chicago Teachers Union
Chicago Teachers Union
Episode: Stacy Davis Gates joins Tavis Smiley
Rashad Robinson
President of Color of Change, the nation's largest online racial justice organization.
Color of Change
Episode: Rashad Robinson joins Tavis Smiley
Jeffrey Toobin
Acclaimed journalist and longtime CNN legal commentator
CNN
Episode: Jeffrey Toobin joins Tavis Smiley
Dr. Julianne Malveaux
Noted Black economist, columnist, and president emerita of Bennett College for Women.
Bennett College for Women
Episode: Dr. Julianne Malveaux joins Tavis Smiley
Barbara McQuade
Former U.S. attorney and New York Times bestselling author
Episode: Barbara McQuade joins Tavis Smiley
Dr. Cornel West
Independent candidate for president and prominent political activist
N/A
Episode: Dr. Cornel West joins Tavis Smiley
Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter
UCLA professor specializing in African American studies
UCLA
Episode: Marcus Anthony Hunter joins Tavis Smiley
Clarence B. Jones
Civil rights attorney, speechwriter and advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Civil rights movement
Episode: Clarence B. Jones Tribute With Tavis Smiley

Host

Tavis Smiley
Host of KBLA Talk 1580 show and long-form interviewer known for provocative political conversations

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 135 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 Kingdoma year 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 Statesa year 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 States2 years 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 States2 years 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.

Thoughtful, incisive interviews with informed guests
Consistently high-quality conversations with memorable guests
Long-form format with a credible host and guests
Strong commitment to civil rights and democracy
Audience experiences some download issues on older episodes

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sonny Rollins Tribute by Tavis Smiley
Q: How did you approach a return after sabbaticals and aging?
He describes mounting self-confidence, the need to prove to himself rather than others that he could grow, and the acceptance that self-understanding matters more than external validation.
Sonny Rollins Tribute by Tavis Smiley
Q: What makes it difficult to go your own way when others say you should stay on track?
Rollins explains that you must follow what feels true to you; not doing so shortchanges your life, and the struggle is worth it for authentic artistic and personal integrity.
Ambassador Daniel B. Shapiro joins Tavis Smiley
Q: Why do you think Donald Trump and his administration persisted with the war in Iran?
Shapiro argues that Trump believed the war would be quick and decisive, had miscalculated the complexity of modern conflicts, failed to build a coalition, and did not adequately articulate a clear objective or gain Congressional support, which contributed to waning public support and strategic setbacks.
Clarence B. Jones Tribute With Tavis Smiley
Q: You were writing the Beyond Vietnam speech with a balanced, one-hand, on-the-one-hand approach. Why did you draft it that way, and how did King respond when he reviewed it?
Jones explains he was trying to balance nuance to protect King, but King rejected the approach, insisting there is no 'on the one hand and the other hand' morality when addressing a war. He wanted a straightforward, morally explicit stance against the war, which Vincent Harding later finalized.
Ari Berman joins Tavis Smiley
Q: Why does it matter that the structure of power—like the Senate or the Supreme Court—can preserve minority rule even when the country is shifting demographically?
He explains that electoral structures can insulate a minority from the will of the majority, allowing decisions unpopular with most voters to persist, and that this misalignment threatens democratic legitimacy and future policy outcomes.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Tavis Smiley

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

The program features deep-dive conversations with reform-minded politicians, journalists, lawyers, and cultural commentators who critique power structures and promote civil rights, voting rights, and healthcare equity. Episodes frequently center on democracy, racial justice, and policy impact, often exploring how laws, institutions, and political strategy shape everyday lives. A standout is the long-form interview style that blends historical context with current events, attracting listeners who value principled analysis, bold questions, and expert insights from insiders and trailblazers. The show is likely appealing to intellectually curious, policy-focused audiences seeking rigorous discussion from a Black-owned, progressive-leaning platf... more

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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. Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams
3. The Joy Reid Show
4. The Don Lemon Show
5. Clock It with Symone & Eugene

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.

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What guests have appeared on Tavis Smiley?

Recent guests on Tavis Smiley include:

1. Tracie McMillan
2. Stacy Davis Gates
3. Rashad Robinson
4. Jeffrey Toobin
5. Dr. Julianne Malveaux
6. Barbara McQuade
7. Dr. Cornel West
8. Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter

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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