In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with actor Kenric Green, star of the new film Sarah’s Oil, as he recounts the story of a young Black girl who became a millionaire after “black gold” was discovered on her Oklahoma land and shares what it’s like to be one half of a Hollywood power couple with Sonequa Martin-Green.












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In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with NAACP award-winning historian and Fulbright scholar Karida Brown, Emory University sociology professor, as she discusses her two latest books, The Battle for the Black Mind and The New Brownies’ Book: A Love Letter to Black Families.










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In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) as he discusses his new memoir, The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation.












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In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Ruth E. Carter, two-time Oscar-winning costume designer, as they discuss her career, the story behind Eddie Murphy’s red leather suit, and her insights featured in the new documentary Being Eddie.









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In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Lori Wallach, director of the Rethink Trade program at American Economic Liberties Project, as she breaks down President Donald Trump’s $2,000 stimulus plan, which is supposedly funded by tariffs.









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In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Vincent Intondi, Cornell University scholar, managing editor of The Nuclear Times, and executive director of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility—as he reflects on the new Netflix film A House of Dynamite in the context of his work on the intersection of race and nuclear weapons.












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In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, as she goes inside her new book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy.















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In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Christian Menefee, Harris County Attorney and run-off candidate for Texas’ storied 18th Congressional seat, as he shares 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.

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In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with materials engineer and science communicator Ainissa Ramirez as she shares her debut children’s book, Spark: Jim West’s Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone—plus, Tavis speaks directly with Johns Hopkins University Professor Jim West.












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In this Best of 2025 episode, we revisit Tavis Smiley’s conversation with Joel Berg—CEO of Hunger Free America and author of America, We Need to Talk: A Self-Help Book for the Nation—as he explains why President Donald Trump is allowing food stamp funding to run out.

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