The Rick Smith Show

Sally Steenland on being one of the chosen ones to see the Pope

Sally Steenland, Director of the Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative at the Center for American Progress joins Rick to talk about the Pope’s arrival and preview his visit.

Sundiata Brown on the United Youth Party of Allentown organizing

Sundiata Brown, Organizer with the United Youth Party of Allentown and Co-Founder of M3 joins Rick to discuss organizing efforts underway in the Allentown School District to raise awareness to the districts 40% high school dropout rate and demand accountability and a voice.

Full Three-Hour Show for September 21, 2015

 

Wendell Young IV, President of UFCW 1776 joins Rick to talk about the continuing attacks on the commonwealth’s Wine and Spirit Shops and what privatization means for taxpayers, consumers, and the safety of travelers.

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero at the Raging Chicken Press joins Rick to preview the upcoming week of student action in the Allentown School District and what he sees as the potential outcome.

Anthony Cody spent 24 years working in Oakland schools, 18 of them as a science teacher at a high-needs middle school. A National Board- certified teacher, he now leads workshops with teachers on Project Based Learning. He is the co-founder of the Network for Public Education.

Mercedes Schneider is a Louisiana public school teacher and education activist who holds a Ph.D. in applied statistics and research methods.

Wendell Young IV talks GOP Privatization scheme

Wendell Young IV, President of UFCW 1776 joins Rick to talk about the continuing attacks on the commonwealth’s Wine and Spirit Shops and what privatization means for taxpayers, consumers, and the safety of travelers.

Kevin Mahoney on Raging Monday

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero at the Raging Chicken Press joins Rick to preview the upcoming week of student action in the Allentown School District and what he sees as the potential outcome.

Anthony Cody on Common Core winners and losers

Anthony Cody, Former Teacher and Public Education Blogger joins Rick to talk about the push for Common Core and who wins, and who loses. 

Mercedes Schneider on the Big Profits with Common Core

Mercedes Schneider, Public School Teacher and writer joins Rick to discuss the massive profits associated with Common Core and where the cash is going.  

Full Three-Hour Show for September 18, 2015

PA State Senator Jay Costa joins Rick to discuss the latest developments in the ongoing budget saga that has gripped Harrisburg.

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University NakedKeynesianism Blogger joins Rick to talk about the recent decision by the Federal Reserve not to raise interest and what that decision means across the economy.

Isaiah J. Poole, On-line Editor at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to look back the GOP’s reality show America’s Got No Political Talent and look ahead to how our elected leaders should be acting to get America Moving.

Shakeda Gaines Finletter, Parent and education activist joins Rick to talk about yesterday’s National Parent’s Strike and discuss why she is supports the Opt Out Philly movement and standardized testing has done to her kids and their education.

PA State Senator Jay Costa on the #PABudget

PA State Senator Jay Costa joins Rick to discuss the latest developments in the ongoing budget saga that has gripped Harrisburg.

Matías Vernengo, Professor & NakedKeynesianism Blogger talk about the recent decision by the Federal Reserve

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University NakedKeynesianism Blogger joins Rick to talk about the recent decision by the Federal Reserve not to raise interest and what that decision means across the economy.

Shakeda Gaines Finletter, Parent and education activist talks Opt Out movement

Shakeda Gaines Finletter, Parent and education activist joins Rick to talk about yesterday’s National Parent’s Strike and discuss why she is supports the Opt Out Philly movement and standardized testing has done to her kids and their education.

Isaiah J. Poole, on #GOPDebate /Debacle

Isaiah J. Poole, On-line Editor at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to look back the GOP’s reality show America’s Got No Political Talent and look ahead to how our elected leaders should be acting to get America Moving. 

Full Three-Hour Show for September 17, 2015

Irwin Aronson, Labor Attorney and show regular is back to talk about the latest legislative attempt in Pennsylvania to destroy worker’s unions and make it much more difficult for workers to bargain for better, wages, hours, and conditions.

“Taxpayer” Tonya Bah, parent and education activist joins Rick on National Parent’s Strike day to talk about the wave of parents choosing to Opt their children out of the high stakes testing that is destroying education and what parents want for their children.

Joshua Hollland, fellow with The Investigative Fund at The Nation Institute joins Rick to dissect the GOP Debacle and answer the burning question of which foreign leader he would put on the US $10 bill, if any.

Thalia Cardona, Organizer and 4 year-Member of the United Youth Party in Allentown joins Rick to discuss the movement of students in Allentown stepping forward to demand a voice in their education and to preview the upcoming Walkout and Teach In that will be taking place at the end of September. 

Caryn Hunt, President, Pennsylvania NOW (National Organization for Women) joins Rick to talk about their upcoming convention and address issues facing her organization and women across the commonwealth.

Irwin Aronson, talks anti-worker ALEC attacks coming to PA

Irwin Aronson, Labor Attorney and show regular is back to talk about the latest legislative attempt in Pennsylvania to destroy worker’s unions and make it much more difficult for workers to bargain for better, wages, hours, and conditions.

“Taxpayer” Tonya Bah on National Parent’s Strike day

“Taxpayer” Tonya Bah, parent and education activist joins Rick on National Parent’s Strike day to talk about the wave of parents choosing to Opt their children out of the high stakes testing that is destroying education and what parents want for their children.

Joshua Holland on the GOP Debacle

Joshua Hollland, fellow with The Investigative Fund at The Nation Institute joins Rick to dissect the GOP Debacle and answer the burning question of which foreign leader he would put on the US $10 bill, if any.

Thalia Cardona, Organizer and 4 year-Member of the United Youth Party in Allentown talks student movement

Thalia Cardona, Organizer and 4 year-Member of the United Youth Party in Allentown joins Rick to discuss the movement of students in Allentown stepping forward to demand a voice in their education and to preview the upcoming Walkout and Teach In that will be taking place at the end of September.  

Caryn Hunt, President, Pennsylvania NOW talks GOP Debacle & Women's health

Caryn Hunt, President, Pennsylvania NOW (National Organization for Women) joins Rick to talk about their upcoming convention and address issues facing her organization and women across the commonwealth.

Full Three-Hour Show for September 16, 2015

Oliver Willis, Research Fellow at Media Matters for America joins Rick to preview the second GOP Presidential Primary debate from The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA.

Pennsylvania State Rep. Brian Sims joins Rick to discuss a series of bills he is sponsoring to help citizens register to vote in the commonwealth, make it easier to cast absentee ballots, and address the Gerrymandering crisis that has gripped Pennsylvania, among other states.

Frank Emspak, Executive Producer of Worker’s Independent News joins Rick to highlight the important Labor News of the day.

Michael Frassetto, Organizer with the United Youth Party in Allentown, PA joins Rick to talk about the work his group has been doing in the community and their fight to save public education for all students. 

Oliver Willis, Research Fellow at Media Matters for America on the #CNNDebate

Oliver Willis, Research Fellow at Media Matters for America joins Rick to preview the second GOP Presidential Primary debate from The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA.