The Rick Smith Show

Full Three Hour Show for February 15, 2016

Braddock Mayor John Fetterman, candidate for the United States Senate joins Rick to talk about the importance of this senate race in light of the recent passing of US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

John Neurohr, Co-chair of the Why Courts Matter - PA coalition joins Rick to give the lay of the land in the wake US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s passing and discuss what is next for the president in nominating a replacement for the high court.

Lisa Maatz, Vice President of Government Relations, American Assoc. of University Women (AAUW) joins Rick to highlight the growing student debt crisis and how this this high debt load is affecting women and minority students.

Vernon Haltom, Executive Director of Coal River Mountain Watch joins Rick to talk about the two years since the “Freedom Water” disaster in Charleston, WV and how what is going on in Flint, MI is not an accident.

Jeanette Deutermann, parent and public school activists joins Rick to talk about what led her to create Opt Out Long Island and how her involvement has helped to inform other parents into action.

Terri Rector Michal, Organizer of S.O.S. - Support Our Students, co-chair of Moral Monday Alabama, and member of the Badass Teachers Association leadership team joins Rick to talk about her involvement to fight for public education as a grandmother of students and mother of teachers and hear her call for activism. 

Mayor John talks SCOTUS Divide

Braddock Mayor John Fetterman, candidate for the United States Senate joins Rick to talk about the importance of this senate race in light of the recent passing of US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

John Neurohr talks Why Courts Matter

John Neurohr, Co-chair of the Why Courts Matter - PA coalition joins Rick to give the lay of the land in the wake US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s passing and discuss what is next for the president in nominating a replacement for the high court.

Lisa Maatz Brings the Class War for Equality

Lisa Maatz, Vice President of Government Relations, American Assoc. of University Women (AAUW) joins Rick to highlight the growing student debt crisis and how this this high debt load is affecting women and minority students.

Vernon Haltom Talks Not Loving the “Freedom Water”

Vernon Haltom, Executive Director of Coal River Mountain Watch joins Rick to talk about the two years since the “Freedom Water” disaster in Charleston, WV and how what is going on in Flint, MI is not an accident.

Jeanette Deutermann talks Opting Out

Jeanette Deutermann, parent and public school activists joins Rick to talk about what led her to create Opt Out Long Island and how her involvement has helped to inform other parents into action.

Terri Rector Michal talks Badass Teacher Activism

Terri Rector Michal, Organizer of S.O.S. - Support Our Students, co-chair of Moral Monday Alabama, and member of the Badass Teachers Association leadership team joins Rick to talk about her involvement to fight for public education as a grandmother of students and mother of teachers and hear her call for activism. 

Full Three Hour Show for February 8, 2016

Admiral Joe Sestak, Democratic Senatorial candidate joins Rick to talk about the rise in autism rates and what needs to be done, and discusses the latest AP story on his opponent’s voting record on veteran’s issues.

Mark Price, Labor Economist at the Keystone Research Center joins Rick to discuss their most recent report on the minimum wage and why now is the time to increase it.

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero at the Raging Chicken Press joins Rick to talk about today’s rally in the Pennsylvania State Capitol rotunda for proper funding of higher education.

Tom Porton, recently retired Bronx, NY teacher joins Rick to talk about why after 47 years as one of the most popular educators in his building and an active member of his community he decided it was time to walk away.

Brett Bigham, 2014 Oregon 2014 teacher of the year and recipient of the 2015 National Education Association Award for Teaching Excellence joins Rick to talk about how he was forced out of the job he excelled at, and the harassment that came with his recognition because he is gay.  

Joe Sestak talk Autism Awareness and Prevention on the Campaign Trail

Admiral Joe Sestak, Democratic Senatorial candidate joins Rick to talk about the rise in autism rates and what needs to be done, and discusses the latest AP story on his opponent’s voting record on veteran’s issues.

Mark Price talking Raise the Wage and Save

Mark Price, Labor Economist at the Keystone Research Center joins Rick to discuss their most recent report on the minimum wage and why now is the time to increase it.

Kevin Mahoney, It's Raging Chicken Monday

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero at the Raging Chicken Press joins Rick to talk about today’s rally in the Pennsylvania State Capitol rotunda for proper funding of higher education.

Tom Porton, On Why it was time to hang it up.

Tom Porton, recently retired Bronx, NY teacher joins Rick to talk about why after 47 years as one of the most popular educators in his building and an active member of his community he decided it was time to walk away. 

Brett Bigham, What happened after being named Teacher of The Year

Brett Bigham, 2014 Oregon 2014 teacher of the year and recipient of the 2015 National Education Association Award for Teaching Excellence joins Rick to talk about how he was forced out of the job he excelled at, and the harassment that came with his recognition because he is gay.  

Full Three Hour Show for February 5, 2016

Samuel Gross, Editor and Co-Founder of the National Registry of Exonerations,joins Rick to discuss the record number of individuals exonerated in 2015 and these numbers mean about our criminal justice system and how we can correct these wrongs.

Isaiah Poole, On Line Editor of Our Future at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to talk about the 5^th Democratic Party debate, the issues that divide the candidates and how it will play in New Hampshire and beyond.  

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to examine the floor of jobs and trade numbers released and breakdown the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Vernon Gammon, Secretary-Treasurer & Business Agent of Teamsters Local joins Rick to talk about their campaign to save the jobs of 500 Miller/Coors workers in Eden, NC as management closes the safest, most productive plant.  Is retaliation the motive?  You decide.  

Samuel R. Gross talks 2015 Record of Exonerations in America

Samuel Gross, Editor and Co-Founder of the National Registry of Exonerations,joins Rick to discuss the record number of individuals exonerated in 2015 and these numbers mean about our criminal justice system and how we can correct these wrongs.

Isaiah Poole talks Progressive Bona Fides of Dem Debate

Isaiah Poole, On Line Editor of Our Future at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to talk about the 5^th Democratic Party debate, the issues that divide the candidates and how it will play in New Hampshire and beyond.  

Matias Vernengo on Massive Trade Deficits & Dem Debate

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to examine the floor of jobs and trade numbers released and breakdown the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Vernon Gammon talks Saving Workers Jobs in the Face of Corporate Greed

Vernon Gammon, Secretary-Treasurer & Business Agent of Teamsters Local joins Rick to talk about their campaign to save the jobs of 500 Miller/Coors workers in Eden, NC as management closes the safest, most productive plant.  Is retaliation the motive?  You decide.  

Full Three Hour Show for February 3, 2016

Braddock Pennsylvania Mayor John Fetterman joins Rick to talk about his Pennsylvania Senate campaign and the response his grassroots effort has garnered thus far.

Doug Cunningham, Reporter at Workers Independent News Service joins Rick to discuss the Labor News of the day from around the nation.

Pennsylvania State Senator Art Haywood joins Rick to update progress on the state raising the minimum wage, where the 2015 budget is, and his views on Paycheck destruction now being pushed through the PA GOP General Assembly.

Will Fischer, Executive Director Unions Veterans Council joins Rick to respond to the latest Donald Trump statement about veterans and to talk about what veterans need to know about 

Mayor Fetterman talks Stronger than Toomey, Literally and Figuratively

Braddock Pennsylvania Mayor John Fetterman joins Rick to talk about his Pennsylvania Senate campaign and the response his grassroots effort has garnered thus far.