The Rick Smith Show

Melissa Boteah on Latest Economic News

Melissa Boteach, vice president of the Poverty to Prosperity Program at American Progress joins Rick to talk about the latest economic news out and what it means for workers across the nation as poverty and uninsured numbers go down.

The Rick Smith Show 9-13-2017

David Yankovich, Political commentator joins Rick to discuss the recent news and rumors swirling around the Trump White House.

Dr. Stephen Herzenberg, Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center shares his thoughts on the latest gimmick by Republicans in the Pennsylvania House of Representative to “rechristen” the state pathetically low Impact fee as a “Severance Tax” while not bringing in additional revenue to close the state’s massive budget deficit.

Will Bunch, National Columnist Philly Daily News joins Rick to talk about his old buddy Melvin Redick and the other created Americans used to spread misinformation and lies during the 2016 election and discuss what the future holds in light of the 2016 propaganda war Americans lost.

David Yankovich talks Trump White House

David Yankovich, Political commentator joins Rick to discuss the recent news and rumors swirling around the Trump White House.

Dr. Stephen Herzenberg explain "New" PA Severance Tax

Dr. Stephen Herzenberg, Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center shares his thoughts on the latest gimmick by Republicans in the Pennsylvania House of Representative to “rechristen” the state pathetically low Impact fee as a “Severance Tax” while not bringing in additional revenue to close the state’s massive budget deficit.

Will Bunch shares Memories of Melvin Redick

Will Bunch, National Columnist Philly Daily News joins Rick to talk about his old buddy Melvin Redick and the other created Americans used to spread misinformation and lies during the 2016 election and discuss what the future holds in light of the 2016 propaganda war Americans lost.

The Rick Smith Show 9-12-2017

Check out today's #Podcast with Adam Parkhomenko, former Advisor to Hillary Clinton, Andrea Chalupa, journalist, and Lisa Hymas is director of the climate and energy program at Media Matters for America.

The Rick Smith Show 9-11-2017

Propane Jane is back!  She joins Rick to discuss her firsthand experience with Hurricane Harvey and shares her thoughts on the federal response to the crisis.

Wythe Keever Assistant Communications Director at PSEA joins Rick to discuss the latest Republican budgeting gimmick and who it will harm education across the commonwealth.

Frank Emspak, Executive Producer Workers Independent News joins Rick to report on the latest news from around the Labor Movement. 

Propane Jane is Back, Not Even a Hurricane Can Keep Her Down

Propane Jane is back!  She joins Rick to discuss her firsthand experience with Hurricane Harvey and shares her thoughts on the federal response to the crisis.

Wythe Keever on Latest PA GOP Budget Gimmick

Wythe Keever Assistant Communications Director at PSEA joins Rick to discuss the latest Republican budgeting gimmick and who it will harm education across the commonwealth.

The Rick Smith Show 9-7-2017

Bill Scher, Contributing Editor at Politico Magazine joins Rick to discuss the surprise decision by President Trump to side with Democrats in agreeing to a short-term increase in the debt ceiling and Hurricane Harvey funding without demanding a pound of flesh from working people.  

Dave Jamieson, labor reporter for Huffington Post joins Rick to talk about a recent letter sent to the Secretary of Labor by more than 200 Labor Lawyers around the country protesting Ronald Reagan being inducted into the department’s Hall of Honor.  They argue the Hall is reserved for people who have made the lives of working people better, and Reagan they claim does not fit that bill.

Tom Jawetz, Vice President for Immigration Policy at Center for American Progress joins Rick to explain the latest news on the Trump administrations many faces on DACA and what this vacillation means for those affected.  

Bill Scher explain Head Scratching Debt Ceiling Deal

Bill Scher, Contributing Editor at Politico Magazine joins Rick to discuss the surprise decision by President Trump to side with Democrats in agreeing to a short-term increase in the debt ceiling and Hurricane Harvey funding without demanding a pound of flesh from working people.  

Dave Jamieson talks Labor Hall of Shame

Dave Jamieson, labor reporter for Huffington Post joins Rick to talk about a recent letter sent to the Secretary of Labor by more than 200 Labor Lawyers around the country protesting Ronald Reagan being inducted into the department’s Hall of Honor.  They argue the Hall is reserved for people who have made the lives of working people better, and Reagan they claim does not fit that bill.

Tom Jawetz talks The Many Faces of Trump's DACA Non Policy

Tom Jawetz, Vice President for Immigration Policy at Center for American Progress joins Rick to explain the latest news on the Trump administrations many faces on DACA and what this vacillation means for those affected.  

The Rick Smith Show 9-6-2017

Larry Willis, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) joins Rick to discuss the need for massive investment in the nation’s infrastructure and the need to update transportation networks to ensure workers get to work on time and businesses get their products to market.

Gisele Fetterman, wife of Braddock, PA Mayor John Fetterman and former Dreamer joins Rick to share her experience as child coming to America from Brazil and discuss her thoughts on President Trump’s decision to terminate DACA protections.   

Barbara Futch, home health care workers, joins Rick to share her story of taking care of her quadriplegic father, discuss the difficulties she encounters daily in light of the PBS Documentary Care, and call for dignity in the work she does every day.

Larry WIllis on Rebuilding America

Larry Willis, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) joins Rick to discuss the need for massive investment in the nation’s infrastructure and the need to update transportation networks to ensure workers get to work on time and businesses get their products to market.

Gisele Fetterman on Her Dreamer Experience

Gisele Fetterman, wife of Braddock, PA Mayor John Fetterman and former Dreamer joins Rick to share her experience as child coming to America from Brazil and discuss her thoughts on President Trump’s decision to terminate DACA protections.   

Barbara Futch talks Hardship of Caring for Loved One

Barbara Futch, home health care workers, joins Rick to share her story of taking care of her quadriplegic father, discuss the difficulties she encounters daily in light of the PBS Documentary Care, and call for dignity in the work she does every day.

The Rick Smith Show 9-5-2017

David Yankovich, political commentator joins Rick to discuss the need for a sound Democratic Party message and to talk about how more divisive social issues are should be handled.

Andrea Chalupa, journalist joins Rick to talk about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent moves to position Russia at the center of international diplomatic affairs and discuss how Russia will benefit from climate change as the globe gets warmer.

Raul Rivera, a Pittsburgh fast food worker joins Rick to share his thoughts of the historic Labor Day day of action as fast food workers in Pittsburgh and across the nation took to the street in a one day strike to demand a $15 an hour minimum wages and union representation.

David Yankovich on the Need for a Strong Democratic Message

David Yankovich, political commentator joins Rick to discuss the need for a sound Democratic Party message and to talk about how more divisive social issues are should be handled.

Andrea Chalupa on Moscow's Moves

Andrea Chalupa, journalist joins Rick to talk about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent moves to position Russia at the center of international diplomatic affairs and discuss how Russia will benefit from climate change as the globe gets warmer.