The Rick Smith Show

David Yankovich shares His Mother's Heartbreaking Opioid Struggle

David Yankovich, Digital Strategist and Political Commentator joins Rick to share the heartbreaking personal story of his mother’s long struggle with opioid addiction, a health care system that seems unwilling to help, and to discuss the toll it is having on her life and the rest of his family.

Khary Penebaker talks Racist Ambien Tweeting and Texas Gun Plan

Khary Penebaker, #DNC Member and #GunViolence Survivor joins Rick to discuss the recent circus surrounding Roseanne’s racist Ambien tweeting and to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of Texas governor’s 40 page proposal on how to stop school shooting in Texas.

Marc Stier talks #WeThePeople Campaign

Marc Stier, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center joins Rick to discuss his origination’s latest We the People campaign to highlight 6 areas working people should be focused from tax policy to higher wages to health care and afford housing to education to rebuilding our nation to strengthening our democracy and everything in between.

The Rick Smith Show 5-29-2018

Michigan State Senator Ian Conyers, Candidate for US House of Representatives joins Rick to discuss this day in Racism as Roseanne is Barred, Starbucks is closed for bias training, and the alt right is crazier than ever and what, if anything, can be done to change the culture in America.

Norbert Richter, Founder, Fire Your Congressman PAC joins Rick to share his thoughts on how it is that congress is so wildly unpopular yet incumbency has never been more protective and discuss what needs to be done to restore competition to our democracy.

Laddie Hostalek, Business Agent for Teamsters Local 1108 in Ohio joins Rick to discuss the current decertification assault on FlexJet members by the company's management and another union busting outfit funded by billionaires seeking to create division in the workplace and rule with an iron fist.  If FlexJet is successful, this could be the beginning of an industry wide assault on pilot’s working conditions and the safety of their passengers.

Senator Ian Conyers talks Race in America

Michigan State Senator Ian Conyers, Candidate for US House of Representatives joins Rick to discuss this day in Racism as Roseanne is Barred, Starbucks is closed for bias training, and the alt right is crazier than ever and what, if anything, can be done to change the culture in America.

Norbert Richter talks Founding of Fire Your Congressman PAC

Norbert Richter, Founder, Fire Your Congressman PAC joins Rick to share his thoughts on how it is that congress is so wildly unpopular yet incumbency has never been more protective and discuss what needs to be done to restore competition to our democracy.

Laddie Hostalek explains Corporate Attacks on Unionized Pilots

Laddie Hostalek, Business Agent for Teamsters Local 1108 in Ohio joins Rick to discuss the current decertification assault on FlexJet members by the company's management and another union busting outfit funded by billionaires seeking to create division in the workplace and rule with an iron fist.  If FlexJet is successful, this could be the beginning of an industry wide assault on pilots working conditions and the safety of their passengers.

The Rick Smith Show 5-23-2018

Paul Secunda, Professor of Law and Director, Labor and Employment Law Program at Marquette University joins Rick to discuss the recently released video of police tasing an NBA player for the Milwaukee Bucks over a parking ticket, the NFL imposing No Kneeling Policy without bargaining with the players union, and the Supreme Courts most recent attacks on workers’ rights.

Celeste Drake, Trade & Globalization Policy Specialist at the AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk about where the NAFTA negotiations and if there will be an agreement by the end of the year. Celeste answers the question of which bad trade deal is worse, China or NAFTA?

Anna Kruk Corbin, mother, health care activist, and patient advocate joins Rick to share her experience of fighting health insurance companies, the medical bureaucracy, and a Republican machine hell bent on taking Medicaid from her children.

Paul Secunda talks Recent Attacks on Workers and Minorities

Paul Secunda, Professor of Law and Director, Labor and Employment Law Program at Marquette University joins Rick to discuss the recently released video of police tasing an NBA player for the Milwaukee Bucks over a parking ticket, the NFL imposing No Kneeling Policy without bargaining with the players union, and the Supreme Courts most recent attacks on workers’ rights.

Celeste Drake talks Trade Hopes

Celeste Drake, Trade & Globalization Policy Specialist at the AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk about where the NAFTA negotiations and if there will be an agreement by the end of the year.  Celeste answers the question of which bad trade deal is worse, China or NAFTA?

Anna Kruk Corbin on Why Medicaid Matters

Anna Kruk Corbin, mother, health care activist, and patient advocate joins Rick to share her experience of fighting health insurance companies, the medical bureaucracy, and a Republican machine hell bent on taking Medicaid from her children.   

The Rick Smith Show 5-22-2018

David Yankovich, Digital strategist for AL Senator Doug Jones’ campaign joins Rick to talk about he need for Democrats to fight for bold change and pursue a visionary agenda that will make American’s lives better.

LUKE VARGAS, UN Correspondent Talk Media News    

Alaine Williams, Attorney, Willig, Williams, & Davidson joins Rick to explains the recent Supreme Court case ending class action lawsuits in employment case and to discuss what forcing workers into arbitration means for the future of workers in America.

Gregg Gelzinis, research associate for Economic Policy at the Center for American Progress joins Rick to talk about the FDIC’s report of record profits for the big banks and the same day the Republican leadership choses to repeal of Dodd-Frank regulations on big banks.

David Yankovich on Bold Vision, Bold Actions

David Yankovich, Digital strategist for AL Senator Doug Jones’ campaign joins Rick to talk about he need for Democrats to fight for bold change and pursue a visionary agenda that will make American’s lives better.

Alaine Williams explains Egregiously Wrong SCOTUS Decision

Alaine Williams, Attorney, Willig, Williams, & Davidson joins Rick to explains the recent Supreme Court case ending class action lawsuits in employment case and to discuss what forcing workers into arbitration means for the future of workers in America.

Gregg Gelzinis talks Setting Up the Next Great Recession

Gregg Gelzinis, research associate for Economic Policy at the Center for American Progress joins Rick to talk about the FDIC’s report of record profits for the big banks and the same day the Republican leadership choses to repeal of Dodd-Frank regulations on big banks.

The Rick Smith Show 5-21-2018 Night

Sarah Kendzior, writer, political commentator, and author of New York Times Bestseller The View From Flyover Country joins Rick to talk about the need to not relitigate 2016 or 2017 but to focus on the crimes of 2018 and explains how what we are seeing coming out of the Trump crime family is predictable.

Propane Jane is back sharing her thoughts on Nazi Barbie’s call to not judge her by her political beliefs, judge her on how she treats individuals and to discuss the Trump’s Twitter Tantrum Syndrome.

Michigan State Senator Ian Conyers, Youngest State Senator in Michigan History joins Rick to talk about his congressional run for Michigan’s 13th district and discuss the main issues his campaign is focusing on in a district with high poverty and many needs.

Sarah Kendzior Sheds Light on the Kleptocracy

Sarah Kendzior, writer, political commentator, and author of New York Times Bestseller The View From Flyover Country joins Rick to talk about the need to not relitigate 2016 or 2017 but to focus on the crimes of 2018 and explains how what we are seeing coming out of the Trump crime family is predictable.   

Propane Jane on Trump's Twitter Tantrum Syndrome

Propane Jane is back sharing her thoughts on Nazi Barbie’s call to not judge her by her political beliefs, judge her on how she treats individuals and to discuss the Trump’s Twitter Tantrum Syndrome.

Ian Conyers talks Congressional Bid

Michigan State Senator Ian Conyers, Youngest State Senator in Michigan History joins Rick to talk about his congressional run for Michigan’s 13^th district and discuss the main issues his campaign is focusing on in a district with high poverty and many needs.

The Rick Smith Show 5-21-2018 Morning

Rebecca Vallas, vice president for the Poverty to Prosperity Program at American Progress joins Rick to talk about how a united Democratic Party with the help of several Freedom Caucus Republicans turned back a terrible Farm Bill and to discuss what the bill would do if eventually passed into law.

Tom Perez, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) joins Rick to discuss recent big primary wins, looks forward to a Blue Wave in November, and talks about the values Democrats will bring to the national conversation making the case to flip the house and senate in 2018. 

Will Bunch, National columnist for Philadelphia Daily News joins Rick joins Rick to discuss his recent article raising awareness to current kleptocratic atmosphere of the Trump administration calling for voters to follow the money.