The Rick Smith Show

On this episode of the Rick Smith Show, Rick digs into the latest jobs numbers revision with Sara Estep, economist at the Center for American Progress, who explains what the data reveals about the sinking Trump economy and the widening struggles for working families. Together, they uncover how the administration’s rosy rhetoric hides deep economic pain. Later, Jill Manrique, Executive Director of Chicago Jobs with Justice, jo...

On this episode of the Rick Smith Show, Rick discusses the troubling rise of authoritarianism in America and sheds light on “Operation Midway Blitz,” a push that threatens working people and democracy alike. Lisa Graves of True North Research joins to expose the dangers of unchecked power and the erosion of accountability under Trump. Later, Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works, breaks down the absurdity o...

On this episode of the Rick Smith Show, Rick breaks down Trump’s so-called “winning economy” as job numbers continue to collapse since his so-called “liberation day,” exposing a reality far from the promises. Rick examines the administration’s desperate distractions, from bizarre conspiracy claims that Trump once snitched for the FBI in the Epstein case to inflammatory memes portraying an “Apocalypse Now” showdown with Chicag...

On this episode of the Rick Smith Show, Rick is joined by veteran labor reporter Steven Greenhouse to discuss the state of work and organizing in America after Labor Day, as Donald Trump attacks unions while claiming to champion American workers. LIUNA Vice President Mike Hellstrom previews the upcoming New York City Labor Day Parade and highlights labor’s broader push to restore power to working people. Later, Teamsters Loca...

On this episode of the Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with historian Peter Cole, Ph.D., Professor at Western Illinois University and Co-director of the Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project, about Donald Trump’s deployment of troops in Washington, D.C., and threats to send them to Chicago and Baltimore. Cole lays out the troubling historical parallel of National Guard units breaking strikes and suppressing workers’ rig...

On the Rick Smith Show, Rick is joined by Army veteran and Common Defense Political Director Naveed Shah to discuss the deployment of the National Guard in Washington, DC, highlighting concerns over militarization and the message it sends to American citizens. Shah draws on his experience to critique the use of soldiers for political purposes. Later, Raw Story reporter Sarah Burris returns to break down the latest chaos and s...

On the Rick Smith Show, Rick marks Labor Day with a hard look at Trump’s relentless attacks on working people and unions, highlighting how his policies undermine jobs, wages, and worker protections. Rick also calls out the shortsightedness of Trump’s decision to stop the Revolution Wind project and stall other clean energy investments that created thousands of good-paying union jobs. Joining the conversation, Jim Williams Jr....

On the Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with David Madland, Senior Fellow at the American Worker Project, about Trump’s abysmal record on labor, from attacking collective bargaining to siding with corporate interests while workers bear the costs. Madland highlights how these policies weaken unions and strip away protections for working families. Later in the show, former NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo joins Rick to discuss the es...

On the Rick Smith Show, Rick speaks with retired Army Major and NC-9 Congressional candidate Rich Ojeda about Trump’s controversial executive order criminalizing flag burning and the President’s unsettling decision to deploy National Guard soldiers into U.S. cities. Ojeda underscores the dangers these actions pose to constitutional freedoms and democracy. In the second half, economics professor Matías Vernengo joins the conve...

On the Rick Smith Show, Rick is joined by Guardian labor reporter Michael Sainato to discuss Trump’s shutdown of the Revolution Wind project, his broader assault on the National Labor Relations Board, and how these actions further enrich the CEO class, which already enjoys a staggering 632-to-1 pay advantage over workers. The conversation underscores corporate power’s tightening grip at the expense of labor. Later, Elon Unive...

On the Rick Smith Show, Rick speaks with labor attorney David Borer about the recent 5th Circuit Court decision declaring the National Labor Relations Board’s structure unconstitutional after 90 years, a ruling with major implications for workers’ rights and union protections. The conversation underscores the assault on institutions meant to safeguard the working class. Later, Sarah Burris of Raw Story joins Rick to cover a w...

On the Rick Smith Show, Rick highlights James from Seven Hills, Ohio, who was fired for eating leftover chicken and a fruit cup on the job, an act monitored, likely by AI, until it reached a threshold for criminal charges. Rick stresses how this harsh treatment reflects the double standard working people face, punished for salvaging food destined for the trash while CEOs and corporate criminals rob workers’ wages, healthcare,...

On the Rick Smith Show, Rick speaks with labor attorney David Borer about the recent 5th Circuit Court decision declaring the National Labor Relations Board’s structure unconstitutional after 90 years, a ruling with major implications for workers’ rights and union protections. The conversation underscores the assault on institutions meant to safeguard the working class. Later, Sarah Burris of Raw Story joins Rick to cover a w...

On the Rick Smith Show, Amy Hanauer, Executive Director of the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, discusses how Trump’s tax law slashes essential public spending, reduces federal support to states, and benefits the wealthy at the expense of everyday families. She outlines urgent state-level options for offsetting cuts. Scott Paul, president of the Alliance of American Manufacturing, joins to address the implications o...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with Raw Story’s Sarah Burris about Trump and Putin’s Alaska encounter, a heavily militarized Washington, DC, and new revelations from the Epstein files. Investigative journalist Greg Palast joins to discuss his latest special, All Washed Away: Trump drowns FEMA, uncovering how Trump's FEMA dealings fueled disaster profiteering and tragic consequences, as exposed in Texas and New Orleans. Pala...

Rick opens The Rick Smith Show by examining the challenges teachers face prepping for the new school year often doing so in their own time and buying classroom supplies on their own dime. He discusses what Democrats need to do to win back working class voters, emphasizing policy changes and authentic outreach. Later, Rick welcomes Robert Benson, associate director at American Progress, to analyze the upcoming Trump-Putin Anch...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick speaks with Bill Scher, Politics Editor at Washington Monthly, about the escalating redistricting battles, Trump’s increasing militarization of Washington, D.C., and the negative impact of tariffs on American workers. Later, Rick is joined by Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works, to discuss the Protect Our Checks tour in Montana. Lawson explains how Trump’s major legislative bill thr...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick is joined by Max Moran, Sr. Fellow at The Revolving Door Project, to discuss Moran’s provocative article “The Democrats Were Designed For An America That No Longer Exists.” Moran argues the Democratic Party must reinvent itself to survive in a rapidly changing America, urging both politicians and voters to choose and shape the future they want. Later, author Joe Allen shares insights from his new ...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick speaks with AFT President Randi Weingarten about the rising attacks on labor by the Trump administration and discusses what Democrats must do to support American workers. Later, Raw Story reporter Sarah Burris joins to cover the controversial “Big Balls beating,” Trump’s move to deploy the National Guard, and the latest developments in the Epstein saga. Tune in as the show tackles the week’s most ...