The Rick Smith Show

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with American Prospect Executive Editor David Dayen about his frustrations with Democratic leaders caving on the government shutdown, highlighting missed opportunities and the harmful consequences for working people. Later, Rick is joined by Brent Booker, General President of LIUNA, who explains how the shutdown “cave” left union members and families without paychecks and ram...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick speaks with Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works, about the Chucking Chuck Schumer after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Later, AFGE District 3 VP Phil Glover joins to discuss how Democratic concessions in ending the shutdown may set a troubling precedent and undermine protections for workers nationwide. Through these candid conversations, the episode explores the di...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick is joined by Pat LaMarche, who discusses her latest report exposing how corporate investors are rapidly buying up single family homes in Philadelphia, affecting affordability, evictions, and local communities. LaMarche highlights concerns about rising rents and lost homeownership in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. Later, Raw Story reporter Sarah Burris analyzes how Democrats gained nothing from ...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with Joe Walsh, former Tea Party congressman, about Walsh’s journey to the Democratic Party and whether Democrats are ready to welcome him into their tent. The episode explores Walsh’s transformation, the party’s openness to former conservatives, and what it means for the future of political coalitions.

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On The Rick Smith Show, Rick discusses the harmful impact of SNAP cuts with Ismael Cid-Martinez, Economist at the Economic Policy Institute, showing how millions of families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities are threatened by ongoing funding reductions and government shutdowns. Later, Rep. Dani Isaacsohn, Ohio House Minority Leader, explores the challenges of redistricting, advising Democrats on strategic actio...

On today’s show, Rick chats with Guardian Labor Reporter Michael Sainato about the Teamsters' 2026 election and his latest article covering the story. Then, Amy Withrow, Lead Negotiator for the Harrisburg Area Community College Education Association, joins us to talk about their ongoing strike. With faculty saying, "Enough is Enough," they’re fighting for fair treatment after years of stalled contract talks. Tune ...

On this episode of the Rick Smith Show Rick discusses the recent Democracy Matters study with Mike Lux of American Family Voices, exploring how Democrats lost touch with the working class and the importance of reconnecting to labor roots. Later, Phil Glover, AFGE District 3 National Vice President, joins to detail the record-breaking government shutdown, highlighting its historic length and severe impact on public sector work...

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick welcomes Raw Story reporter Sarah Burris to break down the weekend’s top stories, including Trump’s controversial Great Gatsby Ball at MAGA-Lago. The lavish “Roaring ’20s” party drew widespread criticism for its opulence and timing, as millions of Americans lost SNAP food benefits amid the government shutdown. Later, Katrina Golden, small business owner of Lil' Mama's Sweet...

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with Jason Campbell, Senior Researcher at Media Matters, about the bitter split in right-wing media over SNAP and food stamps as they can’t decide to who they hate more, Democrats or poor people. Later, Ryan Boyer, VP of LIUNA, discusses Trump’s war on workers, highlighting the termination of critical infrastructure projects like the Gateway Tunnel, labeled “Democrat projects...

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with Philly Inquirer national columnist Will Bunch about his recent newsletter article, “It Didn’t Take a Reichstag Fire to Burn Down Congress.” Bunch examines how democratic institutions are being eroded without an overt crisis, comparing the paralysis and partisan obstruction in Congress to authoritarian tactics, including Speaker Johnson’s shutdown maneuvers and Trump’s di...

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick welcomes Monica Cary, Pennsylvania State Director of Solar United Neighbors. Monica explains why electricity prices are surging and households are seeing a massive spike, adding to their monthly bills and emphasizes the need for smarter energy policies and better access to community solar solutions for Pennsylvanians. Later, Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works,...

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick welcomes labor historian Erik Loomis to discuss Project Firewall and the disturbing, retro-styled images recently released by the Department of Labor. Loomis critiques the images as eerily nostalgic for a 1940s–1950s America that never existed, reflecting a vision that excludes people of color and marginalizes today’s diverse working class. Later, Sam Newton, Communications Directo...

In this Rick Smith Show episode, Rick discusses a new Rutgers Policy Lab study exposing how corporate ownership of residential rental properties is surging in cities like Trenton, transforming neighborhoods into digital company towns and squeezing renters. Bucknell economics professor Matias Vernengo joins to analyze the return of these “company town” dynamics, revealing how corporate consolidation shifts control and undermin...

On this episode of The Rick Smith Show, Rick welcomes author Chuck Collins to discuss his new book Burned by Billionaires, exposing how extreme wealth concentrations destabilize democracy and working communities. AFGE District 3 Vice President Phil Glover then joins to unpack President Trump’s recent federal worker firings and their impact on public service morale. Finally, Rick examines Senator John Fetterman’s evolving stan...

Rick dives into labor and politics in this episode of The Rick Smith Show. He talks with Jackson Potter, Vice President of the Chicago Teachers Union, about the “No Kings Rally” and the growing worker led pushback against corporate greed. Then, Eugene DePasquale, Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, joins to discuss the upcoming PA Supreme Court retention vote and what Democrats must do, post No Kings, to reconnect wit...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick breaks down the “No Kings” Rally with Richard Hooker, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 623, who shares how working people are powering a nationwide movement demanding economic justice and democracy over greed and monarchy-style politics. Hooker spotlights the solidarity, struggle, and hope fueling union action coast to coast. Later, John Logan, Professor of Labor and Employment Studies at San Fran...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with labor attorney David Borer about the “No Kings” Rally—where working people, unions, and democracy defenders unite to reject authoritarianism and corporate greed. Borer breaks down the legal and moral stakes of protecting worker power in the face of rising inequality. Later, Raw Story reporter Sarah Burris joins to unpack the political shockwaves following George Santos’ sentence being c...

On The Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers and author of Why Fascists Fear Teachers, about the “No Kings” Rally, an urgent call to defend democracy, public education, and the power of collective action. Later, Jaime Contreras, Executive Vice President of SEIU 32BJ, joins to discuss airport workers’ historic push for livable wages and healthcare in their first eve...

On the Rick Smith Show, Rick talks with Guardian labor reporter Michael Sainato about the major court ruling halting the Trump administration’s mass firing of federal workers, a decision the judge called “likely illegal.” Sainato explains how the case challenges Trump’s sweeping executive order, which aimed to dismantle key agencies and gut collective bargaining rights, and what the fight means for millions of public servants...