Stories & Solidarity
Project Labor podcast celebrates the daily grind by diving deep into the lives and careers of people doing interesting work.
Each episode asks the essential questions: What do you actually do all day? How do you feel about your work? And how’d you get here?
In honest, in depth conversations, we talk to everyone from union tradespeople, artists, small business owners, and daring career changers.
Join us in building a living catalog of the modern American workplace.
Whether you’re a student imagining your first step, a career changer looking for a fresh start, or just somebody curious about the reality faced by workers today, we’re going to shine a light on the daily life, passion, and dignity that make up labor today.
Contact: projectlaborpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @projectlabor
Proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network.
To be an ironworker means being connected to a type of labor that's more than 5,000 years old. Ancient Egpytians worked with iron from meteorites. Iron ore, carbon and limestone are combined in a blast furnace to make usable iron. In this episode, ironworker Francisca Pamela shares her perspective on union labor, managing family and work, and the strength of women in the trades. Link to Francisca's Instagram Link to Ironworkers Local 580 Discussion Questons: What are your fears at work?...
1 Sept 2026
Lifeguard
Joe Bongiovanni is the ultimate lifeguard. He's done hundreds and hundreds of rescues. He's now in charge of the Asbury Park beach. He's been doing protecting people for almost six decades. In this episode, we talk about what kinds of people work as lifeguards, what do they think of the work, and what are some of the tough and fast decisions they have to make. What do they do when twenty people need rescuing? What do they do in the off season? Find out here. Discussion Questions...
1 Aug 2026
Budtender
Scott’s the very informative manager of BCaf, a cannabis dispensary in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. With his big arms and intense eyes, you could tell Scott has built things. For more than twenty years, he worked building TV and movie sets. When you notice his “I’ve Got Drugs” pins, and you see him carefully drop his reading glasses into place, you start to see a fuller picture of a well-rounded man, a lifelong student who’s built a career on trust: in himself, in his colleagues, and in h...
1 Jul 2026
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy Director & Instructor
How do you teach kids discipline and self-defense? How do you succeed in a male-dominated, aggressive field? In this conversation, Aliya talks about teaching, admin work and creative opportunities in her role. Like any good teacher, Aliya reminds us, “There’s no 'I don’t know's', no 'I can’t’s'. It’s just, 'I need to learn.'” Guest Bio: Aliya was born in Kazakhstan and moved to the states as a kid. Being an immigrant gave her a different perspective on life and responsibilities in comparison ...
1 Jun 2026
Funeral Director
I ran into Robert at a bar where we went to watch a mutual friend play music. I found out he’s the dad of one of my former students and our wives work together. I learned about his son’s success as a welder and Robert’s own past as a farmer, mechanic, tool tech, valet, collector and fixer of various vehicles. When he started talking about embalming people, I had to learn more. Robert reflects about standing up for yourself at work, persevering, family encouragement, and making changes when yo...
1 May 2026
Culinary Worker (May Day Special)
Happy May Day! A person can be calm, genuine, modest, and hard-working while still demanding dignity. That’s what Culinary Worker Heather proves. Heather simply demands dignity and with her brothers and sisters in UNITE HERE LOCAL 226 at her side. Heather works as a food runner and busser in a unionized casino restaurant on the Las Vegas Strip and has been a Culinary Union Union member and Shop Steward for 5 years. Having experienced low wages, harassment, and insecurity in non‑union re...
1 Apr 2026
Horticultural Therapist
Mikkele has a little bit of a good witch witchiness to her. She nurtures plants and people’s feelings. While working full time as a mother, the healing power of nature revealed itself not only as curative but as a career as well. Mikkele Lawless is a dedicated professional with a passion for harnessing the healing power of nature. She is currently an instructor at The New York Botanical Garden and a horticultural therapist at Parker Health, working with older adults in memory care, skil...
1 Mar 2026
Immigration Lawyer
Jeff Simon is an immigration lawyer based in the Inland Empire outside of Los Angeles, CA. He currently works as a Staff Attorney at the Immigration Center for Women and Children ("ICWC"), a nonprofit in Los Angeles representing immigrant minors and survivors of domestic violence and other crimes. Jeff is a former high school teacher passionate about using law to eliminate barriers to education and opportunity for immigrants. Jeff started his career as an immigration lawyer at Innovation Law ...
1 Feb 2026
Special Education Teacher
Teacher and union leader Pat Frain joins us to discuss the creative, caring and tiring work of an educator. From his career in construction to his work in education, Pat has spent decades building the future of the United States using blueprints and lesson plans. Listen to learn about how special education functions in a school, how being in a union can impact one's career, how to become a teacher who can connect with students, and how the profession is changing. Discussion Questions: Who w...
31 Dec 2025
Tattoo Artist
Have you ever wondered what's it like to be a tattoo artist and how do you become one? Our first episode profiles Nassim (Sema) Dayoub, a New York City-based tattoo artist. He discusses the journey and craft of an artist today, as well as fighting racial injustice, economic woes, and the effects of COVID-19. Check out the book he mentions. He co-owns Flower World Tattoo, a worker-owned tattoo shop in Brooklyn. He is a writer, painter and fighter always striving for a better world. ...
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
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