Shows
A Work(place) in ProgressIs AI a Threat, A History of Workplace AutomationFrom the introduction of new farm tools to factory machines to AI automation has been changing jobs, and it remains so essential to a discussion about work. This episode highlights various angles of automation through to the contemporary AI technological revolution.Cover Photo by Tanner Boriack on Unsplash.
2026-01-0718 min
A Work(place) in ProgressWorking Without CoverageThis episode showcases the importance of healthcare/insurance access, addressing the ways employer-based insurance coverage shapes the daily lives and choices of women in the U.S.CoverPhoto by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash.
2026-01-0718 min
A Work(place) in ProgressGender Bias in Status ProfessionsThis episode brings together our artifacts and articles to show how gender inequality isn’t random or isolated; it’s patterned and deeply rooted. We start with Virginia Valian’s Sex, Schemas, and Success which helps explain how small, unconscious biases quietly shape how men and women are judged over time. We also draw on Jean H. Block’s work on gender socialization to show how these expectations begin in childhood, long before anyone enters a profession. Then we connect those ideas to real-word examples using a Havard Law School article on women being shut out of key legal networks and Inequi...
2026-01-0719 min
A Work(place) in ProgressThe Worm in the Apple: How a Lack of Resources is Killing EducationThis episode focuses on the decline in the number of teachers, mainly due to intricate work environments, lack of resources, and unfair compensation. Using archives and personal anecdotes to explore the contrast of working conditions then and now, Christina and Naomi will discuss the downsides and upsides of working in education. Cover Photo: "Demonstrators with signs, 'Save Our Best Teachers': AJC-5." L1991-13_01_11_002, Series 4: Photographs, 1940-1985, Southern Conference Educational Fund, Southern Labor Archives, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library, Atlanta, Georgia. https://digitalcollections.library.gsu.edu/digital/collection/labor/id/20458/rec/96. Accessed 6 January 2026.
2026-01-0721 min
A Work(place) in ProgressMore Than the Classroom: Teachers and the Fight to Be HeardIn this episode, “More Than the Classroom: Teachers and the Fight to Be Heard,” Kayla and Amari talk about the court case “Conrad v. Atlanta Board of Education” and the importance of a teacher’s voice within our society. They look further into the importance of teachers in history and how they used their voices to bring about societal reform, covering topics such as gender and race. Additionally, they highlight modern organizations and unions that are active and how they help teachers make an impact within local, state, and federal governments within the United States. Cover Photo: "Four Men Standin...
2026-01-0716 min
A Work(place) in ProgressHow Biomedical Innovation Transformed Nursing LaborAlex and Treni'D take you on a journey through nursing history from the 1940s to now using artifacts from the Southern Labor Archives at Georgia State University. Our big question is simple but heavy. How did biomedical innovation reshape nursing labor? Spoiler, the answer involves shifting workloads, expanding responsibilities, uneven wages, racial inequality, and the emotional weight that nurses have always carried. This isn't just about old records, it connects directly to what nurses face today. Burnout, staffing shortages, and rising expectations. Emotional labor is another big factor that we are talking about. The part nursing textbooks don't measure, the...
2026-01-0735 min
A Work(place) in ProgressHow Unions Weld UsIn this episode of a “Work Place in Progress”, Gabrielle Dodd and Milton Cervantes take the listener into a journey through time, comparing the past and present working conditions of welders and demonstrating how Unions can, and do make a drastic difference in the workplace. Gaining access to an exclusive interview with a present day, un-unionized welder, who shares his personal experience, they learn more about the degrading working conditions that not only welders but many Blue collar workers have to endure in present day America. They compare these current conditions to those of unionized workers of welding and manufacturing comp...
2026-01-0726 min
A Work(place) in ProgressUnder Pressure: The Welfare State By Plumbers, For PlumbersThis episode brings to light the hidden history of worker-run healthcare, community care, and solidarity in the plumbing industry and the plumbers who built it.Cover Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash.
2026-01-0717 min
A Work(place) in ProgressOf Maids and Mops: The Value of Domestic WorkersThis episode covers the struggles of U.S. domestic workers and the fleeting recognition that they received after advocating for themselves. It also examines the legacy of Dorothy Bolden and her work as an activist and advocate for domestic workers.Cover Photo: Jimmy Carter with Bolden. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University.
2026-01-0714 min
A Work(place) in ProgressBig Work, Small Hands: Child Labor Through TimeThis episode of A Work(place) in Progress shows us the struggles and ongoing reality of child labor. We were able to explain and utilize archival photographs and historical records that demonstrate how children worked long and tiring hours throughout dangerous industries, such as mills, factories, and farms. They often are exposed to toxins, deteriorating their health and education to support their families financially. We highlight how it was socially acceptable for children to take on adult responsibilities and was later regulated through laws, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act. Cover Photo: "Child Mill Workers." Fulton Bag & C...
2026-01-0719 min
A Work(place) in ProgressThe Weight of What We Throw AwayIn this episode, Angel and India dive into the Savannah Garbage Incinerator, a place that didn't just pollute the environment but put workers and nearby communities at real risk. They bring together historical documents, a Sierra Club report, news clips, and civil rights history to show how labor, environmental, and racial justice all connect. Through the voices of workers, the community, and modern examples like Atlanta's Proctor Creek, they trace patterns of neglect and resistance that are still happening today. It's about seeing the human side of environmental harm and why these stories matter now. we also consider the lessons...
2026-01-0721 min
A Work(place) in ProgressBattle in the Skies: PATCO vs WashingtonThis episode sheds light on the origins of PATCO, the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (1968), specifically the working conditions controllers faced. Listeners will gain an understanding of how the PATCO strike of 1981 developed, experience an event associated with the strike, and how the strike relates to the current struggles of air-traffic controllers in the aviation industry who are still working toward better conditions and wages. Cover Photo by Edward Lawrence on Unsplash.
2026-01-0717 min
A Work(place) in ProgressDialing In: The Fight For Fair WorkIn episode six of this podcast, Sarah and Chanell take their time to explore the telecommunication industry. In their episode they dive into the history of this industry and the birth of Communications Workers of America. This is the union for this industry that advocates for the employees. The story is told by going back in time by looking at a grievance filed by Nancy Telly and the issues that surround it. They also choose to touch on the ways that this industry is still not perfect by talking about issues that are being faced today.Cover Photo...
2026-01-0715 min
A Work(place) in ProgressThe Cost of a Hero: Firefighters, Fair Pay, and the Southern StruggleThis episode of A Work(place) in Progress explores the economic contradiction of the "Essential Worker" through a 1966 document from the Southern Labor Archives. It dissects a Marietta Fire Fighters proposal that exposed the "Lockheed Gap," where public servants earned 40% less than factory workers. Hosts Nouman and Kennedi analyze how this salary inadequacy, combined with anti-union laws and physically demanding "continuous duty," created a crisis in public safety and forced firefighters into poverty. The episode draws parallels to modern federal wildland firefighters facing a similar pay cliff, arguing that the fight for fair value remains a constant battle for those wh...
2026-01-0717 min
A Work(place) in ProgressBraceros: Hands that Fed AmericaIn this episode of A Work(place) in progress, Bhargavi and Asia dissect an archive from the Southern Labor Archives at GSU from 1955 which summarized the current outlook on legislation regarding both migrant and nonimmigrant farm work in the U.S. They describe the historical context behind the archive including the Bracero Program and explain what the program was, how it started, why it started, and how it treated its Mexican workers formerly known as “Braceros”. They describe the mistreatment that these workers faced and the racial discrimination that they were subject to as a result of the program. ...
2026-01-0720 min
A Work(place) in ProgressProtected Time: Why We Should Expand FMLAThis podcast opens with Imari and Mayson asking the audience if they know what the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is, how it affects their lives, and introducing our main argument on how it should be expanded or revised. They go on to share heartbreaking stories that highlight the law's inadequacies and shortcomings. Then, they break down the law itself and the eligibility requirements incorporated in the act, educating the listeners on the fundamentals of the act, passed in 1993. They also look at paid leave programs already working in several states and other countries, showing that supporting families doesn’t...
2026-01-0720 min
A Work(place) in ProgressBreaking Silences: A Fight for Equality in the MilitaryOn this episode of A Work(place) in progress, Jamel and Timothy discuss the story of Technical Sergeant Leonard Matlovich, a decorated Vietnam veteran who bravely challenged the U.S military's anti-gay ban on service members in the 1970s. His courage exposed the contradictions of the Military, honoring soldiers for their service while punishing them for their identity. This episode traces the evolution from outright ban to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, its tropes, and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ equal rights within the military—especially those who are transgender service members facing unjust and hostile policies. Matlovich’s legacy conti...
2026-01-0720 min
A Work(place) in ProgressBehind the Desk: The Toll on Women"Behind the Desk: The Toll on Women" was inspired by the 1985 US Department of Labor Office of Secretary, Women's Bureau of Publication, titled "Women and Office Automation Issues for the Decade Ahead." This episode talks about clerical work for women, and how not much has changed between the release of the publication, and today. The episode talks about automation of the workplace and what that meant from women in 1985’s VDT technology era, and what it means for women in today’s AI driver society. Additionally, the episode touches on gender bias in the workplace, and how AI can worsen its...
2026-01-0719 min
A Work(place) in ProgressShould It Be a Union?This final episode will take a deeper dive into labor unions by uncovering some common myths, considering examples of failed and successful unions, and examining whether it’s possible to achieve a perfect workplace. Observing court cases, conflicts, collective bargaining, and contract agreements involving unions relating to trade, retail, and entertainment, Aaryan and Chaseton offer their conclusions about the historical effectiveness of unions and the overall health of contemporary work environments.Cover Photo: "Striking workers with signs, 'On Strike for Justice.'" L1991-13_03_13_003, Series 4: Photographs, 1940-1985, Southern Conference Educational Fund, Southern Labor Archives, Special Collections and Archives, Ge...
2024-12-1624 min
A Work(place) in ProgressThe Silent Struggle: Exploitation in the Teaching ProfessionIn this episode, Angie, Nataly, and a special guest shed light on the urgent need for reform in the k-12 education sector and beyond. Despite being the foundation of our educational system, teachers frequently endure working conditions that would be intolerable in any other occupation. This episode examines the many forms of exploitation, such as the demands of emotional labor, a lack of professional recognition, and low pay, that teachers around the country deal with. But, it also illustrates how unions continue to play a crucial role in advocating for teachers and fighting for change.Cover Photo: "Teacher...
2024-12-1620 min
A Work(place) in ProgressLoaded Labor: Fear, Violence, and the Burdens of a Woman’s WorkThis episode analyzes two case studies from the Southern Labor Archives that illustrate the heightened risks women face in certain medical-professional contexts: first, a grievance filed by a woman working in psychiatric care, and second, a news article about abuse targeting women working in abortion clinics. Neveah and Nebyou explore how a lack of support and respect for care workers in general, and specifically for women in the medical field, puts these workers in vulnerable situations, where they may feel their only recourse is to take matters into their own hands.Cover Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich: https://www.p...
2024-12-1617 min
A Work(place) in ProgressCleaning Up After Managerial NegligenceThis episode examines the complications and hazards that Hazmat workers and first responders face regularly. Beginning with an analysis of the Chernobyl disaster, based on the Joan O. King Papers, and moving on to discuss more recent and more local stories of Hazmat workers’ exposure to unnecessary risk, Andrii and Broderick discuss how low pay and company negligence often leads to the worsening of incidents and further dangers to workers, the community, and the environment.Cover Photo by Wendelin Jacober: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-mask-graffiti-on-wall-1411419/
2024-12-1617 min
A Work(place) in ProgressFrom Takeoff to Landing: The Struggle of Air Traffic ControllersThis episode discusses the working conditions of air traffic controllers and the long history of mental health and chronic stress associated with this sector of the aviation industry. Using stories from the archives to illustrate common (and some uncommon) mental health issues that air traffic controllers experience as a result of overwork, isolation, and company negligence, Adhyamithra and Anaga make a case for better attention to what’s happening in the aviation industry on the ground.Cover Photo by Nikita Grishin: https://www.pexels.com/photo/airplane-on-a-runway-10406140/
2024-12-1616 min
A Work(place) in ProgressFood for Thought: The Bloody Past and Present of MeatpackingThis episode exposes the history of meatpacking in the United States and the specific labor issues associated with meatpackers. The industry has been synonymous with labor issues dating as far back as Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle (1906), but the issues depicted in Sinclair’s work—grueling work, undercompensated labor, and risk of injury—continue well into the present day. Juanita and Jay follow two threads of focus: the overarching history and depiction of the meatpacking industry and its labor issues and a case study on the Sioux Falls John Morrell & Co. meatpacking plant.Cover Photo: "Rose Hill Poultry Company...
2024-12-1616 min
A Work(place) in ProgressInvisible Threats: Carcinogens in the WorkplaceManufacturing and factory workers are supporting pillars of our economy, yet they face serious job-related health risks and hazards, such as exposure to harmful chemicals, injuries from heavy machines, and loss of hearing due to loud noises. This episode is about occupational safety issues faced by these workers, particularly the unseen threat of workplace carcinogens. Jayesh and Sean discuss these threats and suggest measures that factories and manufacturing units can adopt to avoid them.Cover Photo: "Steel furnaces at Atlantic Steel Company, Atlanta, Georgia." L1985-11_021, Labor Photographs, United Steelworkers of America, District 35 records, L1985-11, Southern Labor...
2024-12-1616 min
A Work(place) in ProgressWhen the Lights Go OutEpisode three focuses on the exploitation of professional athletes, specifically in the NFL and the MLB. Pranav and Timy explain the significance of labor activism in this field, the importance of unions, and how advocating and fighting for players’ rights can bring change to this industry that many love. Taking on controversies in professional sports, such as the use of turf fields, as well as historic moments in sports organizing, like the 1994 MLB players’ strike, this episode corrects some common misconceptions that pro sports is all fun and games.Cover Photo by Juan Salamanca: https://www.pexels.com/phot...
2024-12-1623 min
A Work(place) in ProgressBreaking Character: Women in TheaterThis episode amplifies the achievements of women in Georgia’s theater scene and highlight a key figure, Maria Irene Fornes. Fornes, a dramatist and feminist playwright who was interested in exposing the patriarchy and its effects on women in her plays. Tatiyana and Yasmine discuss Fornes’ contributions to theater as well as the theatrical labor activism of the troupe, Sisters of No Mercy. Bonus: There's a sing-a-long!Cover Photo: "Front lobby of the Fox Theater." L1991-13_04_13_004, Series 4: Photographs, 1940-1985, Southern Conference Educational Fund, Southern Labor Archives, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library, Atlanta, Georgia. https://digit...
2024-12-1614 min
A Work(place) in ProgressThe Secret Behind the CameraIn the first episode of season four, Mckenzie and Da’Nasia peer into the limelight to uncover the exploitative practices common within the music industry. Covering public infringement on artists’ personal lives as well as the dangling promise of fame that seemingly justifies labels’ and producers’ manipulation the rights of artists’ work, this episode considers how workers in creative media industries can maintain control over their outputs and images.Photo by Brett Sayles: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-people-taking-photos-2479958/
2024-12-1618 min
A Work(place) in ProgressWriters' RightsIn the final episode of this season, Josh and Ralph take on the ongoing impact of Hollywood Writers’ Strikes. The conditions of writers have changed by leaps and bounds over past decades, but there is still room to improve. By focusing on the history and activism of Writers Guild of America West, which covers Hollywood and its writers, alongside allied industry grievances in Atlanta, “the Hollywood of the South,” these hosts outline the progress of the struggle for writers’ rights, including the development of generative AI as potential new threat to the labor gains that the WGA has made.Cov...
2024-12-1619 min
A Work(place) in ProgressCopyrights, Royalties, and AIThis episode scrutinizes copyright and royalties in the music industry and how the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) complicates the use rights and protections extended to artists and their work. Using historical contacts found in the archives to examine traditional copyright law, Aayoush and Nazire discuss the complicated issue of who should receive credit and compensation when an AI generated song mimics an artist's style or voice without their involvement or their permission.Cover Photo: "Sparky Rucker." L1991-13_01_06_005, Series 4: Photographs, 1940-1985, Southern Conference Educational Fund, Southern Labor Archives, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library, Atlanta...
2024-12-1624 min
A Work(place) in ProgressSex Work is WorkThis episode informs viewers about the mistreatment that sex workers face at (and because of) their jobs, as well as the history of sex work and changing societal perspectives about the sex industry overall. Olivia and Faith discuss the potential future of sex workers unionizing and how this may impact the industry and beyond.Cover Photo by Kaboompics.com: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-holding-shoes-5713304/
2024-12-1636 min
A Work(place) in ProgressLabor Rights and Reproductive RightsAbortion has long been a heavily debated, sensitive topic that returns lately to the forefront of policies and politics. Dedicating their episode to this subject, Summaya and Darrian point out the ways in which abortion access is a labor issue, too. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), states with severe abortion restrictions experience economic underperformance. These restrictions create barriers for women in the workforce, such as low wages and little job growth. But abortion bans and restrictions also inhibit doctors’ ability to perform their jobs, making reproductive rights a double-edged problem for workers.Cover Phot...
2024-12-1620 min
A Work(place) in ProgressPregnancy Discrimination in the WorkforceThis episode focuses on pregnancy discrimination in the workforce, presenting real-life cases, identifying discriminatory policies, and the considering the experiences of those affected. Hosts Yaasmeen, Aisha, and Zakirah highlight the systemic injustices pregnant workers face in multiple industries as well as the legal protections available to pregnant workers and the ongoing struggles for equality in their employment.
2024-12-1624 min
A Work(place) in ProgressThe Overlooked Work of Pre-K and Daycare TeachersChildcare workers are expected to find fulfillment without recognition or fair compensation for their work apart from the emotional connections and devotion they feel for the children they care for. This devaluation of traditionally women’s work has been rooted in gendered notions of “natural” caregiving and can affect early childhood professionals and, in turn, children. Using archival materials from the women’s rights organization N.O.W., Grace and Damaris discuss this history of advocating for fair compensation and equal opportunities for women and for changing attitudes toward the work that mostly women perform.Cover Photo by Pavel Da...
2024-12-1618 min
A Work(place) in ProgressThe Nursing ExodusNursing is a vast field, with many opportunities and specialties, but also various labor issues. This episode discusses nursing shortages due to lack of pay and insufficiency of resources. Len and Taniya base their episode on an artifact from the Southern Labor Archives that predicts these very factors will lead to the nursing shortages we see today. In this episode, hosts break down how we got to this point in the nursing profession, addressing the long-lasting effects, and providing some possible solutions that could end the toxic cycle.Cover Photo: "Woman watches while nurse measures something." L1991-13_01_26_008...
2024-12-1626 min
A Work(place) in ProgressThreads of ImpactThis episode emphasizes connections between the clothes we wear and the people who make them. Sydney and Jadyn discuss their work in the Southern Labor Archives, taking a look at the lives of garment workers in the 1930s, and connect their stories to the lives of garment workers today. They address globalization, consumerism, and the role of labor unions in combating the exploitation of garment workers past and present. Cover Photo: "African American woman working in a textile plant, Tennessee, circa late 1970s." L1992_11_91, Box 14, Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union, Memphis-Jackson Joint Board records, L1992-11, Southern L...
2024-12-1622 min
A Work(place) in ProgressTextile TensionIn the first episode of Season 3, Paige, Reginis, and Celisse present excerpts from the oral history of textile worker and labor activist, Nanny Leah Washburn, connecting her experiences as a textile worker to the present-day textile workers. There are many similarities and differences between the working conditions of those in the industry then and now. Low pay, poorly kept physical working environments, anti-union employers, and racism are just some of the things that textile workers have dealt with in the past and continue to deal with today. Unfortunately, not much has been done to improve many of their conditions, and...
2024-12-1622 min
A Work(place) in ProgressA Labor of Love (and Social Justice)In this final episode, Shannon Finck, Lisa Vallen, and Em Gates discuss the Southern Labor Archives, Writing Across the Curriculum at GSU, and the design and development of this Honors ENGL 1103 course.Image courtesy of Georgia State University Library's Archives and Special Collections
2023-12-0832 min
A Work(place) in ProgressThe Hidden Creativity IndustryThere is a hidden, and often overlooked side of the creativity industry, ranging from entertainment industry to the artistic industry, there is unseen and unnoticed labor. However, one of the similarities in these fields is the disadvantages, underappreciation, and inadequate recognition of those hidden under the surface of what you see every day. In this episode, “The Hidden Creative Industry,” Nia, Kayley, and Jacob bring these people and professions into light, and discuss their struggles, their actions, and what it took for them to bring back what they lost.Photo by Alina Grubnyak on Unsplash.
2023-12-0830 min
A Work(place) in ProgressRaising the Curtain on Women in TheaterIn “Raising the Curtain on Women in Theater”, Jayda Holsey, Lily Jolles, and Cedriyana Simmons first detail the emergence of the feminist theater movement. They then transition to uncover an artifact hidden only within the GSU archives, bringing to life a piece of forgotten history of the feminist theater movement in Atlanta. This culminates in the hosts divulging the impact that the movement currently has on women in the entertainment industry. Jayda, Lily, and Cedriyana also dive into the current state of labor and discuss its relevance to the modern entertainment industry, providing a relevant viewpoint as young women who are...
2023-12-0822 min
A Work(place) in ProgressA Comparative History of Airline StrikesScott, Mahi, and DeAngelo researched the history of labor in the aviation industry. They first look into the PATCO strikes of 1981 and examined them and their picketing protests for better conditions. They compare these strikes to today’s aviation industry and the American Airlines flight attendants' picket lines for better conditions, pay, and time off as well. Although PATCO went on strike, the flight attendants couldn’t due to federal laws and mediation going on. While both picket lines and strikes happened at different times, these hosts compare the two and look into similarities and differences.Photo by Lukas...
2023-12-0820 min
A Work(place) in ProgressEvaluating the EvaluatorsIn this episode, Brittany and Ethan explore the historical change of teacher evaluations by focusing into Mary Lou Romaine's experiences in the 1970’s Georgia education system. We highlight differences between past and current teacher qualifications, such as transcripts and evaluation criteria. Mary Lou’s story, as a teacher focused on advocating for educationers as whole, becomes a focal point. Some concern was discussed about the unfair forms of early teacher evaluations, which focused on appearance and personal opinions, where it compared to the more objective methods used today. Later we interviewed a teacher on her view on previously mentioned topics. Podc...
2023-12-0821 min
A Work(place) in ProgressResilience in Scrubs: Moving Through the Continuous Healthcare Strikes in GeorgiaThis episode is hosted by Prince Azaan-Wells and Ore Olayinka. The episode focuses on the struggle that Georgia's healthcare workers faced throughout the early 1900s. Healthcare workers went on strike as a way to advocate for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. A strike was a last resort for these employees. Especially since they had previously expressed their grievances and concerns as a way to reach an agreement with the administration, so that drastic measures, like strikes, could be avoided. Photo by De an Sun on Unsplash.
2023-12-0819 min
A Work(place) in ProgressOverworked and Underappreciated: The Reality of NursingThis episode considers the widespread phenomenon of burnout among healthcareworkers, particularly in the case of nurses and for women in the profession especially. The hope of this podcast is to raise awareness to the problems affecting nurses and provide possible solutions to them. Among several stark realities of caring professions like nursing that this episode will cover in brief, these hosts will discuss in detail incidents of nurse suicides and recent strikes by Kaiser-Permanente Employees. The episode will also cover key issues ranging from, gender inequality, nurse strikes and the impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic. To conclude the episode, Lauren...
2023-12-0825 min
A Work(place) in ProgressWhat's the Deal with the UFW?In the first episode of season two of A Work(place) in Progress, Sadik, Eva, and Hannah discuss the UFW. The United Farm Workers was a union founded by Cesar Chavez to fight against mistreatment by their employers. The UFW tried plenty of things to try and obtain better working conditions such as sending Chavez on a trip around Europe to gather support from foreign nations, organizing strikes, and staying strong even while they were beaten by the police. However, the UFW eventually had a falling out with Chavez, many of the union members disagreed with how they should move...
2023-12-0723 min
A Work(place) in ProgressIs AI Really That Bad?: The History of Automation and The Future of AIIn the final episode of season one, Alex Hess, Harshini Mahesh, and Maymuna Sabree discuss automation and AI’s relationship to labor by unpacking a 1964 speech by a Representative for the International Association of Machinists titled “America’s Response To The Challenge Of Automation”. This speech, an artifact from the Southern Labor Archives, unveils America’s reaction to automation at a time when technological advancements were at the forefront of societal concern, an incredibly relevant topic as we experience a similar cultural uproar with AI today. Referencing quotes from the artifact, hosts discuss topics ranging from the dichotomy between automation and AI, ta...
2023-12-0727 min
A Work(place) in ProgressOne Word at a Time: Writers of the IndustryThis episode starts with a history of the first large union in the entertainment industry, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. It talks about how the union started and how it ended up with over 170,000 members today. It then focuses on the SAG-Aftra and WGA strikes that occurred this year, broadly outlining the reasons the strike started and how it ended for the screen actors and screenwriters. Finally, it wraps up by spending some time on the problems that still affect the entertainment industry, like how the rise of AI is attacking writers’ jobs.Photo by Felix Mo...
2023-12-0717 min
A Work(place) in ProgressPregnancy, Paychecks, and ProgressIn this episode, Emily, Gloria, and Liauna delve into the topic of women's rights concerning motherhood and its impact on their professional lives. Their conversation explores the hurdles confronted by pregnant individuals in the workplace, unveiling systemic biases that play a role in the gender pay gap. The episode navigates personal stories, legal perspectives, and workplace dynamics, offering a nuanced understanding of how these interconnected issues influence individuals' experiences in the workforce. During discussions on these matters, these hosts emphasize the need for a future marked by greater equity and inclusivity, and they highlight specific changes that could enhance the...
2023-12-0708 min
A Work(place) in ProgressJournals of Refugee WomenThis episode, titled "Journals of Refugee Women: History of Immigrants and Women of Color in the Workforce," centers on inequality for women of color, immigrants, and refugees in the workforce. Using a reference from Georgia State University’s Southern Labor Archives, containing documents from the Refugee Women’s Network, Amy and Janelle show us some past and present issues for these women workers and what we can do to improve working conditions for this workforce in the future.Cover photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash.
2023-12-0716 min
A Work(place) in ProgressHow Carl Owens Cracked the BarrelIn this episode of "A Workplace in Progress," hosts Jessie, Joelle, and Allie candidly share their personal experiences with exploitation and discrimination in service industry jobs. The narrative then shifts to the historical account of Cracker Barrel's discriminatory practices, particularly against LGBTQ+ employees. The hosts recount instances of discrimination and the challenges faced, highlighting the power dynamics in workplaces. A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the remarkable Buy One campaign led by activist Carl Owens, which strategically targeted Cracker Barrel's shareholders, resulting in policy changes after an 11-year struggle. The hosts reflect on the enduring relevance of...
2023-12-0722 min
A Work(place) in ProgressA.I.D.S. (Acquired Inferences on Disease Stigma): How Disease Impacts Labor and CommunitiesKate and Tafara's episode examines how disease can marginalize certain groups of people and, in turn, impact labor. With the use of the archival pamphlets “What is HIV Infection and What is AIDS,” “AIDs and the Law,” and “When AIDs Comes Home,” these hosts look at the HIV/AIDs panic and connect what we find to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. On top of having to go through treatments and physical hardships, discrimination created by these diseases made it extremely hard for those affected by it to get and keep jobs. The question they aim to answer is: how does a stigmatize...
2023-12-0729 min
A Work(place) in ProgressFrom Chains to IncarcerationIn this compelling episode, Lizbeth and Rachel delve into the history of the convict labor system that is built on a past of slavery and "chain gangs" which transformed into the convict leasing system. The discussion presents diverse perspectives on the convict labor system and why some people strongly defend it, while others show strong opposition. Shedding light on the inherent abuses and injustices within this corrupt system, this episode navigates through contemporary issues in the prison system, highlights harsh working conditions, meager wages, and coerced labor in the present-day convict labor landscape. Furthermore, it discusses the ongoing efforts to...
2023-12-0722 min
A Work(place) in ProgressSteelwork ShenanigansEpisode One, "Steelwork Shenanigans," is about problems with trust and authority in the steelwork industry. Laila, Shrutika, and Marciara use artifacts in GSU's Southern Labor Archives to talk about the Taft-Hartley Act, what that meant for workers, and times when it wasn’t followed or being respected. This episode also acknowledges the work of Paul L Styles, one of the pioneers of the industry, and goes into how he became a spokesperson for steelworkers advocating for themselves.Cover Photo: Frenzeny, Paul and Jules Tavernier, "The Manufacture of Iron - Tapping the Furnace," Harper's Weekly, November 1873, L1982-20_05, 19th an...
2023-12-0720 min
World Pandemic - Novel Coronavirus 19Day 35 - 5 Seconds of fame on KFI's Gary and Shannon ShowHow are we going to open up for business? I call in along with a few others with ideas of how. Promising study by USC.
2020-04-2107 min
Crazy Zen LifeEp #104: Getting Tipsy w/ Kentucky Straight Ice- Rich FinckWe always love a guest that we can share a cocktail with. Meet Rich Finck, of Kentucky Straight Ice. Rich is on a mission to provide a premium ice experience for every cocktail connoisseur. Join us as we chat with Rich about the genesis of his business venture, why the clarity of your ice is also part of the drinking experience, and what he has in store for this really cool company.
http://www.kentuckystraightice.com/
AND......for all of the zen friends in Louisville, don't forget to mark your calendars for our live event at...
2020-02-0349 min
About SouthS02 Episode 6: GoldenIn this week’s episode, the About South team drove six hours to Ridgeland, Mississippi to attend _Murder is Golden_, a _Golden Girls_ tribute and parody dinner theater put on by Mississippi Murder Mysteries and the Fringe Dinner Theatre. Gina, Adjoa, Kelly, and About South friend Shannon Finck talk about the power of community and community theater in a time where interaction is undervalued and, as we’ve seen recently, increasingly violent. By bringing people together over a show set in Florida, a state itself divided with exclusionary politics, the Fringe theater group inspires laughter, self-acceptance, and the opportunity for conn...
2017-08-1840 min