Labor Heritage Power Hour

Janna Ahrndt Does Not Dream of Labor

On this week’s Labor Heritage Power Hour: The 2026 DC Labor FilmFest launches on May Day, with AFI Silver programmers previewing one of the festival’s strongest lineups yet—featuring global stories, labor classics, and a notable surge in women-centered narratives.
Artist Janna Ahrndt joins Kathy Newman to explore the hidden labor behind digital life—from email overload to automation myths—and why “time-saving” tech often creates more work.
On this week’s Labor Landmark, archivist Conor Casey brings us the story of The Seattle Union Record, a pioneering labor-owned newspaper. Plus, labor helps Jackie Robinson break the color barrier on Labor History in 2:00, and the latest labor arts news briefs, including the rescue of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by a nonprofit newsroom, a new union contract securing AI protections for CBS News writers, and a successful union drive by ESPN hair and makeup artists.
Music this week includes “Never Surrender” by the R.J. Phillips Band and “Get Organized” by Floorchild.
Broadcast on April 16, 2026; hosted by Chris Garlock and Elise Bryant; produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Kahlia Chapman. The Labor Heritage Power Hour is a member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network and syndicated on Pacifica’s Audioport.

Rude Mechanical Orchestra’s sounds of solidarity

On this week’s Labor Heritage Power Hour, we take it to the streets with the Rude Mechanical Orchestra, a New York City-based activist marching band that’s been showing up for more than two decades in support of workers, organizers, and movements for justice.
We also get the latest labor arts news, including the announcement of the 2026 DC Labor FilmFest lineup, organizing victories across the cultural sector, and updates from unions representing musicians, writers, performers, and library workers.
Plus: a Labor Landmark of the Week from the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum’s Courage in the Hollers trail, and a special excerpt from What They Could Never Kill, our recent Billie Holiday/Paul Robeson special, featuring Billie Holiday’s haunting “Strange Fruit,” followed by Paul Robeson’s “Joe Hill.”Broadcast on April 9, 2026; hosted by Chris Garlock and Elise Bryant; produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Kahlia Chapman.The Labor Heritage Power Hour is a member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network and syndicated on Pacifica’s Audioport.

Escape Room Workers Solve the Challenge

This week on the Labor Heritage Power Hour: Performers at a horror-themed escape room in Los Angeles organize the first union shop in the industry, a powerful labor landmark in Victor, Colorado reminds us of the violent roots of the labor movement, and the Coalition of Labor Union Women marks 50 years of labor, art, and organizing. Plus, Bette Midler takes on a Woody Guthrie classic, a new song from Mike Stout honors the Women of Steel, and the latest labor arts news from around the world.Broadcast on April 2, 2026; hosted by Chris Garlock and Elise Bryant; produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Kahlia Chapman. The Labor Heritage Power Hour is a member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network and syndicated on Pacifica’s Audioport.@LaborHeritage1 @wpfwdc @aflcio #1u #unions #laborradiopod

The Singing TradesWoman

On this week’s Labor Heritage Power Hour: High tower crane operator and singer/songwriter Sammy Cossairt talks with poet and master electrician Susan Eisenberg about life in the trades and her new song “TradesWoman”; a Labor Landmarks visit to Seattle’s historic Labor Temple with Conor Casey; plus stories of women-led struggles—from the 1929 Elizabethton Rayon Strike to Michigan’s “Big Annie” Clements.Broadcast on March 26, 2026; hosted by Chris Garlock and Elise Bryant; produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Kahlia Chapman. The Labor Heritage Power Hour is a member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network and syndicated on Pacifica’s Audioport.@LaborHeritage1 @wpfwdc @aflcio #1u #unions #laborradiopod

The Hidden Labor Story Behind the Oscars

This week on the Labor Heritage Power Hour: we announce this year’s Labor Oscar winner and take a look at the little-known backstory at how union organizing prompted Hollywood bosses to create the Academy Awards.
Plus, the IWW relaunches a grassroots labor film series in Bellingham, Washington; and musician Tom Kastle brings Joe Hill’s story to life in a NYC performance this Saturday.
Also: labor arts news, spring chorus concerts, and Labor History in 2:00 on the 1968 KMPX radio strike.
Music: Tom Kastle’s “I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill Last Night” and “Preacher and the Slave”.
Broadcast on March 19, 2026; hosted by Chris Garlock and Harold Phillips; produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Kahlia Chapman. The Labor Heritage Power Hour is a member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network and syndicated on Pacifica’s Audioport.@LaborHeritage1 @wpfwdc @aflcio #1u #unions #laborradiopod

Union Women Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

On this episode of the Labor Heritage Power Hour, we share highlights from a special edition of the program that originally aired on WPFW on International Women’s Day, hosted by Elise Bryant and celebrating Women’s History Month and the powerful role of women in the labor movement.
But first, Harold Phillips brings us the latest Labor Arts News, including updates on the Labor Oscars voting, the General Strike Song Contest, and several important labor organizing victories across the country.
Then we dive into Elise Bryant’s International Women’s Day special, featuring conversations with labor leaders and activists about women’s organizing, labor history, and the ongoing fight for workplace justice and equality.
Guests include Chelsea Bland, President of the Metro DC Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), Sig Milius, DC CLUW leader and Director of the Community Services Agency of the Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO and Daniella Byck, member of the Washingtonian Guild (CWA).
The program explores the legacy of women in labor history, the continuing struggle for pay equity and worker power, and the organizing campaigns happening right now in Washington, DC and across the country.
Music featured in this episode includes: “Union Woman” – Lynn Marie Smith; “We Were There” – Bev Grant & the Brooklyn Women’s Chorus; “Misogyny” – Anne Feeney; “We Can’t Go Back” – Hali Hammer; “Bread and Roses” – SongRise.
The show also highlights women labor leaders who have broken barriers in the labor movement, including Liz Shuler, President of the AFL-CIO, Roxanne Brown, President of the United Steelworkers and April Verrett, President of SEIU.
📺 Vote in the Labor Oscars: Check out the nominees and cast your vote on the LHF YouTube channel.🎵 Submit a song to the General Strike Song Contest: Deadline: April 11; Details at laborheritage.org📅 Labor Arts Calendar, Labor Landmarks Map, and more labor arts news.Broadcast on March 12, 2026; hosted by Chris Garlock and Elise Bryant; produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Kahlia Chapman. The Labor Heritage Power Hour is a member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network and syndicated on Pacifica’s Audioport.@LaborHeritage1 @wpfwdc @aflcio #1u #unions #laborradiopod

Can the Victims of Slavery Save Democracy?

This week on The Labor Heritage Power Hour: SEIU President April Verrett on worker power and democracy, The Pitt star Noah Wyle on unions, Kathy Newman on Pittsburgh labor history, Sean Duffy’s favorite labor song, Labor History in 2:00 on Frances Perkins, plus the latest labor arts news and events.
Broadcast on March 5, 2026; hosted by Chris Garlock and Elise Bryant; produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Kahlia Chapman. The Labor Heritage Power Hour is a member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network and syndicated on Pacifica’s Audioport.@LaborHeritage1 @wpfwdc @aflcio #1u #unions #laborradiopod @SEIU @SAG-AFTRA

Goliath at Sunset, Comrades in Arms

On this week’s Labor Heritage Power Hour: former shipyard welder and activist Jonathan Brandow talks about his new novel Goliath at Sunset, inspired by rank-and-file organizing and multiracial solidarity in the 1970s Boston shipyards. Plus, the DC Labor Chorus is featured in Jay Mallin’s “Highly Visible” video; Set the Earth on Fire author David Correia’s favorite labor song; Labor History in 2:00 with Rick Smith; and the latest labor arts and culture news.
Support the Power Hour on WPFW’s listener-powered radio: call 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739 or go to wpfwfm.org or give on PayPal.
Broadcast on February 26, 2026; hosted by Chris Garlock and Elise Bryant; produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Kahlia Chapman.The Labor Heritage Power Hour is a member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network and syndicated on Pacifica’s Audioport.@LaborHeritage1 @wpfwdc @aflcio #1u #unions #laborradiopod

Songs of Revolution and Protest

This week on The Labor Heritage Power Hour, we bring you an all-music special from The Downbeat Music Show (Florence, Oregon), featuring powerful songs of revolution and protest. From historic anthems to contemporary voices of resistance, this hour explores how music has fueled movements, challenged injustice, and sustained working people in the fight for dignity and democracy.Your contributions power the Power Hour on our home station, WPFW 89.3FM; please give generously here (be sure to select “The Labor Heritage Power Hour” on the dropdown menu)!Broadcast on February 19, 2026; hosted by Chris Garlock and Elise Bryant; produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Kahlia Chapman. The Labor Heritage Power Hour is a member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network and syndicated on Pacifica’s Audioport.@LaborHeritage1 @wpfwdc @aflcio #1u #unions #laborradiopod

Striking At Kings

This week on the Labor Heritage Power Hour, latest labor arts news, including Lottie Walker’s one-woman show about East London union leader Sarah Wesker and the return of the Labor Oscars. We hear from songwriter Mindy Murray about her powerful new song “Striking at Kings,” inspired by the 1938 King Farm strike, plus a Labor History in 2:00 look at the 1903 Oxnard Strike. Young adult author J. Albert Mann interviews labor journalist Kim Kelly about Fight to Win and teaching labor history to young people, and we close with a fearless, funny, and furious moment from Carsie Blanton, calling for solidarity and dignity for working musicians.Broadcast on February 12, 2026; hosted by Chris Garlock and Elise Bryant; produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Kahlia Chapman.The Labor Heritage Power Hour is a member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network and syndicated on Pacifica’s Audioport.@LaborHeritage1 @wpfwdc @aflcio #1u #unions #laborradiopod