Labor Force Podcast

Recession-Proofing in a Broken Economy

The economy is supposedly “strong.” So why do millions of Americans feel like they’re drowning? In this episode of the Labor Force Podcast, we explore the widening gap between economic headlines and the reality facing working people: rising prices, layoffs, AI anxiety, debt, housing insecurity, and a growing sense that the system is rigged for billionaires and corporations. We discuss: • Inflation, gas prices, and recession fears • Jeff Bezos and the politics of taxing the rich • AI-driven layoffs and growing panic inside tech companies • Tech workers unionizing against dangerous AI deployment • Corporate union-busting spending exploding nationwide • The Cargill lockout, REI boycott, and Wizards of the Coast labor fight • Major union victories for hotel workers and nurses • Why labor organizing matters in an era of deep economic insecurity • Gustavo Petro’s vision of an “economy for life” and the political economy behind it As anger, pessimism, and distrust grow, this episode examines whether the social contract itself is beginning to fracture — and what role organized labor could play in shaping what comes next. #LaborForcePodcast #LaborMovement #Unions #Economy #AI #WorkersRights #Inflation #Capitalism #TechWorkers #Politics

The Disconnect: Booming Headlines vs. Broken Workers

This week on the Labor Force Podcast, we examine why so many workers feel trapped in an economy that keeps being called “strong.” From rising living costs and housing insecurity to AI surveillance, precarious gig work, and growing distrust in political institutions, the episode explores the widening gap between economic headlines and daily reality. https://www.wired.com/story/i-work-in-hollywood-everyone-who-used-to-make-tv-now-training-ai/ We cover: * New polling on affordability and economic pessimism * Labor fights in Virginia, Colorado, Michigan, and Penn State * The movement to end 24-hour home care shifts in New York * AI-driven workplace surveillance and instability in tech and Hollywood * Why workers are increasingly questioning both corporate power and political representation Solidarity always.

The Tragic Twenties: Why a "Good Economy" is Breaking the Working Class

This week on the Labor Force Podcast: from the MET Gala to May Day, we examine the widening gap between elite wealth and working-class reality. We break down rising gas prices tied to the Iran conflict, the “vibecession” and America’s growing unhappiness, mounting debt and affordability pressures, and why even a “strong” economy feels unstable to so many people. We also cover major labor actions across multiple industries, the IAM’s new “Workers vs. Billionaires” campaign, and the growing debate over whether unions are essential to building a more functional economy. Finally, we explore the legacy of yuppie culture, meritocracy, burnout, and the professional-class economy that helped shape modern inequality. Solidarity always.

No Work, No Peace: From May Day to Market Meltdown

In this episode of the Labor Force Podcast, we unpack a moment where economic pressure is hitting from every angle. From nationwide May Day protests and calls for an “economic blackout” to rising gas prices driven by global conflict, the strain on working people is intensifying. We connect the dots between supply shocks, inflation, and the growing risk of stagflation—while tracing how the American Dream shifted from rising wages to a system built on debt and survival. On the labor front, workers continue organizing, striking, and pushing back against instability and corporate resistance. Finally, we explore the deeper impact: how economic insecurity doesn’t just affect finances, but also meaning, belonging, and well-being. Closing Thought: The American Dream didn’t disappear—it was put on a payment plan. And for many, staying afloat is the new goal.

Workers Pay First, Recover Last

This episode breaks down why the economy feels so bad for workers right now. Rising prices are only half the story—the real issue is wages aren’t keeping up. We explore how employer power in the labor market keeps pay down, creating a “squeeze economy” where workers absorb the hit. We also connect the dots across falling job satisfaction, limited mobility, and instability in government leadership. From SNAP benefit cuts and their impact on mental health to the growing role of AI, workplace surveillance, and layoffs, the pattern is clear: workers are being asked to do more with less. Finally, we take a closer look at burnout—often mislabeled as laziness—and what it says about a system pushing people past their limits. We close with upcoming May Day actions and the broader fight to build an economy that works for workers, not billionaires.