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 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.

Please send suggestions for future guests to projectlaborpodcast@gmail.com.

Our instagram is @projectlabor. Leave a comment or question and we’ll be happy to answer.

Music by Brotheration Records

Project Labor is a 501c3 nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of New Jersey. All donations to Project Labor are tax deductible in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code.

Help get the word out with a small donation here. Thank you.

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 hard work. Not only is BCaf a unique dispensary, but Scott’s also a one of a kind guy.

Discussion Questions:

• What laws do you think should change?
• Do you think you will have the same interests when you are in your fifties?
• How would you describe Scott’s philosophy of work?
• Why do you think dispensaries are so common?
• Research: People are expected to work into their sixties, but some physical jobs can be very difficult at that age. What are some promotions a person may get to have less physical responsibilities later in life?

Please send suggestions for future guests to projectlaborpodcast@gmail.com.

Our instagram is @projectlabor. Leave a comment or question and we’ll be happy to answer.

Music by Brotheration Records

Project Labor is a 501c3 nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of New Jersey. All donations to Project Labor are tax deductible in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code.

Help get the word out with a small donation here. Thank you.

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 to her peers. Growing up, she always wanted to join the military specifically military psychology but due to immigration issues that was not available, so she ended up getting a part-time job in college working in a Pre-K class and loved teaching. Before she knew it, she was 10 years in as the head Pre-K Teacher in a private school. During her time there, she started teaching at the jiu jitsu school where she was training and before long she changed it into her full time. She absolutely loves the world of jiu jitsu and the skills learned on and off the mats whether it's physical or mental. She gets to enjoy traveling and organizing camps all over the world and to meet amazing people from all walks of life that are bound through jiu jitsu. One of her big goals is to continue representing jiu jitsu as a way of life that can be for everyone and is not as scary or intimidating as some people may believe it to be, especially for women.

Discussion Questions:

Do you want to work in an industry that is mostly male or mostly female?

Do you like working with kids?

How would you enforce the rules at your workplace?

Why do you think Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has become so popular?

What made Aliya's career change successful?

Please send suggestions for future guests to projectlaborpodcast@gmail.com.

Our instagram is @projectlabor. Leave a comment or question and we’ll be happy to answer.

Music by Brotheration Records

Project Labor is a 501c3 nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of New Jersey. All donations to Project Labor are tax deductible in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code.

Help get the word out with a small donation here. Thank you.

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 you need to.

Discussion Questions:
What do you think would be difficult about working with the deceased?
What’s another job that was affected by COVID?
What do you think is the next big thing to affect our jobs and how can we prepare?What "trades' are you interested in?

Please send suggestions for future guests to projectlaborpodcast@gmail.com.

Our instagram is @projectlabor. Leave a comment or question and we’ll be happy to answer.

Music by Brotheration Records

Project Labor is a 501c3 nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of New Jersey. All donations to Project Labor are tax deductible in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code.

Help get the word out with a small donation here. Thank you.

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 restaurants, she knows first-hand how the union difference - strong contracts, guaranteed benefits, and job protections can change lives. Heather spends her time on and off the clock defending her co-workers’ rights and she is currently canvassing with her union to get out the vote in Nevada ahead of the Primary Election.

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you worked at a restaurant? What was it like?
2. 25,000 steps in a day is a lot! How many steps do you get at work?
3. What industry or kind of work do you think should unionize?
4. What characteristics or skills do you think Heather needs?
5. How do you celebrate labor?

Please send suggestions for future guests to projectlaborpodcast@gmail.com.

Our instagram is @projectlabor. Leave a comment or question and we’ll be happy to answer.

Music by Brotheration Records

Project Labor is a 501c3 nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of New Jersey. All donations to Project Labor are tax deductible in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code.

Help get the word out with a small donation here. Thank you.

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, skilled nursing, and assisted living. Mikkele is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, holds a certificate in Horticultural Therapy from NYBG, and a B.A. in Psychology. She is also currently serving on the board of the Mid-Atlantic Horticultural Therapy Network. Mikkele focuses on enriching the lives of seniors battling dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. Drawing inspiration from her creativity as a biophilic artist, Mikkele infuses her programs with innovation, offering a thoughtful and imaginative approach.

Discussion Questions:
How does being around plants and nature make you feel? Why?
What can therapy help with?
How would you feel if one of your clients or patients died? What would you do to feel better?
Think: Do you prefer to work with a certain age group? Why or why not?

Please send suggestions for future guests to projectlaborpodcast@gmail.com.

Our instagram is @projectlabor. Leave a comment or question and we’ll be happy to answer.

Music by Brotheration Records

Project Labor is a 501c3 nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of New Jersey. All donations to Project Labor are tax deductible in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code.

Help get the word out with a small donation here. Thank you.

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 Lab in Portland, Oregon, and he also worked at Kids In Need of Defense in Los Angeles. Jeff was born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit. His hobbies include running half marathons, alternative rock music, cookies, and sketch comedy (SNL and Key and Peele are his favorites).

Discussion Questions:

Where did your family come from?

What do you hope will happen regarding immigration?

What do immigration lawyers do?

What would happen if there weren't immigration lawyers?

Do you know any immigrants?

Organizations for listeners to check out below.

Immigration Center for Women and Children (CA)

Twin Cities Food Justice (MN)

Dios Habla Hoy (MN)

Interfaith Movement for Immigrant and Refugee Justice (OR)

ACLU (National)

Innovation Law Lab (OR)

Please send suggestions for future guests to projectlaborpodcast@gmail.com.

Our instagram is @projectlabor. Leave a comment or question and we’ll be happy to answer.

Music by Brotheration Records

Project Labor is a 501c3 nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of New Jersey. All donations to Project Labor are tax deductible in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code.

Help get the word out with a small donation here. Thank you.

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 was your favorite teacher and why?
• What seems scary about making a career change?
• What are the possible benefits of a career change like Pat’s?
• What are some important qualities for a teacher to have?
• Research: What are some example union jobs? How are they different than non-union jobs?

Please send suggestions for future guests to projectlaborpodcast@gmail.com.

Our instagram is @projectlabor. Leave a comment or question and we’ll be happy to answer.

Music by Brotheration Records

Project Labor is a 501c3 nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of New Jersey. All donations to Project Labor are tax deductible in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code.

Help get the word out with a small donation here. Thank you.