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.