Labor Radio Podcast Network’s Member Spotlight Series pays homage to radio and podcast producers who are focusing on working class issues.
Bama Athreya is host of The Gig Podcast, which is about the women and men who work in the so-called 'gig economy' worldwide. They find work through online platforms, and will tell us why we all need to be concerned about the real future of work.
My takeaway
I first met Bama during my midwest labor documentary road trip in February 2020. She was giving a lecture at the University of Michigan on Integrating and Enforcing Labor Rights in Trade. We were introduced through a mutual friend in international development and afterwards, Bama was kind enough to connect me to Chris Garlock and the Labor Radio Podcast Network.
Six weeks later, I participated in listening sessions as Bama and producer John Ross shared drafts of The Gig Podcast episodes showcasing beautifully produced soundscapes narrated by Bama who interviews inspiring Uber drivers and activists leaders from around the world. I was sold on the quality and importance of the content while listening on that first day.
For this interview, I was very excited to speak with my friend Bama, which led me to being a little too verbose on my end at times. Apologies dear audience.
Yet the conversation flows as we discuss how Uber subverts labor rights throughout the world, what it means that the U.S. is a “submerging” economy, why there is a growing global resistance to the concentration of capital, and the interview concludes on the question of how can workers seize the means of production in an economy where data is the new oil.
I hope you enjoy.
About the Labor Radio Podcast Network
The Labor Radio Podcast Network is both a one-stop shop for audiences looking for labor content and a resource for labor broadcasters and podcasters. Resources include a weekly podcast summarizing shows produced by network members, marketing on social media, a website listing network shows and how audiences can find them, a database for contacting expert guests, access to a private listserv for Network members, and a weekly video call to increase solidarity and support amongst members.
Launched in April 2020, the Labor Radio Podcast Network focuses on working class issues that are often overlooked in the corporate-controlled media. The goal of the network is to help raise the voices of working people and strengthen organized labor to demand and achieve better treatment from workplaces and elected officials.
If you are a journalist interested in learning more or if you’re a labor radio or podcast producer and want to join the network, contact us at info@laborradionetwork.org.
Follow the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using the hashtag #LaborRadioPod or visit the website at: https://www.laborradionetwork.org/.
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Video and audio was produced by Evan Papp of Empathy Media Lab.