Union Talk Podcast

On Union Talk, AFT president Randi Weingarten interviews workers, policymakers and experts who are confronting the issues working families face and championing solutions. From the classroom to the bargaining table to Congress to the streets, Union Talk looks at the past, present and possible ways the labor movement and unions are vehicles to secure opportunity, justice and a voice in our democracy for all. Different episodes of Union Talk do deep dives on great public schools and affordable higher education, healthcare as a right, unions, an economy that works for all and what it takes to maintain a thriving democracy. Union Talk tells the stories that demonstrate that together we can accomplish for our families and communities what is impossible to do alone.

Latest Episodes

4/16/24

Experiential Learning: Where Passion Meets Purpose, with Gov. Wes Moore

Join AFT President Randi Weingarten and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore in this enlightening episode recorded at the Albert Shanker Institute’s Passion Meets Purpose conference, a unique event celebrating the transformative power of experiential learning. They explore how experiential learning not only enriches education but also provides students with an amazing pathway to success and fulfilling careers. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on harnessing the magic of experiential learning to shape the future of education.

3/28/24

Standing Together: Fighting for a Unified Israel

AFT President Randi Weingarten hosts a robust conversation featuring co-chairs from Standing Together, a grass-roots group of Jews and Palestinians who are fighting for peace, security, justice and self-determination. Included in the panel are: Standing Together co-Chairs Sally Abed and Alon-Lee Green, Amy Spitalnick from the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and Daily Beast columnist Wajahat Ali.

3/21/24

Women’s Rights in Focus: Celebrating Women’s History Month

Join AFT President Randi Weingarten alongside Laura Wiederhoeft, a registered nurse at Planned Parenthood, and Jessica Tang, president of the Boston Teachers Union, as they delve into a compelling discussion on the ongoing struggle for reproductive rights. Listen as they explore how assaults on abortion and contraception intersect with broader challenges to freedom, labor rights and the foundations of democracy.

2/27/24

We Were There: To Rustin, with Love, Part 1

In part one of this unique live episode of Union Talk, AFT President Randi Weingarten honors the legacy of civil rights luminary Bayard Rustin alongside esteemed labor figures who shared his acquaintance: Rachelle Horowitz, former AFT political director; Lorretta Johnson, AFT secretary-treasurer emeritus; and Clayola Brown, president of the A. Philip Randolph Institute. Also joining the discussion are Julian Breece, co-screenwriter of Rustin, and Bruce Cohen, co-producer of the film.

More Episodes

2/27/24

We Were There: To Rustin, with Love, Part 2

2/20/24

The Promise and Threats of AI with Rep. Ro Khanna

2/13/24

A Union Talk Excerpt: Teaching Honest History

2/7/24

A Union Talk Excerpt: Finding the Real Rosa Parks

1/30/24

A Union Talk Excerpt—After the Shootings: How to Help Our Kids and Ourselves

1/16/24

How to Preserve Democracy in 2024

12/27/23

Innovation and Tech Partnerships Expand Career-Focused, Hands-On Learning in NY

12/20/23

Pro-Student, Pro-Public School Victories in School Board Elections

11/22/23

A ‘Union Talk’ Excerpt: Are School Vouchers Good for Education?

11/13/23

The Core Values of the AFT

11/6/23

How to Rescue Teachers from ‘Beyond Burnout’

10/16/23

A ‘Real Solutions’ Excerpt: Engaging Students Through Career and Technical Education

10/10/23

A ‘Real Solutions’ Excerpt: Social Media and Our Kids

10/2/23

Real Solutions: Creating Joyful and Confident Readers

10/2/23

Real Solutions: Creating Joyful and Confident Readers

9/25/23

The Promise of Community Schools

9/1/23

The Real Lives of Teachers

7/28/23

How Education Is Bridging the Divides Between Jews and Arabs

7/25/23

Randi Weingarten’s Keynote Speech at TEACH

6/27/23

Pride and Power

6/23/23

Engaging Students Through Career and Technical Education

5/8/23

Teacher Appreciation Week with ‘Abbott Elementary’ Actor Sheryl Lee Ralph

3/29/23

In Defense of Public Education

3/20/23

Why Workers Need Paid Leave Now

2/28/23

Finding the Real Rosa Parks with Soledad O’Brien

2/22/23

Are School Vouchers Good for Education?

2/3/23

The Promise of Community Schools

1/31/23

Randi Weingarten Goes One-On-One with Govs. Michelle Lujan Grisham and J. B. Pritzker

12/20/22

Reading Opens the World: Building a Nation of Confident, Joyous Readers

12/12/22

How to Fix the Healthcare Staffing Shortage

11/4/22

2022 Midterm Roundtable with Congressional Candidates Nikki Budzinski, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Rep. Jahana Hayes and Robert Zimmerman

10/3/22

Solutions to the nationwide teacher and school staff shortages

9/16/22

White House “Back to School” Panel Discussion

8/5/22

2022 American Federation of Teachers Convention Highlights

7/21/22

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten’s 2022 State of the Union Speech

6/21/22

After the Shootings: How to Help Our Kids and Ourselves

6/9/22

Guns and Hate: Buffalo, Uvalde and Other Tragedies

5/12/22

Social Media and Our Kids: A Conversation with Facebook Whistleblower Frances Haugen

1/21/22

Omicron, Boosters and Schools

12/08/21

Teaching Honest History

11/22/21

COVID-19 Vaccines and Children

11/01/21

Do you have student debt? New Changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and how this can help you!

10/07/21

From the Bedside: A Conversation with Nurses Caring for COVID Patients

09/22/21

Prioritizing Student and Staff Safety in the Classroom

09/04/21

Labor Day with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh

09/04/21

A Safe Back to School for All