WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast

The Monthly Labor Report, broadcast on WPKN the 1st Tuesday of each month, presents an interview with Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants (CWA - AFL-CIO), conducted on the Friday before Labor Day.Sara Nelson, regarded by many as one the most militant, class conscious labor leaders in the country, addresses the current struggle of her union, and working people in general, against a patently fascist authoritarian Trump regime.Hosted by Richard Hill with Michael Zweig, economist, labor historian, professor emeritus at the SUNY-Stony Brook, and author of Class, Race and Gender -- Challenging the Injuries and Divisions of Capitalism (published by PM Press).

Interview with Tabitha Sookdeo, executive director of CT Students for a Dream, conducted by Melinda Tuhus.Melinda Tuhus spoke with Tabitha Sookdeo, executive director of CT Students for a Dream, which works mostly with young immigrants. Sookdeo herself is West Indian and she recently convened a meeting in Hamden, Connecticut, to bring together black immigrants from various countries to discuss their experiences and how they might increase collaboration with others at risk of abduction and deportation by ICE agents under Trump’s oppressive policies.

Interview with Rev. Sierra-Marie Gerfao, director of family ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury, and Juliana Soares, an organizer with Greater Danbury Unites for Immigrants, conducted by Scott HarrisThe Rev. Sierra-Marie Gerfao and Juliana Soares talk about the escalation of violent ICE raids and abductions in Danbury and in Connecticut, as well as what opponents of this lawless repression are doing to rally resistance against the Trump regime’s dehumanizing mass deportation policy.

Interview with Heather Digby Parton, a contributing writer to Salon.com, conducted by Scott Harris.Heather Digby Parton discusses the important issues examined in her recent Salon article, “Paging FDR: Democrats need to embrace New Deal-style politics,” where she recounts how President Franklin Delano Roosevelt fought for the underdog — and was brazenly ruthless, urging floundering Democrats to follow FDR’s lead.

Interview with Dr. Ferric C. Fang, professor of laboratory medicine, pathology and microbiology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, conducted by Scott Harris.University of Washington School of Medicine professor Dr. Ferric C. Fang discusses his views on the decision by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattachary to cancel all federal contracts for research on mRNA vaccines because RFK Jr. believes “the public lacks trust in the technology,” and the consequences for U.S. and global public health in normal times, as well as in the event of future deadly pandemics.

Interview with Sam Rosenthal, political director with the RootsAction.org, conducted by Scott Harris.RootsAction.org‘s Political Director Sam Rosenthal talks about the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the coalition of progressive groups supporting a resolution calling for “an immediate ceasefire, an arms embargo and suspension of military aid to Israel” that will be heard at a meeting of the Democratic National Committee Aug. 25 to 27.

Organic Farm Stand features the Honey Bee Update with Vincent Kaye, the Small Farms Report with Steve Munno, and special guest Bill McDonald, director of Sticks and Stones Farm in Newtown, CT.Hosted by Richard Hill and Diane Lauricella

Interview with Susan Campbell, distinguished lecturer, College of Arts & Sciences at the University of New Haven, conducted by Scott Harris.Susan Campbell discusses her recent commentary, “Debunking Lies about America’s Homeless,” in the context of President Trump’s takeover of the Washington, D.C.’s police department and his announced deployment of 800+ National Guard troops to “crack down on crime and homelessness.”

Interview with Sydney Register, Press Secretary with the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, and Aaron Stephens, senior legislative strategist for P Street, conducted by Scott Harris.Sydney Register and Aaron Stephens discuss their group’s campaign targeting Paramount’s cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s contract on “The Late Show” as an example of Donald Trump’s transactional corruption vis-a-vis the company’s request for FCC approval of their $8 billion merger with Skydance. Register and Stephens also discuss PCCC’s response to the Trump regime and GOP’s unprecedented effort to gerrymander five congressional seats in Texas and possibly 8-10 seats in other states in advance of the 2026 mid-term election.

Interview with Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, co-founder and executive director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund, conducted by Scott Harris.Mara Verheyden-Hilliard discusses her group’s response to Donald Trump’s militarized takeover of Washington, D.C., and growing concern that this is yet another test (along with Los Angeles) that is laying the groundwork for the deployment of the U.S. military to cities across the nation. She also assesses the possible future invocation of the Insurrection Act and suspension of constitutional rights.