Introducing The Union Bug, a new podcast
The Union Bug is a podcast by workers, for workers. Premiering January 2.
Since 2018, I have had the great fortune to sit behind a microphone and talk about the things I care about. In years past, I have co-hosted Coffee With Comrades, worked on the limited series Protean Pirate Radio, and contributed to Working People and the Real News Network flagship podcast. I have met numerous wonderful people through my work in audio: scholars, union organizers, community care workers, nonprofit workers, activists, and regular-ass people doing extraordinary things.
Among all the hats I've had the privilege to wear as a union multimedia journalist, podcasting has been the most rewarding and fun of them all. So, I'm getting back behind the mic and bringing more good conversations straight to you.
Introducing The Union Bug
Introducing The Union Bug, a podcast by workers, for workers. This podcast will explore what it means to work for a living in the United States and beyond, and what it means to organize for better working conditions at the shop floor and industry-wide.
Episodes will include conversations with labor leaders, rank-and-file workers, union organizers, authors, scholars, journalists, and anyone else wanting to come on the pod and talk about the work in whatever form they do. There are many good podcasts on labor, working, and organizing in the United States and I hope to join the ranks of these stellar folks and add a bit more to the discussion.
Every month will include at least one episode discussing American labor history; nearly every week there is an anniversary to commemorate, a victory to remember, a tragedy to mourn and memorialize. In this current moment, knowing where we come from and how we can build upon that legacy of movement history is of paramount importance. I look forward to sharing those stories with you and the stories of workers all over this country doing extremely good, important work.
When will new episodes be released?
New episodes will be released every Friday. If you're subscribed to the newsletter, you'll get a link to new episodes at the end of my weekly Last Week in Labor digest. Our inaugural season will kick off just after the new year on Jan 2.
Paid subscribers will also get a chance to hear an early release on Thursdays before it goes up publicly the next morning. If you love what I do and want to support this project (and Words About Work more generally), sign up for a paid subscription. This entire project is reader- and listener-funded, and your support literally keeps the lights on and internet flowing.
Will this be a video podcast?
Short answer? No.
In an age where audio is experiencing its own "pivot-to-video" moment, I am perhaps a bit of a curmudgeonly outlier in that I don't think this product needs to see my mug plastered all over the internet for it to be worth listening to.
The idea is simple: build an audio platform for workers to tell their stories--without the bells and whistles. I hope you'll make it part of your listening rotation--in the car, at the office, while you're having your coffee.
What about AI?
As I've mentioned before, I'm not an AI-user. It's a shitty technology, it sucks, and I refuse to use it. Fuck the slop machine, we're human-made here. You can read more about my AI policy on my about page, which I've linked below.
On that note: I am working with an incredible producer and editor, Tyler Hill, to make this project the best it can be. Your paid subscription will allow me to pay Tyler a decent rate for their work, so please, if you have the cash to spare, consider signing up.
Mel Buer
This is great! Where can I listen?
Once we get things rolling, you can find episodes on a number of different platforms. I'm setting up a podcast page here on Words About Work so that you can easily find new episodes.
I've got a cool story! Can I come on the pod?
Yes, please, join me. Send tips, episode ideas, and requests for interviews to melbuer@proton.me or via DM on Bluesky. I'd love to have you on.
I hope that this podcast excites you as much as it does me, and I look forward to sharing these stories with you. To stay updated and support this project, please consider signing up for a paid subscription for as little as $5/month. I have a Holiday Subscription Drive running at the moment, which gives you decent discounts on the already heavily discounted annual subscriptions. Every cent helps keep this project running, and I can't do it without you!
Become a paid subscriber today and help support The Union Bug!
With much love and solidarity,
Mel
