This episode of Bread + Roses is about two things many of us have in common, taking the bus and being a woman at work. We first talk about bus drivers at the CTA and what their work is like and how it impacts health. Then we talk about the differences in occupational health outcomes for women and what drives some of the disparities. Lastly, we interview a woman and a Physician Assistant out in these Chicago streets working.
May 22
50 min
This episode of Bread + Roses is about the Roses in Bread + Roses. We first talk about where the title of our podcast and the term Bread and Roses comes from and what we owe to workers. Then we talk about the tragic increases in suicide rates within construction workers in the US. Lastly, we hear from a person working in retail talk about their work and what they need to stay healthy and happy.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health or suicide, please reach out to us and we'll try to get you some help ([email protected]). Or you can access resources here: Dial 988 to connect to a crisis line (https://988lifeline.org/) or find walk-in centers in your area by searching out Living Rooms, Community Triage Centers, and Welcoming Centers. If you are in the Chicago area here are some options: Thresholds (https://www.thresholds.org/programs-services/crisis-response/the-living-room), Southside Community Triage Center (https://www.hrdi.org/ctc.html), and Northside Welcoming Center (https://www.lssi.org/services/mental-health-and-addiction-services/mental-health-services/welcoming-center/).
Apr 8
43 min
This episode of Bread + Roses is about our reliance on methods and structures that fail to protect workers in this changing environment. We first talk about what Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and how it often falls short in protecting health and then we discuss the Wildland Firefighting industry and how it has changed overtime as fires become more common, bigger, and more toxic. Lastly, we interview an actual wildland firefighter about their day to day. And if you'd like to prepare your house for fires so these men and women can stay safe and keep us safe, here's some resources.
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/wildfire/preparing-homes-for-wildfire
https://wfca.com/wildfire-articles/firewise-defensible-space/
Dec 2, 2025
52 min
This episode of Bread + Roses is about the changing workplaces. We talk about what AI and streaming means to the occupational health of actors and writers and then we discuss the resurgence of Black Lung. Lastly, we interview an actor about their day to day.
Sep 30, 2025
47 min
This episode of Bread + Roses is about the recent Trump Administration ICE raids on workplaces and chemical exposures. We talk about the ICE raids have impacted the most vulnerable workers and how chemicals are regulated (or not) in the workplace. Lastly, we interview a security guard from the Chicago suburbs to learn more about their day to day.
Aug 11, 2025
51 min
This episode of Bread + Roses is about Temporary Workers and Violence in the workplace. We talk about how the use of third party staffing agencies leaves workers in limbo and discuss the worker populations most impacted by violence. Lastly, we interview a worker from a meat processing plant and learn more about their day to day.
Jul 23, 2025
41 min
This episode of Bread + Roses is about Heat Stress and the recent cuts to the National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health. We talk about what heat in different workplaces and how that is changing due to climate change and then we discuss how the defunding of NIOSH will play out for worker health. Lastly, we interview a chef from Texas about his work in the kitchen and beyond.
May 15, 2025
51 min
This episode of Bread + Roses is about Mental Health and Immigration. We talk about what mental health means in the work place and then we discuss how immigration policy is impacting workers. Lastly, we interview a someone who is advocating for both immigrants and mental health in a Chicago non-profit.
May 14, 2025
42 min
And we're back! This episode of Bread + Roses welcomes a new host Ramon to join up with Julia in a new season. This episode is a discussion about how the Trump administration has and will potentially impact workers and worker health. We talk DOGE, Project 2025, unions, and the administration's picks to lead the DOL. Don't worry, we leave you a little bit of hope as we highlight worker rights advocate, Luke Ching @lukechinghk and interview an Epidemiologist working for the state government.
Apr 6, 2025
53 min
This episode of Bread + Roses is devoted to the Coronavirus.
We are joined by Lorraine Conroy, the Director of the Center for Healthy Work and professor and co-director of the Occupational Safety Program at UIC to discuss how COVID-19 has impacted workers in low-wages and precarious employment. Plus Margaret shares her expertise on respirators and gives recommendations about the current shortage in the medical field.
We are joined by three workers this episode named Ben, Tryn, and Jessica because so many of us are affected. These are workers from across the nation working in various fields that have been impacted by the pandemic. They talk to us about their jobs in general and about how the virus has impacted their work, health, and happiness.
Apr 5, 2020
1 hr 10 min
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