On this week’s Labor Heritage Power Hour: Ron Carver sits down with lifelong activist and author Michael Ansara, whose powerful new memoir The Hard Work of Hope traces his journey from a 13-year-old stepping into a Woolworth’s picket line to leading anti-war and grassroots campaigns across the country. Ansara reflects on building hope through action, the lessons of SDS, and the importance of solidarity today.

We celebrate John Lewis' birthday with Linda Allen’s “Good Trouble,” and hear fiery remarks from APWU President Mark Dimondstein, winner of the 2025 Joe Hill Award, on the power of labor history, resistance, and the role of the arts in the fight for justice.

Plus: Labor arts news, contract wins from the SNL VFX crew, video game performers, and Annapolis Symphony musicians. And we remember civil rights legend Ida B. Wells and the 1934 San Francisco General Strike in this week’s Labor History.

Check, check—1, 2, 1, 2—don’t miss this packed episode of labor voices, music, poetry, and power.

Broadcast on July 17, 2025 on WPFW 89.3FM in Washington, DC.

Hosted by Chris Garlock and Elise Bryant; produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Mike Nasella & Kahlia Chapman.

The Labor Heritage Power Hour is a member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network.



@LaborHeritage1 @wpfwdc @aflcio #1u #unions #laborradiopod