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Labor Rights
Labor Movement
Trump Administration
Kansas City
Donald Trump
Missouri
Workers' Rights
Kansas City Public Schools
Tariffs
Project 2025
Immigration
Immigration Policy
Elon Musk
Union Busting
Labor Songs
United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers Union
Union Organizing
NLRB
Worker Rights
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Heartland Labor Forum is Kansas City's only program about the workplace. It is produced by and for our working people. We have been agitating on the air since 1989. Find out who is busting unions and who is fighting back. We are a member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network #laborradiopod

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Latest Episodes

In 2022 the Heartland Labor Forum interviewed author Natasha Iskander who investigated the massive worker rights violations at the Doha World Cup and asked if you have to be a skilled worker to be treated as a human. This week we’ll revisit that inte... more

It’s not often that union members become politicians, but Kevin King, former labor leader is now mayor of Independence. We’ll get his story. Then KCUR’s Sam Zeff will run down two consequential constitutional amendments on the August 4th. Amendment 4... more

The August 4th Kansas ballot has a blockbuster constitutional amendment to change the way the state Supreme Court is selected. This week on the Heartland Labor Forum we’ll find out from the Kansas Reflector’s Tim Carpenter what this means for the rig... more

What is the status of the Green New Deal and the Inflation Reduction Act now that Trump is President? This week on the Heartland Labor Forum we’ll talk jobs, unions and the green transition with the University of Massachusetts Robert Pollin. Then, Da... more

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Recent Guests

Kevin King
Mayor of Independence; former labor union leader (First Local 20)
Independence city government; union background
Episode: The August 4th Missouri Ballot Amendments #4: and #5 and Union Leader Series: Kevin King from Union Leader to Mayor of Independence
Sam Geff
Metro reporter for KCUR
KCUR (Kansas City public radio)
Episode: The August 4th Missouri Ballot Amendments #4: and #5 and Union Leader Series: Kevin King from Union Leader to Mayor of Independence
Mark Gruenberg
Labor journalist
Press Associates Union News Service / People's World
Episode: The August 4th Missouri Ballot Amendments #4: and #5 and Union Leader Series: Kevin King from Union Leader to Mayor of Independence
Tim Carpenter
Journalist, Kansas Reflector
Kansas Reflector
Episode: The August 4th Kansas Judicial Election Amendment and Putting the Movement Back in the Labor Movement at Labor Notes
Chelly Moise
Member, UFCW Local 7
UFCW Local 7
Episode: The August 4th Kansas Judicial Election Amendment and Putting the Movement Back in the Labor Movement at Labor Notes
Emily Lumpkin
Member, IBEW Local 968
IBEW Local 968 / CREW
Episode: The August 4th Kansas Judicial Election Amendment and Putting the Movement Back in the Labor Movement at Labor Notes
Maree Rose Williams
Senior Columnist
The Kansas City Star
Episode: The August 4th Kansas Judicial Election Amendment and Putting the Movement Back in the Labor Movement at Labor Notes
Robert Pollin
Distinguished professor of economics and co-director of the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts / PERI
Episode: The Emerging Green Economy and Daniel Kotzin: the Racist History of US Immigration Law
Daniel Kotzin
Professor at William Jewell College who gave a talk on the racist history of US immigration law
William Jewell College
Episode: The Emerging Green Economy and Daniel Kotzin: the Racist History of US Immigration Law

Hosts

Christina Dismay
Host of Heartland Labor Forum
Judy Ansel
Host/Interviewer on Heartland Labor Forum
Jeff Beatty
Host of Heartland Labor Forum; Co-host/Interviewer
Rebecca Markham Parker
Host/Interviewer on KCPS segment

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 13 ratings
  • Readdoctor

    In this day and age where everything in America is for sale, it is refreshing to find Heartland Labor Forum fighting back by airing the truth.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    American-boy
    United States12 years ago

Listeners Say

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In this day and age where everything in America is for sale, it is refreshing to find Heartland Labor Forum fighting back by airing the truth.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The August 4th Missouri Ballot Amendments #4: and #5 and Union Leader Series: Kevin King from Union Leader to Mayor of Independence
Q: Why did you decide to run for mayor after a long career in the union?
King explains that initial prodding from others and a sense of wanting to serve the community, coupled with his union leadership experience and the willingness of his family to support the run, motivated him to seek the mayoral position.
The August 4th Kansas Judicial Election Amendment and Putting the Movement Back in the Labor Movement at Labor Notes
Q: What are the background and origin of this push for constitutional change—partisan politics or a broader Kansas issue?
Support comes from a coalition of conservative and business-backed groups, while opposition includes legal and civil rights organizations; the push is framed as voter empowerment but criticizes the current merit-based system as politically biased.
The August 4th Kansas Judicial Election Amendment and Putting the Movement Back in the Labor Movement at Labor Notes
Q: Tim, what do you know about the money behind this? Who are the deep pockets backing each side?
The Kansas Bar Association and allied organizations are strongly opposed, while groups like the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Americans for Prosperity are backing the amendment; money is flowing via mailers, radio ads, TV ads, and social media, signaling a well-funded campaign.
The Billionaires Have Two Parties; We Need One of Our Own!
Q: What evidence suggests a potential appetite for a new working-class political movement among Trump voters?
Surveys showed substantial portions of Trump voters and under-30 voters support a progressive, populist independent organization, indicating possible cross-ideological appeal if framed around economic security and jobs.
The Billionaires Have Two Parties; We Need One of Our Own!
Q: How do we realistically build a third party or new political alignment given the US electoral system?
Start educationally, break the spoiler myth, and focus on areas where Democrats have withdrawn, especially rural and post-industrial counties, gradually expanding as independents gain traction.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Heartland Labor Forum

What is Heartland Labor Forum about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtfully curated labor-focused show that blends local union organizing stories, public policy, and historical context with timely labor news. Episodes frequently center on on-the-ground organizing victories (like library workers joining unions and healthcare staffing debates), while also hosting seasoned voices from national labor circles, educators, and policy researchers. A standout characteristic is the mix of practical organizing advice, historic labor narrative (e.g., Motown-era movements, baseball/union history), and accessible explainer segments on public policy and transit issues, all anchored by local Kansas City–area concerns. Potential listeners include union members, organizers, policy advocates, educators, and transit or ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Heartland Labor Forum?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Heartland Labor Forum:

1. Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff
2. Know Your Enemy
3. Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer

How many episodes of Heartland Labor Forum are there?

Heartland Labor Forum launched 13 years ago and published 751 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Heartland Labor Forum?

Recent guests on Heartland Labor Forum include:

1. Kevin King
2. Sam Geff
3. Mark Gruenberg
4. Tim Carpenter
5. Chelly Moise
6. Emily Lumpkin
7. Maree Rose Williams
8. Robert Pollin

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