In this week’s episode, we talk to historian Gabe Christy and musician Young Sam James, the duo behind The Labor Jawn podcast, which blends history, storytelling, and music to shine a light on labor movements rooted in Philly and beyond. During this conversation, they shed light on a labor movement with Jersey roots, the 1913 Paterson Silk Strike; discuss the power of solidarity among working folks through collective action; and explore the role music has played in uniting and energizing workers through labor songs. If you’d like to hear more about what Gabe and Sam are doing, visit their website, laborjawn.com. Their site includes links to their podcast on various platforms, in addition to their YouTube and Discord channels and social media pages.
Music things we talked about
Mill Mother’s Lament, lyrics written by Ella May Wiggins and performed by Pete Seeger
I am a Union Woman, lyrics by Aunt Molly Jackson and performed by Bobbie McGee
The Red Flag, anthem of the British Labour Party
The 8-Hour Day, Pete Seeger
Little Red songbook, published by The Industrial Workers of the World, illustrated by Jeannette Gysbers, and printed by Red Sun Press
Review of the musical Pins and Needles\
Strike and labor rights-related things we talked about
Shawn Fain, Labor Daddy
May Day 2028 - (May 1) when all UAW contracts are going up
The 3.5% Rule - when demanding change from a government, success is reached when 3.5% or more of a population join together to strike.
About Sam and Gabe + Labor Jawn
Historian Gabe Christy and musician Young Sam James explore the who, what, when, where, and whys of the labor movement of Philadelphia and the surrounding world.
Labor Jawn is a podcast and research project covering the working class history of Philadelphia and the surrounding world.
Co-hosted by longtime friends, Gabe Christy and Sam James, Labor Jawn has recorded over 100 podcast episodes, hosted several live events, and disseminated working class history and music to tens of thousands of listeners since 2021.
In November 2022, Labor Jawn hosted In Story & Song at the Philadelphia Folksong Society. The event also featured the release of Labor Jawn, an album of music that Sam recorded for the podcast.
In 2024, Gabe opened the Digital Lyceum in order to preserve the heritage of the labor movement, share original research, and promote discussion on impact, tactics, and strategies.
In February 2025, Sam released the second album of songs from the podcast.
About This Show
Bury Me in New Jersey is recorded in Hammonton, NJ, with the help of sound guy Nick Rumaczyk, head mensch and husband Bradley Nussbaum, and operations chief Katel LeDu. Our theme music is Grief on Repeat by New Harm. You’re getting an exclusive first listen to their material–their debut EP will be coming out soon!
Drop us a line at hello@burymeinnj.com if you’d like to share feedback or ideas for an upcoming episode!
A special shoutout to Anjanette R., Sergey K., Molly E., and Kim H, Erin and Bill H, Fluffy Farms, Lauren L., Fairacres Organic Produce, Katel, Holly, Stacy G., Sam J, Anjanette R, Kerrie, and Colleen C. We’re back on the air because of Kickstarter contributions like yours, and we’re deeply grateful for your support.
If you’d like to keep up to date with the other work we’re doing to support Bury Me, please consider subscribing to our Substack at burymeinnj.com. It’s absolutely free to read our content, though we do offer paid membership options which help us to continue producing more grief content.
Visit our website, burymeinnj.com, to learn about all the ways you can support the show. Thanks.
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