Learning & Labor

This episode explores the life of J.B. Pritzker, focusing on his life prior to becoming Governor of Illinois. For sources, citations, and more information on the podcast: https://linktr.ee/learninglabor

This episode explores international attacks on higher education, including discussion of the US and the Netherlands, xenophobia, immigration and more. We are joined by Prof. Janet Fuller, who provides insight into the conditions on both sides of the Atlantic. For sources, citations, and more information on the podcast: https://linktr.ee/learninglabor

In this episode, Niko and Malachy talk about the importance of symbolism, why the current Illinois Flag is a bad one, and the many options that are being presented for a new flag by the Illinois Flag Commission. For sources, citations, and more information on the podcast: https://linktr.ee/learninglabor

In Episode 12 we analyze the results of the 2024 election, discussing its implications for the Midwest and where we go next. For sources, citations, and more information on the podcast: https://linktr.ee/learninglabor

Bonus episode responding to Trump's recent comparisons to 1890s politics, including tariffs, President McKinley, and the income tax. For sources, citations, and more information on the podcast: https://linktr.ee/learninglabor

For Episode 11 we are joined by Trip, who runs the Nomadic Warriors for Pritzker account on social media. Along with the story behind his account, we discuss “good governance liberalism” of some Midwestern Democrats, their Republican opponents, and the overall state of politics in the Midwest. For sources, citations, and more information on the podcast: https://linktr.ee/learninglabor

This Labor Day episode covers a story crucial to Illinois politics today. In an interview with Illinois Legislative Staff Association Organizer Brady Burden, we go over the context, recent history and current situation for legislative workers in Springfield. CORRECTION: Democrats control 78/118 of the IL House seats, or about 66%. 60 votes is a majority and 60% is a supermajority For sources, cita...

This BONUS episode discusses the future of the Learning & Labor Podcast. Fill out the audience feedback form: https://forms.gle/JpNgRbgryseiscD26 For sources, citations, and more information on the podcast: https://linktr.ee/learninglabor

Episode 9 of the Learning Labor Podcast is a discussion on the 1992 Latine student movement protests at the University of Illinois. For sources, citations, and more information on the podcast: https://linktr.ee/learninglabor

Today, we dive into the history of the anti-apartheid struggle, with a focus on UIUC’s movement for divestment from South Africa. I was lucky to be joined by Professor Terri Barnes in this episode to discuss the background and implications of this international movement against oppression that has increasing relevance today. For sources, citations, and more information on the podcast: https://link...

For this episode I was able to speak to Prof. Gisela Sin, Director of the Center for Latin America and Caribbean Studies (CLACS), and Prof. Flavia Cristina Drumond Andrade, Acting Director of the Lemann Center for Brazilian studies about UIUC’s connections to Latin America. We were touched on figures from Jorge Paulo Lemann and Werner Baer to Rafael Correa, and discussed the many ways that our uni...

In this episode me (Niko) and my friend Justin rank a bunch of statues on or near the UIUC campus. While somewhat informative, this is more of a fun episode. There is a video version available on Youtube as well! **ALSO GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY IS IN DC I MISREAD MY NOTES For sources, citations, and more information on the podcast: https://linktr.ee/learninglabor

This BONUS episode tells the story of a campus landmark whose history connects developments in public transport, the expansion of cars, and Roger Ebert, yet is relatively unknown. Listen to learn this fascinating story about the Halfway House. For sources, citations, and more information on the podcast: https://linktr.ee/learninglabor

Our first podcast guest is Professor and Union Activist David Johnson, who discusses the crisis that modern higher education is going through, based on his own experiences in the labor movement and as a professor at a regional research university. For sources, citations, and more information on the podcast: https://linktr.ee/learninglabor

CONTENT WARNING: Discussion of Racism and Violence Episode 4 of the Learning Labor Podcast tells the story of the early 1900s student organization that took the name “Ku Klux Klan”, and the ways in which its story has been told over time - included recent changes prompted by this podcast’s investigations, For sources, citations, and more information on the podcast: https://linktr.ee/learninglabor

Episode 3 tells some of the most well-known and obscure stories from the history of UIUC, through the UIUC History Iceberg. Apologies for the minor sound issues on this one, there's a few things that messed it up but I've tried my best to correct what I can. For the Youtube Video, full iceberg graphic, sources, citations, and more information on the podcast go to: https://linktr.ee/learninglabor

Episode 2 tells the story of John Peter Altgeld, namesake of Altgeld Hall. This is part 2 of the episode, and goes through his accomplishments as Governor, including with respect to UIUC and higher education, and the rest of his life. As I mention at the end of this episode, I encourage listeners to support a ceasefire in Gaza: https://ceasefiretoday.com/ For sources, citations, and more informati...

Episode 2 tells the story of John Peter Altgeld, namesake of Altgeld Hall. This is part 1 of the episode, and goes through his early life until his most consequential act as Governor of Illinois. As I mention at the end of Part 2, I encourage listeners to support a ceasefire in Gaza: https://ceasefiretoday.com/ For sources, citations, and more information on the podcast: https://linktr.ee/learning...

This episode covers the story behind UIUC's founding - specifically the Morrill Act and the land grant system which was predicated on the theft of indigenous land. For sources, citations and more information about the podcast go to: https://linktr.ee/learninglabor

This introductory episode is a brief introduction to the Learning & Labor podcast. Sources and more available here: https://linktr.ee/learninglabor