Best Nelson Alvarez Podcasts (2025)

1
He Built a $10M Business, Lost It All, and Bounced Back (Brian Creager) 13:26

11m ago13:26

13:26

Entrepreneur Brian Creager shares his journey from corporate VP to founder, navigating challenges like product failure and bankruptcy. He stresses the importance of strategic growth, people, process, and technology while advocating for life balance. It’s an inspiring story of resilience and vision. Making It explores the lives and stories of entrep…

1
Democracy dies, first, in the workplace (w/ Hamilton Nolan & Sara Nelson) 1:18:14

18h ago1:18:14

1:18:14

“I did not start out as a writer interested in organized labor,” Hamilton Nolan writes in The Hammer: Power, Inequality, and the Struggle for the Soul of Labor; “I started out as a writer interested in why America was so fucked up. Why did we have such gargantuan levels of inequality? Why were thousands of homeless people living in the streets of c…

1
Team’s Pick: From Gifted to a Gift (Giovanni Marsico) 16:24

12d ago16:24

16:24

The Mirasee FM podcast team chooses their favorite episode of 2024 to close out the year. In this pick, you’ll hear how Giovanni Marsico, bullied and outcast as a kid for being “gifted,” discovered his calling and found solace in superheroes. Without realizing it, this set the stage for a future transformation when he found himself highly successfu…

1
Sick Georgia residents have been abandoned after toxic BioLab fire (w/ Hannah Loyd, Christina O'Connor, & Jeramie Julian) 1:17:12

25d ago1:17:12

1:17:12

“In late September,” Timothy Pratt writes in Capital & Main, “a massive billow of smoke from a chemical fire spread over metro Atlanta, lingering for weeks and prompting national news coverage. The smoke has cleared, but the anger has not dissipated in Conyers, the city of 20,000 where the fire occurred, and in surrounding areas... Smoke from the b…

1
Burnout to Breakthrough: The Power of Nervous-System Regulation (Jessica Rhodes) 14:55

26d ago14:55

14:55

From a challenging childhood to leading a seven-figure agency, Jessica Rhodes recounts how her path led to success in the podcasting industry. Discover how focusing on the journey, not the destination, is key. Her story offers invaluable lessons on resilience, vision, and entrepreneurial success. Making It explores the lives and stories of entrepre…

1
What working people's struggles to survive the Great Depression can teach us today (w/ Dana Frank) 1:16:38

1M ago1:16:38

1:16:38

“During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the US economy almost completely collapsed,” historian Dana Frank writes in her new book, What Can We Learn from the Great Depression? “By 1933 a third of all those who’d had jobs were unemployed; another third were scraping by with lesser work. Racism, far from collapsing, festered and metastasized as ins…

1
Judy Gearhart and the Labor Link Podcast - What can a can of tuna teach us about International Worker Solidarity 56:20

1M ago56:20

56:20

Longtime Working People listeners will be familiar with Max and Mel’s extended work discussing the supply chain, the workers who keep that system running day in and day out, and the dangerous and exploitative working conditions that many workers labor under. Our global economy relies on these workers to stay running–and bosses around the world use …

1
From Funky Diva to Empowerment Coach (Rhona Bennett) 14:01

1M ago14:01

14:01

From being one-third of En Vogue to becoming a transformative coach, Rhona Bennett shares her journey of personal growth. She delves into stories of courage, authenticity, and joy, emphasizing embracing challenges, fostering continuous growth, and expressing oneself genuinely and authentically. Making It! explores the lives and stories of entrepren…

1
Catholic nurses at Ascension call on Bishops to help with contract fight (w/ Gideon Eziama & Lisa Watson) 30:21

2M ago30:21

30:21

On November 12, unionized nurses at Ascension St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore held a rally in front of the Marriott Hotel downtown, where the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) was holding a meeting. St. Agnes nurses rallied with supporters from around the city, and they were even joined by fellow Ascension nurses who traveled from Wichita, …

1
“Let’s unite!”: Poisoned residents of America’s sacrifice zones are banding together (w/ Hilary Flint, Melanie Meade, Elise Keaton Wade, & Angela Shaneyfelt) 1:12:30

2M ago1:12:30

1:12:30

Sacrifice zones are areas where people have been left to live in conditions that threaten life itself, from toxic industrial pollution to the deadly, intensifying effects of man-made climate change. In a more just and less cruel society, the very concept of a “sacrifice zone” wouldn’t exist. And yet, in America, after decades of deregulation and pu…

1
From Stage Fright to Leadership Legacy (Danny Ceballos) 12:54

2M ago12:54

12:54

From a challenging childhood to a successful coaching career, Danny Ceballos’s journey reveals the power of overcoming fears and embracing authenticity. His story highlights positive intelligence and the importance of leading oneself first, offering inspiration and insights for managers and leaders. Making It! explores the lives and stories of entr…

1
How will railroad workers vote after Biden and Congress blocked their strike? (w/ Hugh Sawyer, Mark Burrows, & Ron Kaminkow) 1:20:34

2M ago1:20:34

1:20:34

Two years ago, the US was on the cusp of seeing its first national rail strike in decades. Then, President Joe Biden, at the urging of the rail companies, and with the help of both parties in Congress, preemptively blocked railroad workers from striking in December of 2022. Workers were forced to accept a contract that did not address the vast majo…

1
The Power of Being at Choice in Life and Work (Lori Wayne) 12:47

2M ago12:47

12:47

From humble beginnings to a successful coaching career, Lori Wayne shares her journey of resilience, intuition, and balance. Discover her inspiring story and practical advice for small business owners on how to thrive without burnout, emphasizing the importance of choice and confident decision-making. Making It! explores the lives and stories of en…

1
SpoOoOoky Special 2024: The Movie that Traumatized Us All 1:12:51

2M ago1:12:51

1:12:51

Last year, we summoned all the Alvarez siblings from the ether to record our annual Halloween episode. Sadly, we were not able to record a new Halloween episode in 2024, but to celebrate the holiday and give listeners a break from all the heavy news, we are publicly releasing last year's spooky special. Jesse, Zak, Max, and MacKenna break down THE …

1
Workers take on Kaiser Again, Strike for a Fair Contract in SoCal 46:30

2M ago46:30

46:30

On Monday, Oct 21, 2400 behavior health workers at Kaiser Permanente’s Southern California locations walked off the job in their ongoing struggle for a fair contract. Over the summer, negotiations between the health system and the bargaining committee, represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), failed to close the gap between t…

1
After two years of striking, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette workers aren’t ready to give up 59:17

3M ago59:17

59:17

We’re coming up on a pretty mind-blowing anniversary in the news labor world–Two years ago, in October 2022, after the newspaper unilaterally cut off insurance benefits to production workers and newsroom workers filed ULPs for bad-faith bargaining, the workers of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette walked off the job on strike. The Newspaper Guild of Pitts…

1
Transforming Pain into Purpose — An Inspiring Path (Ali Shapiro) 14:51

3M ago14:51

14:51

Sharing her journey in health coaching, Ali Shapiro reflects on pioneering a babysitting camp and rethinking health and entrepreneurship. She weaves together themes of personal growth, resilience, and redefining success — with insights for entrepreneurs on listening to your business’s needs. Making It! explores the lives and stories of entrepreneur…

1
Look for the Helpers: Organizing Relief Aid in Asheville, NC, After "Apocalyptic" Hurricane Helene (w/ Byron Ballard & Lori Freshwater) 27:51

3M ago27:51

27:51

Over the past two weeks, people around the country have watched in horror as our neighbors and fellow workers have been battered by the successive disasters of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. “After making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on Sept. 26 and tearing through the Gulf Coast of Florida,” Adeel Hassan and Isabelle Taft write in Th…

1
Chasing Fulfillment, Not Success (Peter Sage) 15:53

3M ago15:53

15:53

Driven by a childhood lesson on the consequences of not achieving, Peter Sage shares his journey from overachieving entrepreneur to fulfilled coach. He highlights the importance of emotional mastery and finding joy in the process rather than the goal. And it’s a reminder that “making it” is ongoing. Making It! explores the lives and stories of entr…

1
Cornell's Crackdown on Palestine Solidarity Protests Could Force Grad Student-Worker to Leave US (w/ Jawuanna McAllister & Jenna Marvin) 38:44

3M ago38:44

38:44

The student encampment movement last school year turned institutions of higher education into flashpoints of struggle over Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, US support for it, and the right to speak out against it. This year, college and university campuses have become laboratories of repression where different administrative efforts to si…

1
Microsoft AI Data Center Comes for Drought-Battered Mexican Town’s Water (w/ Diana Baptista) 46:08

3M ago46:08

46:08

As the climate crisis intensifies, billions of poor and working people around the world are suffering from lack of regular (or any) access to clean water, but the dawn of “AI” is about to make the problem much worse. In their recent report for Context, “Forget jobs—AI is coming for your water,” Diana Baptista and Fintan McDonnell write, “Artificial…

1
Alec Plant 58:07

4M ago58:07

58:07

Two years ago, workers from several different Trader Joe’s grocery stores joined the wave of unionization efforts spreading across the country. Workers in Hadley, Massachusetts, made history in 2022 by not only becoming the first Trader Joe’s store to vote to unionize but also by opting to form an independent union, Trader Joe’s United (TJU). Howev…

1
Designing a Life of Intentionality and Freedom (Jason Friedman) 14:59

4M ago14:59

14:59

From childhood entrepreneurship to running multiple major businesses, Jason Friedman tale is one of learning and growth, mistakes and successes. From guiding his moral compass and entrepreneurial spirit to balancing freedom and impact, Jason's journey is all about resilience and intentional living. Making It! explores the lives and stories of entre…

1
When Work Inspires Art: Labor Poet George Fish 30:50

4M ago30:50

30:50

While Max was inside the Labor Notes conference this past April, attending panels and sharing space with intelligent, hard working organizers, Mel was wandering the conference grounds outside, meeting folks and talking about the joy of being a member of the working class as they sat in the grass and ate their lunches and talked with friends, old an…

1
Scared, Still Standing, and Owning the Business (Angie Colee) 14:10

4M ago14:10

14:10

Growing up in a discouraging family, Angie was driven to prove her worth and follow her passion for performance. Angie reflects on her struggles with imposter syndrome and being authentic and self-compassionate. For her, making it is the continuous journey of self-reinvention and new possibilities. Making It! explores the lives and stories of entre…

1
Seven unions demand end to US military aid to Israel (w/ George Waksmunski & Brandon Mancilla) 44:45

5M ago44:45

44:45

The death toll in Gaza continues to climb, with conservative estimates putting the numbers of dead around 40,000, but a recent report in the British medical journal The Lancet estimates the actual death toll could be 186,000 or even higher—that’s roughly 8% of Gaza’s population. And with each passing day, the humanitarian crises unfolding in Gaza a…

1
From Factory Worker to Founder (Daniel Levis) 12:16

5M ago12:16

12:16

As an unambitious kid, Daniel Levis never imagined owning a business, let alone helping others thrive. His journey is a testament to overcoming self-doubt and building systems for success. He shares insights on the importance of self-belief and strategic planning to make it in entrepreneurship. Making It! explores the lives and stories of entrepren…

1
300 Episodes of 'Working People'! Announcements, reflections, & what comes next... 55:36

5M ago55:36

55:36

In 2024, Working People officially crossed the 300 episode mark! Since we published our first episode back in 2018, the show has grown in ways we never could have imagined, and the world itself has changed in radical, hopeful, terrifying ways, the labor movement has undergone incredible changes, and we’ve done our best to document that change and t…

1
From Poetry to Prosperity (Alex Mandossian) 11:59

5M ago11:59

11:59

As a child renowned for his poetry recitations, Alex Mandossian discovered how to connect with audiences. After a failed business in his early 20s, Alex rediscovered the power of an audience through online marketing and became one of the pioneers of the field. His 1995 website still prospers today. Making It! explores the lives and stories of entre…

1
What it Means to 'Walk the Walk': the NEA Staff Lockout (w/ Rowena Shurn and Ambereen Khan-Baker) 46:44

5M ago46:44

46:44

Today we have an urgent and important conversation with members of the NEA Staff Organization, the union of staffers at the National Education Association, who have been locked out of their workplace by NEA management for the past four weeks. The NEA, representing over 3 million members, is the largest union in the country. Staffers working for the…

1
From the East Palestine Derailment Disaster to the Toledo Water Crisis (w/ Mike Balonek & Chris Albright) 39:38

5M ago39:38

39:38

From East Palestine, Ohio, to South Baltimore and beyond, we’ve been connecting you with residents living in the toxic wastelands left by private and government-run industry—ordinary working people who have been thrust into extraordinary fights for their lives. In the latest installment of our ongoing Sacrificed series, we go to Toledo, Ohio, a cit…

1
Blending Code and Spirituality (Calvin Correli) 14:54

6M ago14:54

14:54

Combining a deep-seated spiritual journey with entrepreneurial drive, Calvin Correli reflects on his unique path. From early coding to founding Simplero, Calvin explores how inner growth fuels business success, emphasizing the harmony between spirituality and entrepreneurship. Making It! explores the lives and stories of entrepreneurs as they share…

1
Teamsters Members React to Sean O'Brien's RNC Speech (w/ Amber Mathwig, Tony, Chantelle, Rick Smith, Zoey Moretti Niebuhr, Jess Leigh, Kat, & Robert Conklin) 1:50:03

6M ago1:50:03

1:50:03

On Monday, July 15, on Day 1 of the Republican National Convention, Sean O’Brien, general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, became the first Teamsters president ever to address the RNC. Invited by former president Trump, who is now officially the Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election, O’Brien’s speech was no o…

1
Starting with a Little Red Wagon (Jane Deuber) 9:04

6M ago9:04

9:04

Beginning with her childhood business, Jane Deuber reflects on her entrepreneurial journey from a little red wagon to seven successful companies. She shares her belief in personal growth, value-based goals, and meaning of making it — balancing business success with a fulfilling personal life. Making It! explores the lives and stories of entrepreneu…

1
Dispatch from Labor Notes & Railroad Workers United Conferences (Chicago, 2024) 1:29:28

6M ago1:29:28

1:29:28

Two months ago, from April 17-21, workers and labor organizers of all stripes convened in Chicago for the bi-annual Labor Notes conference, which overlapped with the Railroad Workers United convention. As the registration website rightly noted, “Labor Notes Conferences are the biggest gatherings of grassroots labor activists, union reformers, and a…

1
"Safe Staffing Now!": Baltimore Nurses at Largest Catholic Health Network in US Fight On for First Contract (w/ Nicki Horvat) 23:40

6M ago23:40

23:40

On the morning of Thursday, June 20, unionized nurses at Ascension St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore held a rally outside the hospital to raise awareness of their efforts to secure a first contract and to show management that they’re not backing down from their core demands for safe staffing and an operational model that puts patients and patient car…

1
From Gifted to a Gift (Giovanni Marsico) 15:16

6M ago15:16

15:16

Bullied and outcast as a kid for being “gifted,” Giovanni Marsico found solace in superheroes. Without realizing it, this set the stage for a future transformation when he found himself highly successful but unhappy. After a dark period, Giovanni discovered his calling and has never looked back. Making It! explores the lives and stories of entrepre…

1
In Brazil, the Climate Crisis Is Already Turning Working People into Climate Refugees (w/ Michael Fox) 54:29

7M ago54:29

54:29

“Southern Brazil is facing its worst climate tragedy ever," Latin-America-based journalist Mike Fox wrote from Brazil for the North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA) in early May. "Unprecedented floods have impacted 1.4 million people and forced more than 160,000 people from their homes... The images are shocking. Downtown Porto Alegre, th…

1
"CSX has got to go!" Industrially Polluted South Baltimore Residents March to "Evict" Rail Giant from Their Community 40:22

7M ago40:22

40:22

On June 10, in the working-class community of Curtis Bay in South Baltimore, over 50 residents, activists, and supporters from around the city marched through the streets of Curtis Bay to hold CSX Transportation accountable for polluting their community, homes, and bodies with toxic coal dust. Even after an expansive scientific study co-sponsored b…

1
Masterminding Success and Balance (Jay Fairbrother) 11:27

7M ago11:27

11:27

Drawing from his transformative journey, Jay Fairbrother shares how personal loss and early struggles shaped his path as an entrepreneur. With insights on masterminds and work-life balance, Jay reveals the power of human connection and resilience in making it through life’s ups and downs. Making It! explores the lives and stories of entrepreneurs a…

1
Liz Oliva Fernández 1:23:27

7M ago1:23:27

1:23:27

For the past six years on this show, we've talked to working people from across the United States, from virtually every walk of life, about their lives, jobs, dreams, and struggles. But today, we’re going to talk about what it’s like to live and work in a country that has been designated a political enemy of US empire, a country that sits only 90 m…

1
Finding Love in Every Business (Mark Silver) 12:58

7M ago12:58

12:58

From paramedic to profit with a purpose, Mark Silver shares his unique blend of spirituality and entrepreneurship. From divine connections to mistakes as lessons, Mark reveals how every act of business can be an act of love. With deep listening, he navigates a path of wonder, care, and commitment. Making It! explores the lives and stories of entrep…

1
A Veteran Longshoreman's View of the Baltimore Bridge Disaster (w/ John Blom & Marc Steiner) 47:48

8M ago47:48

47:48

Nearly two months have passed since the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, and the city is still reeling from the disaster. The bridge collapse immediately rendered the Port of Baltimore inoperable, threatening hundreds of thousands of jobs, and billions in wages, business revenue, and state taxes. While channels into the port h…

1
ADHD as a Superpower (Taki Moore) 9:28

8M ago9:28

9:28

Not willing to let an ADHD diagnosis dictate his life, Taki Moore turned it into a superpower by putting the right support systems into place. Taki shares insights about the entrepreneurial mindset, the importance of knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and the value of having a team. Making It! explores the lives and stories of entrepreneurs as …

1
"South Baltimore is a sacrifice zone" (w/ David Jones, Angela Smothers, Carlos Sanchez, & Tiffany Thompson) 1:09:42

8M ago1:09:42

1:09:42

“South Baltimore is a sacrifice zone,” Michael Middleton and Dr. Sacoby Wilson wrote in a guest commentary published in Maryland Matters this February. “The six communities that make up South Baltimore—Cherry Hill, Westport, Mt. Winans, Lakeland, Brooklyn, and Curtis Bay—rank in the top 3% of the state for environmental burden using a Maryland Depa…

1
Breaking Chains and Building Dreams (Sandra Johnson) 12:18

8M ago12:18

12:18

From humble beginnings, Sandra Johnson sees education as the pathway out of adversity. With a belief in breaking cycles and aiding others, she, alongside her partner, started a university, embodying her convictions about lifelong learning and community empowerment. In this Part 2 episode (with Part 1 featuring her husband and business partner, Marc…

1
Vina Colley 1:47:13

9M ago1:47:13

1:47:13

"Vina Colley was Erin Brockovich before Erin Brockovich," Kevin Williams wrote in a 2020 Belt Magazine article titled, "The Poisonous Legacy of Portsmouth’s Gaseous Diffusion Plant." Williams continues, "Colley has become an unlikely citizen-scientist, spending a lifetime researching and documenting PORTS and its sins... Colley was hired as an elec…

1
Working People Deserve Bread and Roses—and Musicals (w/ Gene Bruskin) 38:33

9M ago38:33

38:33

Gene Bruskin was born to a Jewish working-class family in South Philadelphia and has been a life-long social justice activist, union organizer, poet, and playwright. Since retiring from the labor movement, Gene wrote his first play in 2016, a musical comedy for and about work and workers called Pray For the Dead: A Musical Tale of Morgues, Moguls a…

1
Saving Lives and Sharing Knowledge (Marco Johnson) 11:23

9M ago11:23

11:23

Welcome to Making It! This weekly show explores the lives and stories of entrepreneurs as they share their unique perspectives on their success and the path to making it. Marco Johnson is a former NFL player, former Los Angeles firefighter and paramedic, co-founder of The University of Antelope Valley, and co-founder of Accreditation Advisors Group…

1
Justice for East Palestine Residents & Workers Conference in East Palestine 3:06:45

9M ago3:06:45

3:06:45

On March 23, 2024, a coalition of around 80 people convened at the East Palestine Country Club at the first gathering called by the newly formed Justice for East Palestine Residents & Workers Coalition. Those in attendance included: East Palestine residents; railroad workers; residents of other “sacrifice zones" in Ohio, Maryland, California, and W…

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