America Works Podcast

Dale Baumgartener, long-time Head Cheese Maker at the Tillamook County Creamery Association, a farmer-owned cheese and dairy cooperative, talks with folklorist Jared Schmidt for his Occupational Folklife Project “Tillamook: Cheesemakers in Coastal Oregon.” He talks about growing up on a dairy farm, his start in the cheese industry, and his pride in working for a nationally respected brand like Tillamook Cheese.

Phuong Mai Nguyen and her husband Amp Phettaphong, owners of the popular Indochine Café in Columbus, Ohio, came to the US as refugees and, after working a variety of other jobs, stared their own restaurant. The couple talk with folklorist Jess Lamar Reece Holler at their restaurant between lunch and dinner shifts by as part of Hollar's Occupational Folklife Project “Back of House: Kitchen Workers in Central Ohio.”

German sausage maker George Neiden, who owns and runs the Old Country Sausage Kitchen in Maple Heights, Ohio, talks with folklorist Lucy Long about learning and plying his trade – (and the delight he takes in creating new sausage flavors!) — for her Occupational Folklife Project “Ethnic Grocers in the Urban Midwest.”

Jade Sato, the founder and owner of Minoru Farm in Brighton, Colorado, talks with documentarian Katelyn Reuther about being part of a growing movement of Asian American farmers, many of them women, who are experimenting with raising and marketing Asian heritage crops, like sisho, ginger and gobo root, for a rapidly diversifying American palate. Their talk is part of Reuther's Occupation Folklife Project “Finding Roots: Asian American Farmers in Contemporary America.”

Jade Sato, the founder and owner of Minoru Farm in Brighton, Colorado, talks with documentarian Katelyn Reuther about being part of a growing movement of Asian American farmers, many of them women, who are experimenting with raising and marketing Asian heritage crops, like sisho, ginger and gobo root, for a rapidly diversifying American palate. Their talk is part of Reuther's Occupation Folklife Project “Finding Roots: Asian American Farmers in Contemporary America.”

Emily Daniel, one of a small but growing number of female agricultural pilots – or, as they are often referred to, “crop dusters” – talks with documentarian Ellen Kendricks about learning to fly planes as a teenager, career challenges, and managing a small family-owned crop spraying business that services farms from New Jersey to Maryland and Texas and Kansas.

Emily Daniel, one of a small but growing number of female agricultural pilots – or, as they are often referred to, “crop dusters” – talks with documentarian Ellen Kendricks about learning to fly planes as a teenager, career challenges, and managing a small family-owned crop spraying business that services farms from New Jersey to Maryland and Texas and Kansas.

Alfred Quijance talks with documentarian Josh Wisneski for the Alaska Marine Conservation Council's Occupational Folklife Project “Beyond the Breakwater: Gulf of Alaska Small Boat Fishermen.” He talks about growing up in the remote Alutiiq/Sugpiaq community of Old Harbor on Kodiak Island; learning about traditional Native American seining, fishing and harvesting; and leaving at age 13 to find work on fishing boats and canneries throughout the state of Alaska.

April Matson, Manager of the Pitt Stop food concession at the legendary Ransomville Speedway, a family-owned dirt track racecourse in western New York, talks with folklorist Edward Millar about her job, about why food is such an important part of the Speedway experience, and about preparing popular local specialties -- including 'flat dogs' and hand cut fries.

April Matson, Manager of the Pitt Stop food concession at the legendary Ransomville Speedway, a family-owned dirt track racecourse in western New York, talks with folklorist Edward Millar about her job, about why food is such an important part of the Speedway experience, and about preparing popular local specialties — including ‘flat dogs’ and hand cut fries.

David Swett, the owner of Swett's Restaurant, a family-owned establishment and culinary landmark in Nashville, Tennessee since 1954, talks with documentarian Candacy Taylor about running an African American family business, working in the food industry and his pride in Swett's history as part of her larger project “The Green Book: Documenting African American Entrepreneurs.”

David Swett, the owner of Swett's Restaurant, a family-owned establishment and culinary landmark in Nashville, Tennessee since 1954, talks with documentarian Candacy Taylor about running an African American family business, working in the food industry and his pride in Swett's history as part of her larger project “The Green Book: Documenting African American Entrepreneurs.”

Jeremy Presar is a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service based out of the French Creek, West Virginia Post Office. Now in his sixth year as a mail carrier, he tells folklorist Emily Hilliard about his 70-mile route, delivering to 600 mailboxes, the challenges posed by animals, weather and being bi-racial in a largely White area as well as the pride he takes in working for America's “vital lifeline.”

Jeremy Presar is a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service based out of the French Creek, West Virginia Post Office. Now in his sixth year as a mail carrier, he tells folklorist Emily Hilliard about his 70-mile route, delivering to 600 mailboxes, the challenges posed by animals, weather and being bi-racial in a largely White area as well as the pride he takes in working for America's “vital lifeline.”

Shanda Dunn of Lexington, Kentucky, talks with folklorist Ethan Sharp about being a Peer Support Worker as part of his larger Occupational Folklife Project “Hope for Recovery.” Shanda explains how she overcame her own complicated past and struggles with substance abuse to train and now, to work alongside clinicians as a counselor for others recovering from substance abuse disorders.

Shanda Dunn of Lexington, Kentucky, talks with folklorist Ethan Sharp about being a Peer Support Worker as part of his larger Occupational Folklife Project “Hope for Recovery.” Shanda explains how she overcame her own complicated past and struggles with substance abuse to train and now, to work alongside clinicians as a counselor for others recovering from substance abuse disorders.

Jobie Hill, an architect and historic preservation specialist from Iowa City, Iowa, explains how her interest in her own African American heritage led her to become an expert on the documentation, preservation, and repurposing of slave dwellings throughout the United States. She talks about her training and professional experiences as an architect and what inspired her to document more than 700 structures built by enslaved African Americans. The interview was conducted by documentarian Sarah Filkins as part of her Occupational Folklife Project on “Women Architects.”

Jobie Hill, an architect and historic preservation specialist from Iowa City, Iowa, explains how her interest in her own African American heritage led her to become an expert on the documentation, preservation, and repurposing of slave dwellings throughout the United States. She talks about her training and professional experiences as an architect and what inspired her to document more than 700 structures built by enslaved African Americans. The interview was conducted by documentarian Sarah Filkins as part of her Occupational Folklife Project on “Women Architects.”

Barbara Norman, a blueberry farmer from Covert, Michigan, speaks with oral historian Anna-Lisa Cox about growing up on her family's farm as part a larger Occupational Folklife Project documenting “Multigenerational African-Descended Farmers of the Midwest.”

Barbara Norman, a blueberry farmer from Covert, Michigan, speaks with oral historian Anna-Lisa Cox about growing up on her family's farm as part a larger Occupational Folklife Project documenting “Multigenerational African-Descended Farmers of the Midwest.”

Leah Chase, chef and owner of the legendary Dooky Chase's Restaurant in New Orleans talks with documentarian Candacy Taylor in her bustling restaurant for the Occupational Folklife Project “The Green Book: Documenting African American Entrepreneurs.” More than just a James Beard award-winning eating establishment, Dooky Chase's has served patrons that range from Presidents to Civil Rights leaders and celebrities to Louisianans in search of great food – and explains why she had to slap President Obama's hand when he tried to put hot sauce on her gumbo.

Leah Chase, chef and owner of the legendary Dooky Chase's Restaurant in New Orleans talks with documentarian Candacy Taylor in her bustling restaurant for the Occupational Folklife Project “The Green Book: Documenting African American Entrepreneurs.” More than just a James Beard award-winning eating establishment, Dooky Chase's has served patrons that range from Presidents to Civil Rights leaders and celebrities to Louisianans in search of great food – and explains why she had to slap President Obama's hand when he tried to put hot sauce on her gumbo.

Jerry Bransford, a seasonal tour guide at Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park, tells folklorist Brent Bjorkman how his family's multi-generational history with the cave led him to become a guide after retiring from a successful corporate career. Members of his family began working as cave guides in the 1830s. Like many of the early guides, they were African Americans and through their knowledge, they became local, national, and even international celebrities, despite being enslaved. He also talks about how his family's relationship with the Cave was abruptly severed in 1941, when it became a US National Park and all African Americans workers were dismissed; and his wish to make sure today's park visitors learned about the important contributions his family, and other African Americans cave workers, made in the exploration and development of this celebrated natural wonder.

Jerry Bransford, a seasonal tour guide at Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park, tells folklorist Brent Bjorkman how his family's multi-generational history with the cave led him to become a guide after retiring from a successful corporate career. Members of his family began working as cave guides in the 1830s. Like many of the early guides, they were African Americans and through their knowledge, they became local, national, and even international celebrities, despite being enslaved. He also talks about how his family's relationship with the Cave was abruptly severed in 1941, when it became a US National Park and all African Americans workers were dismissed; and his wish to make sure today's park visitors learned about the important contributions his family, and other African Americans cave workers, made in the exploration and development of this celebrated natural wonder.

Marcus Wimby, Director of Haugabrooks Funeral Home in Atlanta, Georgia, talks about his work and career. For more than 90 years, Haugabrooks has been a mainstay of Atlanta's African American community. Mr. Wimby – a relation to Ms. Geneva Haugabrooks, the dynamic woman who founded the multi-generational business in 1929 -- was interviewed by documentarian Candacy Taylor for her Occupational Folklife Project “The Green Book: Documenting African American Entrepreneurs.”

Damon Walker, a “luthier” or string instrument maker in Durham, North Carolina, talks about his work making and fixing double or ‘upright' basses with folklorists Katy Clune and Julia Gartell as part of their Occupational Folklife Project “Fixing, Mending, Making New: North Carolina’s Repair Professionals.” Mr. Walker – or “Dr. Bass” as he is widely known in the business – explains how his love of music and woodworking combined with years of formal apprenticeship at an atelier led him to became of the very few African American luthiers in the United States.

Damon Walker, a “luthier” or string instrument maker in Durham, North Carolina, talks about his work making and fixing double or ‘upright' basses with folklorists Katy Clune and Julia Gartell as part of their Occupational Folklife Project “Fixing, Mending, Making New: North Carolina's Repair Professionals.” Mr. Walker – or “Dr. Bass” as he is widely known in the business – explains how his love of music and woodworking combined with years of formal apprenticeship at an atelier led him to became of the very few African American luthiers in the United States.

Marcus Wimby, Director of Haugabrooks Funeral Home in Atlanta, Georgia, talks about his work and career. For more than 90 years, Haugabrooks has been a mainstay of Atlanta's African American community. Mr. Wimby – a relation to Ms. Geneva Haugabrooks, the dynamic woman who founded the multi-generational business in 1929 — was interviewed by documentarian Candacy Taylor for her Occupational Folklife Project “The Green Book: Documenting African American Entrepreneurs.”

This is AFC staff folklorist Nancy Groce and this America Works episode features excerpts from a longer interview with the independent professional wrestler Seymour Ray – a respected athlete who is widely known by his professional name: “Ray Idol.” He was interviewed at his home in Bristol, Tennessee, by folklorist Delainey Bowers as part of her project documenting “Independent Professional Wrestlers in Central Appalachia.”

This is AFC staff folklorist Nancy Groce and this America Works episode features excerpts from a longer interview with the independent professional wrestler Seymour Ray – a respected athlete who is widely known by his professional name: “Ray Idol.” He was interviewed at his home in Bristol, Tennessee, by folklorist Delainey Bowers as part of her project documenting “Independent Professional Wrestlers in Central Appalachia.”

This is AFC staff folklorist Nancy Groce and this America Works episode features excerpts from a longer interview with Dr. Susan Morelli, a neonatologist and geneticist who works in Provo, Utah. She was interviewed by folklorist Lisa Gabbert as part of a larger project on “Doctoring,” which documents the training, daily routines, work environments, personal motivations, occupational folklore and humor of contemporary American physicians.

This is AFC staff folklorist Nancy Groce and this America Works episode features excerpts from a longer interview with Dr. Susan Morelli, a neonatologist and geneticist who works in Provo, Utah. She was interviewed by folklorist Lisa Gabbert as part of a larger project on “Doctoring,” which documents the training, daily routines, work environments, personal motivations, occupational folklore and humor of contemporary American physicians.

This is AFC staff folklorist Nancy Groce and this America Works episode features excerpts from a longer interview with Mike Williams, a dirt track auto racer at the famed Ransomville Speedway in western New York. He was interviewed at his home on the Tuscarora Nation by folklorist Edward Millar from the Castellani Art Museum at Niagara University.

This is AFC staff folklorist Nancy Groce and this America Works episode features excerpts from a longer interview with Mike Williams, a dirt track auto racer at the famed Ransomville Speedway in western New York. He was interviewed at his home on the Tuscarora Nation by folklorist Edward Millar from the Castellani Art Museum at Niagara University.

This is AFC staff folklorist Nancy Groce and this America Works episode features excerpts from a longer interview with Rosemarie Francis-Primo, a home healthcare aide in Brooklyn, New York. She is a proud member of Domestic Workers United, an advocacy organization that represents Caribbean, Latina, and African nannies, housekeepers, homeworkers, and caregivers in metropolitan New York.

This is AFC staff folklorist Nancy Groce and this America Works episode features excerpts from a longer interview with Rosemarie Francis-Primo, a home healthcare aide in Brooklyn, New York. She is a proud member of Domestic Workers United, an advocacy organization that represents Caribbean, Latina, and African nannies, housekeepers, homeworkers, and caregivers in metropolitan New York.

This is AFC staff folklorist Nancy Groce and this America Works episode features excerpts from a longer interview with Joyce Godbout, a dairy farm manager or herdsperson for the Vincent Farm in Burke, New York. She was interviewed for the Library by folklorist Jill Breit as part of the Library's Occupational Folklife Project documenting “Dairy Farm Workers in New York's North Country.”

This is AFC staff folklorist Nancy Groce and this America Works episode features excerpts from a longer interview with Joyce Godbout, a dairy farm manager or herdsperson for the Vincent Farm in Burke, New York. She was interviewed for the Library by folklorist Jill Breit as part of the Library's Occupational Folklife Project documenting “Dairy Farm Workers in New York’s North Country.”

This is AFC staff folklorist Nancy Groce and this America Works episode features excerpts from a longer interview with grocery store cashier Luann Miller, who over the past three decades has worked just about every job there is in the grocery business – from shelf re-stocker, to cashier to bagger. When interviewed by folklorist Deborah Fant for the Washington State Workers project, Miller was working at Thriftway, a locally-owned unionized grocery store in West Seattle, Washington.

This is AFC staff folklorist Nancy Groce and this America Works episode features excerpts from a longer interview with grocery store cashier Luann Miller, who over the past three decades has worked just about every job there is in the grocery business – from shelf re-stocker, to cashier to bagger. When interviewed by folklorist Deborah Fant for the Washington State Workers project, Miller was working at Thriftway, a locally-owned unionized grocery store in West Seattle, Washington.

This America Works episode features excerpts from a longer interview Tina Moore Braimah, a Certified Nurse Midwife and the founder of Sankofa Birth & Women's Care in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was interviewed by folklorists Josephine McRobbie and Joseph O'Connell as part of their Occupational Folklife Project on “Midwives, Doulas, and Birth Workers,” which documented the training, daily routines, experiences, rewards and challenges of birth workers in diverse communities and occupational settings throughout North Carolina.

This America Works episode features excerpts from a longer interview Tina Moore Braimah, a Certified Nurse Midwife and the founder of Sankofa Birth & Women’s Care in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was interviewed by folklorists Josephine McRobbie and Joseph O’Connell as part of their Occupational Folklife Project on “Midwives, Doulas, and Birth Workers,” which documented the training, daily routines, experiences, rewards and challenges of birth workers in diverse communities and occupational settings throughout North Carolina.