Bridge to the Future – Jersey Works
Jersey Works is a four-part documentary podcast that explores one of the country’s biggest contradictions: while political rhetoric focuses on deterring immigration, the U.S. economy increasingly depends on immigrant workers. This series guides listeners through the surprising ins and outs of the American immigration story through intimate reporting and conversations. Together we learn that the story of immigration is the story of who keeps America running.
Why Jersey?
New Jersey has one of the highest proportions of immigrants of any state. It also has the second highest median income in the country. New Jersey provides the perfect prism through which to observe our national debate. Hear from entrepreneurs, workers, educators and experts about how current immigration policies ignore the reality and are damaging our businesses, our communities, and our ability to sustain economic growth.
Co-hosts Julie Winokur and Tim Raphael bring a fresh and informed approach to this podcast series with colorful banter and deep expertise. Winokur, founder of Talking Eyes Media, and Raphael, a Rutgers-Newark professor who ran the Center for Migration & the Global City, are engaging guides who build a strong case for our reliance on foreign-born workers and our need to find a clear path forward.
Episodes
Episode 1: Changing the Narrative
In this episode, hosts Julie Winokur and Tim Raphael discuss the critical yet often overlooked impact of immigrant labor on the US economy, with a focus on New Jersey as a role model. From Alexander Hamilton and the origins of industrialization to today’s immigration debates, discover how immigration policies have shaped, and continue to influence, economic growth and social diversity.
Episode 2: Immigrants Get the Job Done
This episode examines the complex relationship between immigrants and labor, highlighting their crucial role across various sectors and their massive economic contribution. We speak with experts, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to shed light on how immigrants fuel economic growth despite societal challenges.
Episode 3: The Cost of Fear
In this episode, we dive into the reverberations of ICE raids and the reality of our dependence on an undocumented workforce. We explore the profound impact anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies have on the economy and local communities. We highlight personal stories, expert analyses, and the broader implications these policies have on workers, employers, and societal trust.
Episode 4: Bridge to the Future
In this final episode of Jersey Works, we break down the critical role of immigration in shaping America’s economic future amidst political challenges. We discuss labor shortages, innovative immigration policies, and the importance of fostering welcoming communities, especially in New Jersey.
Featured Guests
Patricia Campos-Medina: Executive Director of the Worker Institute at the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, and 2024 Senate candidate
Marisol Conde Hernandez: Managing Attorney at Law Office of Eric M. Mark, and currently serves as Chair of the NJ State Bar Association’s Immigration Law Section
Shihab Kuran: Founder, President, and CEO of Power Edison
Andre Sayegh: Mayor of Paterson, NJ
Farhanna Sayegh: Founder of Cultural Fit marketing consultancy
Jeanne Batalova: Senior Policy Analyst at Migration Policy Institute
Nancy Cantor: President of Hunter College
Megan Chambers: President of the SEIU New Jersey State Council, and Co-Manager of the Laundry Distribution and Food Service Joint Board of Workers United
Peter Chen: President of New Jersey Policy Perspectives
Ramya Devan: Professor and Chair of Economics, Stockton University
Nicholas Montalto: Co-founder of the New Jersey Business Immigration Coalition
Angelica Santamauro, Executive Director of the American Labor Museum / Botto House
Evelyn Saz, Lead Organizer for National Domestic Workers Alliance, NJ
Julie Winokur: Executive Director of Talking Eyes Media
Tim Raphael: Professor in the Department of Arts, Culture and Media, Rutgers-Newark
Jersey Works is supported by the Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Race and Politics at Rutgers University-Newark.
Interested in supporting our work? We’re always looking for partners to help us build momentum around this important subject. Contact Julie Winokur at jwinokur@talkingeyesmedia.org to discuss distribution and other partnership opportunities.
