Essential Voices with Wilmer Valderrama

Coming Together At The Grocery Store

Ben Hess and his grocery store co-workers did not know they would be on the frontlines of a pandemic when they took their jobs. Not only did they have to worry daily about getting sick, they also had to manage customers frustrated at following safety protocols and deal with empty shelves. While Ben continued working hard, the pandemic took a big toll on his physical and mental health. Roundtable guests: Actress and activist Sophia Bush, and Jim Araby, the Director of Strategic Campaigns at United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5 Union.Learn more about United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5 Union: <a href="https://ufcw5.org/">https://ufcw5.org/</a> Learn more about Work in Progress, Sophia Bush’s podcast: <a href="https://t.co/HOxg2KBa9Q?amp=1">apple.co/workinprogress</a> Episode Transcript: <a href="https://app.trint.com/public/63286a75-3040-45a9-b11c-3d97ef4a46e5">https://app.trint.com/public/63286a75-3040-45a9-b11c-3d97ef4a46e5</a> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

The Covid-19 pandemic introduced the term “Essential Workers” for a class of people who existed before and will persist long after the virus is gone. Vital to society, but rarely heard from, this “essential” class is often hit hardest by the imbalances and injustices of our culture. In each episode, host Wilmer Valderrama will have intimate conversations with people on the frontlines of the food system, transportation, child-care and other workers who are so often overlooked. That conversation leads to a round-table discussion with activists and politically-active celebrities, discussing themes, issues and areas of needed change. The show seeks to reveal the invisible connections between all of us.