Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783

Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783

Author: Gabe Christy and Young Sam James March 31, 2025 Duration: 55:21
By the end of the American War for Independence, soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line had gone for months with little to no pay. Their only recourse left: mutiny against congress. Originally aired: October 4, 2022. Support the show www.laborjawn.com

There’s a particular rhythm to a city’s past, one often drowned out by the usual stories of founders and famous figures. Labor Jawn tunes into a different frequency, following the beat of everyday life and collective struggle that truly built Philadelphia. Hosted by historian Gabe Christy and musician Young Sam James, this podcast digs into the rich, gritty, and frequently overlooked working-class history of the city and the wider world it connects to. Each episode feels like a conversation you’d overhear in a neighborhood taproom, blending rigorous historical research with the cultural echoes found in music and art. You’ll hear about the factory floors and union halls, the dockyards and domestic spaces where ordinary people organized, created, and pushed for change. The dynamic between Christy’s expertise and James’s cultural insight makes the past feel immediate and surprisingly relevant, revealing how yesterday’s fights for dignity and a fair wage still resonate today. It’s a deep, engaging listen for anyone curious about the real foundations of a city, understanding that history is never just about dates, but about the sound of countless voices rising together. Find more from Labor Jawn wherever you get your podcasts.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Labor Jawn
Podcast Episodes
1972-73 Teachers Strike [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:56
The 1970s were a turbulent time in American and Philadelphia history. Amidst stagnant wages, inflation, and a new law allowing public sector strikes, Philly school teachers took matters into their own hands fighting the…
1937 Exide Battery Strike [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:49
In 1937, battery workers in Philly fought for higher wages using a brand new strike tactic, triggering a rift among the labor movement in the city. Originally aired: August 7, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.com
ACORN - Interview with Wade Rathke [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:17
In this special interview episode, Gabe and Sam talk with Wade Rathke, founder and chief organizer for ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now). Originally aired: April 27, 2023. chieforganizer.org S…
Philadelphia Housing Authority [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:19
After a deadly building collapse in a predominantly black South Philly neighborhood, a coalition of housing advocates, labor leaders, and radicals pressured the city to create the Philadelphia Housing Authority. Original…
Delaware River Pilots - Interview with Andrew Lyter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:32
In the 1700s, every ship coming into Philadelphia needed a pilot to guide it. But as the wealthy merchant class started to solidify power, they started to clash with the fiercely independent sailors who guided their ship…
Black Folk - Interview with Dr. Blair LM Kelley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:36
In this special interview episode, Sam and Gabe sit down with Dr. Blair LM Kelley, director of the Center for the Study of the American South at the University of North Carolina, about her new book Black Folk: The Roots…
Fast Food Workers Strike of 2013 / Fight for $15 / Relevant Rants [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:34
Fast food workers across the US strike for better pay and the raising of the minimum wage. We also take time to rant about past jobs and the utter insanity of good ol' American capitalism. Originally aired: February 7, 2…
50th Episode Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:57
Gabe and Sam celebrate 50 episodes with this special tell-all journey into the past, present, and future of Labor Jawn. Originally aired: June 12, 2023. Support the show www.laborjawn.com
Something Radical Happened Again! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:38
In this special redux version of our Something Radical Happened Here presentation, Gabe Christy discusses Philadelphia's radical Jewish labor history. Recorded on March 9, 2025 at the Spruce Hill Community Association in…
1959 Steel Strike at Fairless [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:56
In 1959, 500,000 Steel Workers across the country went on strike against the three major steel producers in the country. This months long battle involved everything from Cold War tensions to planned communities without m…