SAG-AFTRA Launches Podcast; First Two Episodes Available Now

SAG-AFTRA today announced the launch of the SAG-AFTRA podcast. Hosted by President Gabrielle Carteris and National Executive Director David White, each episode features in-depth interviews, industry insights and compelling stories affecting the entertainment and media industry. The podcast soft launched in January with the introductory episode "Making a Revolution." The next two episodes are available now with subsequent releases available every other Tuesday.

"We are so excited to bring this podcast to the members. It is an opportunity for us to discuss the critical issues that affect our livelihoods within the industry, and will help us to continue laying the groundwork for the future," said Carteris.

Added White, "The podcast is an added vehicle for us to reach our members, and will allow us to more personally discuss the challenges they face in the entertainment and media industries as well as highlight SAG-AFTRA's role in collectively finding solutions."

The second episode, "A Real-Life Telenovela Drama," spotlights the first-ever agreement with Telemundo Television Studios to cover Spanish-language television performers. This is the true inside story of how Telemundo performers decided to unionize and the subsequent months of negotiations leading to a first contract one year later. Telenovela stars Pablo Azar and Katie Barberi join the hosts and discuss their fight for better working conditions.

Episode 3, titled "Attack on the Free Press," focuses on the First Amendment protection of a free press. NPR's Nina Totenberg and Eric Spillman of KTLA join our hosts to share fascinating stories from the field and weigh in on what it's like to work in the media during the polarized era of attacks on journalists, so-called "fake news" and social media reporting.

Upcoming podcast topics will cover advancing equity in the workplace, an inside look at the union's fight with "right-to-work" laws and more. Listen and subscribe to the SAG-AFTRA podcast online at sagaftra.org/podcast or on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher.

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at sagaftra.org.