In this episode, John Malmborg recounts a high-stakes moment at his Amazon warehouse where workers organized a “March on the Boss” in response to unsafe and dehumanizing break policy changes. Eliminating one of two paid breaks sparked a groundswell of worker resistance at SWF1 in Rock Tavern, NY. Over 200 employees signed a petition, 30 marched directly to management, and the footage reached millions across social media.

This episode chronicles the events leading up to the march, shares audio from the confrontation itself, and lays out the broader implications for Amazon workers and the labor movement at large. John shares his reflections as both a media producer and on-the-ground organizer, exploring what it means to challenge corporate power from the inside in a legally protected manner.

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In this episode of Malmborg Report, Dan Plaat, activist, political candidate, and longtime community organizer, joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation on activism, local politics, and systemic change. Plaat discusses his evolution from grassroots movements to running for city council in Albany, sharing insights into the struggles of organizing in today’s political climate.

Plaat reflects on his journey through the Occupy movement, his work with the Green Party, and the challenges of building a political base in a system dominated by corporate interests. He also shares his thoughts on the role of community media, the importance of local organizing, and his vision for creating a more equitable society through grassroots power. John and Dan dive into how local activism intersects with broader systemic issues, the potential of third-party movements, and the difficulties of organizing in a time of political fragmentation.

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What’s it like to build a media platform from the inside of a warehouse while also fighting for a union? John Malmborg kicks off Phase Two of Malmborg Report with a direct update on where things are headed (and why.)

From Amazon’s union-busting to a rodent infestation that sparked a whistleblower-style campaign, John explores the absurd and all-too-real conditions behind the scenes at his New York facility. He breaks down the shift to a biweekly podcast cadence, why YouTube is becoming the platform’s central hub, and how creative flexibility fits into the broader mission. This episode is about adapting the show without losing its core, making meaning from strange conditions, and continuing to tell the truth even when the truth sounds surreal.

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What does it mean to create music in solitude and keep going when the world feels heavy? LA-based singer-songwriter Leah Cordova joins John Malmborg for an intimate conversation about music, memory, and the winding roads of creative expression. From singing in an empty house to capturing melodies on her phone along the Pacific Coast Highway, Leah shares how her artistry was shaped by personal grief, generational love of music, and the landscapes of Southern California.

They talk about the healing power of sad songs, the magic of voice memos, and the quiet courage it takes to share your voice in public. Leah reflects on the inspiration she finds in nature, the beauty of Big Sur, and how community came together in the wake the 2025 California wildfires. This episode is a reflection on how art emerges from silence, how music carries us through, and how place shapes the songs we sing.

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What does it mean to build creative community in the shadow of big tech? In this episode, musical artist Kid Lightbulbs joins Malmborg Report to share the story behind Threads on My Art, a 13-artist cover album that began as a joke on Threads and grew into a fully realized collaborative release.

They discuss the unexpected power of online micro-scenes, the tension between DIY creativity and algorithmic platforms, and how artists are navigating burnout, backlog, and the search for autonomy. Along the way, the episode reflects on the fragility of digital spaces, the role of remix culture, and why even low-budget projects can punch through the noise with the right kind of collective energy.

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Thousands of truckers are misclassified as independent contractors, bearing all the risks of running a business without the rewards. In this episode, labor organizer Kyle Pettis of the American Communist Party joins Malmborg Report to break down the fight for drayage drivers’ rights at Port Newark and beyond.

Kyle shares how the United Drivers Defense Association (UDDA) is organizing truckers facing exploitative conditions, navigating legal wins, and pushing for a union-backed master freight agreement. He explains how misclassification leaves workers without basic protections (health insurance, guaranteed pay) and how the movement is gaining traction despite industry resistance. John and Kyle also explore the parallels between drayage truckers and Amazon’s DSP drivers, how trucking deregulation has fueled decades of exploitation, and why organizing in the trucking sector is critical to the future of labor power in the U.S.

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What does it take to grow as an artist both musically and personally? In this episode, singer-songwriter and music educator Kathryn Jeanette joins Malmborg Report to share her journey through music, creativity, and self-discovery.

She and John discuss her early inspirations, how teaching piano shaped her perspective, and the challenges of balancing creative passion with everyday life. Kathryn also reflects on overcoming writer’s block, the emotional weight of burnout, and how her love for nature and floral design helped her reconnect with creativity and overcome struggles with mental health. They also dive into the parallels between songwriting and the cycles of nature and how music, like plants, goes through seasons of growth, change, and renewal.

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The internet is constantly rewriting history, but who decides what stories get told and which voices are erased? Video artist and media theorist Michael Chernoff joins Malmborg Report to break down the digital landscape. Drawing from media archaeology, he explains how older technologies still shape modern systems. He and John discuss the role of film, the internet, and social media in shaping what gets seen, preserved, or forgotten.

They also dive into the struggle of independent artists trying to make a living in a system that commodifies attention while erasing creative labor. Michael shares his perspective on video as historical preservation, the risks of digital erasure, and how artists can push back against a media ecosystem designed to extract value without rewarding creators.

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What happens after a viral moment? In this episode, John Malmborg breaks down how a single Reddit post gave Malmborg Report a major boost—and why virality alone isn’t the goal. He reflects on the lessons from his first month of building an independent media platform, the temptation to chase viral moments, and the challenges of staying consistent while working a full-time job.

John also shares his plans for the show, why independent media and labor organizing go hand in hand, and how audience support plays a key role in its future.

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In this episode, John Malmborg speaks with musician Caleb Jerome Morales about the economic realities of independent music and the challenges of sustaining a creative career. Morales shares his journey juggling live performances, recording, and breaking into sync licensing while navigating the financial instability of gig work. They discuss how independent musicians face unpredictable income and exploitative systems.  

Morales recounts his experience with an elaborate sync licensing scam, revealing how fraudsters manipulate artists’ ambitions and the broader implications for the music industry. The conversation expands into the structural challenges of creative labor, the increasing precarity of independent work, and how artists, like all workers, must build solidarity to protect themselves from exploitation.

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