Why Union

In this episode of Why Union, we sit down with Martin Helms, Executive Director of Helmets To Hardhats, to talk about the life-changing opportunities available to veterans and transitioning service members through the union skilled trades. Drawing from his own journey from military service to the trades, Helms shares how Helmets to Hardhats helps veterans find purpose, stability, brotherhood, and long-term careers through registered apprenticeship programs.

The conversation dives into the parallels between military life and construction work — discipline, teamwork, leadership, and mission-focused thinking — and why union apprenticeships create a natural transition for those leaving the service. Helms also discusses the personal struggles many veterans face when re-entering civilian life, and how programs like H2H provide more than a job: they provide direction, support, and a future.

“H2H means more to me than most,” Helms says, reflecting on how discovering the program “changed my life.” He also describes the trades as “a brother and sisterhood, much like the uniform,” highlighting the sense of community veterans often rediscover through union careers.

This episode offers an honest look at transition, identity, and opportunity — and shows how the union trades continue to open doors for those who have served.

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In this episode of Why Union, host Tyler Jeffries kicks off Season 2 with a powerful conversation featuring DeMaurice Smith—former Executive Director of the NFL Players Association, former Assistant United States Attorney, and author of Turf Wars.

Releasing on the day of the NFL Draft, Smith reflects on his journey from the courtroom to leading one of the most high-profile unions in the country. He shares candid insights on representing elite athletes, navigating power at the highest levels of professional sports, and what it takes to advocate for workers in an industry driven by billionaires.

“Unions exist because power doesn’t give anything away for free.”

From collective bargaining and player safety to the broader role of unions in America, this conversation spans leadership, accountability, and the realities of fighting for those you represent. DeMaurice Smith embodies what it means to lead with conviction, challenge power, and stand firm in the face of adversity—setting the tone for Season 2 of Why Union.

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In this episode, we sit down with Elise Bryant (former Executive Director and current board member) and Chris Garlock (current Executive Director) of the Labor Heritage Foundation—a DC-area nonprofit that preserves and promotes U.S. labor history and culture through music, art, theater, and storytelling.

Elise and Chris share stories about finding labor art everywhere—from Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times" to "Office Space"—and discuss how creative expression builds solidarity and empowers workers.

Whether you're a union member, an artist, or just curious about the intersection of culture and labor, this conversation reveals how the arts feed our souls and strengthen the labor movement

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In this episode of Why Union, host Tyler Jeffries sits down with Sidney and Darwin Bonilla—two brothers whose shared childhood, strong family roots, and cultural identity helped shape their paths to leadership in the labor movement. They reflect on growing up with deep respect for hard work, family, and community, and how those values guided them into the trades and union life.

Darwin Bonilla, Special Representative, United Association, and Sidney Bonilla, Business Manager & Financial Secretary-Treasurer, Steamfitters UA Local 602, share candid stories from their childhood, early days as apprentices, and experiences navigating the jobsite as Hispanic workers. They also reflect on the evolution of union culture toward greater diversity and inclusion for everyone. The Bonilla brothers truly embody mentorship, solidarity, and what brotherhood in leadership means.

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In Episode Two of Why Union, host Tyler Jeffries sits down with two of labor’s most recognizable voices on social media — Proud Union Guy and Union Proud Warrior — to explore how a new generation is learning about the trades through TikTok and Instagram. With hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of likes between them, Sean and David have built powerful platforms by sharing real, boots-on-the-ground perspectives from job sites across the country.

The conversation explores the power of grassroots digital organizing, the camaraderie and benefits of union work, and the impact their online presence has had on inspiring others to join the labor movement. With stories of real people whose lives have changed for the better, they discuss the responsibility and opportunity of using social media to energize and expand the union community nationwide.

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In the premiere episode of Why Union, host Tyler Jeffries sits down with Maryland State Senator, union electrician, and author Cory McCray to discuss how an apprenticeship with IBEW Local 24 transformed his life. From his early struggles in Baltimore to his rise as a community leader and legislator, McCray shares how the “earn while you learn” model opened the door to stability, opportunity, and purpose.

They dive into themes from McCray’s new book, The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life, exploring how mentorship, gratitude, and access to union training can change the trajectory for countless young people. The conversation covers everything from breaking stereotypes around the trades to expanding apprenticeship access in Maryland and beyond.

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The Why Union podcast peels back the layers of the labor movement through honest, unfiltered conversations. Host Tyler Jeffries interviews voices from across the trades and unions, uncovering the stories that shape them.

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