On Monday,The Daily Beast published my essay on the meaning of Labor Day–something I argue we’ve pretty much forgotten altogether. Who better to explore the meaning of Labor Day than those who are seeking labor? In the essay I focus on how the unemployed define the word “work,” and the array of answers is as fascinating as it is wide. These responses reveal the full measure of how unemployment (or put differently, the absences of labor) affects our lives.

Also, we have a compelling new addition to the Tell Your Story page. This time from High Vandivier. I met Hugh at a Not Working event in Indianapolis. Hugh comes from journalism and is a skilled writer, which makes his effort to explain the experience of losing a job intensely effective. Please be sure to read it. It’ll stay with you for a while. So much of what Hugh writes about was echoed, again and again, by the folks from the book: tense co-workers around him as he collects his belongings, the urge to drink, exercising to stay sane–just to name a few points.

Now into the heated election season. Let’s see if any specific job development ideas actually sneak out between the lips of our political leaders.

Onward.