Episode 24 Questions to a Secular Buddhist/ Democratic Socialist

John interviews longtime socialist and labor organizer Dr. Mike Slott about Marxism, his career in the labor movement, his interest in secular Buddhism, his involvement with the Secular Buddhist Network, and his Marxist Buddhist analysis of the obstacles we face in creating a more just and mindful society. 

Mike has been teaching as a Part-Time Lecturer in the Department of Labor Studies and Employment Relations at Rutgers University since 2001. In addition to Introduction to Labor Studies, Mike has taught Collective Bargaining, American Unions and Politics, and the History of Labor and Work in the United States.

Mike received a Master's in Labor and Industrial Relations and a Doctorate in the Social and Philosophical Foundation of Education at Rutgers. Mike has been an active participant in the labor movement for over 40 years. He has had experience in many areas of union activity, including negotiating contracts, presenting union grievances at arbitration hearings, organizing new members, and coordinating union educational programs.

A long-time political and labor movement activist, Mike continues to explore the intersection between secular Buddhism and socially engaged Buddhism.

He is a member and practice leader at New York Insight (NYI) in the USA and principal editor of the Secular Buddhist Network and its monthly newsletter,  ‘Reimagining Community’.