10 Questions with ... Jackie Guerra

NAME:Jackie Guerra TITLE:Host, The Jackie Guerra Show STATION/NETWORK: Jones Radio Networks, XM Satellite Radio, KTLK AM 1150 Los Angeles MARKET:National (Progressive Talk stations) COMPANY:Jones Radio Networks BORN:July 25, 1970 RAISED:Los Angeles, CA

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

The bio: Jackie Guerra's charisma and charm are part and parcel of her brilliance as a comedienne, actress, author, designer and public speaker. Beginning her career as a stand up comic, Jackie and her brother were named after the Kennedys ("we're the only Mexicans I know named Jackie and John!"). She now hosts "The Jackie Guerra Show," a weekly nationally syndicated talk-radio show designed to make you think, laugh and do something! Proud of her commitment to civic duty and her Latino heritage, she uses her celebrity to give a voice to the voiceless.

As a tireless advocate for the Latino community, it was perfectly fitting that Jackie be the first Latina ever to star in her own network sitcom, WB's "First Time Out," and co-star with Jennifer Lopez in the Warner Bros. feature film "Selena." Jackie can be seen as the host of the Style Network's "You're Invited" and DIY Network's "Jewelry Making." After a number of film projects, including "Picking up the Pieces" with Woody Allen and the international success of "Eat Your Heart Out," Jackie was lured back to the small screen by the critically acclaimed series "American Family."

In 2004, Jackie discovered a life that she'd only dreamed about and a freedom that she never even knew existed. She stopped "weighting" for the day to lose 175 lbs. She quit smoking, worked out regularly, completely changed her relationship to food, got rid of unhealthy relationships, stopped eating sugar, stopped drinking alcohol and had three surgeries to remove over nine feet of excess skin, yet, she still has time for good eyebrows. In her new book, "Under Construction," she reminds us that, "You have to love where you live; but, be open to a little home improvement."

1. Okay, you're an accomplished comic, actress, and writer, as well as spokesperson for ObesityHelp. So how did you wind up also not only doing radio, but focusing on worker's rights? How did you become interested in labor issues?

I never planned to be in the entertainment business. My first love has always been politics and being of service. My parents came to the United States from Mexico in the late 60's and were very influenced by the Kennedys, the Civil Rights Movement, the UFW and the Chicano Movement of the time. When my brother and I were born they named us after the Kennedys--we're Jackie and John. I always wanted to run for office and become the first Mexican-American female Senator from the state of California.

My first adult job was as a Union Organizer for HERE Local 11 in Los Angeles. While working on a national boycott I signed up for an open-mic talent show in a club one night to try to drum up support for the boycott. Some people walk into a club and see people to hook up with; I saw a captive audience! I won the talent show and I got more signatures on my boycott petition after 10 minutes on stage than I had during an entire month on a picket line. I decided that getting on stage, in front of a microphone and/or camera was the way that I could best give a voice to the voiceless and shine a light on the people and issues that are important to me - the people who truly built this country-workers. And things kind of took off from there.

I never dreamed I'd become the first Latina to star in a network sitcom or co-star opposite Jennifer Lopez in Selena or write a book or become a spokesperson for anything... I was just living my passion. After losing 178 lbs., I had reconstructive surgery to remove 9 feet of excess skin as a result of massive weight loss. While home recovering, I received an offer from American Rights at Work to host a radio show about workers' rights. When presented with the opportunity to learn a new medium and bring some focus of the issues of the day to working folks, I didn't hesitate. Since then the show has expanded and gone through a lot of changes including a name change and what was once "Workin' It" is now "The Jackie Guerra Show" and, yes, we're still workin' it!

2. About what are you most passionate these days?

I am passionate about everything. How can you not be?

Right now I'm really focused on quality of life. I don't want to be another voice complaining about the obvious: George Bush, the fact that this is the most corrupt and wasteful administration in the history of the U.S. Presidency, having so many noble women and men in harm's way for a war that even the architects of the war can't explain, the fact that there are more WORKING AMERICANS living below the poverty line than ever before, the fact that more women will file for bankruptcy this year than will graduate from college, the fact that every 23 minutes an American worker loses their job for standing up for themselves at work, the fact that every 47 minutes someone dies from complications from obesity -- which is a disease that is PREVENTABLE and CURABLE. I don't want to use my time on the radio or anywhere else simply complaining about those things. I want to DO SOMETHING about them and help everyone to take control of the quality of their lives!

3. Unions- organized labor in general- have taken a lot of hits in the past decade. In your opinion, can a change in administration lead to a reversal of that trend, or is the damage too extensive for a significant organized labor recovery? Is the game over or can labor make up for lost territory... and how?

Wow... what a great/loaded question. One thing for sure is that yes, workers have been abandoned by this administration, so a change will absolutely improve conditions for the average American. Another undeniable truth is that Union members and the labor movement have been under assault for the last 25 years in a very deliberate fashion. Let me put it this way: if Unions were the dinosaurs that the right-wing neo-cons have spent millions of dollars in marketing fees to make everyone believe, then why do they fight us so hard? Why are they spending so much time and money to malign and dismiss Union members? Is it just because the labor movement is irrelevant? I think it's obvious: they are terrified when workers join together to improve the quality of their lives.

It is an exciting time for the labor movement with Speaker Pelosi in charge of the Democratically controlled Congress. The Employee Free Choice Act is a landmark piece of legislation that is going to determine who has the power, the people or the corporations. Last I checked, this great country is for the people. The Employee Free Choice Act is coming up for a vote in the Senate soon -- contact your Senators to tell them to vote for the Employee Free Choice Act and stand up for working Americans. Sorry, I told you that when given the opportunity I talk about the issues and people that are important!

4. How do you make what at face value seems to be a very serious issue- worker's rights- entertaining for radio? What makes the show compelling for listeners who might not come to the show with an overriding interest in the subject?

Well, I think that one of the dirty little secrets about life is that everything is serious and most things are difficult but.that doesn't mean we can't have some fun and laughs along the way. We don't talk about feminism, we speak to PoliCHICKs; we don't complain about bad corporate behavior, we out the bastards in a segment called Cojones of the Week; the good, the bad and the smelly, we don't just give you news but we break it down and usually laugh at the idiots who just keep on steppin' in it. And we highlight ordinary people doing extraordinary things as well as who is working to make life better and easier for you and who's in your way - let's clear that clutter out. "The Jackie Guerra Show" is a show to make you think, laugh and do something!

5. Of the stories about working in America that you've heard from guests and listeners so far, what's the most memorable, appalling, or inspiring?

Right now I'm pretty blown away by the pigs at Smithfield Foods. They are about as low-down and nasty as it gets. They've been cited by human rights watch groups for violating human rights in the treatment of their workers. Their employees organized and voted to be represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union but the company is so determined to continue its abusive and racist treatment of its employees that rather than recognize the Union, it's chosen to spend millions of dollars on Union-busters, spokespeople, publicists, crisis management and legal fees to draw it out. And that's not because the labor movement is irrelevant or because they have their employee's best interest in mind. This is the same company who forces workers to take a drug test BEFORE administering medical attention when they are hurt on the job. Ask 19-year-old Donald Turner, who lost a finger while working but was forced to take a drug test before being treated. Have you seen "Fast Food Nation"? Rent it and you'll get a sense of the hideousness of Smithfield. And the worst part of it is that families in Tar Heel, NC are being devastated because this kind of aggressive anti-worker campaign takes a severe emotional and economic toll on the workers. And now they've hired Paula Deen from the Food Network as their spokesperson to put a sweet face on this nasty mess. It is criminal, but you know what it's like putting cologne on a pig. It's still a pig and it still stinks!

6. Who are your heroes?

My husband Bill Torres, Maria Elena Durazo, Bill Clinton, Oprah, Gwen Stefani, the freedom riders during the Civil Rights movement, Jimmy Iovine, Pamela Harriman, Henry Cisneros, Antonio Villaraigosa, The Kennedys - all of `em!

7. Of what are you most proud?

I've lost 178 lbs., quit smoking, had 3 surgeries in order to remove excess skin from massive weight loss, I speak 5 languages, I am very proud of my book, "Under Construction: How I've Gained and Lost Millions of Dollars and Hundreds of Pounds," I am proud of "The Jackie Guerra Show," I have a wonderful relationship with my husband, and I know that this may sound corny, but, despite my crazy, unorthodox path, the ups and downs and tragedy that I've encountered along the way, I am proud of the life that I have created and most proud of the woman that I've become. Corny - but absolutely true and heartfelt!

8. What do you do for fun?

What do you have in mind (wink!)?

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without____________.

...dreams... or maybe iced tea with Splenda and a straw.or maybe fresh air... I guess really it's my husband's sparkling eyes... okay, it's my new Marc Jacobs handbag. There, are you happy? I admit it. I am obsessed with purses, shoes, Rachel Pally clothes, and Agent Provacateur lingerie. Anything else?

10. What's the best advice you've ever gotten? The worst?

The best: when people tell you who they are, believe them! The worst: trust me, I'm a scientologist.