sign-in
Log In
Logo
Search
Subscribe for Free
Oliver Buchannon
Brendan Spiegel

Brendan Spiegel is a writer, editor and entrepreneur with 20+ years working in the field as a journalist and launching media initiatives across news, politics, advocacy and human interest journalism. A longtime freelance reporter for The New York Times, Brendan got his start in journalism as a reporter and editor at Congressional Quarterly and has written feature articles for The Washington Post, Wired, and many other publications. He is the Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Narratively, an award-winning media platform and production company whose flagship editorial publication has been named one of TIME’s 50 Best Websites and Columbia Journalism Review’s “best experiments in journalism." Brendan has also led editorial collaborations with nonprofit partners including the Vera Institute of Justice, National Forest Foundation and Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

The Future of Construction Is Taking Shape in this Lower Manhattan Hidden Gem

May 6, 2026

•

3 min read

The Future of Construction Is Taking Shape in this Lower Manhattan Hidden Gem

Inside the training center preparing New York City’s next generation of union carpenters—and the workforce contractors rely on.

Brendan Spiegel
Brendan Spiegel
Union Built: Inside Brooklyn’s New Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center

Apr 29, 2026

•

4 min read

Union Built: Inside Brooklyn’s New Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center

The borough’s largest recreation center brings light-filled design, exquisite craftsmanship, and long-overdue public investment to East Flatbush.

Brendan Spiegel
Brendan Spiegel
Why Infection Control Is Essential to NYC's Healthcare Construction Boom

Apr 22, 2026

•

4 min read

Why Infection Control Is Essential to NYC's Healthcare Construction Boom

Brendan Spiegel
Brendan Spiegel
Under Pressure: Life on New York City’s Non-Union Construction Sites

Apr 15, 2026

•

6 min read

Under Pressure: Life on New York City’s Non-Union Construction Sites

Low wages, unsafe conditions, and unstable paychecks shape the daily reality for many workers building the city.

Brendan Spiegel
Brendan Spiegel
From the Margins to the Middle Class: David Caraballoso

Apr 8, 2026

•

5 min read

From the Margins to the Middle Class: David Caraballoso

The longtime carpenter nearly left the industry altogether before finding stability through union work — a path he now hopes to expand for others.

Brendan Spiegel
Brendan Spiegel
Building the Next Generation of New York Towers

Apr 1, 2026

•

7 min read

Building the Next Generation of New York Towers

An up-close look at the union craftsmanship behind JPMorganChase’s striking new Manhattan headquarters—a new model for the future of office buildings in NYC.

Brendan Spiegel
Brendan Spiegel
Follow Us!

SUBSCRIBE TO UCN FOR FREE!