Everything Co-op with Vernon Oakes

Everything Co-op

Podcast by Everything Co-op

  1. Michael Peck, Iñigo Albizuri, Ibon Zugasti & Kaisu Tuominiemi discuss the Social Economy Road Show to NYC & Boston

    May 23

    Michael Peck, Iñigo Albizuri, Ibon Zugasti & Kaisu Tuominiemi discuss the Social Economy Road Show to NYC & Boston

    May 14, 2026 This episode of Everything Co-op features Part II of the Social Economy Road Show to NYC & Boston, with guests Michael A. Peck, Iñigo Albizuri, Ibon Zugasti and Kaisu Tuominiemi. Vernon and his guests explore the vision behind the initiative and highlight what participants can look forward to during the Road Show. The initiative will include a series of events that will focus on connecting with regional stakeholders, sharing knowledge, and identifying opportunities for collaboration and joint action to drive social and economic change. The institutional cosponsors for the May 25-31 ASETT-H@W&L Social Economy Road Show to NYC & Boston are: the American Sustainable Business Network, (ASBN), CUNY Law School Community Economic Development Clinic (CEDC), Local Area Assistance Fund in Boston (LEAF), Greater Boston Labor Council ( GBLC), Manufacturing Renaissance, & Humanity At Work & Life (H@W&L). Michael A. Peck served as Mondragon International’s USA/Canada delegate (1999-2019) and currently serves as the ASETT (Arizmendiarrieta Social Economy Think Tank) USA & Canada representative. He co-edited Humanity@Work&Life volumes I & II (Oak Tree Press, 2023/2025), with Dr. Christina Clamp.  Iñigo Albizuri – ASETT General Director, Global Head of Public Affairs at Mondragon, President of CICOPA (the international organization of industrial and service cooperatives) and International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Vice-President - Cooperatives Europe, representing Spain. Ibon Zugasti - International Project Manager at LKS Cooperative (the Management Consulting Division of Mondragon Corporation), Deputy Director of the Millennium Project Global Futures Think Tank, Managing Partner/Director in PROSPEKTIKER – European Institute for Futures Studies and Strategy, and leads the ASETT Foresight Hub. Kaisu Tuominiemi - a Finnish entrepreneur, educator, learning experience designer, and member-owner at TAZEBAEZ S. Coop, where she serves as Lead of Educational Programs and a Senior Learning Facilitator with the Travelling U team affiliated with Mondragon Team Academy (MTA) and Mondragon University (MU). Event listings & registration links are provided below for your convenience. Building Mutual Social Economy Bridges – NYC CUNY School of Law, Queens, NY Tuesday, May 26 • 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM RSVP here: https://asett-nyc.eventbrite.com (https://asett-nyc.eventbrite.com/)   An interactive convening focused on building the social and solidarity economy across local and global contexts, bringing together leaders from ASETT, Humanity @ Work & Life, and CUNY Law, in partnership with NYS Senator Jamaal Bailey! Participants are invited to an interactive event structured around the social and solidarity economy Bring your ideas, share your work, and connect with others shaping the social and solidarity economy.   Convened by the CUNY Law School Community Economic Development Clinic (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/preview?eid=1986831659979) and H@W&L.  Building Mutual Social Economy Bridges Reception SEIU 32BJ Local 615, 26 West Street, Boston, MA Thursday, May 28 • 6 PM - 8 PM A reception with leaders from Mondragón and Arizmendiarrieta Social Economy Think Tank (ASETT) and Humanity@Work&Life  – together with members of the American Sustainable Business Network, the Greater Boston Labor Council, and the Local Enterprise Assistance Fund. Come meet fellow practitioners, organizers, and leaders working at the intersection of business, labor, and community development. Connect, exchange ideas, and build momentum for a stronger, more collaborative social and solidarity economy. Event URL: https://asett-reception.eventbrite.com (https://asett-reception.eventbrite.com/)  Building Mutual Social Economy Bridges – Boston Josephine A. Fiorentino Community Center, Brighton, MA Friday, May 29 • 2:30 PM - 4 PM RSVP here: https://asett-boston.eventbrite.com (https://asett-boston.eventbrite.com/)

    54 min
  2. Christina Clamp & Rodrigo Ricxu Bacus  discuss the Social Economy Road Show to NYC & Boston

    May 22

    Christina Clamp & Rodrigo Ricxu Bacus  discuss the Social Economy Road Show to NYC & Boston

    May 7, 2026 This episode of Everything Co-op features Part I of the Social Economy Road Show to NYC & Boston, with guests Christina Clamp, and Rodrigo Ricxu Bacus. Vernon and his guests explore the vision behind the initiative and highlight what participants can look forward to during the Road Show. Sponsored by ASBN and introducing the Arizmendiarrieta Social Economy Think Tank in collaboration with Humanity@Work&Life, the Road Show will take place May 25–31. The initiative will include a series of events that will focus on connecting with regional stakeholders, sharing knowledge, and identifying opportunities for collaboration and joint action to drive social and economic change. Event listings & registration links are provided below for your convenience. Building Mutual Social Economy Bridges – NYC CUNY School of Law, Queens, NY Tuesday, May 26 • 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM RSVP here: https://asett-nyc.eventbrite.com (https://asett-nyc.eventbrite.com/)  An interactive convening focused on building the social and solidarity economy across local and global contexts, bringing together leaders from ASETT, Humanity @ Work & Life, and CUNY Law, in partnership with NYS Senator Jamaal Bailey! Participants are invited to an interactive event structured around the social and solidarity economy Bring your ideas, share your work, and connect with others shaping the social and solidarity economy.   Convened by the CUNY Law School Community Economic Development Clinic (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/preview?eid=1986831659979) and H@W&L. Building Mutual Social Economy Bridges Reception SEIU 32BJ Local 615, 26 West Street, Boston, MA Thursday, May 28 • 6 PM - 8 PM A reception with leaders from Mondragón and Arizmendiarrieta Social Economy Think Tank (ASETT) and Humanity@Work&Life  – together with members of the American Sustainable Business Network, the Greater Boston Labor Council, and the Local Enterprise Assistance Fund. Come meet fellow practitioners, organizers, and leaders working at the intersection of business, labor, and community development. Connect, exchange ideas, and build momentum for a stronger, more collaborative social and solidarity economy. Event URL: https://asett-reception.eventbrite.com (https://asett-reception.eventbrite.com/) Building Mutual Social Economy Bridges – Boston Josephine A. Fiorentino Community Center, Brighton, MA Friday, May 29 • 2:30 PM - 4 PM RSVP here: https://asett-boston.eventbrite.com (https://asett-boston.eventbrite.com/)

    55 min
  3. International Year of  the Woman Farmer Series: Episode II with Karen Washington

    May 4

    International Year of  the Woman Farmer Series: Episode II with Karen Washington

    April 9, 2026 Everything Co-op continues its observance of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 (IYWF 2026) with distinguished guest, Karen Washington, farmer, food justice activist, and co-owner of Rise & Root Farm in Chester, New York. Vernon and Karen discuss her journey as a farmer and food justice activists, the vital role women play in agriculture, and how initiatives like Black Urban Growers are empowering communities to build equitable and sustainable food systems. Karen is a passionate food advocate who co-founded Black Urban Growers (BUGS) in 2010, an organization dedicated to supporting growers in both urban and rural communities. Her impact and leadership have earned her widespread recognition, including being named one of Ebony magazine's 100 Most Influential African Americans in 2012, receiving the James Beard Leadership Award in 2014, and most recently, the James Beard Humanitarian Award in 2023. Karen also contributes her time and expertise as a board member of the New York Botanical Gardens, the Mary Mitchell Center, Soul Fire Farm, and the Black Farmer Fund. The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognizing the vital yet often underappreciated contributions of women across global agri-food systems. From production and processing to distribution and trade, women farmers play a central role in advancing food security, nutrition, and economic resilience. IYWF 2026 aims to elevate awareness and drive action to close gender gaps and improve livelihoods worldwide.

    56 min
  4. International Year of  the Woman Farmer Series Launch, with Noémi Giszpenc

    May 4

    International Year of  the Woman Farmer Series Launch, with Noémi Giszpenc

    April 2, 2026 Everything Co-op kicks off its observance of the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026) with a distinguished guest, Noémi Giszpenc, Executive Director of The Keystone Development Center (KDC). A nationally respected leader in cooperative development, Noémi Giszpenc brings more than two decades of experience advancing democratic ownership and community-based economic models. In her current role at KDC, she leads strategic initiatives that expand access to cooperative business development, strengthen organizational capacity, and support inclusive economic growth across sectors. Prior to joining KDC, Noémi served as Executive Director of the Cooperative Development Institute (CDI), where she guided the organization through significant expansion from 2009 to 2022, broadening its impact and services throughout the Northeast. She holds a master’s degree in cooperative economic development from Southern New Hampshire University and is a certified Level II facilitator in collaborative leadership and group process. The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognizing the vital yet often underappreciated contributions of women across global agrifood systems. From production and processing to distribution and trade, women farmers play a central role in advancing food security, nutrition, and economic resilience. IYWF 2026 aims to elevate awareness and drive action to close gender gaps and improve livelihoods worldwide. Through its work, KDC supports emerging and established cooperatives, businesses transitioning to shared ownership, and the broader ecosystem of organizations that sustain cooperative development—including nonprofits, government agencies, and philanthropic partners. Its services span education and training, technical assistance, and ecosystem-building efforts across a wide range of cooperative models, including farmer, worker, consumer, housing, and artist co-ops.

    50 min
  5. Caroline Shenaz Hossein discusses The Banker Ladies, and  the Future of Solidarity Economies

    Feb 3

    Caroline Shenaz Hossein discusses The Banker Ladies, and  the Future of Solidarity Economies

    January 15, 2022 - This episode features Caroline Shenaz Hossein. Dr. Hossein is a leading global scholar on solidarity economies, cooperative finance, and the economic contributions of racialized communities. She and Vernon will discuss her new book, The Banker Ladies, along with the benefits—and obstacles—of being at the forefront of building and sustaining solidarity economies. Caroline Shenaz Hossein is a Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Africana Development & Feminist Political Economy and Associate Professor of Global Development Studies. She is the founding member of the international Diverse Solidarity Economies Collective (DISE), highlighting the need to amplify culturally diverse community economies to counter the systemic economic exclusion of marginalized populations. Dr. Hosein is a member of the new college at the Royal Society of Canada and holds an Ontario Early Researcher Award. Author of the award-winning Politicized Microfinance: Money, Power and Violence in the Black Americas and The Banker Ladies and editor of Community Economies in the Global South, of The Black Social Economy, Community Economies in the Global South and Beyond Racial Capitalism and has written more than 50+ articles and book chapters on financialization, development and feminist economics.

    57 min
  6. Alison Powers and Mary Alex Blanton discuss the 2025 Co-op Innovation Awards

    Feb 3

    Alison Powers and Mary Alex Blanton discuss the 2025 Co-op Innovation Awards

    October 30, 2026 Vernon speaks with Alison Powers of Capital Impact Partners and Mary Alex Blanton of the National Cooperative Bank (NCB). Together, they will discuss the partnership between their organizations to present the 2025 Co-op Innovation Awards, which recognize creative cooperative models that expand economic opportunities nationwide. Alison Powers is the Director of Economic Opportunities at Capital Impact Partners, a national Community Development Financial Institution dedicated to helping communities overcome barriers to success. In her role, she advances economic and wealth-building opportunities through cooperative development, small business growth, and equitable food systems. Alison also leads the Nourish DC Collaborative, which supports locally owned food businesses, expands access to healthy food, and fosters vibrant, job-creating neighborhoods. Through her work, she champions the cooperative model by providing funding, technical assistance, and financing that empower communities to thrive. Mary Alex Blanton is Senior Vice President and Director of Strategic Marketing at National Cooperative Bank (NCB), where she leads the bank’s marketing strategy, advertising, brand identity, corporate communications, and public relations. In her role, she supports NCB’s mission of empowering cooperatives and member-owned organizations – particularly in underserved communities. The Co-op Innovation Award honors organizations that strengthen food, housing, and worker co-ops. Each year, recipients receive up to $50,000 to expand cooperative development, drive shared prosperity, and build lasting community impact through innovative collaboration. This year’s recipients include: Farm Generations Cooperative of Cooperstown, New York, which helps farmers sell directly to their communities and improves access to healthy food through programs like SNAP and WIC. Fideicomiso Comunitario Tierra Libre in Los Angeles, California, creating East LA’s first housing cooperative to promote collective ownership and long-term affordability. Nashville Equitable Housing Cooperative of Tennessee, developing the state’s first large-scale affordable housing co-op and a playbook to expand similar projects statewide. Prospera Community Development in Oakland, California, expanding its Spanish-language program, Comunidades Prospera, to empower cooperative entrepreneurship and financial independence. The U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives, based in Chicago, Illinois, launching the Win-Win Child Care Initiative to connect unions and worker co-ops in building quality, sustainable childcare businesses.  Together, these awardees are advancing food access, affordable housing, and worker empowerment through innovative cooperative models that strengthen communities nationwide.

    57 min
  7. Stacey Sutton PhD, Connects Cooperatives, Solidarity Economies & Black History Month Tribute 2026

    Feb 3

    Stacey Sutton PhD, Connects Cooperatives, Solidarity Economies & Black History Month Tribute 2026

    January 22, 2026 - During the first segment Vernon interviews Stacey Sutton, PhD., Associate Professor of Urban Planning & Policy at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr Sutton and Vernon will discuss how cooperatives and solidarity economies can transform cities and advance racial and economic justice. In the second segment Vernon will discuss the relationship between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s moral and economic philosophy, the African humanist principle of Ubuntu, and the role of cooperative economics in advancing what Dr. King described as the Beloved Community.  Stacey Sutton, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois Chicago, where she also directs the Solidarity Economy Research, Policy & Law Project and serves as Director of Applied Research and Strategic Partnerships for UIC’s Social Justice Initiative. Her work focuses on community economic development, economic democracy, worker-owned cooperatives, solidarity economies, and racial and economic justice. Dr. Sutton’s research explores how local governments and grassroots movements can support cooperative ownership and equitable economic systems, as well as how punitive urban policies disproportionately affect marginalized communities. She is the author of research on “cooperative cities” and leads the Real Black Utopias project examining Black-centered solidarity economy ecosystems. Dr. Sutton holds a PhD in Urban Planning and Sociology from Rutgers University, an MBA from New York University, an MS from the New School for Social Research, and a BA from Loyola University.

    55 min
  8. Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductee Lori Capouch Highlights the Role of Cooperatives in Strengthening Rural Communities

    12/22/2025

    Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductee Lori Capouch Highlights the Role of Cooperatives in Strengthening Rural Communities

    September 11, 2025 - This episode continues our celebration of the 2025 Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductees with a special conversation featuring honoree Lori Capouch, former Rural Development Director for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC). Lori reflects on her career and shares lessons from her work in strengthening rural communities—ranging from sustaining grocery stores to expanding childcare and food access. Lori Capouch is a recently retired rural development professional who spent her career helping communities establish the businesses they envisioned. She most recently served as Rural Development Director for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC), where she managed the Rural Electric and Telecommunications Development Center in Mandan, North Dakota. She also led the Rural Development Finance Corporation, a $9 million revolving loan fund that supports rural businesses, and previously directed the North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission, a state agency providing grants for high-risk startup ventures. Beyond her work with NDAREC, Lori provided contracted services to the North Dakota Rural Rehabilitation Corporation and the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education. She was also secretary/treasurer of the Dakotas America governing board, which invests New Market Tax Credits in economically distressed communities nationwide. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the North Dakota Consensus Council. Throughout her career, Lori’s signature efforts focused on strengthening cooperative and nonprofit enterprises in North Dakota’s rural communities, with a particular emphasis on improving food access, sustaining local grocery stores, expanding childcare, and advancing small-scale meat processing. Lori holds a BS in Business Management from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, and is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional through the National Development Council.

    55 min
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