Building Local Power

Institute for Local Self-Reliance
  • 4.9 (94)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Building Local Power

At the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, we work to break the chains of monopoly power in all sectors of our economy. From challenging incumbent cable monopolies in order to promote better Internet connectivity to pointing out how Amazon pushes local retailers out of the market, our researchers develop positive policy prescriptions to improve local economies. This podcast series provides a first glimpse at some of our newest original research and a unique economic perspective on today's most pressing topics.

  1. NOV 14

    Amazon, Labor, and Race

    For many years, Reverend Ryan Brown has been a picker at Amazon's RDU1 warehouse outside of Raleigh, NC. In 2020, he was asked to work in a part of the warehouse he knew was a dangerous COVID hot spot. He refused, calling his decision to do so a "Rosa Parks moment." In the immediate aftermath, Reverend Ryan and some comrades founded Amazon CAUSE (Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment) and began campaigning to unionize RDU1. In this episode, Reverend Ryan and fellow CAUSE organizer Adam Stromme join host Danny Caine for a lively discussion of their unionizing efforts. Running through the conversation is the truth that systemic racism is deeply intertwined with the labor struggles at Amazon's warehouses. It's the first episode in a series inspired by ILSR's Power Play report, exploring how monopolies exploit systemic racism to build and maintain their power. For the full transcript and related resources, visit the episode page: https://ilsr.org/articles/blp-amazon-labor-and-race

    37 min

  2. OCT 31

    Bookstores and Local Power with BLP’s New Host, Danny Caine

    The first bookstore Danny Caine fell in love with was a suburban Cleveland outpost of a mega-chain. Since then, he has not only fallen in love with independent bookstores and other local businesses but has also become a widely known advocate against Amazon and other corporate monopolies. Now, he's the new host of Building Local Power. This week's episode features Danny talking with co-host Reggie Rucker about his history, advocacy, and path to ILSR. Danny also shares his future plans for the podcast in hopes of inviting more folks into the Building Local Power conversation. For the full transcript and related resources, visit the episode page: https://ilsr.org/articles/blp-new-host-danny-caine

    22 min

  3. OCT 18

    The Will and the Way to Revive ‘the Mecca’

    The destruction of Dorr Street in Toledo, Ohio isn’t just a story of physical destruction; it's about the dismantling of crucial social infrastructure that once allowed residents to communicate, organize, and thrive. In the final episode of our Toledo season, we are joined by board president of the Lucas County Commission, Pete Gerken to discuss the legacy of Dorr Street — a once-thriving hub of Black culture, commerce, and community in Lucas County that was fractured by the construction of the interstate highway system. Today, Dorr Street struggles with another legacy of failed government policy: chain dollar stores. These dollar stores highlight a broader trend of disinvestment in communities of color. But, Gerken is committed to reinvesting in Dorr Street. He champions using local tax dollars to support small businesses and combat corporate greed, advocating for a food overlay district to address food apartheid and uplift community health. His philosophy is clear: power yields nothing without a demand, and the fight for local power must be relentless. With the support of local activists and a dedicated political class in Lucas County, Gerken believes that real, positive change is within reach. The journey to revitalize Dorr Street will be long and challenging, but as Gerken puts it, "You don't start till you start." For the full transcript and related resources, visit the episode page: https://ilsr.org/articles/the-will-and-the-way-to-revive-the-mecca

    23 min

  4. OCT 4

    Mending Broken Promises on Dorr Street

    Toledo’s Dorr Street bears the deep scars of federal policies that stripped away Black economic power and prosperity. Once a thriving center of Black business, Dorr Street was decimated by discriminatory practices that prioritized urban expressways over vibrant communities. In this episode of Building Local Power, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz addresses this destruction and the long-overdue promises of renewal. With $22 million in federal funds now aimed at reconnecting the Dorr Street neighborhood torn apart by I-75, there's a glimmer of hope. While this investment can't undo the past, it's a crucial step toward healing. As the city undertakes transformative projects like the Uptown Innovation District, Toledo’s renewal efforts stand as a powerful testament to the resilience of its people and the strength of community-driven change. For the full transcript and related resources, visit the episode page: https://ilsr.org/articles/mending-broken-promises-on-dorr-street

    23 min

  5. SEP 19

    A Heyday in the Toledo Life

    Johnetta Turner McCollough and her husband, Nelson, ran The Spot, a popular restaurant on Dorr Street, Toledo, that was more than just a business—it was, well, the Spot. Known for its lively late-night gatherings and frog legs The Spot offered a unique space where people came to eat, unwind, and enjoy jazz music after the bars closed. Johnetta was only 24 when her husband Nelson was tragically killed, and soon after, their restaurant, home, and the spirit of Dorr Street were destroyed by urban renewal. Promised development turned into empty lots and minimal investment, leaving a fractured community in its wake. Reflecting on her experiences, Johnetta recalls the profound loss: "We didn't miss it until it was gone. It was a time when the people who owned the businesses were friends, neighbors, and Black. They employed Black people, and it was a good time. But we didn't realize what we had until it was taken away." Dorr Street's legacy lives on in the stories of those like Johnetta, who remember its culture, resilience, and spirit. Though the street as they knew it is gone, its impact on the community and those who lived it will never fade. For the full episode transcript and related resources, visit the episode page at ilsr.org: https://ilsr.org/articles/a-heyday-in-the-toledo-life

    15 min

  6. SEP 5

    Rediscovering Toledo’s Black Wall Street

    Lifelong Toledo resident Doris Greer takes us back to a time when Dorr Street was the heart of Black wealth, culture, and community. Doris vividly recalls the bustling Black-owned businesses, close-knit neighbors, and a deep sense of pride and ownership.  But today, that vibrant community has been replaced by empty lots and chain dollar stores, a result of decades of disinvestment, discrimination, and corporate consolidation. Beginning with Doris’ firsthand account of Dorr Street’s destruction, our Toledo series explores the impact of federal policy that ushered in the forces of destruction, and the ongoing efforts to reclaim and rebuild the heart of Toledo’s Black community. For the full episode transcript and related resources, visit the episode page at ilsr.org: https://ilsr.org/articles/rediscovering-toledos-black-wall-street

    19 min

  7. AUG 22

    Healthy Skepticism of Pharmacy Giants is Spreading

    Independent pharmacies are the unsung heroes of healthcare, providing critical services that chain pharmacies simply can't match. On this summer special, ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell illustrates how corporate giants like CVS and Walgreens have used predatory tactics to drive these vital local businesses to the brink of extinction in communities and have, in many cases, subsequently abandoned these communities, creating pharmacy deserts and pushing people towards unreliable mail-order services.  Stacy reflects on the significant shift in our federal regulatory agencies since the 2020 Building Local Power episode “Independent Pharmacies are on the Front Lines of COVID-19 Care,” which we revisit after the interview. She explains how we're witnessing a dramatic transformation in the federal approach to curbing predatory practices. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently released a report exposing how Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are driving up drug costs and squeezing out main street pharmacies. The federal government is finally recognizing the need to challenge the monopoly power of these pharmacy giants and advocate for policies that support independent pharmacies and the communities they serve.

    28 min

  8. AUG 8

    Absolute Power Corrupting Our Energy System

    In the groundbreaking report Upcharge: Hidden Costs of Electric Utility Monopoly Power, John Farrell exposes the severe environmental, financial, and economic costs imposed by monopoly utilities. John joins Building Local Power to discuss how these utilities perpetuate a monopoly model that is damaging our health, environment, and economy. He uncovers the corruptive forces of monopoly utilities, their far-reaching consequences, and proposes actionable solutions. During the interview, John reflects on what’s changed since he and David Pomerantz discussed the dark side of the electricity business in the 2019 Building Local Power episode we replay after the interview. He shares what keeps him hopeful and why he believes we will continue making progress toward a distributed and democratic energy system.

    58 min
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4.9
out of 5
94 Ratings

About

At the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, we work to break the chains of monopoly power in all sectors of our economy. From challenging incumbent cable monopolies in order to promote better Internet connectivity to pointing out how Amazon pushes local retailers out of the market, our researchers develop positive policy prescriptions to improve local economies. This podcast series provides a first glimpse at some of our newest original research and a unique economic perspective on today's most pressing topics.

Information

  • Creator
    Institute for Local Self-Reliance
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2024
  • Episodes
    125
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Institute for Local Self-Reliance
  • Show Website
    Building Local Power

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