Radical Cooperation

Radical Cooperation

Welcome to Radical Cooperation, the podcast in which higher education leaders explore collaboration as the key to lasting change. Host Dr. Michael Horowitz, together with presidents, chancellors, and trailblazing experts, dives into thought-provoking conversations about solutions to some of the most pressing issues in higher education. From fostering partnerships across institutions to leveraging innovation over tradition, each episode unpacks how cooperation, not competition, drives success. If you're ready to embrace bold, forward-thinking ideas that unite and inspire, you’re in the right place.

  1. How Four Catholic Universities Built a New Kind of Alliance

    4d ago

    How Four Catholic Universities Built a New Kind of Alliance

    Higher education is often framed as a competition for students, rankings, and resources. But as financial pressures grow and the challenges facing colleges become more complex, some institutions are exploring a different path — one built on partnership rather than isolation. In this episode of Radical Cooperation, Dr. Michael Horowitz speaks with Dr. Thomas Evans, President of the University of the Incarnate Word, about the creation of CHARISM, a new alliance of four Catholic universities across San Antonio, New York, Chicago, and San Juan. Together, they discuss how mission-driven institutions can collaborate to expand opportunity, strengthen sustainability, and preserve institutional identity while building something larger together. Grounded in the principles of The Community Solution, the conversation explores the practical realities of building trust across institutions, launching shared initiatives, and creating partnerships rooted in shared values rather than competition. In this episode: How CHARISM came together and what it means for its founding institutionsWhy long-term leadership matters in building successful partnershipsThe growing importance of bilingual and bicultural educationWhat other colleges can learn from CHARISM’s collaborative modelAdvice for presidents and trustees considering institutional partnerships

    41 min
  2. What Real Industry-Integrated Education Looks Like

    May 27

    What Real Industry-Integrated Education Looks Like

    The disconnect between higher education and the workforce is widely acknowledged but rarely addressed at the institutional level. Most universities respond by adding internships, expanding career services, or launching new programs. Few are built on the premise that half of what students need to learn cannot be taught in a classroom. In this episode of Radical Cooperation, Dr. Michael Horowitz speaks with Dr. Robert K. McMahan, President of Kettering University, about what it looks like when a university makes industry integration central to its identity. Drawing on Dr. McMahan's 15 years leading Kettering and the institution's century-long cooperative education model, the conversation explores how universities can build real professional experience into every student's path, why long-tenured presidencies make structural change possible, and what colleges owe the communities they sit in. Rather than defending the traditional academic model, this episode focuses on what becomes possible when universities are willing to reinvent themselves. The conversation also looks at higher education's resistance to change, the rapid disappearance of entry-level roles in an AI-driven economy, and what genuine collaboration between universities, industry, and community looks like in practice. In this episode: Why long-term presidencies make meaningful institutional change possibleHow Kettering's cooperative education model integrates classroom learning with professional experienceWhat universities can do to support the cities and communities around themWhy higher education often treats change as a threat rather than a needHow AI is reshaping entry-level roles and what it means for higher ed

    38 min
  3. The Real Formula for Collaboration That Works

    May 13

    The Real Formula for Collaboration That Works

    Radical cooperation is the key to building stronger, more resilient institutions—and in this episode, you’ll learn exactly how it works. Radical cooperation isn’t just a concept; it’s a practical framework made up of seven elements that can transform how teams collaborate and succeed. If you’ve ever wondered why some organizations thrive together while others struggle, this conversation reveals the structure behind real collaboration. Hosted by Dr. Horowitz and Associate Director of Communications for The Community Solution Education System, Stephanie Bihr, this episode explores the 7 elements of radical cooperation from Dr. Horowitz’s book, The Community Solution: The Power of Radical Cooperation in Higher Education, and how they apply. From niche superpowers and two-way learning to productive humility and continuous urgency, you’ll hear how these principles help institutions navigate uncertainty, strengthen partnerships, and drive meaningful outcomes. Whether you're leading a team, managing change, or building community, this episode offers a clear framework for working better together. In this episode, you’ll learn: The 7 elements that make radical cooperation actually workHow to identify and leverage your organization’s niche superpowerWhy two-way learning strengthens teams and communitiesThe role of humility and risk-taking in effective collaborationHow continuous urgency drives real impact and momentumDon’t risk operating in silos while others build stronger, more adaptive partnerships. Learn how to apply radical cooperation to create lasting impact.

    33 min
  4. How Collaboration Is Unlocking New Opportunities

    Apr 29

    How Collaboration Is Unlocking New Opportunities

    What is radical cooperation, and why is it becoming a powerful solution in higher education?  In this episode of Radical Cooperation, Dr. Horowitz and Associate Director of Communications for The Community Solution Education System, Stephanie Bihr, explore the core concept at the heart of his book, The Community Solution: The Power of Radical Cooperation in Higher Education and why it offers a new path forward for institutions facing growing complexity and change. Drawing on nearly two decades of leadership experience, Dr. Horowitz explains how radical cooperation enables colleges and universities to maintain their unique identities while sharing resources, aligning around a common mission, and working together to scale impact. Through real-world examples, this conversation brings the ideas from the book to life and offers practical insight for leaders looking to apply them within their own organizations or teams. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why radical cooperation works when traditional collaboration failsHow shared infrastructure creates growth across institutionsThe role of leadership and governance in making cooperation succeedPractical ways to break down silos within your organizationHow culture drives long-term collaboration success

    27 min
  5. Public Trust, Media Narratives, and the Future of Higher Ed

    Apr 15

    Public Trust, Media Narratives, and the Future of Higher Ed

    Higher education leadership is under more pressure than ever—and in this episode, we explore how media narratives are shaping public trust in the sector. Today’s leaders must navigate misinformation, political scrutiny, and financial instability while still delivering meaningful outcomes for students. In this episode of Radical Cooperation, host Dr. Michael Horowitz sits down with Sara Custer, Editor-in-Chief of Inside Higher Ed, to examine the growing tension between media coverage and institutional reality. Together, they unpack how public perception is formed, why trust in higher education is increasingly fragile, and how leaders can respond with clarity and strategy in a rapidly shifting landscape. From leadership transitions after founders step down to the rise of AI-generated content and its impact on journalism, this conversation offers a nuanced look at the forces reshaping higher education. Grounded in the principles of The Community Solution, it also highlights how collaboration, transparency, and shared strategy can help institutions build resilience and better serve students. What you’ll learn: How media narratives shape public trust in higher educationThe most pressing leadership challenges facing colleges and universitiesWhy financial pressures and institutional closures are acceleratingHow journalism—and AI—are transforming the information landscapeWhat it takes to successfully step into leadership after a founder exits

    43 min
  6. What College Athletics Really Cost Institutions

    Apr 1

    What College Athletics Really Cost Institutions

    Athletics often sit at the center of campus identity, yet decisions about sports programs are rarely examined through the same strategic lens as academics, enrollment, or finance. As costs rise and the landscape shifts, leaders face increasingly complex choices about whether athletics strengthen institutional health or quietly strain it. In this episode of Radical Cooperation, Dr. Michael Horowitz speaks with Dr. Daniel Mahony about how presidents and senior leaders navigate the real trade-offs behind college sports. Drawing on Mahony’s experience leading institutions through financial, cultural, and competitive pressures, the conversation explores why most athletic programs operate at a loss, how even the largest conferences face sustainability challenges, and why collaboration across leadership teams matters more than scale or prestige. Rather than debating whether athletics belong in higher education, this episode focuses on how leaders make deliberate, mission-aligned decisions and when athletics can become a strategic asset rather than a liability. In this episode: The institutional costs and benefits of college athleticsHow athletics shape campus culture and identityWhen sports programs support mission and when they complicate itWhy athletics decisions require system-level leadershipHow institutions align athletics with long-term priorities

    38 min
  7. Why Some Colleges Survive—and Others Don’t

    Mar 18

    Why Some Colleges Survive—and Others Don’t

    Risk in higher education rarely announces itself. It accumulates gradually through delayed decisions, familiar assumptions, and governance processes that struggle to keep pace with changing conditions. By the time a crisis becomes visible, leaders often discover that their range of options is far narrower than they expected. In this episode of Radical Cooperation, Dr. Michael Horowitz speaks with Jim Long about how colleges move from perceived stability to real vulnerability and how boards and senior leaders can recognize those shifts earlier. Drawing on Jim’s work with institutional risk models, enrollment data, and governance practice, the conversation examines why enrollment alone is a misleading signal, how discounting and net revenue quietly reshape risk, and why certain governance patterns delay action. Rather than forecasting which institutions will struggle, this episode focuses on strengthening judgment helping leaders interpret data more honestly and ask better questions before pressure turns into urgency. In this episode: How institutional risk builds gradually over timeWhat enrollment and financial data reveal and concealWhy governance structures matter in moments of uncertaintyHow boards can improve oversight without creating alarmWhat strong institutions do before challenges escalate

    41 min
  8. What Forward-Thinking Colleges Are Doing Differently

    Mar 4

    What Forward-Thinking Colleges Are Doing Differently

    In The Community Solution, Dr. Michael Horowitz presents a bold vision for higher education, showing how colleges can break down silos, collaborate effectively, and build resilient, student-centered institutions. Drawing on his experience leading a six-college system, Horowitz illustrates how radical cooperation and thoughtful design can transform institutions—and the students they serve. This episode highlights the ideas at the heart of the book, giving listeners a front-row seat to his framework in action. Many colleges feel stuck between two unsatisfying options: preserve traditions that no longer fit, or chase change without clarity about what should remain. As enrollment pressures and financial constraints grow, the deeper challenge is not innovation itself, but whether institutions truly understand what students are hiring them to do. In this episode of Radical Cooperation, Dr. Michael Horowitz sits down with Michael Horn to examine how higher education’s underlying models shape institutional behavior often more than leaders realize. Drawing on jobs-to-be-done thinking, they explore why incremental fixes rarely deliver resilience, how misalignment between student motivations and institutional design leads to attrition, and why focus and differentiation are essential for helping students choose more intentionally. Rather than framing the future as a breaking point, this episode offers a grounded perspective on how colleges can evolve thoughtfully, preserving their core while building structures that better serve both students and institutions. In this episode: Why institutional models matter more than isolated initiativesHow focus and differentiation help students make clearer choicesThe limits of incremental change in moments of structural pressureWhat leaders can realistically control in uncertain conditions

    32 min
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About

Welcome to Radical Cooperation, the podcast in which higher education leaders explore collaboration as the key to lasting change. Host Dr. Michael Horowitz, together with presidents, chancellors, and trailblazing experts, dives into thought-provoking conversations about solutions to some of the most pressing issues in higher education. From fostering partnerships across institutions to leveraging innovation over tradition, each episode unpacks how cooperation, not competition, drives success. If you're ready to embrace bold, forward-thinking ideas that unite and inspire, you’re in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Radical Cooperation
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Radical Cooperation
  • Show Website
    Radical Cooperation

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