Couverture de Ithaca Local Economy Lab - Radical Experiments in Business and Community

Ithaca Local Economy Lab - Radical Experiments in Business and Community

Ithaca Local Economy Lab - Radical Experiments in Business and Community

De : Dia local economy enthusiast
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Welcome to Ithaca Local Economy Lab, a podcast about the real-world experiments shaping the future of capitalism in one small city.

Instead of chasing scale, speed, and outside investment, a growing network of entrepreneurs and organizations are building businesses and economies designed for local resilience, shared ownership, and long-term community wealth.

This podcast documents that shift and asks the question: What would an economy look like if taking care of people was the goal, not a side effect?

Each episode is a thoughtful conversation hosted by Dia, inviting listeners into how these models actually work.

We’ll explore:

• How credit unions, local currencies, and community finance keep money circulating locally

• Why cooperative and member-owned businesses change power dynamics

• What happens when healthcare becomes relationship-based instead of transactional

• How food systems can be rebuilt through shared infrastructure and local production

• How a business built on the idea of gifting instead of selling sustains itself

• And much more

Because many of today’s economic pressures, rising costs, stagnant wages, community decline, aren’t random. They’re symptoms of a system designed to extract value and concentrate it elsewhere .

This podcast explores what happens when that design changes.

Ithaca is a living laboratory for what’s possible when:

• Money circulates instead of exits

• Ownership is shared instead of concentrated

• Growth is measured in resilience, not just revenue

This is a show for:

• Thoughtful listeners who want to understand, not just react

• Entrepreneurs building in small or mid-sized communities

• People interested in economic alternatives beyond politics and ideology

• Anyone looking for real examples of alternatives to capitalism

• Anyone inspired by the idea that the economy is not fixed but designed, and better designs already exist

Ithaca Local Economy Lab offers a map toward something better.

New episodes drop every first and third Thursday of the month.

Start listening and see what happens when a community rewrites the rules.

Join us at https://IthacaLocalEconomyLab.com

and on Patreon for early access to new episodes and more local economy information

https://www.Patreon.com/Practicalmuse

Practically Real Enterprises, LLC Economie Sciences sociales
Épisodes
  • Can You Run a Business Without Believing in Business? Found in Ithaca's Owners Think So

    Can You Run a Business Without Believing in Business? Found in Ithaca's Owners Think So
    Apr 16 2026

    Learn how Vanessa Weber and Jeremiah Signo turned a local antique mall into a thriving, community-centered enterprise through creative ownership, vendor collaboration, and strategic moves—all while navigating the challenges of small-town retail. This episode explores the intricate workings of their business model, the power of local relationships, and plans for expansion and community engagement.

    NOTE: This is the first half of a longer episode -full episode is on https://Patreon.com/Practicalmuse

    In this episode:

    • The origins of Found in Ithaca and Vanessa's vintage and antique passions
    • The unique buyout model used to acquire the business without traditional bank financing
    • Details of the operation: vendor-managed booths, commissions, and furniture sales
    • Challenges and strategies in relocating from an old building to a creatively refurbished space
    • The importance of local, community-driven economy and vendor relationships
    • Insights into the renovation process of Southworks and the collaborative design vision
    • The role of community support and small-town relationships in business success
    • Future plans: programming, community events, and space expansion
    • The significance of maintaining a welcoming, high-end boutique atmosphere
    • The intersection of local art, mutual aid, and sustainable retail practices

    Resources & Links:

    Found in Ithaca https://FoundinIthaca.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foundinithaca/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundinithaca/

    Patricia “Patty” Brown - https://integratedbv.com

    Creative ReUse - https://www.rachelfeirman.com/creativereuseofithaca

    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/p/Creative-Reuse-of-Ithaca-61575877676117

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creativereuseofithaca

    Ithaca Murals: https://www.ithacamurals.com

    Join the conversation and stay inspired about local economies and community-driven retail! http://IthacaLocalEconomy.com
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    37 min
  • Is Shared Kitchen Ithaca the Future of Small Town Food Business?

    Is Shared Kitchen Ithaca the Future of Small Town Food Business?
    Apr 2 2026

    In this episode:

    • Rod Rotundi shares his diverse background in economic development and his journey to Ithaca
    • The origins and mission of Shared Kitchen Ithaca
    • How shared kitchens bolster local entrepreneurs
    • Examples of successful members, from bakers to hot dog vendors

    Resources & Links:

    https://www.sharedkitchenithaca.com

    https://www.sharedkitchenithaca.com/the-smorg

    https://www.facebook.com/thesmorgithaca

    https://www.instagram.com/thesmorgithaca

    https://greenstar.coop

    https://www.rochestercommissary.org

    https://ithacareuse.org

    http://farmtofeastny.com

    https://www.facebook.com/styxstreetfood/

    https://gardellasgoodies.com

    https://www.facebook.com/ithacabreadworks/

    https://lamexicanarestaurantandgrocery.com

    https://littlerambakery.com

    https://rashidasawyer.com

    https://www.wellspringforestfarm.com

    Resources & Links:

    • https://IthacaLocalEconomyLab.com
    • Jake Gribschaw https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw
    • Stacey Cornelius https://agencyofwords.com
    • Sonia Simone - https://remarkable-communication.com
    • Erin O'Shaughnessy - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808
    • Yen Ospina - http://yenospina.com
    • Carsie Blanton - http://carsieblanton.com

    Go deeper:

    • https://patreon.com/Practicalmuse
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    35 min
  • LocalFiber - Weaving a New Economy From the Ground Up

    LocalFiber - Weaving a New Economy From the Ground Up
    Mar 29 2026

    Explore the journey of natural fiber production, from raising goats to handcrafting textiles, and discover how local fiber collectives are fostering sustainable, community-centered economies. Lisa Ferguson shares her insights on building relationships, educating consumers, and creating a resilient regional fiber industry.

    Key Topics:

    • The role and mission of the Local Fiber Collective in Central New York
    • The process of turning fiber into finished products: from goat to sweater
    • Valuing quality and natural fibers over fast fashion's low-cost, short-lived clothing
    • Building customer relationships through storytelling and transparency
    • The importance of collective care and fair pricing among fiber farmers
    • Challenges faced by fiber collectives, including volunteer engagement and organizational identity
    • Opportunities for newcomers: joining collectives as farmers or makers
    • Advice for starting a similar community-driven fiber initiative elsewhere

    Timestamps:

    01:31 - How Lisa got into goats and fiber farming, inspired by natural fibers

    03:19 - The community aspect of fiber farming and connection with other farmers

    04:26 - How Lisa joined the Local Fiber Collective and its growth

    05:38 - Membership details and the regional scope of the collective

    07:30 - The fiber chain: from goats to finished garments

    08:49 - The processing steps: shearing, skirting, washing, spinning, dyeing

    11:15 - Building customer trust through storytelling and transparency

    12:31 - How natural fiber production educates and reconnects consumers with craft skills

    14:20 - The collective approach to fair pricing over competition

    15:14 - The benefits of natural fibers versus fast fashion products

    16:37 - Environmentally conscious farming practices in the collective

    18:42 - Challenges of maintaining interest and organizational clarity

    19:01 - The importance of mentorship and community support for new farmers

    22:02 - Advice for starting similar collectives outside Ithaca

    23:44 - Building community through local events and shared purpose

    25:49 - Challenges: volunteer engagement, organizational structure, funding

    Resources & Links:

    • Local Fiber Collective
    • Laughing Goat Fiber Farm
    • https://IthacaLocalEconomyLab.com

    The Practically Real Team:

    • Jake Gribschaw - Technical Advisor https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw
    • Stacey Cornelius - Associate Producer https://agencyofwords.com
    • Sonia Simone - Content Strategist https://remarkable-communication.com
    • Erin O'Shaughnessy - Creative Consultant https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808
    • Yen Ospina - Artist http://yenospina.com
    • Carsie Blanton - Musician http://carsieblanton.com
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    31 min
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