Best Workercooperative Podcasts (2024)

1
Employee Ownership in the Americas: A Path to Shared Prosperity 35:12

1h ago35:12

35:12

SUMMARY: When we think about expanding awareness about employee ownership, we often think of the United States and how much more work we have to do. However, the movement to expand the prevalence and awareness of employee ownership goes well beyond US borders. In this episode, we highlight an international example of this effort. We speak with Rodr…

1
Economic Update (Special Edition): Exclusive interview with Dr. Cornel West 30:47

5d ago30:47

30:47

Third Party Politics and Social Change We would like to present a special edition of Economic Update featuring an exclusive discussion between Professor Richard Wolff and Dr. Cornel West. This program was recorded in June, 2023, but unfortunately we were unable to air this important discussion at that time. You will hear Dr. West explain why he und…

1
New Energies Organizing Unions 31:06

10d ago31:06

31:06

In this week’s Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff comments on US megabanks once again taking new off-the-books risks, Elon Musk endorsing right-wing undemocratic census proposals and Fossil Fuel industry executives bribe Trump with campaign donations. In addition, we highlight the many US and global labor unions and workers who have joined th…

1
Roots of a Surging US Labor Movement 29:01

19d ago29:01

29:01

[EU S14 E20] Roots of a Surging US Labor Movement In this week’s Economic Update, Professor Richard Wolff discusses the reasons why the official United States unemployment rate is currently low in comparison to historic rates; We also highlight why U.S. restaurants are losing business. We then turn to the hypocrisy of Treasury Secretary Janet Yelle…

1
Prospects for a Political Turn Left 30:17

26d ago30:17

30:17

[EU S14 E19] Prospects for a Political Turn Left This week’s Economic Update Professor Richard Wolff discusses the successful unionization drives that is sweeping across US universities (example: Boston University), We highlight the facts that disprove Biden's "great economy" claims and why inflation is much worse in the United States than in China…

1
Uneven Development a Key Problem of Capitalism 29:01

1M ago29:01

29:01

[EU S14 E18] Uneven Development a Key Problem of Capitalism This week in honor of Karl Marx's birthday over this past weekend, Professor Richard Wolff offers a discussion of Marx's important theory of uneven development as central to capitalism. We show its widespread existence, using examples of it from past and present. We conclude by showing how…

1
The European ESOP – A New Model of Employee Ownership 57:33

3M ago57:33

57:33

SUMMARY: When we look into the field of employee ownership three major models come to mind, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), worker cooperatives, and employee-owned trusts. But practitioners are always looking to improve existing models and in some rare cases develop new ones. In this first episode of season five we speak with David Ellerman…

1
Nexus Community Partner’s Reflections on the Kendeda Fund’s Big Bet Grant 24:45

8M ago24:45

24:45

SUMMARY Back in 2018 the Kendeda Fund, a philanthropic foundation based in Atlanta, decided to make a series of big bets in areas that were both critical and timely. One of those areas was employee ownership and the investment made by Kendeda was historic. Over 5 years a total of $24 million dollars was provided to 4 employee owner support organiza…

1
Project Equity’s Reflections on the Kendeda Fund’s Big Bet Grant 22:40

8M ago22:40

22:40

SUMMARY Back in 2018 the Kendeda Fund, a philanthropic foundation based in Atlanta, decided to make a series of big bets in areas that were both critical and timely. One of those areas was employee ownership and the investment made by Kendeda was historic. Over 5 years a total of $24 million dollars was provided to 4 employee owner support organiza…

1
The Fund for Employee Ownership’s Reflections on the Kendeda Fund’s Big Bet Grant 17:01

8M ago17:01

17:01

SUMMARY Back in 2018 the Kendeda Fund, a philanthropic foundation based in Atlanta, decided to make a series of big bets in areas that were both critical and timely. One of those areas was employee ownership and the investment made by Kendeda was historic. Over 5 years a total of $24 million dollars was provided to 4 employee owner support organiza…

1
ICA Group’s Reflections on the Kendeda Fund’s Big Bet Grant 30:02

8M ago30:02

30:02

SUMMARY Back in 2018 the Kendeda Fund, a philanthropic foundation based in Atlanta, decided to make a series of big bets in areas that were both critical and timely. One of those areas was employee ownership and the investment made by Kendeda was historic. Over 5 years a total of $24 million dollars was provided to 4 employee owner support organiza…

1
Cooperatives at Work with George Cheney 59:46

9M ago59:46

59:46

SUMMARY: For too long, cooperatives have been cast to the margins of our economy and discussions around economic development and community building. Yet, there are numerous examples throughout the US and across the globe demonstrating how cooperatives serve as a viable organizational form, allowing individuals and communities to achieve their econo…

1
Unpacking the Meanings of Ownership 52:45

1y ago52:45

52:45

SUMMARY: If one thing is true, its that the word ownership has baggage – every person has a different conception of what it means. In this episode we speak with Chris Mackin, who has worked in the employee ownership community for decades, to talk about a recent article he published on the multiple meanings of ownership. We discuss how being aware o…

1
Preparing to Sell Your Company – What You Need to Know 33:28

1y ago33:28

33:28

SUMMARY: In this episode Chris Cooper speaks with Eric Zaleski and Michael Rosendahl of PCE Investment Bankers, about what business owners should be thinking about, and doing, to prepare for a business succession. In many cases, business owners see succession planning as something that will take place far off in the future, as something that can wa…

1
Economic Outlook and What it Means for Company Valuations 23:02

1+ y ago23:02

23:02

Guest: Eric Flickinger and Matt Silla SUMMARY: In this episode we sit down with two valuation experts, Eric Flickinger and Matt Silla of Apple Growth Partners. The conversation is wide ranging and includes discussion of high level trends we saw in 2022 that will impact company valuations, what their general 2023 outlook is, and what they are watchi…

1
From Family-Owned to Employee-Owned - The Hamill Manufacturing Company 34:17

1+ y ago34:17

34:17

Guest: Jeff Kelley, Hamill Manufacturing Company SUMMARY: In this episode we speak with Jeff Kelly, former CEO, selling owner, and current Chairman of Hamill Manufacturing, a Pennsylvania based precision and fabricating company which serves the defense, aerospace, and power generation industries. We talk to Jeff about what led him to begin working …

1
Lessons from the Field: Communicating Ownership 31:26

1+ y ago31:26

31:26

In this episode we sit down with Bina Smith who is the HR Generalist and Communication Committee chair at Palmier Donavin, a 100% employee-owned company. The interview covers a wide range of areas and draws on Bina’s 8 years of experience serving on her companies communication committee. The discussion includes how to build an ownership culture at …

1
The EO State Centers (Owner to Owner Podcast Rebroadcast) 55:04

1+ y ago55:04

55:04

So, what exactly are state employee ownership centers? What do they do, and why do we need more of them? This episode is a re-broadcast of an interview originally aired by Owners to Owners – another podcast that focuses on employee ownership. Jesse Tyler, the host of Owners to Owners, sits down with Matt Cropp of the Vermont Center for Employee Own…

1
Maintaining Culture Through Rapid Growth and Change 49:41

1+ y ago49:41

49:41

SUMMARY: In this episode we speak with Deanna Colombo of Butler/Till a women owned, 100% employee-owned, and Certified B Corporation marketing agency located in Rochester NY. We talk about all things culture and communication, and how both can be maintained through periods of rapid change and growth. In the past two years, Butler/Till has nearly do…

1
Reinventing Companies, Capitalism, and Who Owns What 36:34

1+ y ago36:34

36:34

SUMMARY: In this episode we speak with Corey Rosen, founder of the National Center for Employee Ownership about a his new book he co-authored with business reporter John Case. The interview is wide ranging and touches upon what is driving economic inequality today, how employee ownership is a practical and transformative solution, the role of priva…

1
LLC ESOPs? The Facts, Risks, and Possibilities 33:10

1+ y ago33:10

33:10

It is common understanding that only C-corporations and S-corporations can sponsor Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). But is this indeed the case? In this episode we speak with Mike Sorice about how LLCs can indeed sponsor an ESOP and the reasons why some have chosen this option. We talk about the differences between LLCs and other types of co…

1
Third Party Administrators - The Who, What, When, and Why 38:55

2y ago38:55

38:55

SUMMARY: In this episode we speak with Pete Shuler of Blue Ridge ESOP Associates and go into the mechanics of ESOP administration and talk about Third Party Administrators (TPAs) – what they are and do, why they do it, and how you as a plan administrator in your company can take steps to ensure your relationship with your TPA is strong, efficient, …

1
New Research: How Employee-Owned Companies Weathered Covid-19 57:40

2y ago57:40

57:40

SUMMARY: A growing body of research shows that employee-owned companies outperform traditional companies on a range of measures, especially during economic downturns – but is has this pattern continued through covid-19? On this episode we speak with Nancy Wiefek and Nathan Nicholson of the NCEO about two recent research projects that seek to answer…

1
Cooperative Development in Ohio: Reports from the Field 26:50

2y ago26:50

26:50

In this episode we speak with Jonathan Welle of Cleveland Owns and Ellen Vera of Co-op Cincy – two Ohio-based nonprofits that are working around cooperative development and community wealth building. We dig into how both Jonathan and Ellen began working on cooperative development, mission of vision of their organizations, and talk about programs an…

1
State of the State Centers 31:33

2+ y ago31:33

31:33

Owners at Work is back for season 3! In our first episode of this season we speak with Steve Storkan, Executive Director of the Employee Ownership Expansion Network (EOX) - a national nonprofit focused on establishing and supporting a network of independent nonprofit State Centers for Employee Ownership. We talk about the steady growth in number of…

1
Growing Employee Ownership Through Acquisitions 1:09:55

2+ y ago1:09:55

1:09:55

SUPPORT THE SHOW: We make all episodes of Owners at Work free and never place them behind a paywall. But, they take time and money to produce. Consider making a DONATION today to help keep our work going 2022 Annual Conference - https://www.oeockent.org/resources-events/annual-ohio-employee-ownership-conference SUMMARY: In the US there are over 14 …

1
Taking Stock and Looking Forward: Employee Ownership Updates 49:45

2+ y ago49:45

49:45

SUPPORT THE SHOW: We make all episodes of Owners at Work free and never place them behind a paywall. But, they take time and money to produce. Consider making a DONATION today to help keep our work going SUMMARY: In this episode we take stock of employee ownership developments in Ohio and discuss how covid has impacted businesses and employee-owned…

1
How Wise Consulting Maintained its Ownership Culture Through Covid 38:09

2+ y ago38:09

38:09

SUPPORT THE SHOW: We make all episodes of Owners at Work free and never place them behind a paywall. But, they take time and money to produce. Consider making a DONATION today to help keep our work going OEOC UPCOMING PROGRAMS Southwest Forum Communication Roundtables SUMMARY: In this episode we speak with Eamon Muholland, Senior Consultant at Wise…

1
Building Community: How A Few Cool Hardware Stores Transitioned to Employee Ownership 43:30

2+ y ago43:30

43:30

SUPPORT THE SHOW: We make all episodes of Owners at Work free and never place them behind a paywall. But, they take time and money to produce. Consider making a DONATION today to help keep our work going SUMMARY: Sometimes companies transition to employee ownership to help spark a transformation in workplace culture, in other cases a move to employ…

1
Rethinking Your ESOP Company's Repurchase Obligations 25:14

3y ago25:14

25:14

Repurchase obligations are a major component of ESOP administration and the main way in which employee-owners benefit from owning a financial stake in the companies they worked for. Yet, these obligations are often seen as a burden, and in some cases, can lead to the freezing or termination of the ESOP plan. In this episode we speak with Josh Young…

1
Preserving Beacons of Hope, Reducing the Racial Wealth Gap Through Employee Ownership 47:03

3y ago47:03

47:03

In the world of employee ownership, agreement has begun to crystalize around the idea that broad-based models of employee ownership, like ESOPs, worker cooperatives, or employee-owned trusts are powerful tools in the fight to reduce the enormous racial wealth gap in the United States. But exactly how would this happen? And what are the barriers tha…

1
Preparing for and Executing a Sale to an ESOP - The Douglas Company 30:23

3y ago30:23

30:23

In this episode we speak with President Pete Douglas and Executive VP Finance and Administration, David Brockbader of the The Douglas Company about their recent transition to employee ownership via an ESOP. The interview also includes Franco Silva, Director, Prairie Capital Advisors who was one of the main advisors for the transaction. In this epis…

1
Are Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Employee Ownership Values? 48:29

3y ago48:29

48:29

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is something we hear a lot about, but what exactly do these terms mean, and what do they look like in an employee owned company? In this episode we sit down with Dr. Joy and Ty Miller of Carver & Associates to talk about some of the preconceived notions that surround DEI, ways in which these values can be put i…

1
New Loan Funds for Employee Ownership 54:22

3y ago54:22

54:22

Small businesses account for nearly half of all jobs in the US economy, and nearly half of all small businesses are owned by Baby Boomers who will retire in the next few decades in what has been termed the "silver tsunami". These businesses are integral to local communities, and there continued operation is key to building back our economy. In this…

1
Getting to the Other Side 39:54

3+ y ago39:54

39:54

Research consistently shows that employee owned companies whether economic downturns better than their conventional counterparts, but we rarely get an 'inside view' of this outcome is achieved. In this episode, we sit down with Bernie Murphy, President of the Ohio based ESOP company Jones Hamilton, as well as the company's valuation advisor Michael…

1
[TEASER] - Getting to the Other Side 1:04

3+ y ago1:04

1:04

Research consistently shows that employee owned companies whether economic downturns better than their conventional counterparts, but we rarely get an 'inside view' of this outcome is achieved. In this episode, we sit down with Bernie Murphy, President of the Ohio based ESOP company Jones Hamilton, as well as the company's valuation advisor Michael…

1
Living the Employee Ownership Life 53:33

3+ y ago53:33

53:33

On this inaugural 2021 episode of the pod, we talk with Anthony Mathews from the California Center, and former Executive Director Of the Beyster Institute. Anthony has spent decades in the world of employee ownership and has a thing or two to say about it. We get into his path into the field, his belief that employee ownership can be a cure for wha…

1
[TEASER] Living the Employee Ownership Life 1:06

3+ y ago1:06

1:06

Owners at Work is back for season two. We talk with Anthony Mathews of the California Center for Employee Ownership about his many years working to expand employee ownership as well as how employee ownership may be a cure for what ails our economy and society more broadly. Full episode drops soon. Check out our past episodes here: https://www.oeock…

1
Employee Ownership: Reducing Inequality and Building Assets 47:49

3+ y ago47:49

47:49

We hear a lot about the the rising level of economic inequality in our society, the increasingly precarious nature of employment, and the difficulties of saving for retirement. What we hear about much less is the how employee owned firms, in particular companies with Employee Stock Ownership Plans, can help address these an many other issues by hel…

1
The Employee Ownership Trust 33:38

3+ y ago33:38

33:38

If there is one thing to know about the field of employee ownership it's that it includes a wide variety of models. In the US, Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and worker cooperatives are the two most well known, but there are many others. In this episode we sit down with Chris Michael, an attorney and professor, to discuss a less known model…

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