Ithaca Local Economy Lab
Episodes
Every episode is a conversation about building a more resilient, equitable local economy.
Grounds for Change – How a Cup of Coffee Makes for a Better Economy
Most people walk into Gimme! Coffee and order a latte. They don’t think about who owns the espresso machine, who voted on the charitable donation policy, or how the packaging…
Ithaca HOURS – The Most Important Economic Experiment You’ve Never Heard Of
What If Your Town Printed Its Own Money — And It Actually Worked? In 1991, as the U.S. economy stumbled through recession, a community organizer in Ithaca, New York did…
Found: One of the Most Radical Stores in Ithaca Doesn’t Look Radical at All
Vanessa Weber and Jeremiah Signo are turning a local antique mall into a thriving, community-centered enterprise through creative ownership, vendor collaboration, and strategic moves — all while navigating the challenges…
Is Shared Kitchen Ithaca the Future of Small Town Food Business?
Explore how Shared Kitchen Ithaca is transforming the local food scene by providing accessible, collaborative kitchen space for entrepreneurs of all backgrounds. Discover the impact of this community-driven initiative on…
LocalFiber — Weaving a New Economy From the Ground Up
What does it look like to build an economy from the ground up — literally? In this episode, Dia explores the world of local fiber production and how a small…
Beyond Insurance — The Healthcare Model That’s Changing Everything
What if healthcare wasn’t tied to insurance at all? In this episode, Dia dives into the direct primary care model — a growing movement that’s reimagining how we access and…
Caring for People and the Environment: An Introduction to the Ithaca Local Economy Lab
What happens when a community decides to build an economy that actually cares about people and the environment? In this introductory episode, Dia explores the fundamental questions driving the Ithaca…