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

About Ithaca Local Economy Lab -- Radical Experiments in Business and Community

Ithaca Local Economy Lab Real experiments in 'radical' alternative economics — from one unusually interesting small city Ithaca, NY once printed its own money. Ithaca HOURS circulated for decades, valuing a plumber's hour the same as a professor's, keeping millions of dollars of spending power inside the community. It was radical. It worked. And it was just the beginning. Today, a worker cooperative runs one of the best-loved coffee shops in town. A shared commercial kitchen has made food entrepreneurship accessible to people who couldn't otherwise afford the infrastructure. A fiber cooperative is doing the slow, deliberate work of rebuilding a regional textile economy from sheep to shelf. An antique mall operates as a genuine community enterprise. A local business runs on gifting — and is still standing. Ithaca Local Economy Lab documents these experiments across regenerative, circular, solidarity, and gifting economies. Hosted by Dia, local economy nerd and community-minded neighbor, each episode is a real conversation with the people inside one of these models. The reality of how it was built, how it's financed, what it's taught them, where things went wrong, and how others can learn the lessons. Inside the show: Ithaca HOURS: the local currency that kept money working locally and what it proved LocalFiber: regenerative fiber production and a blueprint for local textile economies Shared Kitchen Ithaca: circular infrastructure that removes the capital barrier from food entrepreneurship Gimme Coffee Cooperative: solidarity ownership in daily practice, governance, profit-sharing, hard decisions Found in Ithaca: what happens when an antique mall becomes a genuine community enterprise The gifting economy: one Ithaca business proving generosity can be a sustainable model For entrepreneurs in smaller cities building something that lasts. For curious people who want examples over arguments. For anyone who's ever thought: the economy is a design, not a law of nature — so who gets to redesign it? Ithaca has been answering that question for over thirty years. Come listen. 📅 New episodes monthly on the first Thursday 🌐 IthacaLocalEconomyLab.com (http://IthacaLocalEconomyLab.com) ⭐ Support independently: patreon.com/Practicalmuse (http://patreon.com/Practicalmuse)

Publisher

Dia, local economy nerd

Category

business · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Mar 2026

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Oct 2026

   The Anarchist Nextdoor - Blue Boxes and Mutual Aid

   Theresa Fulton coordinates 47 blue food-sharing cabinets across Tompkins County — open to anyone, stocked by the community, no questions asked. She joined Mutual Aid Tompkins during the pandemic without any background in community organizing (her PhD is in science education), and took over coordinating the cabinet network in 2022 when it had roughly thirty. The cabinets started when someone saw a little free library and thought: what if that was food? Volunteers built them, placed them from downtown Ithaca to Dryden, Freeville, Spencer, Lansing, and the rural towns in between. When Spencer lost its only grocery store to a fire in September 2026, Mutual Aid Tompkins added a second cabinet there within weeks. In this episode: What mutual aid actually means in practice — and how it differs from charity How 47 blue food cabinets serve a county of 100,000 people, stocked anonymously by the community Why toilet paper and diapers are harder to get than food (you can't buy them with SNAP or WIC) The accessible cabinet designed with disabled residents — 30 inches off the ground, reachable from a wheelchair How a Facebook group of nearly 10,000 members connects people who need help with people who can give it often on the same day How the whole operation runs on a few thousand dollars a year and a handful of committed volunteers What Theresa would tell a small group wanting to start something like this in their own community Resources and Links Mutual Aid Tompkins: mutualaidtompkins.com (http://mutualaidtompkins.com) Blue cabinet locations: mutualaidtompkins.com/food-sharing/locations Tompkins County Workers' Center (fiscal sponsor): tcworkerscenter.org (http://tcworkerscenter.org) Friendship Donation Network: friendshipdonations.org (http://friendshipdonations.org) Community Foundation of Tompkins County: cftompkins.org (http://cftompkins.org) Peter Kropotkin (mutual aid theory): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Kropotkin Ithaca Local Economy Lab: ithacalocaleconomylab.com (http://ithacalocaleconomylab.com) The Practically Real Team: Jake Gribschaw - Technical Advisor linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw Stacey Cornelius - Associate Producer agencyofwords.com (http://agencyofwords.com) Sonia Simone - Content Strategist remarkable-communication.com (http://remarkable-communication.com) Erin O'Shaughnessy - Creative Consultant psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808 Yen Ospina - Artist yenospina.com (http://yenospina.com) Carsie Blanton - Musician carsieblanton.com (http://carsieblanton.com) Photography by Forest Floor Creatives forestfloorcreatives.com (http://forestfloorcreatives.com) Produced by Practically Real Enterprises, LLC. Hosted by Dia

2. 

   3 Sept 2026

   How to Live in a Housing Co-Op

   What if housing offered more than four walls and gave residents a real voice in how they live? In this episode, Dia talks with McKenzie Jones, a founding owner of Ithaca’s Aurora Pocket Neighborhood Cooperative, about co-living, cohousing, pocket neighborhoods, and legal housing co-ops. Learn how these models can help people pool resources, share costs and responsibilities, build trust, and create a practical safety net without pretending community life is effortless. McKenzie explains why clear agreements, democratic decision-making, and “one member, one vote” matter, and how cooperative habits can begin without buying property: a shared meal, garden, snowblower, or offer of help can be a first step. Could your neighborhood do this? Listen and subscribe to the Ithaca Local Economy Lab. In this episode: How a housing cooperative can actually work, who holds title, who decides, and what happens when someone can't pay The decision-making matrix: the foundational tool co-ops use before they decide who mows the lawn The surprisingly varied types of financing available to cooperative developers The safety net: how housing co-ops are mutual aid and social justice juggernauts Where housing co-ops and worker co-ops share the same principles How to start building cooperative community right now, with no money and no paperwork Resources and Links The Worker Place: theworkerplace.coop (http://theworkerplace.coop) Launch.coop (http://Launch.coop) NASCO (National Association of Student Cooperatives): nasco.coop (http://nasco.coop) Sustainable Economies Law Center: theselc.org (http://theselc.org) Co-Op Decision Matrix: www.stl.coop/coop-guide/decisionmaking Ithaca Local Economy Lab: ithacalocaleconomylab.com (http://ithacalocaleconomylab.com) Foundation for Intentional Community: www.ic.org (http://www.ic.org) The Practically Real Team: Jake Gribschaw - Technical Advisor linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw Stacey Cornelius - Associate Producer agencyofwords.com (http://agencyofwords.com) Sonia Simone - Content Strategist remarkable-communication.com (http://remarkable-communication.com) Erin O'Shaughnessy - Creative Consultant psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808 Yen Ospina - Artist yenospina.com (http://yenospina.com) Carsie Blanton - Musician carsieblanton.com (http://carsieblanton.com) Photography by Forest Floor Creatives forestfloorcreatives.com (http://forestfloorcreatives.com) Produced by Practically Real Enterprises, LLC. Hosted by Dia.

3. 

   6 Aug 2026

   How to Own Your Power

   Every month, money leaves the house for electricity, heat, and gas, and every month it's simply gone. Paul Fenn calls that energy rent, and it costs about $70,000 per decade for an average NYSEG household. Fenn is the founder and president of Local Power, the consultancy Bloomberg once called the utility industry's number one enemy. He now administers the municipality of Ithaca's two energy pilot programs. One is the CCA, which buys electricity and gas in bulk for the whole municipality and is currently paused pending state regulators. The other is Own Your Power, which is open to renters as well as owners. Own Your Power helps participants design and buy energy systems on their own site or block: rooftop solar, heat pumps, hot water, storage, and a two-way EV charger that works as a battery, all run as one asset. This pilot takes on the soft costs of paperwork and design that can otherwise make these complete energy system solutions unaffordable. In this episode: Why deregulation and LNG exports left New York households exposed to global gas prices CCA versus Own Your Power: opt-out bulk buying (paused) versus opt-in ownership (running now) How renters participate: modular equipment you can take with you, shares in a neighbor's system, buy-in written into a lease Co-op, trust, or go it alone: three ways to own a system, including one with no meetings In or around Ithaca? Sign up at tompkins-gen.com (http://tompkins-gen.com). Anywhere else, CCA law already exists in about half the U.S., and Local Power works with communities in both halves. Contact Own Your Power / T-GEN sign-up: https://www.tompkins-gen.com (https://www.tompkins-gen.com) Local Power: https://localpower.com (https://localpower.com) Resources & Links City of Ithaca Green New Deal: https://www.cityofithacany.gov/827/Green-New-Deal (https://www.cityofithacany.gov/827/Green-New-Deal) Ithaca Local Economy Lab: https://ithacalocaleconomylab.com (https://ithacalocaleconomylab.com) The Practically Real Team: Jake Gribschaw - Technical Advisor https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw) Stacey Cornelius - Associate Producer https://agencyofwords.com (https://agencyofwords.com) Sonia Simone - Content Strategist https://remarkable-communication.com (https://remarkable-communication.com) Erin O'Shaughnessy - Creative Consultant https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808 (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808) Yen Ospina - Artist http://yenospina.com (http://yenospina.com) Carsie Blanton - Musician http://carsieblanton.com (http://carsieblanton.com) Photography by Forest Floor Creatives https://forestfloorcreatives.com (https://forestfloorcreatives.com) Produced by Practically Real Enterprises, LLC. Hosted by Dia.

4. 

   2 Jul 2026

   The Carbon Offset You Can Actually See - Sustainable Finger Lakes Climate Fund

   What if the solution to one of climate policy's most criticized tools was hiding in plain sight, right here in the Finger Lakes? In this episode, host Dia sits down with Gay Nicholson to explore the Finger Lakes Climate Fund: a local carbon offset program that has spent over a decade turning $25 donations into real, verified home energy upgrades for low-to-moderate income families across Tompkins County, and in the process becoming one of the most transparent and effective community climate programs in the country. Calculate and offset your carbon footprint at https://sustainablefingerlakes.org (https://sustainablefingerlakes.org) Links https://fingerlakesclimatefund.org (https://fingerlakesclimatefund.org) https://www.nyserda.ny.gov (https://www.nyserda.ny.gov) https://southerntiercec.org/tompkins (https://southerntiercec.org/tompkins) https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/participating-communities/ (https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/participating-communities/) https://www.tccpi.org/climate-smart-communities.html (https://www.tccpi.org/climate-smart-communities.html) https://townithacany.gov/get-involved-in-town-sustainability-efforts/ (https://townithacany.gov/get-involved-in-town-sustainability-efforts/) https://www.halcoenergy.com/rebates-financing/ (https://www.halcoenergy.com/rebates-financing/) https://www.nyiso.com (https://www.nyiso.com) https://utilityproject.org (https://utilityproject.org) https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/EmPower-New-York-Program (https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/EmPower-New-York-Program) http://nodatacenterflx.com (http://nodatacenterflx.com) https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org (https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org) https://www.aceee.org (https://www.aceee.org) The Practically Real Team: Jake Gribschaw - Technical Advisor https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw) Stacey Cornelius - Associate Producer https://agencyofwords.com (https://agencyofwords.com) Sonia Simone - Content Strategist https://remarkable-communication.com (https://remarkable-communication.com) Erin O'Shaughnessy - Creative Consultant https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808 (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808) Yen Ospina - Artist http://yenospina.com (http://yenospina.com) Carsie Blanton - Musician http://carsieblanton.com (http://carsieblanton.com)

5. 

   4 Jun 2026

   Grounds for Change - How a Cup of Coffee Makes for a Better Economy

   In this episode, Claire Christensen shares the inspiring story of Gimme! Coffee's transition to a worker-owned cooperative, illustrating how business models rooted in shared ownership can promote community engagement, environmental responsibility, and employee empowerment. Main Topics: The origins and evolution of Gimme! Coffee from a local coffee shop to a worker-owned cooperative The process and challenges of transitioning to a cooperative model during the pandemic How profit sharing, governance, and decision-making work within a worker-owned business The role of community engagement and environmental sustainability in Gimme! Coffee’s mission Benefits, commitments, and how employee ownership influences workplace culture The impact of cooperative principles on business stability and community relationships Future plans for expansion, new product development, and business stability through property ownership Resources & Links: Gimme Coffee Website (https://gimmecoffee.com/) Fair Trade America (https://fairtradecertified.org/) Worker-Owned Cooperatives in the US (https://www.usworker.coop/) Cooperative Principles (https://www.co-oplaw.coop/cooperative-principles/) Fairtrade Premium Projects (https://www.fairtrade.net/), detailing how premiums are used for community development and environment Resources & Links: https://IthacaLocalEconomyLab.com (https://IthacaLocalEconomyLab.com) Jake Gribschaw - Technical Advisor https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw) Stacey Cornelius - Associate Producer https://agencyofwords.com (https://agencyofwords.com) Sonia Simone - Content Strategist https://remarkable-communication.com (https://remarkable-communication.com) Erin O'Shaughnessy - Creative Consultant https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808 (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808) Yen Ospina - Artist http://yenospina.com (http://yenospina.com) Carsie Blanton - Musician http://carsieblanton.com (http://carsieblanton.com)

6. 

   8 May 2026

   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 something radical: he printed money. Not counterfeit dollars — something more interesting. A labor-backed local currency called Ithaca HOURS, where one note equaled one hour of work, equaled ten dollars, and could only be spent right here in town. For more than two decades, it worked. In this episode, Dia sits down with Steve Burke, former president and board member of Ithaca HOURS, for an honest, detailed account of what happened. The Problem Ithaca HOURS Was Built to Solve Ithaca in the early 1990s was a town of wage struggle and economic anxiety. Workers were paid too little. Dollars flowed in, then immediately flowed out to distant corporations. Local businesses competed against national chains with no structural advantage. Paul Glover, the currency's founder, understood that money is not inherently valuable. It is valuable because a community agrees it is. If a community could agree to believe in something new, and back it with real labor and goods, they could create economic gravity that kept wealth local. That insight became Ithaca HOURS. How You Build Trust in a Currency From Scratch Steve walks us through the unglamorous, essential work of building belief: community meetings, early adopter lists, handshake agreements with local businesses, and the slow accumulation of a directory that proved the currency could actually be spent. At its peak, over 500 businesses and thousands of individuals participated. HOURS funded loans to local entrepreneurs and grants to nonprofits. Music stores, bookshops, farmers, landlords, healers, and carpenters all joined the network. Why It Declined — And What Actually Killed It The decline of Ithaca HOURS wasn't a single failure, it was a collision of forces: the rise of credit cards (which made cash-adjacent systems feel clunky), the shift to online commerce (which rewarded national platforms over neighborhood networks), Paul Glover's eventual departure from Ithaca, and the organization's inability to transition from paper to a digital infrastructure. By 2015, Ithaca HOURS had wound down. The Questions This Episode Leaves You With Could it happen again? Steve thinks yes — but differently. Dia suggests perhaps a digital local currency with modern infrastructure, institutional backing, and a clear circulation strategy could address the structural weaknesses that paper HOURS couldn't. Steve raises something worth sitting with: as electronic currencies become more prevalent, the question of transparency and government oversight becomes urgent. Who controls the black box? Who audits the ledger? Community currencies of the future will have to answer those questions before they launch, not after. What You'll Take Away This conversation is part history lesson, part governance case study, part meditation on what money is really for. Whether you're curious about local economics, community resilience, alternative finance, or just a great Ithaca story — this episode delivers. 🔗 Resources Ithaca HOURS Archive (https://ithacahours.com/) Alternatives Federal Credit Union (https://alternatives.org/) BerkShares — Local Currency in Massachusetts (https://berkshares.org/) Ithaca Local Economy Lab is a podcast about the people, models, and ideas building a more resilient local economy — one conversation at a time.

7. 

   16 Apr 2026

   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 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. 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 (https://FoundinIthaca.com) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foundinithaca/ (https://www.facebook.com/foundinithaca/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundinithaca/ (https://www.instagram.com/foundinithaca/) Patricia “Patty” Brown - https://integratedbv.com (https://integratedbv.com) Creative ReUse - https://www.rachelfeirman.com/creativereuseofithaca (https://www.rachelfeirman.com/creativereuseofithaca) Facebook https://www.facebook.com/p/Creative-Reuse-of-Ithaca-61575877676117 (https://www.facebook.com/p/Creative-Reuse-of-Ithaca-61575877676117) Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creativereuseofithaca (https://www.instagram.com/creativereuseofithaca) Ithaca Murals: https://www.ithacamurals.com (https://www.ithacamurals.com) Join the conversation and stay inspired about local economies and community-driven retail! http://IthacaLocalEconomy.com (http://Patreon.com/Practicalmuse)

8. 

   2 Apr 2026

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

   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) https://www.sharedkitchenithaca.com/the-smorg (https://www.sharedkitchenithaca.com/the-smorg) https://www.facebook.com/thesmorgithaca (https://www.facebook.com/thesmorgithaca) https://www.instagram.com/thesmorgithaca (https://www.instagram.com/thesmorgithaca) https://greenstar.coop (https://greenstar.coop) https://www.rochestercommissary.org (https://www.rochestercommissary.org) https://ithacareuse.org (https://ithacareuse.org) http://farmtofeastny.com (http://farmtofeastny.com) https://www.facebook.com/styxstreetfood/ (https://www.facebook.com/styxstreetfood/) https://gardellasgoodies.com (https://gardellasgoodies.com) https://www.facebook.com/ithacabreadworks/ (https://www.facebook.com/ithacabreadworks/) https://lamexicanarestaurantandgrocery.com (https://lamexicanarestaurantandgrocery.com) https://littlerambakery.com (https://littlerambakery.com) https://rashidasawyer.com (https://rashidasawyer.com) https://www.wellspringforestfarm.com (https://www.wellspringforestfarm.com) Resources & Links: https://IthacaLocalEconomyLab.com (https://IthacaLocalEconomyLab.com) Jake Gribschaw https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw) Stacey Cornelius https://agencyofwords.com (https://agencyofwords.com) Sonia Simone - https://remarkable-communication.com (https://remarkable-communication.com) Erin O'Shaughnessy - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808 (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808) Yen Ospina - http://yenospina.com (http://yenospina.com) Carsie Blanton - http://carsieblanton.com (http://carsieblanton.com) Go deeper: • https://patreon.com/Practicalmuse (https://patreon.com/Practicalmuse)

9. 

   29 Mar 2026

   LocalFiber - Weaving a New Economy From the Ground Up

   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 (https://localfiber.org/) Laughing Goat Fiber Farm (http://laughinggoatfiber.com/) https://IthacaLocalEconomyLab.com The Practically Real Team: Jake Gribschaw - Technical Advisor https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw) Stacey Cornelius - Associate Producer https://agencyofwords.com (https://agencyofwords.com) Sonia Simone - Content Strategist https://remarkable-communication.com (https://remarkable-communication.com) Erin O'Shaughnessy - Creative Consultant https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808 (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808) Yen Ospina - Artist http://yenospina.com (http://yenospina.com) Carsie Blanton - Musician http://carsieblanton.com (http://carsieblanton.com)

10. 

    29 Mar 2026

    Beyond Insurance - The Healthcare Model That's Changing Everything

    Beyond Insurance - The Healthcare Model That’s Changing Everything Discover how healthcare is transforming with an innovative direct primary care model, offering affordable, accessible, and relationship-based health solutions in Ithaca. Learn why this model is gaining momentum as a sustainable alternative to traditional insurance-based healthcare. Key Topics The limitations of the current patient care system and the complexities of insurance How direct primary care (DPC) simplifies access and reduces costs Cost savings with DPC, including cheaper labs, imaging, and medications The role of DPC in managing emergencies and routine health needs How DPC offers tailored services like men's and women's health, hormone therapy, and home visits The impact of DPC on practitioner burnout and patient satisfaction Strategies for starting or joining a DPC practice, including low overhead requirements The future of healthcare: people-over-profit and a return to personalized care Contact details: homesteadyhealth.com (http://homesteadhealth.com) and 607-882-6001 Resources & Links Homesteady Health - https://homesteadyhealth.com (https://homesteadhealth.com/) Homestead Health on Facebook - (https://facebook.com/homesteadhealth)https://www.facebook.com/homesteadyhealth (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552793574702) Homestead Health on Instagram - (https://instagram.com/homesteadhealth)https://www.instagram.com/homesteadyhealth/ (https://www.instagram.com/homesteadyhealth/) Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to share this episode, rate, review, and subscribe to support the local economy conversations. For more resources and to connect with hosts, visit https://ithacalocaleconomylab.com The Practically Real Team: Jake Gribschaw - Technical Advisor https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw) Stacey Cornelius - Associate Producer https://agencyofwords.com (https://agencyofwords.com) Sonia Simone - Content Strategist https://remarkable-communication.com (https://remarkable-communication.com) Erin O'Shaughnessy - Creative Consultant https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808 (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808) Yen Ospina - Artist http://yenospina.com (http://yenospina.com) Carsie Blanton - Musician http://carsieblanton.com (http://carsieblanton.com) Connect with Dia on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Practicalmuse?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink (https://patreon.com/Practicalmuse?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink)

11. 

    23 Mar 2026

    Caring for People and the Environment: An Introduction to the Ithaca Local Economy Lab

    This episode is an introduction to the podcast themes and reveals the fundamental questions behind creating economic systems that prioritize human well-being. Hosted by Dia, the podcast explores radical economic experiments in Ithaca, from local currencies to community-driven finance, offering insights for anyone interested in rebuilding economies from the ground up. Key topics: The core question: What would an economy built to care for people look like? The importance of relationship-building and cultural shifts in economic transformation Examples of radical economic experiments in Ithaca, including local currencies and cooperative ownership models The role of trust, skills, and community in shaping new economic systems The purpose and vision behind the Ithaca Local Economy Lab initiative The team behind the podcast, including production and creative contributors How these Ithaca stories serve as models for other communities worldwide The podcast's release schedule of first and third Thursdays and access details via Patreon and website Timestamps: 00:04 - What if the economy was designed to prioritize caring for people? 00:33 - Introducing the Ithaca Local Economy Lab and its focus on radical economic experiments 01:00 - The team behind the podcast and its production details 01:34 - Closing remarks and gratitude from the creators Resources & Links: https://IthacaLocalEconomyLab.com (http://ithacalocaleconomylab.com/) Jake Gribschaw - Technical Advisor https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgribschaw) Stacey Cornelius - Associate Producer https://agencyofwords.com (https://agencyofwords.com) Sonia Simone - Content Strategist https://remarkable-communication.com (https://remarkable-communication.com) Erin O'Shaughnessy - Creative Consultant https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808 (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erin-o-shaughnessy-depoe-bay-or/373808) Yen Ospina - Artist http://yenospina.com (http://yenospina.com) Carsie Blanton - Musician http://carsieblanton.com (http://carsieblanton.com) Connect with Dia: https://patreon.com/Practicalmuse?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink (https://patreon.com/Practicalmuse?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Contact Ithaca Local Economy Lab -- Radical Experiments in Business and Community

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