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 decision got made. After this conversation, they might. Claire Christensen is the Executive Director of Gimme! Coffee — which means she runs the place day...

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...

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....

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 small food businesses and the broader economy. In This Episode Rod Rotundi shares his diverse background in economic development and his journey to Ithaca The...

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 collective in Ithaca is weaving together sustainable agriculture, handcrafted textiles, and community-centered economics. From goat farming to finished garments, the LocalFiber collective is proving that...

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 pay for healthcare by cutting out the middleman entirely. From affordability and accessibility to the simple power of a doctor who actually knows your name,...

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 Local Economy Lab. From radical economic experiments like local currencies to cooperative ownership models, Ithaca has long been a testing ground for alternatives to business...