Episodes
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Co-op Hall of Fame Tribute: Honoring Kevin Still's Cooperative Legacy
September 3, 2026 This episode continues our tribute to the 2026 Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductees with a special conversation featuring Kevin Still, cooperative leader and agricultural innovator. Vernon and Kevin discuss his cooperative journey and his leadership in growing cooperative...
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Co-op Hall of Fame Tribute: Honoring Crystal Long's Cooperative Legacy
September 17, 2026 This episode continues our tribute to the 2026 Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductees with a special conversation featuring Crystal Long, past President and Chief Executive Officer of GECU in El Paso, Texas. Vernon and Crystal discuss her cooperative journey, leadership, and...
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Jessica Gordon Nembhard Honors the Cooperative Legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer
October 1, 2026 This episode continues our tribute to the 2026 Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductees with a special conversation featuring Jessica Gordon-Nembhard, Ph.D., Professor at John Jay College and social justice advocate. Dr. Gordon Nembhard discusses the life and legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer,...
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Co-op Hall of Fame Tribute: Honoring Mike Toelle's Cooperative Legacy
September 24, 2026 This episode continues our tribute to the 2026 Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductees with a special conversation featuring Mike Toelle. Vernon and Mike discuss his leadership in the creation and growth of CHS, the role of education and innovation in strengthening the cooperative...
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Co-op Hall of Fame Tribute: Honoring Margaret Bau's Cooperative Legacy
August 27, 2026 This episode launches Everything Co-op's tribute to the 2026 Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductees with a special conversation featuring Margaret Bau, a legendary figure in rural economic development who spent a decades-long career at the United States Department of Agriculture…
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Vernon Oakes Road to Cooperation: A Lifetime of Learning
August 13, 2026 Vernon Oakes takes listeners on a personal journey through the experiences that shaped him into the cooperative advocate and leader, he is today. Rather than simply reflecting on a distinguished career, Vernon shares how each chapter of his life became a steppingstone that...
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Journalism, Housing Justice & Building Stronger Communities with Steve Dubb, Shelterforce Editor
July 9, 2026 In this segment, Vernon welcomes Steve Dubb, Strategic Initiatives Editor at Shelterforce, an independent nonprofit newsroom that has spent five decades reporting on affordable housing, community development, and housing justice. Together, Vernon and Steve will explore how…
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Tony Pickett on Cooperative Housing & Doug O'Brien on America's 250th Through a Cooperative Lens
July 2, 2026 In this segment, Vernon interviews Tony Pickett, Chief Executive Officer of Grounded Solutions Network. Vernon and Tony will explore how community land trusts and shared equity housing are creating pathways to affordable homeownership and stronger, more resilient communities. Before...
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Vernon Oakes discusses Men's Health and the Power of Cooperatives
June 25, 2026 In this segment, Vernon explore the connection between cooperatives and men's health, highlighting how cooperative principles can help address the social isolation, economic challenges, and lack of support systems that often affect men's physical and mental well-being. He also...
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Nathan Schneider discusses Progress & Prospects for Cooperatives in Using Artificial Intelligence
June 18, 2026 This episode features an interview with Nathan Schneider, professor of media studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. Vernon and Nathan discuss the current progress and prospects for cooperatives in Artificial Intelligence, and explores ways in which cooperatives can navigate...
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Everything Co-op Explores the Cooperative Business Model with host Vernon Oakes
June 4, 2026 In this special edition of Everything Co-op, host Vernon Oakes presents an in-depth overview of the cooperative business model, explaining how cooperatives are owned and governed by the people they serve and how they create economic opportunities while strengthening communities....
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Michael Peck, Iñigo Albizuri, Ibon Zugasti & Kaisu Tuominiemi discuss the Social Economy Road Show to NYC & Boston
May 14, 2026 This episode of Everything Co-op features Part II of the Social Economy Road Show to NYC & Boston, with guests Michael A. Peck, Iñigo Albizuri, Ibon Zugasti and Kaisu Tuominiemi. Vernon and his guests explore the vision behind the initiative and highlight what participants can look...
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Christina Clamp & Rodrigo Ricxu Bacus discuss the Social Economy Road Show to NYC & Boston
May 7, 2026 This episode of Everything Co-op features Part I of the Social Economy Road Show to NYC & Boston, with guests Christina Clamp, and Rodrigo Ricxu Bacus. Vernon and his guests explore the vision behind the initiative and highlight what participants can look forward to during the Road...
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International Year of the Woman Farmer Series: Episode II with Karen Washington
April 9, 2026 Everything Co-op continues its observance of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 (IYWF 2026) with distinguished guest, Karen Washington, farmer, food justice activist, and co-owner of Rise & Root Farm in Chester, New York. Vernon and Karen discuss her journey as a farmer...
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International Year of the Woman Farmer Series Launch, with Noémi Giszpenc
April 2, 2026 Everything Co-op kicks off its observance of the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026) with a distinguished guest, Noémi Giszpenc, Executive Director of The Keystone Development Center (KDC). A nationally respected leader in cooperative development, Noémi Giszpenc…
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Caroline Shenaz Hossein discusses The Banker Ladies, and the Future of Solidarity Economies
January 15, 2022 - This episode features Caroline Shenaz Hossein. Dr. Hossein is a leading global scholar on solidarity economies, cooperative finance, and the economic contributions of racialized communities. She and Vernon will discuss her new book, The Banker Ladies, along with the…
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Alison Powers and Mary Alex Blanton discuss the 2025 Co-op Innovation Awards
October 30, 2026 Vernon speaks with Alison Powers of Capital Impact Partners and Mary Alex Blanton of the National Cooperative Bank (NCB). Together, they will discuss the partnership between their organizations to present the 2025 Co-op Innovation Awards, which recognize creative cooperative…
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Stacey Sutton PhD, Connects Cooperatives, Solidarity Economies & Black History Month Tribute 2026
January 22, 2026 - During the first segment Vernon interviews Stacey Sutton, PhD., Associate Professor of Urban Planning & Policy at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr Sutton and Vernon will discuss how cooperatives and solidarity economies can transform cities and advance racial and economic...
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Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductee Lori Capouch Highlights the Role of Cooperatives in Strengthening Rural Communities
September 11, 2025 - This episode continues our celebration of the 2025 Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductees with a special conversation featuring honoree Lori Capouch, former Rural Development Director for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC). Lori reflects on her...
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The ‘Kum Ba Yah’ Spirit in Cooperative Economics: A Conversation with George C.C. Parker
November 6, 2025 In this episode of Everything Co-op, Vernon speaks with George G. C. Parker, Dean Witter Distinguished Professor of Finance, Emeritus, at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Together, they examine the “Kum Ba Yah” spirit of cooperative economics, the yin and yang of...
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Mike n Lindsey 11202025 Farm Generations
November 20, 2025 Everything Co-op launches its spotlight on the 2025 Innovation Award recipients with Michael Parker and Lindsey Lusher Shute, co-founders of Farm Generations Cooperative. In this interview, Michael and Lindsey discuss how Farm Generations empowers its members through GrownBy,...
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Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductee, Tom Webb Reflects on Advancing Cooperative Education and Global Leadership
September 18, 2025 - This episode of Everything Co-op continues our tribute to the 2025 Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductees with a special conversation featuring Tom Webb. Tom shares insights from his lifelong work advancing cooperative education and global leadership and explores the enduring…
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Randy Lee, Former CFO of PCC Community Markets, Reflects on 5 Decades of Service to the Food Co-op Movement
September 4, 2025 Randy Lee, former CFO of Puget Consumer Co-op (PCC Community Markets). Randy reflects on his career, share insights from his nearly 50 years in the food co-op sector, and offers his thoughts on the future of food cooperatives. Randy’s journey with PCC began in 1970, when the…
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Tribute to 2025 Cooperative Hall of Fame Unsung Hero, Estelle Whitherspoon
September 25, 2025 - This episode features a tribute to the 2025 Coop Hall of Fame Unsung Hero Estelle Whitherspoon. Jessica Gordon Nembhard, Ph.D., Margaret Lund, and Alice Paris honor her legacy and tell the story of her cooperative journey. Author of Collective Courage: A History of African...
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C.E. Pugh Shares Growth Strategies for the Co-op Grocery Sector
May 8 2025 This episode features C.E. Pugh, Chief Executive Officer of National Co+op Grocers (NCG). Vernon and C.E. Pugh discuss how NCG supports the growth of the cooperative grocery sector, and his cooperative journey. C.E. Pugh is the CEO of National Co+op Grocers, a cooperative serving 166...
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John Holdsclaw 8072025
August 7, 2025 Interview with John Holdsclaw IV, President & CEO of Rochdale Capital On this episode of Everything Co-op, John Holdsclaw IV, President and CEO of Rochdale Capital, explores the challenges and opportunities facing financial institutions and shares exciting new initiatives at…
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Ginger Rumph & Silvia Inez Salazar discuss their Partnership and Efforts to promote Community Ownership & Housing Justice
Vernon Oakes interviews Ginger Rumph, Executive Director of the Douglass Community Land Trust (Douglass CLT), and Silvia Inéz Salazar, Co-president of the 1417 N Street, NW Cooperative. Together, they explore the collaboration between their organizations and share insights into their ongoing...
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Dr Perry Everything-7-3_2025-07-03_1548
July 3, 2025 Dr. Andre M. Perry, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and director of the Center for Community Uplift, shares his insights on how community-led approaches can drive investment into historically underfunded neighborhoods. Dr. Andre M. Perry is a nationally known and respected...
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Michael Peck n Chris Clamp 6262025
June 26, 2025 - Michael Peck and Dr. Christina Clamp to discuss the 2nd Volume of "Humanity@Work&life-Global Diffusion of the Mondragon Cooperative Ecosystem Experience.” Michael Peck co-founded 1worker1vote in 2014, alongside ten advisory board members, to build on the 2009 United...
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Renee Hatcher Explores the Vital Role of Solidarity Economy and Cooperatives
March 27, 2025 Everything Co-op continues its Women’s History Month series centering on the theme “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” set by the National Women’s History Alliance. This episode features Renee Hatcher, Professor and Director of the Community…
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E. Kim Coontz discusses the Impact of Cooperative Development on Future Generations
March 20, 2025 Everything Co-op continues its Women’s History Month series, that follows the theme “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations” set by the National Women’s History Alliance. This episode features E. Kim Coontz, Executive Director for the California Center for...
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Stacey Sutton Ph.D. and Assata Richards discuss Components of Building a Solidarity Economy
March 13. 2025 - Everything Co-op continues its Women’s History Month series with the theme “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” set by the National Women’s History Alliance. This episode features cooperative advocates Stacey Sutton Ph.D., Associate Professor at the...
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Jessica Gordon Nembhard & Ahzjah-Netjer Simons Share Insights Learned from Black Women Cooperators
March 6, 2025 - Everything Co-op launches its Women’s History Month series. The 2025 theme, set by the National Women’s History Alliance, is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” celebrating women leaders in education and mentorship. The inaugural episode of the…
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Village of Leaders Thriving for Solidarity discuss its Co-op Ecosystem for Returning Citizens
February 27, 2025 - This episode marks the conclusion of Everything Co-op's Black History Month series, focusing on the 2025 theme set by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH): "African Americans and Labor." This theme examines how different forms of…
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Vernon Oakes discusses the history of "African Americans and Labor."
February 13, 2025 - Everything Co-op continues its Black History Month series, exploring the 2025 theme designated by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH): "African Americans and Labor." This theme highlights the diverse ways labor—free and unfree, skilled…
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Julian Hill discusses Black History Month Theme, "African Americans and Labor"
February 6, 2025 Everything Co-op inaugurates its Black History Month series. The theme for the 2025 Black History Month, as designated by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), is "African Americans and Labor." This theme emphasizes the significant and varied...
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Patton McDowell Discusses Services and Foundational Pillars of PMA Nonprofit Leadership
January 30, 2025 Patton McDowell, the founder of PMA Nonprofit Leadership, shares insights into the firm's services and core principles. PMA Nonprofit Leadership is a consulting firm dedicated to helping skilled individuals thrive in nonprofit leadership through three primary offerings: providing...
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amaha sellassie discusses Gem City Market and the Cooperative Agenda of 2025
January 23, 2025 amaha sellassie, the board president of Gem City Market and Vernon discuss the progression of of Gem City Market and the cooperative agenda of 2025, in the Year of the Co-op. amaha sellassie is a peace builder, social healer, freedom fighter, network weaver and lover of humanity....
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Malik Kenyatta Yakini, Discusses Food Sovereignty, and the Detroit People’s Food Co-op
January 16, 2025 Malik Kenyatta Yakini, Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN). Vernon and Malik discuss the food sovereignty movement, and the Detroit Peoples Food Co-op's progress and challenges since its opening. Malik Kenyatta Yakini is an activist and educator...
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Ron Hantz, ED of the Network for Developing Conscious Communities, Discusses Growth Opportunities in the Co-op Movement
January 2, 2025 Ron Hantz, Executive Director of the Network Developing Conscious Communities (NDCC), offers insights into the growth required in the co-op movement within Black communities and outlines plans for NDCC for the forthcoming year. Ron Hantz has been instrumental in advocating a new...
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Adrian Roman, Highlights Cooperative Consulting Services, a Selection from the 2024 Holiday List
December 26, 2024 Everything Co-op continues to highlight choices from its 2024 Holiday list. This episode features an interview with Adrian Roman, co-owner of Colmenar Cooperative Consulting (Colmenar). Adrian discusses how the Colmenar team leverages their experiences as immigrants and their...
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Alicia Simmons Highlights Frontier Co-op's Selections from Everything Co-op's 2024 Holiday List
December 19. 2024 The program continues to highlight choices from its 2024 Holiday list. This episode includes an interview with Alicia Simmons, Senior Sustainability Manager at Frontier Co-op. Vernon and Alicia discuss Frontiers Co-op Market, Organic Certified Ceylon Cinnamon, and its Aura Cacia...
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Kevin O'Brien and Matthew Epperson Launch Everything Co-op's 2024 Holiday List Picks
December 5, 2024 "Everything Co-op" launches showcase of selected picks from its 2024 Holiday list. The premiere episode features an interview with Kevin O'Brien, founder and general manager of Worx Printing, and Matthew Epperson, Employee Ownership domain expert. Vernon and his guests will…
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Alex Smith Highlights the Community Purchasing Alliance an Everything Co-op Holiday List Selection
December 12, 2024 Everything Co-op continues to highlight choices from its 2024 Holiday list. In this episode Vernon interviews Alex Keivahn Smith, the Senior Program Director at the Community Purchasing Alliance (CPA). Vernon and Alex explore how the CPA utilizes the collective purchasing power…
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Pamela Standing, the ED of the MNIBA, Outlines Strategies to Link Indigenous Business Owners with Resources
November 21, 2024 In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Vernon interviews Pamela Standing, Co-Executive Director of the Minnesota Indigenous Business Alliance (MNIBA). Pamela shares strategies MNIBA employs to connect Indigenous business owners with resources. Pamela Standing's...
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Mike Houston discusses the Remodeling and Reopening of TPSS Food Co-op
November 14, 2024 In this episode, an interview with Mike Houston, General Manager of the Takoma Park Silver Spring Food Co-op (TPSS), is featured. Mike discusses the complete remodeling process of TPSS, detailing how cooperative priorities were leveraged to preserve jobs, support the community,...
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Doug O'Brien's Post-Election Analysis: The Future for Co-ops
November 7, 2024 This episode features Doug O'Brien, President & CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA). Vernon and Doug delve into election results and the implications for cooperatives. Doug O'Brien is the President & CEO National Cooperative...
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Dr. Diane Kern and Valarie Davis, JD, discuss Being Well While Black and its Black Voter Guides
October 31, 2024 This episode includes an interview with Dr. Diane Kern, a psychotherapist, and Valarie E. Davis, JD, who are both ardent advocates for social justice. Vernon and his guests explore the development of Being Well While Black, an initiative established at the onset of the COVID...
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Presidential Candidate Comparison to the Cooperative Values and Principles
October 24, 2024 Vernon Oakes, the host of Everything Co-op, conducts a comparative analysis of the cooperative values and principles of the presidential candidates.
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Nathan Schneider discusses the role cooperatives play in creating a cooperative economy
October 17, 2024 Nathan Schneider, a media studies professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, explores the significant role cooperatives have in restoring our belief in a creative and robust democracy. As a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, Nathan Schneider leads the Media...