It’s helpful now and then to remember where we come from. For me, so much of my formation deepened as an economics major at Notre Dame. The department had been embroiled in conflict for over a decade by the time I arrived 2004-2008. But the decision to suffocate critical thinking, history and heterodox schools of […]
In 2023, I was introduced to Adrienne Buller’s The Value of a Whale: On the Illusions of Green Capitalism. It’s an extraordinary take down of the dominant ways we are approaching climate change and ecological crisis. Since I worked as a consultant for oil & gas companies in 2009, I’ve been looking for somebody who […]
Tomorrow morning, I present at the Univesidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. It’s part of their Masters program in the “Creation and Development of Social and Solidarity Economy Businesses” – as part of the International Center for Research on the Social and Solidarity Economy -or CIIESS. I’m humbled to have gotten to know Alberto Irezabal the […]
From theology and political economy to an analysis of our moment — making intelligible the mega-trends of capitalism — and how we as Christians “can’t accept it’s terms and conditions as good”. Drawing on Jeremiah 29:7 — Luke says we’re “called to bear faithful witness within it and transform and convert it”.
Later today, I give a presentation to a group of Cooperative Business leaders (3 largest U.S. co-op banks (NCB, CoBank and CFC), 5 co-op capital entrepreneurs, 6 co-op loan fund/CDFIs, 2 mutual insurance cos., and 6 associations). My question is: Can we imagine and build together — across credit unions, electric co-ops and emerging co-op […]
I was inspired today at the Catholic Campaign for Human Development’s (CCHD) 50th Anniversary celebration. As I reconnected with old friends from Notre Dame and met new community land trust & worker center leaders via the Hubilo (virtual conference) chat, I realized how much CCHD is part of me. The farmworker organizing my dad helped […]
Two realms of our economic lives, but often we don’t understand how mutuality and market exchange can help us navigate our decision-making. I synthesize Emilio Travieso’s summary of Stephan Gudeman to offer us a new framework.
I know this is a daunting question. I’m going to try to make it practical with 3 steps and 3 concrete invitations. Weds, April 7, 7pm ET: “Exploring how congregations might re-imagine their assets when long term sustainability is no longer an option.” with Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams – click here to RSVP and/or join) […]
If we can re-structure capital to be in a non-extractive position, we can re-make business as an engine for human and ecosystem flourishing. As our culture evolves to more deeply appreciate the endemic nature of system oppression and ecological devastation, leaders will increasingly be looking for structural solutions.
My dream: Investing in co-ops and employee owned businesses becomes the “gold standard” in impact investing