Stacy Mitchell

Jason DeLeon, a producer, dives into the historical roots of food deserts, revealing how policy shifts created these areas of scarcity. Stacey Mitchell, a food researcher, discusses how understanding food deserts often misses deeper systemic issues. They explore the legacy of A&P's dominance and the impacts of the Robinson-Patman Act on grocery retail. The conversation also highlights the struggles of local communities, like the New Beginnings kitchen in Woonsocket, that fight against food insecurity in an increasingly challenging landscape.

Stacy Mitchell, co-executive director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, advocates for local economies and dismantling monopolies. She discusses the hidden costs of big corporations like Amazon and their impact on community ties and social capital. Unpacking how policy choices have led to economic consolidation, Stacy highlights the benefits of small businesses on community resilience and local engagement. She emphasizes that change requires collective action and policy reform, offering insights into how individuals can strengthen local powers.

Amazon has come a long way since online book sales. In fact, when it comes to revenue, Jeff Bezos’ creation is the world’s biggest internet-based company. But what makes the "everything store" so ubiquitous? In large part, it’s the small and medium-sized businesses that use the platform to sell their goods. This year, more than 1.9 million of these businesses participated in its marketplace, which accounted for some 60 percent of Amazon's retail sales. But was it ultimately good for them? In the midst of this historic transition in shopping, that's our debate: Is Amazon good for small business? Debating in favor of the motion is Mark Jamison, economist at the American Enterprise Institute, with Kunal Chopra, tech executive and former Amazon GM. Arguing against the motion is Rana Foroohar, global business columnist at the Financial Times and author of “Don’t Be Evil”, with co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Stacy Mitchell. Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amazon has come a long way since online book sales. In fact, when it comes to revenue, Jeff Bezos’ creation is the world’s biggest internet-based company. But what makes the "everything store" so ubiquitous? In large part, it’s the small and medium-sized businesses that use the platform to sell their goods. This year, more than 1.9 million of these businesses participated in its marketplace, which accounted for some 60 percent of Amazon's retail sales. But was it ultimately good for them? In the midst of this historic transition in shopping, that's our debate: Is Amazon good for small business? Debating in favor of the motion is Mark Jamison, economist at the American Enterprise Institute, with Kunal Chopra, tech executive and former Amazon GM. Arguing against the motion is Rana Foroohar, global business columnist at the Financial Times and author of “Don’t Be Evil”, with co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Stacy Mitchell. Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stacy Mitchell, co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, dives into Amazon's overwhelming influence on the economy, especially during the pandemic. She critiques the company's treatment of workers and raises vital questions about its monopoly power. The conversation reveals the tension between consumer reliance and the need for regulation, while highlighting the struggles of Amazon employees and emerging unionization efforts. Mitchell emphasizes the importance of fostering local economies in the face of Amazon's dominance and advocates for fair competition.