Next Economy Now: For the Benefit of All Life

Cynthia Tina, a sustainability educator and founder of Community Finders, explores the transformative power of intentional communities. She discusses how deeper interdependence can improve housing, health, and happiness. Cynthia explains different models of community living and highlights their benefits, such as reduced loneliness and shared costs. She emphasizes the importance of aligning personal values with community goals and shares strategies for exploring these unique living arrangements. The conversation also touches on resilience in the face of climate change and the value of effective communication in community life.

Living with intention can be a radical act in a world driven by consumerism. In this special Next Economy Living mini-series episode, host Kevin Bayuk speaks with writer, herbalist, and former Black Minimalists podcast producer Farai Harreld about how ancestral knowledge and mindful practices can help us reclaim agency over our health, homes, and everyday choices.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/farai-harreld/Early bird registration is now open for the spring 2026 cohort of The Next Economy MBA, a nine-month facilitated learning journey for people building a more just and regenerative economy. Save 20 percent if you sign up before February 2. Learn more at lifteconomy.com/mba.Support the show

In this conversation, Kevin Bayuk, Partner and worker owner at LIFT Economy, addresses critical skills gaps that hinder the growth of community-centered economies. He emphasizes the need to rethink educational frameworks to foster sustainable practices. Kevin also discusses the tension between organizational hierarchy and collaboration, underlining the importance of balance for shared power. Financial literacy emerges as a key theme, highlighting how essential it is for empowering communities and fostering equitable development.

What if your work could be more about deep, cultural, spiritual, and educational work than financial gain? In this conversation with Alexa Firmenich, founder of Naia Trust and host of the Lifeworlds Podcast, we explore how to balance returns with impact and tradition with transformation in the investment industry. She explains that 100% of global GDP is dependent on nature, and if we’re not supporting nature, we’re not supporting the economy. For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/alexa-firmenich/Early bird registration is now open for the spring 2026 cohort of The Next Economy MBA, a nine-month facilitated learning journey for people building a more just and regenerative economy. Save 20 percent if you sign up before February 2. Learn more at lifteconomy.com/mba.Support the show

Transitioning to shared ownership is one of the most powerful ways a business can align its values with its structure. In this episode of Next Economy Now, Jason Wiener, founder of the law and consulting firm Jason Wiener P.C. and co-founder of Colorado Cooperative Developers, joins Ryan Honeyman to unpack the legal, cultural, and financial considerations behind alternative ownership models, from worker cooperatives to purpose trusts.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/jason-wiener/Early bird registration is now open for the spring 2026 cohort of The Next Economy MBA, a nine-month facilitated learning journey for people building a more just and regenerative economy. Save 20 percent if you sign up before February 2. Learn more at lifteconomy.com/mba.Support the show

As social and environmental crises intensify, the need for skilled, grounded activism has never been greater. In this episode of Next Economy Now, Nick Mucha, Senior Director of Environmental Issues and Strategy at Patagonia, shares what it takes to support movements and build capacity for lasting impact. Nick also introduces Patagonia’s new book, Tools to Save Our Home Planet, a practical guide for changemakers at every stage of their journey.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/nick-mucha/Early bird registration is now open for the spring 2026 cohort of The Next Economy MBA, a nine-month facilitated learning journey for people building a more just and regenerative economy. Save 20 percent if you sign up before February 2. Learn more at lifteconomy.com/mba.Support the show

In this insightful conversation, John Abrams, the founder of South Mountain Company and author of 'From Founder to Future,' discusses transitioning businesses to worker co-ops. He emphasizes the need for founders to plan succession early to promote equitable workplace structures. John highlights how employee ownership boosts profitability and reduces inequality while advocating for workplace democracy. He shares success stories from co-ops like Ward Lumber, showcasing the positive impact on local communities and the economy. John's passion for helping others navigate ownership transitions shines throughout.

Join a thought-provoking discussion on transforming the global economy to benefit all life. The hosts reflect on a decade of insights, exploring regenerative economic strategies that inspire a values-based approach. They highlight memorable interviews and share a framework for change that includes addressing climate urgency while envisioning a racially just, locally resilient future. The conversation emphasizes the need for visible examples of successful alternatives, showcasing innovative models like Our Table farm that integrate worker ownership and sustainable practices.

What does it take to build organizations that reflect our deepest values while driving meaningful change? In this episode of Next Economy Now, we speak with Simon Mont, founder of Harmonize Consulting, about what it really takes to build resilient, values-aligned organizations (and why engaging with conflict is often a necessary part of that process). Through his work with Harmonize, Simon helps teams bridge the gap between values, vision, and impact, supporting efforts from land transitions to reproductive justice and wealth redistribution.For full show notes, visit: https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/simon-mont/Early bird registration is now open for the spring 2026 cohort of The Next Economy MBA, a nine-month facilitated learning journey for people building a more just and regenerative economy. Save 20 percent if you sign up before February 2. Learn more at lifteconomy.com/mba.Support the show

Enjoy this special crossover episode from Beyond The B, hosted by LIFT Economy's Ryan Honeyman and Emmy Allison. Tune into more conversations at the heart of the B Corp movement ➡️ https://go.lifteconomy.com/beyondIn this conversation, LIFT co-founder Kevin Bayuk offers a candid critique of the B Corp movement, shedding light on its strengths and limitations and challenging listeners to think bigger about how businesses can drive transformative systemic change. Together, we unpack the 10 Next Economy principles of a framework for a better future, addressing the flaws in business-as-usual economic structures and exploring the importance of equitable and democratic company cultures, fostering resilience within bioregional systems, and embedding education into goods and services.For full episode and show notes, visit: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/b-corps-10-principles-of-next-economy-enterprises-part-1-kevin-bayukEarly bird registration is now open for the spring 2026 cohort of The Next Economy MBA, a nine-month facilitated learning journey for people building a more just and regenerative economy. Save 20 percent if you sign up before February 2. Learn more at lifteconomy.com/mba.Support the show