Manufacturing Renaissance Podcast - Episode 3
Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance
Release Date: 02/09/2026
Manufacturing Renaissance Podcast - Episode 3
Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance
FEDERATION FOR MANUFACTURING PODCAST Episode: "Attaining Economic Democracy In The 21st Century" Host: Drew "The MFG" Crowe, Leader of The New American Manufacturing Renaissance Guests: Frank Cetera (Democracy for Workers Institute), Dan Swinney (Founder, Manufacturing Renaissance) & Martin Van Den Borre (Canadian Worker Co-Op Federation) **Episode Length:** 45 minutes **Format:** In-depth conversation with substantive analysis What would the economy look like if the people who do the work also owned the businesses? In this...
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Manufacturing Federation Podcast Episode 2
Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance
FEDERATION FOR MANUFACTURING PODCAST Episode: "From Crisis to Opportunity - The CIRN Revolution" Host: Drew "The MFG" Crowe, Leader of The New American Manufacturing Renaissance Guests: Dan Swinney (Founder, Manufacturing Renaissance) & David Robinson (Former Director of External Affairs, Manufacturing Renaissance) **Episode Length:** 45-60 minutes **Format:** In-depth conversation with substantive analysis Chicago has experienced massive deindustrialization over the last 50 years—losing 90% of its manufacturing base. This had a...
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Manufacturing Renaissance Podcast Episode 1
Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance
Topic: The Social Economy, its international character, and its strategic challenges and opportunities as an alternative to neo liberalism. Featured Speakers: Nancy Neamtan: Founder and Executive Director of the Chantier de l'économie sociale, a non-profit organization representing networks of social enterprises (cooperatives and non-profits), local development organizations and social movements. She is known internationally as an expert in the field of the social and solidarity economy, social finance and local development. Martin Van Den Borrem: For over 25 years, Martin has been...
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Manufacturing Renaissance Podcast - Pilot Episode
Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance
A manufacturing policy podcast brought to you by members of the Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance (FMR). Topic: Introducing the rationale and benefits of advancing a high-road manufacturing industrial policy guided by regional democratic governance through Manufacturing Renaissance Councils—collaborative bodies that bring together government, business, and labor to align economic development with equity, sustainability, and shared prosperity. Featured Speakers: Alan Minsky, Progressive Democrats for America; David Levine, American Sustainable Business Network; Doug Gamble,...
info_outlineWhat would the economy look like if the people who do the work also owned the businesses? In this episode, we dive into the growing movement for economic democracy and the role of employee-owned businesses in building more resilient, equitable local economies.
We’re joined by Frank Cetera of the Democracy at Work Institute, a leading voice in the employee ownership ecosystem. Frank brings deep experience supporting worker cooperatives, ESOPs, and other shared-ownership models across the country. Together, we explore how employee ownership works in practice, why it’s gaining traction in manufacturing and beyond, and how it can strengthen communities while creating quality jobs.
The conversation covers:
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What economic democracy really means.
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Different models of employee ownership and how they function day to day
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The impact of worker ownership on wages, job stability, and business longevity
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Barriers to scaling employee-owned enterprises and what policy, finance, and technical support can do to help
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Why this moment presents a unique opportunity to expand employee ownership as part of a broader economic transformation
Whether you’re a business owner, worker, policymaker, or simply curious about alternatives to the status quo, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at how democratic ownership can reshape our economy from the ground up.
**Drew "The MFG" Crowe**Email: booking@the-mfg.comPhone: 314-246-0033Website: www.drewcrowemfg.com
A manufacturing policy podcast brought to you by members of the Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance (FMR).
Visit our website at: https://manufacturingfederation.org/
Substack: https://substack.com/@manufacturingfederation
This discussion was recorded on January 26, 2026. Hosted by Drew 'THE MFG' Crowe and produced by Michael P. Moriarty. Music written and recorded by Michael P. Moriarty.