Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance

A manufacturing policy podcast from the members of the Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance.

Manufacturing Renaissance Podcast - Episode 3 02/09/2026

Manufacturing Renaissance Podcast - Episode 3 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 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: What economic democracy really means. Different models of employee ownership and how they function day to day The impact of worker ownership on wages, job stability, and business longevity Barriers to scaling employee-owned enterprises and what policy, finance, and technical support can do to help 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: Phone: 314-246-0033 Website: A manufacturing policy podcast brought to you by members of the Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance (FMR). Visit our website at: Substack: This discussion was recorded on January 26, 2026. Hosted by and produced by Michael P. Moriarty. Music written and recorded by Michael P. Moriarty. /episode/index/show/fc5dbd7d-e954-4696-8561-ae44f66c0379/id/40046390

Manufacturing Federation Podcast Episode 2 09/22/2025

Manufacturing Federation Podcast Episode 2 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 profound impact on communities resulting in increased poverty, crime, violence, drug use, and marginalization. A major factor is the retirement of the baby boom generation from all levels, particularly of smaller, privately held firms including ownership. 50-60% of these firms have no successor or succession plan. MR created the Chicagoland Industrial Retention Network (CIRN)—a program that addresses the crisis facing small manufacturing companies with an aging owner with no successor. We turn this crisis into an opportunity particularly for employees as well as Black and Latino entrepreneurs that historically have been excluded as owners in the manufacturing sector. CIRN has established an Early Warning Network that relies on community-based organizations, unions, churches, service providers and others to make contact with owners of these companies. Twenty-three members of 13 organizations have joined. The potential scale of our effort is far greater than existing programs by government and other community development organizations. This is an approach that could lead to the sale of hundreds of companies in the Chicago region along—retaining, diversifying, and rebuilding the regional manufacturing sector. This project could save thousands of jobs and build community wealth. This is a model that could be replicated in other communities around the country. **Dan Swinney** Manufacturing Renaissance Email: Phone: 773-919-3251 Website: **CIRN Resources:** Early Warning Manual: Available online Training Programs: 24-hour community leader certification **Drew "The MFG" Crowe** Email: Phone: 314-246-0033 Website: A manufacturing policy podcast brought to you by members of the Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance (FMR). This discussion was recorded on August 25, 2025. Hosted by and produced by Michael P. Moriarty. /episode/index/show/fc5dbd7d-e954-4696-8561-ae44f66c0379/id/38308735

Manufacturing Renaissance Podcast Episode 1 07/14/2025

Manufacturing Renaissance Podcast - Pilot Episode 06/06/2025

Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance

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