The Common Share
Episodes
Guest episode: Unexpected Director Endorsements
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While The Common Share is on hiatus, we'd like to share an episode from the Director Decisions podcast featuring our friend Dr. Dionne Pohler tal...
Women in Co-op Leadership
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For this special podcast episode we spoke to the out-going board president of Federated Co-operatives Limited, Sharon Alford. With International Women...
Innovative uses of the co-op model for rural economic development
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Clark Banack is the Director of the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities and an Adjunct Professor of Political Studies at the Augustan...
Creating and living in housing co-operatives
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Canada needs to build a lot of housing units to meet current demand and make housing affordable again - 3.5 million homes by 2030, according to the Ca...
Providing financial support with a co-operative
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, our Director of Indigenous Relations, Trista Pewapisconias, spoke to Richard Tuck, the CEO of the Wakopa Financial Workers’ co-oper...
Economic Development and Co-ops in Île-à-la-Crosse
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, our Director of Indigenous Relations, Trista Pewapisconias, and I spoke with Tyler Morin, CEO of Sakitawak Development Corporation an...
Childcare in Canada
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This year at Co-operatives First we’re focused on helping groups start childcare co-operatives to help meet the need for childcare across the wester...
Co-operating among the cornstalks
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Trista speaks to Lea Zeise and Jen Falck of Ohe·láku, a nonprofit co-op in Wisconsin. The co-op's members are Oneida families ...
What can we learn from co-ops in Wisconsin?
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Kyle spoke to Courtney Berner, Executive Director of the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives. They talked about the co-op...
The Battle River Railway Cooperative
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Enright is the general manager of the Battle River Railway Cooperative based in Forestburg, Alberta. A local grain farmer, Matt has served as GM ...
Growing Canada's Renewable Energy Co-ops
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This summer, Aasa attended the "Scaling up the impact of renewable energy co-operatives in Canada" conference in Ottawa, where Renewable E...
The benefits of business plans
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Kyle speaks to James Grieve, Certified Management Consultant, about his approach to creating a business plan, including how to know w...
The Caisse populaire Kahnawake and the importance of Indigenous financial institutions
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, our Director of Indigenous Relations, Trista Pewapisconias, spoke to Michael Rice – a founder and past manager of the Caisse Popula...
A primer on co-op governance
31 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Director of Education Kyle White had a great conversation with Federated Co-operatives Limited's General Counsel and Corporate S...
Good Governance Lessons
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After six years of leading the Good Governance Matters course, our Director of Education Kyle White has heard a lot from co-op leaders. In this episod...
Co-op Development Training through an Indigenous lens
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Co-operatives are a way for people to work together to better their community and reach their common economic, social, and cultural goals. Indigenou...
Bridging rural-urban divides
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Dionne Pohler back to the show. Dr. Pohler, Associate Professor at the Edwards School of Business at the University of...
Deliberative mini-publics: a new idea for co-op governance
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we speak to Dr. Simon Pek of the University of Victoria about a new idea for co-op governance: deliberative mini-publics. These versa...
Project Equity and employee ownership
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Project Equity is an organization that promotes and supports the employee ownership of businesses. In this episode, Kyle spoke to David Gray, Project ...
DIY rural internet, with Jesse Hirsh
25 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rural communities that wish they had better access to the internet often don't realize they could create that service for themselves. In this epi...
Co-ops and loyalty: insights from two co-op researchers
16 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, two co-op researchers tell us about their work looking at people’s loyalty to co-operatives. Danika Dinko is the Executive Director...
Moving forward with your co-op start-up
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk to our new Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Cathy Edwards. As a founding member of Heartlinked Community Service Co-op, entrepreneu...
How a co-op's leaders can create cohesion and purpose
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Co-operatives are businesses that bring people together — but how do you make sure everyone involved in your co-op is working towards the same goal?...
Building inclusive co-op resources
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Co-ops can be a great way for people to tackle local issues and embrace opportunities. But not everyone has access to resources that can help them lea...
Co-ops, fiduciary duties, and the case of MEC
24 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk to Dr. Anna Lund about what fiduciary duties are, what they mean for co-ops, and take a deep dive into the decisions made b...
Co-ops and sustainability: A conversation with FCL's Vern Albush
22 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Federated Co-operatives Limited is committed to sustainability. In this episode, FCL's Director of Sustainability, Vern Albush, joined us to talk...
An abundance approach to economic development
08 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Karri-Lynn Paul tells our Indigenous Relations Lead Trista Pewapisconias about the "abundance" approach to economic and com...
Using co-ops to combat housing crises
06 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Across Canada, housing costs are rising. Housing co-operatives have often been used to provide stable, affordable housing, and more people are interes...
Real insights about co-op startups: A conversation with Cathy Edwards
15 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this helpful discussion, entrepreneur and consultant Cathy Edwards gives insights into the process of starting a co-operative and how to plan for s...
Living Rural on Purpose, with Mary Doyle
11 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Living in small towns shouldn't be seen as just a cheap alternative to cities. People should choose to live in rural areas because they love thei...
Choosing leaders by lottery
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Co-ops tend to choose their boards of directors through elections at their annual meetings. But are there other methods? In this episode, Dr. Simon Pe...
A capital problem: a cut-and-wrap co-op hits the chopping block
19 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Not every co-op project works out. Sometimes groups with good intentions decide the business won't pan out the way they'd hoped — but even...
Brave Co-op: Saving lives with technology
10 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Tanner speaks with Gordon Casey from Brave Co-op — a tech co-operative in BC that's created overdose-preventing apps and products. This incre...
Starting co-ops with Start.coop
26 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Business Development Lead Heather Hallgrimson spoke to Jessica Mason, Co-director of Start.coop. This organization helps get co-ops s...
Eva Co-op puts members in the driver's seat
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Montreal-based Eva Co-op is a rideshare and delivery service co-operative that puts its members in the driver's seat. Eva was launched in 2019 in...
Daycare co-ops with Dr. Jen Budney
14 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Canada has work to do when it comes to providing childcare options for families. But by starting a co-op, parents can create a daycare that provides t...
Idea-friendly communities with Becky McCray
24 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
People in small towns have great ideas for improving their communities — but getting started can be intimidating. Becky McCray — small-town entr...
New Feeling writers' co-operative
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Canada's media industry is in a tough spot. In the latest episode of the Common Share, hear how the people behind New Feeling — a co-op of musi...
Multi-stakeholder co-ops: When are they the right fit?
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is a multi-stakeholder co-op? Why would you choose to use this model? This episode explores these questions with two knowledgeable guests: Manito...
Indigenous economies and co-ops, with Senator Marty Klyne
11 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We are so pleased to bring you this conversation with Senator Marty Klyne. Senator Klyne has a wealth of knowledge and experience with economic develo...
Economic Development on First Nation with Chief Darcy Bear
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Whitecap Dakota First Nation has achieved immense economic growth in the past 30 years. In this fascinating episode, Chief Darcy Bear talks about the ...
Modo Carshare Co-op: Caring during a crisis
23 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When the pandemic started, Modo Carshare Co-op's business took a big hit. But by focusing on what was best for their members and staff, the co-op...
Good Governance Matters with Dr. Murray Fulton
26 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What are the secrets to good co-operative governance? Dr. Murray Fulton and his colleagues at the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives have ...
Breaking New Ground: Talking co-ops with Kristen Wittman
24 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever met someone who created a new kind of co-op? Neither had we — until we met Manitoba lawyer Kristen Wittman. Tune in for a great conver...
Arctic Co-operatives Limited: Keeping Northern Communities Vibrant
16 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Co-ops play a big role in keeping communities vibrant in Canada's North. In the latest podcast episode, we spoke to Mary Nirlungayuk from Arctic ...
Investing in Main Street
06 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Community Investment Co-ops are an exciting way to support community development. They allow people to invest their money in local businesses and init...
"Democracy is your landlord": Housing co-operatives in Canada
13 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The housing market can be uncertain: housing co-operatives are a way to provide stability. In this episode we speak to Tim Ross, Executive Director of...
Do co-ops have a harder time obtaining financing?
21 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It's a challenge we hear about a lot: that co-operative businesses struggle to obtain the financing they need. However, recent Stats Canada data ...
The impact of co-ops in western Canada: A conversation with Dr. Brett Fairbairn
10 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we asked one of our favourite co-op experts, Dr. Brett Fairbairn, to reflect on a recent study on the impact of co-operative businesse...
Co-op start-up struggles: a conversation with an urban farmer
26 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kye is a farmer. But he's not your usual farmer. The acres he grows on depend on numerous locations and convincing people to let him grow his p...
Leading by Example: A conversation with Carol Kitchen
11 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we had the pleasure of speaking to Carol Kitchen, former President and CEO of United Farmers of Alberta. During Carol’s tenure with ...
Insights into co-op development in Indigenous communities
11 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we spoke to Sturgeon Lake Developments CEO April Roberts-Poitras and our own Indigenous Relations Lead Trista Pewapisconias about the...
Cannabis co-operative: a solution for small producers
24 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The legalization of cannabis in Canada hasn't been the boon to small producers that many expected. It's been difficult for small cannabis gr...
Neighbour Lab: Building resilient communities
09 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Meet two founders of one of British Columbia's newest and most innovative co-ops! In this episode we speak to Adele Therias and Leah Karlberg of ...
Co-op Camp
25 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we speak to three people about the Saskatchewan Co-operative Association's annual youth Co-op Camp: an organizer, a participant,...
Business Development in First Nations communities
12 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we spoke with Shaun Soonias, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan First Nations Economic Development Network (http://sfnedn.com/) . ...
Leadership in Co-operatives
27 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we speak with Cecile Green and Rebecca Fisher-McGinty from consulting firm Round Sky Solutions. Round Sky is a worker co-op that train...
A Conversation with Co-op Developer Patrick Lapointe
08 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we speak to long-time co-op developer and advocate, Patrick Lapointe. As the former Executive Director (and now board member) of the C...
The Future of Co-ops? A conversation with Nathan Schneider
07 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Season 2 of The Common Share! We're starting this season with an exciting guest that we know you'll enjoy. Academic and journalis...
Holiday Special: How Co-ops Give Back
21 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The holidays are a time of giving, when people often think about donating to charitable causes. As businesses rooted in their communities, co-ops are ...
The Backroad Diaries episode, with Sisan Fregene
17 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Aasa and Kyle are joined in this episode by Sisan Fregene, who spent the summer working on The Backroad Diaries. This Co-operatives First project uses...
Fred Khonje's Five Lessons about Co-op Development
31 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Fred Khonje’s career has spanned the areas of community economic development, non-profit co-op housing, co-op and social enterprise business develop...
A Conversation with Dr. Brett Fairbairn
15 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Brett Fairbairn has been researching co-operatives for over 30 years; as a Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, he has become one ...
Member Engagement
31 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Kyle, Dan, and Aasa discuss what member engagement looks like for co-operatives, given how many difference types of co-ops – and different types of ...
Five big ideas for leveraging the co-operative advantage in a rapidly changing world
16 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Aasa sat down with Dr. Dionne Pohler (https://dionnepohler.com/biography) to discuss her keynote speech from the Saskatchewan Co-ope...
The Importance of Board Diversity
04 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In the last episode in our series on board governance, Audra, Kyle, and Aasa talk about the importance of diversity on boards. Having people with diff...
Dealing with conflict on a board
15 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Audra, Kyle, and Aasa tackle what happens when things get contentious on a board. We discuss the kinds of conflict that boards of dir...
Working board versus policy board
30 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We dive right into the discussion of working vs policy boards with a controversial question: Why do working boards suck?Being on a working board – w...
Getting people involved in board leadership
15 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This episode kicks off our four-part series on co-operative governance with Co-operatives First’s Executive Director Audra Krueger. Kyle, Aasa, and ...
Why we need governance
30 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Kyle and Aasa from Co-operatives First talk to Paul Thompson, Research Officer at the University of Saskatchewan’s Centre for the S...
What makes a co-op?
11 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What is a co-op, anyway? In this episode, Kyle, Dan, and Aasa from Co-operatives First discuss the different definitions of co-operatives, the seven c...
Introductory Episode
22 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Common Share, a podcast about the opportunities and challenges of developing co-operative businesses. The Comm...