The Problems You Can Solve: Stacy Mitchell on David Morris’s Legacy

On this week's episode of Building Local Power, we continue our series honoring ILSR's co-founder David Morris, who passed away in June. One way to measure the impact of someone's work is to measure their influence on those they mentored. And if you ask Stacy Mitchell, the word "influence" isn't even sufficient for what she learned from David Morris. Hired into an entry-level position at ILSR by David Morris in 1997, Mitchell now leads the Independent Business Initiative and co-directs the entire organization. Her time working with Morris led to a long and distinguished career at ILSR and in the broader antimonopoly movement. On this episode, Mitchell shares her reflections on her time working with Morris and on the impact of his work overall. Listen for her insights about how prescient Morris's work is proving to be, as well as his demanding curiosity and tireless advocacy. Ultimately, Mitchell claims, Morris's philosophy is a blueprint for what it means to build local power, and Morris did that until the very end of his life. Don't miss this stirring conversation about one revolutionary's impact on another. For transcript and related resources, see the episode page at https://ilsr.org/articles/blp-the-problems-you-can-solve

Creators and Guests

Host

Danny Caine

Author, former bookseller, and passionate antimonopoly advocate Danny Caine loves to talk to the people fighting monopoly power in their communities.

What is Building Local Power?

Building Local Power brings you thought-provoking stories and new ideas for breaking the hold of corporate monopolies and expanding the power of communities to chart their own futures. We deliver insights from trailblazing lawmakers, scholars, business leaders, and advocates. Plus, conversations with in-house experts at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance help reveal the patterns and policies that shape our economy and communities. These stories and conversations help map solutions that distribute power to everyday people.

Our newest series, The Data Centers Are Coming, brings listeners into the stories of local communities fighting back against Big Tech, corporate greed, bureaucratic secrecy, and a system that prioritizes scale at all costs.