The Wealth We Build
The old economy is broken, and a new one isn't going to build itself. If we want an economy that actually works for all, we have to BUILD it.
Welcome to your weekly blueprint for economic liberation. Produced by the Center for Community Wealth (CCW), this podcast spotlights the fearless people, high-stakes projects, and bold ideas reshaping what’s possible for Metro Denver and beyond. We’re dismantling the old system and building a resilient, self-determined future from the ground up.
Each week, we dive into one of four pillars fostering real community wealth: cooperatives, small businesses, anchor institutions, and community real estate. No gatekeepers, no trickle-down myths, just raw, inspiring conversations with the entrepreneurs, worker-owners, and thought leaders who are actively creating economic justice with solidarity, sovereignty and joy.
Stop waiting for the system to change. Tune in and learn how we're building it. Join us!
Episodes
6 episodes
Community-Owned Real Estate 101
Your favorite neighborhood spots can disappear quietly: the corner cafe priced out, the cultural hub replaced, the long-time storefront turned into someone else’s investment. In this episode, Yessica Holguin sits down with Paul Bindel from Cent...
Microloans and Microfinancing in Action
Character-based lending buildings community wealth in Colorado!A $500 loan can be the difference between “someday” and “I made my first sale.” That’s not hype, it’s how real businesses start when you don’t have savings, a wealthy network...
Anchored in Community: How Local Institutions Can Close the Wealth Gap
In an economy where many feel they’re trading their well-being just to get by, how do we build systems that actually generate lasting, collective prosperity?In this episode of The Wealth We Build, host Yessica Holguin is joined ...
Coop 101: Redefining Business Ownership
In this episode of The Wealth We Build, host Yessica Holguin is joined by Michaela Holmes and Joel Newton from the Center for Community Wealth to explore how worker-owned cooperatives are transforming economies, fostering dignity, and closing t...
The "Local First' Blueprint" Scaling Your Small Business with Kimberly Bonner
According to 2024 census data, minority-owned businesses represent approximately 22.6% of US employers, totaling around 1.3 million businesses. Yet, traditional economic development often prioritizes attracting massive multinational corporation...
Center For Community Wealth's Origin Story
The Roots of Collective Action: A History of Community Wealth BuildingDescription: What does it mean to build an economy rooted in dignity, community ownership, and respect? In the inaugural episode of The Wealth We Build...