This episode dives into the world of co-operatives and why they are such a powerful — and often overlooked — foundation of the new economy. Antony McMullen unpacks what actually makes a co-op different from a conventional business, and why those differences matter in practice, not just in theory. From democratic decision-making and shared ownership to responsibility for people, place and purpose, the conversation explores how co-operative principles shape the everyday realities of running an enterprise. Drawing on examples from Australia and around the world, the episode reveals the surprising scale and diversity of the global co-operative movement — from mutual banks and agricultural co-ops to worker-owned businesses and community-led infrastructure. Rather than treating co-operatives as a utopian fix, this discussion is grounded and honest, exploring both their strengths and their challenges, and showing how they offer a practical way for people to participate more meaningfully in economic life.

Antony McMullen is a co-operative developer working at the intersection of the social economy and community-led enterprise. He is Chair of Co-operative Bonds, co-founder of 888 Co-operative Causeway, and host of Mutual Mindset, a national learning program supporting co-operative development in Australia. With qualifications in community development, social impact, and theology, Antony has supported the design and growth of co-operatives across a wide range of sectors, including community services, energy, agriculture, and finance, and brings a long-standing commitment to democratic ownership models that align economic activity with social and ecological wellbeing.

Voices of the New Economy is a collaborative storytelling project of NENA. The podcast is produced by the Humanitarian Changemakers Network (HCN), an Anchor Organisation of NENA, as part of its commitment to strengthening economic literacy, amplifying community innovation, and supporting pathways to systemic change. Each episode features researchers, practitioners, organisers, and everyday changemakers working across disciplines and communities to re-imagine how our economies can serve people and planet.

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