Dollars or Sense: Exploring the Economic Case for Sustainability

Latest Episodes:

What We Get Wrong About Farms with Sarah Mock Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Season 2, Episode 3 of Dollars or Sense by John Ikerd and Mackenzie Feldman!

This episode features special guest Sarah Mock, who is an agriculture and food expert and author of Farm (and other F words) and Big Team Farms. Sarah explains the myths that prevents us from understanding the economic, social, and historical forces shaping agriculture.

She argues that saving agriculture isn't about preserving the myth of the small family farm, but instead it's about designing a food system that actually works for the people who grow our food.

Beyond Extraction: The Rise of the Beloved Economy May 03, 2026

Show notes

Today, we're sharing our conversation with Jess Rimington and Joanna L. Cea, co-founders of the economic innovation firm and co-authors of the book Beloved Economies.

Together, we explore what it would mean to build an economy rooted not in extraction and endless growth, but in care, community, and belonging. The conversation challenges the assumption that our current economy is inevitable, and offers a hopeful vision of where we need to go next. We hope you enjoy <3

Season 2, Episode 1: Introduction to Dollars or Sense Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Formerly Agenda 23, this podcast has evolved into Dollars or Sense: Exploring the Economic Case for Sustainability.

In this first episode of the new season, Mackenzie and John introduce their new podcast! The podcast will be exploring whether today’s economic system can truly support a sustainable future, and what would need to change if it can’t.

Episode 11: Food and Farm Policy Agenda for National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

In this episode we speak with Connor Kippe, Policy Specialist at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC). We discuss the policy priorities for NSAC and what YOU can do to get involved in the movement for a better food system!

Episode 10: Equity at the USDA and Agroecology in the Rio Grande Valley with Dr. Alexis Racelis Aug 12, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, we talk with Dr. Alex Racelis, associate professor in the UTRGV School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences and director of Agroecology and Resilient Food Systems Program. We discuss the inaugural Agriculture Subcommittee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Equity Commission, where Racelis is one of 15 appointees. We also discuss the research Racelis conducts, (and Mackenzie who is in Racelis' lab!), which is driven by a better understanding of how agriculture, urban development, invasive species and resource management affects certain ecological processes in the light of pressing social and environmental issues, such as climate change, food and water security, sustainable development, and social justice.

Episode 9: Farm and Food Policies for A Sustainable Future with Mackenzie and John Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, it's a conversation between the two hosts, Mackenzie Feldman and John Ikerd. Mackenzie asks John about his recent research around Farm and Food Policies for A Sustainable Future and how what we can learn from the past for the 2023 Farm Bill.

Episode 8: The groundwork as we near the new Farm Bill with Ricardo Salvador and Anié Henry Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

We are joined by Anié Henry, food systems futurist and "agvocate", and Ricardo Salvador, senior scientist and director of the Union of Concerned Scientists Food & Environment Program.

Episode 7: The politics of agriculture with Alan Guebert Aug 23, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, we talk with Alan Guebert, an award-winning agricultural journalist, syndicated columnist of The Food and Farm File, and author of The Land of Milk and Uncle Honey.

Music by Josh Woodward - joshwoodward.com
Tracks Used: Coffee and East Side Bar

Produced by - Navgeet King Zed - nkzed.com

Episode 6: Policy for Young Farmers, Beginning Farmers, and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers with Vanessa García Polanco Jan 05, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, we talk with Vanessa García Polanco, Federal Policy Director of the National Young Farmers Coalition.

Music by Josh Woodward - joshwoodward.com
Tracks Used: Coffee and East Side Bar

Produced by - Navgeet King Zed - nkzed.com

Episode 5 : What is ”real organic”? With Linley Dixon of the Real Organic Project Aug 27, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we talk with Linley Dixon, Associate Director of the Real Organic Project.

Music by Josh Woodward - joshwoodward.com
Tracks Used: Coffee and East Side Bar

Produced by - Navgeet King Zed - nkzed.com