Guest host Zaron Burnett investigates the curious question: Can we print our own money? The short answer is: yes, yes we can. To consider the more nuanced aspects of that question, Burnett spoke with Peter LaRochelle from the Schumacher Center for a New Economics. LaRochelle administers a local currency called BerkShares, which is available in the tourist-friendly Berkshire region of western Massachusetts. The alternative currency was created 20 years ago and serves as a successful model for how to create your own local currency. LaRochelle spoke to the various challenges and benefits as well as the financial freedom a community enjoys once you start printing your own money.

Sources/Links: 

• BerkShares Program https://berkshares.org/
• Bob Dunning's Newsletter:  https://www.thewaryone.com/
• https://centerforneweconomics.org/people/peter-larochelle/
• https://centerforneweconomics.org
• https://centerforneweconomics.org/publications/local-currencies-in-the-21st-century-understanding-money-building-local-economies-renewing-community/
  
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/economics-econometrics-and-finance/alternativecurrency
• https://www.collaborativefinance.org/mutual-credit/local-currency/
• https://sustainableandjust.org/initiatives/our-economy/alternative-economies/alternative-currencies/
• https://www.theselc.org/california-community-currencies-act
• https://reasonstobecheerful.world/towns-invent-community-currencies/
• https://www.paulglover.org/hours.html
• https://www.paulglover.org/hourcurrency.html
• https://www.paulglover.org/atwood.html
• https://localwiki.org/davis/Davis_Dollars
• https://www.opb.org/artsandlife/series/history/myrtlewood-money-north-bend-oregon-great-depression/
• https://www.davisenterprise.com/users/profile/bob%20dunning/