Design Economics Podcast with Vinny Tafuro

Vinny is a visionary, futurist, writer, entrepreneur, communications theorist, and economist. A polymath and curious by nature, he is a pioneering advocate for the twenty-first-century economy that is disrupting society’s rigid institutions and beliefs. Vinny’s economic and foresight projects explore the societal and economic shifts being catalyzed by human culture as a result of technology, corporate personhood, and evolving human cognition. An engaging and energetic speaker, Vinny presents on a variety of topics both professionally and through community outreach. He enjoys an active and blended professional, academic, and personal life, selecting challenging projects that offer opportunities for personal and professional growth. He is the author of Corporate Empathy and Unlocking the Labor Cage.

Tom Llewellyn is Shareable’s Program Director, co-leading their collaborations with organizers and allies to imagine, resource, network, and scale cooperative projects. Tom’s current work focuses on supporting communities to develop Libraries of Things (LoTs) – low-cost, environmentally friendly social infrastructure that enables people to meet their material needs with a focus on housing developments, universities, and post-disaster recovery areas. He also serves as executive producer and host of the award-winning documentary film and podcast series The Response, producer of the Cities@Tufts Podcast, and co-leads communications for the Rural Power Coalition. A dynamic speaker, Tom has presented at more than 200 events across five continents. He is the co-editor/author of several publications, including Sharing Cities: Activating the Urban Commons (2018), The Response: Building Collective Resilience in the Wake of Disasters (2019), and The Library of Things Toolkit (2024/2026). Whenever possible, Tom hosts community ‘Stone Soup’ events wherever he travels to help remind people how good sharing can taste! Previously, Tom was the education and activism director for the Sustainable Living Roadshow, co-leading the touring organization across the U.S. for 5 years, producing eco events and actions that promoted environmental, social, and economic sustainability. He has co-founded several community initiatives, including: Asheville Tool Library, REAL Cooperative (Regenerative Education, Action & Leadership), A PLACE for Sustainable Living, and the worker collective Critter Cafe. Tom holds a degree in Mind/Body Studies from San Francisco State University and a Permaculture Design Certificate from Earth Activist Training. Before becoming a full-time community organizer, he was the co-owner/director of Clever Scamp Summer Camp (arts and ecology), the director of the Canyon After School Program, and paid his way through college by working as a Massage Therapist and a professional party starter. Tom currently lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Amah Mutsun Tribal Band territory with his wife Ellie, where they're rejuvenating an old Boy Scout Camp into a community hub.