The Ownership Effect
About The Podcast
The Ownership Effect is your front-row seat to one of the most powerful — and underappreciated — forces reshaping the American workplace: employee ownership. Hosted by Jim Bonham, President and CEO of The ESOP Association, this biweekly podcast dives deep into the transformative impact of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) on businesses, workers, and local economies.
Each episode features candid conversations with company founders, policymakers, and employees whose lives have been transformed by ownership. You’ll hear real stories of change and shared success, and why companies are choosing the ESOP model. We’ll dive into the challenges holding employee ownership back—and the solutions that can bring it to more Americans.
If you’re a business owner, an employee who wants more than a paycheck from your job, or someone who believes in an economy that works for everyone, this podcast is for you!
New episodes every two weeks. Subscribe and join the movement toward a more prosperous workplace and economy.
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Episode 1
The Miracle Moment Part One
In the premiere episode of The Ownership Effect, Jim Bonham speaks with Gary Shorman, Chairman of Eagle Communications. Jim and Gary discuss Eagle’s ESOP journey, and what employee ownership has meant for the company, the employees, and the communities it serves.
Episode 2
The Miracle Moment Part Two
In Part Two of The Ownership Effect premiere, Jim Bonham sits down with Drew Tavss, CEO of Mid South Building Supply, for a deep dive into the company’s ESOP journey. What factors went into Mid South Building Supply’s decision, what led them to their Miracle Moment, and how did the ESOP transition affect the company and employees? Listen to the latest episode and find out!
Episode 3
Ownership Starts Here: The Culture + Communication Equation for ESOPs
What turns an ESOP into a true ownership community? Culture—and the communication that powers it. Jim Bonham sits down with Lindsay Shafer and Jason Wellman to break down the habits and everyday practices that create engaged employee owners and high-performing ESOPs.
Episode 4
ESOPs: An Origin Story
Dr. John Hoffmire joins the podcast for a sweeping, candid look at the history of ESOPs: How they began as bold experiments, to the lessons learned along the way, and what can be done next to create millions more employee owners.
Episode 5
Why Democrats and Republicans Love ESOPs: Part One
Retirement policy expert Kendra Isaacson joins Jim Bonham for Part One of a two-part conversation exploring why employee stock ownership plans enjoy rare bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. Drawing on her experience at the Department of Labor and on the Senate HELP Committee, Isaacson explains how ESOPs fit within America’s retirement system—and why lawmakers on both the left and the right view employee ownership as a public good that strengthens workers, businesses, and local economies.
Episode 6
Why Democrats and Republicans Love ESOPs: Part Two
Jim Bonham continues his conversation with retirement policy expert Kendra Isaacson, examining why retirement security has become a top bipartisan priority in Congress and how ESOPs can play a critical role for both younger workers and retiring business owners. They discuss recent legislative developments, the long-awaited need for clear guidance on adequate consideration, and how smart policy can strengthen ESOP formation, protect fiduciaries, and expand employee ownership at a pivotal moment for the U.S. workforce.
Episode 7
See You in Court: How an ESOP Founder Challenged the Government—and Won
What happens when a company does everything right—and still ends up under federal investigation? On this episode of The Ownership Effect, Jim Bonham speaks with Brian Bowers, CEO of Bowers + Kubota, about one of the most consequential ESOP cases in recent history. After becoming an ESOP, Bowers + Kubota became the target of a Department of Labor investigation that stretched on for years. Brian discusses why the company chose employee ownership, why they refused to settle, and what it took to defend their ESOP. The result: a decisive victory that exposed serious flaws in how ESOP transactions were being scrutinized—and helped catalyze bipartisan legislation that could reshape the regulatory environment for employee ownership. This is a story about conviction and resolve, and a must-listen for founders, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of employee ownership.
Episode 8
How ESOPs are Changing Lives: Real Stories from Employee Owners
In this episode of The Ownership Effect, we hear two deeply personal stories that show what employee ownership truly means at the individual level. Amy Huot of Proponent and Christy Magee of DVL Group share how working at employee-owned companies transformed their financial security, career paths, and family futures. From rebuilding retirement savings after a major health crisis to realizing, for the first time, that retirement was actually possible, their stories highlight the human perspective of the promise of ESOPs. Their experiences also reveal how employee ownership shapes company culture: greater trust and transparency, stronger retention, and a shared commitment to long-term success. This conversation is a powerful reminder that ESOPs aren’t just a business structure—they’re a life-changing force for employees and their families.
Episode 9
Your Questions on ESOPs, Congress, and the Future of Employee Ownership
Welcome to the season finale of The Ownership Effect! In this episode, Jim Bonham is joined by previous guests Gary Shorman of Eagle Communications and Jason Wellman of ESOP Partners to help answer audience questions from Season One. The conversation ranges from the business succession crisis in the U.S and how ESOPs can provide a solution, legislation and regulation that could impact ESOPs, and private equity’s interest in ESOPs.