Radical Cooperation
Radical Cooperation
Podcast Description
Welcome to Radical Cooperation, the podcast in which higher education leaders explore collaboration as the key to lasting change. Host Dr. Michael Horowitz, together with presidents, chancellors, and trailblazing experts, dives into thought-provoking conversations about solutions to some of the most pressing issues in higher education. From fostering partnerships across institutions to leveraging innovation over tradition, each episode unpacks how cooperation, not competition, drives success. If you're ready to embrace bold, forward-thinking ideas that unite and inspire, you’re in the right place.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show focuses on themes such as collaboration in higher education, innovation versus tradition, and student-centered approaches, with episodes exploring issues like the challenges of declining enrollment and the importance of student trust.

Welcome to Radical Cooperation, the podcast in which higher education leaders explore collaboration as the key to lasting change. Host Dr. Michael Horowitz, together with presidents, chancellors, and trailblazing experts, dives into thought-provoking conversations about solutions to some of the most pressing issues in higher education. From fostering partnerships across institutions to leveraging innovation over tradition, each episode unpacks how cooperation, not competition, drives success. If you’re ready to embrace bold, forward-thinking ideas that unite and inspire, you’re in the right place.
Higher education leadership is under more pressure than ever—and in this episode, we explore how media narratives are shaping public trust in the sector. Today’s leaders must navigate misinformation, political scrutiny, and financial instability while still delivering meaningful outcomes for students.
In this episode of Radical Cooperation, host Dr. Michael Horowitz sits down with Sara Custer, Editor-in-Chief of Inside Higher Ed, to examine the growing tension between media coverage and institutional reality. Together, they unpack how public perception is formed, why trust in higher education is increasingly fragile, and how leaders can respond with clarity and strategy in a rapidly shifting landscape.
From leadership transitions after founders step down to the rise of AI-generated content and its impact on journalism, this conversation offers a nuanced look at the forces reshaping higher education. Grounded in the principles of The Community Solution, it also highlights how collaboration, transparency, and shared strategy can help institutions build resilience and better serve students.
What you’ll learn:
- How media narratives shape public trust in higher education
- The most pressing leadership challenges facing colleges and universities
- Why financial pressures and institutional closures are accelerating
- How journalism—and AI—are transforming the information landscape
- What it takes to successfully step into leadership after a founder exits

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