The Basic Income Podcast

Basic Income and the Disabled Community, feat. Annie Harper (rebroadcast)

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 23:18:56 +0000

How would a basic income impact the disabled community? We delved into this question with social anthropologist Annie Harper of the Program for Recovery and Community Health, Yale School of Medicine. Harper, who works with mentally disabled people, describes the hopes and concerns a basic income offers. This episode was originally broadcast in November 2017.

How Much Basic Income Would Really Cost, featuring Karl Widerquist (rebroadcast)

Wed, 09 Jan 2019 01:19:00 +0000

How much would a basic income in the United States actually cost? What are the most common mistakes people make when calculating a basic income? To answer these questions, we spoke with Karl Widerquist, who has been studying and writing about basic income for three decades. Widerquist recently published a “back of the envelope” calculation on basic income which produced some surprising results. This episode was originally broadcast in September 2017.

Basic Income and Peace of Mind (Rebroadcast)

Wed, 02 Jan 2019 18:37:22 +0000

We often talk about what effect a universal basic income would have on financial stability, but what about our mental state? Jim and Owen delve into the research around poverty and cognition, and explore the differences between an abundance mindset and a scarcity mindset. This episode was originally broadcast in June, 2017.

Universal Basic Assets, featuring Marina Gorbis (Rebroadcast)

Wed, 26 Dec 2018 18:11:59 +0000

When considering the impact of basic income, we usually think of it as a standalone policy — but there’s nothing stopping us from imagining UBI as one piece of a larger policy framework. In this episode, Marina Gorbis, Executive Director of Institute for the Future, shares her perspective on a comprehensive framework for the future: Universal Basic Assets. This episode was originally broadcast in July, 2017.

Rep. Chris Lee on Basic Income Legislation in Hawaii (Rebroadcast)

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 23:13:19 +0000

In 2017, Hawaii became the first state to pass legislation on universal basic income, declaring that everyone in the state deserves basic financial security. The bill’s author, Representative Chris Lee, joined the Basic Income Podcast to discuss the legislation and his views on basic income. This is a rebroadcast of an episode that aired in June 2017.

Remembering Gerald Huff, feat. Jane Huff and Scott Santens

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 22:01:13 +0000

Recently, we lost a basic income champion: Gerald Huff. Huff was a technologist, entrepreneur and, at the end of his life, author of Crisis 2038, a sci-fi novel that has basic income as a central plot element. Huff died of pancreatic cancer on November 17th. His daughter, Jane Huff, and basic income advocate Scott Santens joined the podcast to remember Gerald and discuss his novel and basic income advocacy. Crisis 2038 is available now as an ebook on Amazon, and the paperback version is available for preorder.

A Toolkit for Cities Interested in Basic Income, feat. Catherine Thomas

Fri, 07 Dec 2018 01:53:55 +0000

Much of the momentum around basic income is at the municipal level: Stockton's trial will start soon, Chicago is creating a basic income task force, and a handful of other American cities are exploring basic income or other cash transfer programs. For many mayors and city council members, basic income is an unfamiliar concept. That's why the Stanford Basic Income Lab created a toolkit for cities interested in basic income. This guide covers everything from past basic income research to managing expectations and media narratives. Catherine Thomas, a PhD Candidate in the Stanford Psychology Department and Graduate Fellow in the Stanford Basic Income Lab joined the podcast to discuss this exciting new resource.

Examining Iran’s Cash Transfer Program, feat. Dr. Djavad Salehi-Isfahani

Fri, 30 Nov 2018 22:27:35 +0000

In 2010, Iran replaced their energy subsidies with a cash transfer program, which was originally intended only for poor Iranians, but was expanded to go to everyone. We now have ample data to examine the effects on labor supply and a handful of other social metrics. Much of our knowledge of Iran's program comes from a study co-authored by our guest this week, Djavad Salehi-Isfahani, a professor of Economics at Virginia Tech, and a Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. Dr. Salehi Isfahani explains both the economic impact of the program and the public reaction to it.

How Dolly Parton Provided Wildfire Relief using Cash Transfers, feat. Dr. Stacia Martin-West

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 01:11:05 +0000

A recent example of the power of unconditional cash is the My People Fund, launched by the Dollywood Foundation in the wake of the 2016 Kentucky wildfires. This program provided people who had lost their homes with monthly cash support to help them recover. Dr. Stacia Martin-West from the University of Kentucky analyzed the impact of this program and came on the podcast to discuss what she found.

The Native American Experience with Cash Dividends, feat. Thomas Klemm

Fri, 16 Nov 2018 22:16:08 +0000

We often talk about the desire for more trials and programs that give people unconditional cash, but one has been going on for decades: per capita payments in Sovereign Native American Nations. Under these programs, the nation is provided a revenue source--typically but not always from a casino--and this may be used in a number of ways, including "per-capita" payments to everyone in the nation. Payments vary in size, number of recipients, and duration. Thomas Klemm of the Pokagon band of the Potawatomi Indians, who is conducting qualitative research on per-capita payments, joined the podcast to discuss these programs and the impact they've had.

The Movement to Bring UBI to Chicago, feat. Ameya Pawar

Thu, 08 Nov 2018 00:37:59 +0000

News broke recently that the city of Chicago has formed a task force to examine the future of work and a potential basic income pilot study. Alderman Ameya Pawar joined the podcast to discuss the motivation behind this initiative, who will be on the task force, and its current status.

The Benefits, Promise, and Drawbacks of Basic Income Pilots

Fri, 02 Nov 2018 16:46:59 +0000

Basic income pilots are ongoing or starting soon in Finland, Ontario, Stockton, Jacksonville, East Africa and two other U.S. states to be announced. These represent some of the most exciting developments in the basic income space, but it's worth taking a step back to think about why we invest the considerable time, energy and money it takes to run a pilot. In this discussion episode, Owen and Jim delve into what pilots have meant so far to the basic income discussion, and where they might take us in the future.

Basic Income and Organized Labor, feat. Ed Wytkind

Wed, 24 Oct 2018 20:41:35 +0000

A big open question around universal basic income is how the policy would relate to organized labor in the United States. While Andy Stern, former President of SEIU, the country's largest labor union, is very supportive of basic income, others in the labor world are far more skeptical. To hash out some of the concerns there, Jim spoke with Ed Wytkind, President of EW Strategies and Senior Advisor to the AFL-CIO.

Updates on the Stockton Basic Income Trial, feat. Mayor Michael Tubbs and Lori Ospina

Tue, 16 Oct 2018 18:49:48 +0000

As listeners of the podcast will almost certainly know, Stockton, California is planning a basic income trial for 2019. Jim spoke with Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs and project leader Lori Ospina about new details regarding how the program will be structured, how recipients will be selected, and the challenges and responses so far to the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration. For more information, you can go to StocktonDemonstration.org.

Designing an American Social Wealth Fund, feat. Matt Bruenig

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 21:03:03 +0000

One of the leading ideas on how to implement a basic income is a social wealth fund, similar to Alaska's Permanent Fund, in which a government maintains a fund of various assets and provides dividends to everyone who lives within its borders. Matt Bruenig, President of the People's Policy Project, recently designed a detailed proposal for implementing a social wealth fund in the US that would be financially and politically stable. He spoke with Jim about how he crafted this design and how he plans to advance it.

An Update on the Basic Income Trials in Kenya, feat. Joe Huston

Sat, 06 Oct 2018 00:20:58 +0000

GiveDirectly has been doing some of the biggest, most groundbreaking work in basic income and cash transfers. One of the first episodes of this podcast featured GiveDirectly CFO Joe Huston, and we invited him back on to discuss their village-wide basic income trials in Kenya, their work with Ugandan refugees, a new project in Liberia and with hurricane relief efforts in Texas and Puerto Rico. Joe discusses the promises and challenges of working in these different contexts.

Racial Narratives and Basic Income, feat. Anne Price

Tue, 25 Sep 2018 18:31:05 +0000

The history of our social safety net, government benefits and anti-poverty programs are inextricably tied up with race. Racial narratives are embedded in the public discourse around these programs, and in many cases, into the laws themselves. The basic income discussion in the U.S. must inevitably include a conversation about race and racial narratives. Anne Price, who studies race and public policy as President of the Insight Center for Community Economic Development, joins the podcast to discuss these issues and how they relate to basic income.

Automation and its Role in the Basic Income Movement

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 20:20:35 +0000

For so many people, including both hosts of the podcast, the entry point to basic income was concerns about automation and how it could create an economy that requires many fewer employees. In this discussion episode, Owen and Jim delve into the pluses and minuses of automation's primacy in the basic income discussion, and what a more rounded rationale for basic income looks like.

The Alaska Permanent Fund, feat. Sen. Bill Wielechowski

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 23:12:15 +0000

It's easy to forget that one U.S. state administers a universal cash dividend and has for over thirty years. Alaska came into a windfall from leasing its oil lands in the late seventies and early eighties, and made the bold decision to invest the revenue in a sovereign wealth fund, which provides cash dividends to every Alaskan on an annual basis. Alaska State Sen. Bill Wielechowski joins the podcast to discuss the past, present and future of the Alaska Permanent Fund, and if it could be a model for the entire country.

The Humans of Basic Income Project, feat. Ontario Activist Jessie Golem

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 17:46:37 +0000

Recently, as our listeners will know, the new administration in Ontario, Canada, announced that they will cancel the ongoing basic income trials there. In response, Jessie Golem, a photographer and basic income recipient, started a project called Humans of Basic Income (@HumansBasic on Twitter). Golem takes portraits of other basic income recipients in Ontario holding up handwritten signs describing what basic income has meant to them. The project both humanizes the basic income program and argues for it to continue. Jim spoke with Jessie Golem about the Ontario program and the Humans of Basic Income project.

A New Basic Income Pilot in Mississippi, feat. Aisha Nyandoro

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 06:31:40 +0000

Recently, we got a very exciting announcement from Springboard To Opportunities and the Economic Security Project: the two groups are collaborating to create the Magnolia Mother's Trust. This program will provide an unconditional basic income to a small group of low-income African American mothers. Owen spoke to Aisha Nyandoro, who works with low-income women in Mississippi and will be leading the program.

Running for Office on a Basic Income Platform, feat. Owen Poindexter

Thu, 23 Aug 2018 17:34:25 +0000

In this unusual episode, Owen takes a break from cohosting and becomes a guest. Owen ran for California Assembly in this election cycle, and Jim interviews him on his experience. Owen goes into the surprises and challenges of being a first-time candidate, and offers advice for anyone considering a similar move.

Business, the Modern Economy, and Basic Income, feat. Floyd Marinescu

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 19:45:27 +0000

How has the economy changed over the last generation, and what do today's workers have to contend with that previous eras did not? Jim and Floyd Marinescu, CEO of C4Media, discuss these issues and more on this episode, which focuses on basic income from the business perspective.

What’s Happening with the Ontario Basic Income Program, feat. Sheila Regehr

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 21:23:20 +0000

Recently we got the unfortunate news that the new administration in Ontario plans on cancelling the current basic income trials. At the time of publishing, the program is still happening, and political pressure on the Ontario government may be quite valuable right now. Jim talked with Basic Income Canada Network Chairperson Sheila Regehr about what's happening with the pilot and what people can do to push back against its cancellation.

Combining Basic Income with a Jobs Guarantee, feat. Alyssa Battistoni

Fri, 03 Aug 2018 20:55:34 +0000

Basic income and jobs guarantee are often juxtaposed as two policies that are mutually exclusive, politically or policy-wise. Alyssa Battistoni, writing for In These Times, suggests that both are worth fighting for, and that the two policies could work in concert. Battistoni, a PhD student at Yale in Political Theory and editorial board member of Jacobin, spoke with Jim on how these two policies might work together.

Bringing UBI into the Public Discourse, feat. Annie Lowrey

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 19:08:27 +0000

Annie Lowrey, Contributing Editor at the Atlantic, has caused a buzz with her new book "Give People Money: How a Universal Basic Income Would End Poverty, Revolutionize Work, and Remake the World." In addition to the book itself, she has furthered the conversation with a recent New York Times op-ed and an appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. She joined the podcast to discuss her book and the reactions it's received.

The Emerging Economy feat. Zipcar Cofounder Robin Chase (Rebroadcast)

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 21:10:04 +0000

We are watching the economy change before our eyes, and Zipcar Cofounder Robin Chase has been at the forefront of that change. She gives her observations on the platform economy, automation, self-driving cars, and how a basic income could be what smoothes the transition as we move to a different type of relationship between people and their work. This is a rebroadcast of a previous episode, and the final rebroadcast in this series. New episodes coming next week.

Basic Income Q&A: How to Pay for It, Which Country Will Go First, and More (Rebroadcast)

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 23:13:07 +0000

In this episode, which initially aired last October, Jim and Owen answer listener questions from how to pay for basic income, which country will implement a basic income first and how we will get there. You can send your questions to the Universal Income Project on Facebook or Twitter, or tweet at Owen (@owenpoindexter) or Jim (@dr_pugh).

Comparing Basic Income and a Federal Jobs Guarantee, feat. Jared Bernstein (Rebroadcast)

Wed, 04 Jul 2018 01:44:56 +0000

Jim continues the discussion started on the Intelligence Squared debate over basic income with Jared Bernstein, who argued against the basic income. Bernstein explains various concerns he has with the concept, focusing on existing social programs, and a similarly radical proposal: a jobs guarantee. Bernstein is a Senior Fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and served as Chief Economist and Economic Adviser to Vice President Joseph Biden from 2009-2011.

Basic Income vs. The Status Quo (Rebroadcast)

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 08:06:21 +0000

Most arguments against the basic income can be summed up in two words: “status quo.” Owen and Jim explore the thinking behind some of the most common objections to the basic income and why these arguments are understandable but ultimately shortsighted.

MacArthur Fellow Ai-jen Poo on What Basic Income Would Mean to Domestic Workers (Rebroadcast)

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 22:28:39 +0000

Ai-jen Poo, Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Co-director of Caring Across Generations, and MacArthur Genius Award recipient discusses the challenges faced by domestic workers in the U.S. and how a basic income could dramatically change things in that space.

Momentum Toward Basic Income in Scotland, feat. Jamie Cooke

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 21:53:21 +0000

Momentum is building in Scotland to explore basic income as a policy that can be a centerpiece of the modern social contract. While automation is often mentioned as a catalyzing force in the basic income discussion, Scotland is looking at the policy more from a social justice angle. In this episode, Owen interviews the Head of RSA Scotland and Board Member of Citizens Basic Income Network Scotland, Jamie Cooke.

Land, Housing, and Basic Income, feat. Laurie Macfarlane

Sun, 03 Jun 2018 21:49:39 +0000

A universal basic income would have myriad interactions with existing markets, and one that is worth thorough consideration is the housing market. Laurie Macfarlane, Senior Economist at the New Economics Foundation, recent speaker at TEDxTotnes, and co-author of the book ‘Rethinking the Economics of Land and Housing’ joined the podcast to discuss the various factors within the housing market and what they could mean for basic income. Macfarlane proposes a method to share wealth from rising land values, based on the Alaska Permanent Fund.

A New Experiment on Cash Transfers & Childhood Development, feat. Greg Duncan

Wed, 23 May 2018 20:53:28 +0000

An exciting new experiment, led by Greg Duncan of UC Irvine, is launching to explore how cash transfers affect early childhood on biological, cognitive, and social metrics. Duncan joined the podcast to discuss the motivation for the experiment, what it will study, and the research to date on poverty and children.

An Update on Finland’s Basic Income Trial, feat. Aleksi Neuvonen of Demos Helsinki

Wed, 16 May 2018 19:21:12 +0000

Recently, there have been a lot of media reports on Finland's basic income trial, some stating that it is ending, that it failed, or something along those lines. The reality is much different. To get an understanding of what's actually going on, and what caused all those news stories, Owen spoke with Aleksi Neuvonen, cofounder of Demos Helsinki.

Exploring the Potential of Basic Income in India, feat. Saksham Khosla

Wed, 09 May 2018 20:16:08 +0000

The basic income conversation is alive and well in India, particularly in the wake of an analysis conducted by the The Indian Ministry of Finance’s 2016–17 Economic Survey. Saksham Khosla, a Research Analyst at Carnegie India in New Delhi, discusses the Ministry of Finance's proposal, and the various issues to be tackled in considering a basic income program for India. Khosla describes the unique challenges of creating a social safety net for a country of over 1.3 billion people.

Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit, feat. the California Budget & Policy Center

Wed, 02 May 2018 18:03:08 +0000

While basic income is often described as a revolutionary proposal, we do have programs in the federal government and some U.S. states that contain elements of a basic income, namely the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The California Budget & Policy Center (CBPC) has studied the effects of the EITC, and what it might look like to expand the program to something resembling a basic income. Jim and Owen are joined by Senior Policy Analysts at the CBPC, Alissa Anderson and Sara Kimberlin.

The Basic Income Debate in Australia, feat. Emma Dawson

Fri, 27 Apr 2018 04:17:11 +0000

With a recent proposal for universal basic income by Australia's Green Party, the debate over the policy is alive and well down under. Owen and Jim spoke with Emma Dawson, Executive Director of Per Capita, a progressive think tank in Australia. Dawson is a strong supporter of Australia's social programs but is skeptical that universal basic income is right for her country.

A Basic Income Presidency, feat. Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 17:28:26 +0000

What would it take to truly prepare the U.S. for the potential of widespread technological unemployment and invest in people in a way that allows them to really reach their potential? These questions and some novel answers inspired Venture for America founder Andrew Yang to run for president: he is a declared candidate for the 2020 election. Jim interviewed Yang at an event in San Francisco on his candidacy, vision, and the political path forward for basic income.

UBI and the Values Embedded in our Social Safety Net, feat. Almaz Zelleke

Fri, 13 Apr 2018 19:44:49 +0000

To understand our current anti-poverty measures and the full impact of a basic income, we need to understand the values and assumptions embedded in the safety net right now. In this episode, Owen discusses these issues with Almaz Zelleke, Associate Professor of Political Science at NYU Shanghai, who is working on a book on the ethics of basic income in the U.S.

Is Basic Income a Bipartisan Policy?

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 19:25:20 +0000

We hear a lot about basic income having bipartisan support, with Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr. and Milton Friedman frequently cited together as supporters on opposite sides of the aisle. However, there is also a counter narrative that suggests the progressive and libertarian visions of basic income are too different to be reconciled. In this episode, Owen and Jim delve into how basic income appeals to a politically diverse coalition and how it doesn't.

Analyzing Basic Income Models in Washington DC

Sun, 01 Apr 2018 23:44:05 +0000

The District of Columbia recently commissioned a study on various ways to address poverty, including a negative income tax and a minimum guaranteed income. Jim and Owen spoke with DC Councilmember David Grosso, Council Budget Director Jen Budoff, and the two primary authors of the study, Susanna Groves and John MacNeil, to discuss the findings of the study and its implications.

Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn, featuring Chris Hughes

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 21:03:21 +0000

This week's guest is Chris Hughes, cofounder of Facebook and the Economic Security Project, and author of the recently released book Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn. Chris discusses how he came to recognize the power of cash transfers, and his experience going from growing up in a low-income family to becoming very wealthy through Facebook. He also lays out his plan to provide financial security to every working American.

Economic Analyses of Basic Income, featuring Rakeen Mabud

Wed, 14 Mar 2018 20:13:31 +0000

How would universal basic income impact the economy? The Roosevelt Institute has done numerous analyses on how unconditional cash transfers could affect the economy at various levels and program designs. Rakeen Mabud, Program Director of the Roosevelt Institute, joins the podcast to discuss these analyses and what they mean for the wider basic income conversation.

How UBI Was Added to the California Democratic Party Platform, featuring Rocky Fernandez

Thu, 08 Mar 2018 19:59:18 +0000

Two weeks ago at the annual California Democratic Convention, the party adopted a new platform that includes universal basic income as a policy it supports. Rocky Fernandez, Region 5 Director for the CA Democratic Party, joins the Basic Income Podcast to discuss how this happened and what it means for basic income in California.

Why Basic Income Advocates Should Defend SNAP, featuring Jess Bartholow

Fri, 02 Mar 2018 00:32:47 +0000

Jess Bartholow of the Western Center on Law & Poverty joins the podcast to discuss the Trump Administration's proposal to cut SNAP (aka food stamps) and replace some cash benefits with a food delivery program. Bartholow discusses the research on SNAP and why basic income advocates should oppose these changes.

An inside look at the UK Opportunity Fund, featuring Anthony Painter

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 02:28:31 +0000

Basic income made headlines last week with a proposal by the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) to create a United Kingdom Opportunity Fund, which would pay unconditional cash to all British residents under 55. Anthony Painter, Director of the RSA Action and Research Center, joined Jim and Owen to discuss the proposal and the state of politics around basic income in the UK.

Basic Income Speculative Fiction, featuring Sandra Haynes

Fri, 16 Feb 2018 22:47:38 +0000

Jim interviews Sandra Haynes, winner of “Into the Black”, a speculative fiction contest on basic income, held by the Economic Security Project. Sandra’s story imagines an Artificial Intelligence created to study emotions of people using bank ATMs, which becomes conscious while trying to determine why it keeps seeing people cry. We hear about what inspired […]

What Basic Income Will and Won’t Solve

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:40:02 +0000

Basic income advocates often talk about what a transformative impact universal basic income could have on society -- but what issues and challenges will it actually solve? Jim and Owen share their thoughts on whether basic income is the solution to poverty, automation, wealth inequality, and more.

Y Combinator’s Basic Income Study, featuring Elizabeth Rhodes

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 20:37:03 +0000

What's the latest with the basic income study piloted by Y Combinator Research? Jim and Owen sat down with Research Director Elizabeth Rhodes to find out. Rhodes shares insights from the initial pilot in Oakland and the much larger upcoming experiment. Rhodes details the goals and methods of these exciting, important studies.

Basic Income Q&A: Inflation, Predatory Lending, and the Meaning of Work

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 21:46:06 +0000

Jim and Owen take listener questions on some of the most common topics that come up around basic income. Will inflation eat away many of the benefits? Will we need to regulate predatory lending? How will labor rights change? And what does basic income mean for the future of labor and the identity we place […]

Basic Income and the Disabled Community, feat. Annie Harper

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 23:01:55 +0000

Human Profiles of Economic Insecurity, featuring Rachel Schneider

Thu, 09 Nov 2017 23:59:55 +0000

We often talk about economic insecurity at the statistical level, but how does it impact people’s lives day to day and month to month? Rachel Schneider and Jonathan Morduch examined this question by getting to know families who struggle with financial security, and chronicled their findings in the eye opening book The Financial Diaries: How […]

Basic Income at the City Level, Featuring Mark MacKinnon

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 19:34:26 +0000

How would a basic income within a city affect how that city operates? To delve into this question, Jim and Owen spoke to Mark MacKinnon, City Councillor in Guelph, Ontario. The conversation ranges from the effects a basic income could have on local businesses to how the political appetite might change for other city improvements. […]

Basic Income Q&A: How to Pay for It, Which Country Will Go First, and More

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 22:19:30 +0000

Jim and Owen answer listener questions from how to pay for basic income, which country will implement a basic income first and how we will get there. You can send your questions to the Universal Income Project on Facebook or Twitter, or tweet at Owen (@owenpoindexter) or Jim (@dr_pugh).

Malcolm Torry on Christianity and basic income

Sat, 21 Oct 2017 22:38:41 +0000

We often hear about the economic and social motivations for universal basic income — but what about the moral and spiritual ones? Owen and Jim spoke to Dr. Malcolm Torry, author of Citizens Basic Income: A Christian Social Policy, about how providing a universal basic income is in line with the Christian faith.

A New Wave of Basic Income Projects, featuring the Economic Security Project

Tue, 10 Oct 2017 22:59:05 +0000

What new initiatives are starting in the basic income space? The Economic Security Project has funded a variety of exciting basic income projects and launched a few of its own. The project’s Co-Chair Natalie Foster and Special Initiatives Director Cara Rose DeFabio joined Jim for a live Q&A at an event in San Francisco, where […]

Basic Income, Jobs, and Joe Biden

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 22:24:45 +0000

Owen and Jim discuss Vice President Joe Biden’s recent objections to basic income, and the practical and philosophical points that come up around basic income and employment. They delve into why a basic income could be good for workers and how automation has both driven and skewed the basic income conversation. They also touch on […]

Organizing & Building the Basic Income Movement, featuring Reetu Mody

Wed, 20 Sep 2017 22:00:40 +0000

How do we turn the excitement around basic income into political pressure and policy victories? Reetu Mody, Campaign Manager at Presente.org, joins Owen and Jim to discuss what a good organizing strategy around basic income would look like, and the groups that might form a coalition to advance basic income in the U.S.

How Much Basic Income Would Really Cost, featuring Karl Widerquist

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 16:39:45 +0000

Running for Office on Basic Income, featuring Ingrid LaFleur

Thu, 07 Sep 2017 22:35:50 +0000

As basic income becomes more of a topic in the media, it is finding its way into electoral politics as well. Owen and Jim speak with Detroit mayoral candidate Ingrid LaFleur, who included basic income as a key plank in her platform. LaFleur offers advice on how to approach a race as a basic income […]

Why is Interest in Universal Basic Income Surging?

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 03:34:39 +0000

Three years ago, few people had even heard of universal basic income. Now interest is growing across the country, and the idea is getting more exposure and support. What led to this shift? Owen and Jim delve into many of the factors at play, and discuss how we can take advantage of this moment.

Universal income through a carbon dividend, featuring Peter Barnes

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 21:16:34 +0000

One of the most popular stepping-stone policies towards universal basic income is the carbon dividend, which takes revenue from a cap-and-trade system and distributes it equally to everyone. Peter Barnes, pioneer of the carbon dividend, joins the Basic Income Podcast to discuss his inspiration for the policy and how it could move us closer to […]

Universal Basic Assets, featuring Marina Gorbis

Tue, 18 Jul 2017 20:42:59 +0000

A California Climate Dividend Fund, featuring Senator Bob Wieckowski

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 02:52:47 +0000

California may be poised to take the next big step towards universal basic income, by establishing a universal dividend fund through a proposed reform of the state’s cap-and-trade system. State Senator Bob Wieckowski, author of the bill, spoke to Owen and Jim about the motivation behind the legislation and what it’ll take to get it […]

Zipcar Cofounder Robin Chase on UBI and the Emerging Economy

Thu, 29 Jun 2017 04:58:03 +0000

Rep. Chris Lee on Basic Income Legislation in Hawaii

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 22:48:23 +0000

Last week, Hawaii became the first state to pass legislation on universal basic income, declaring that everyone in the state deserves basic financial security. The bill’s author, Representative Chris Lee, joined the Basic Income Podcast to discuss the legislation and his views on basic income.

Universal Basic Income & Peace of Mind

Mon, 12 Jun 2017 19:10:09 +0000

Dorian Warren on Basic Income and Racial Justice

Tue, 06 Jun 2017 17:52:16 +0000

With so many universal programs designed to fight poverty, why do poverty rates still skew along racial lines? And how might a universal basic income solve some of these problems? Dorian Warren, President of the Center for Community Change Action, a Fellow at the Roosevelt Institute and Co-chair of the Economic Security Project, joins Jim and Owen […]

Jared Bernstein on Basic Income vs. a Jobs Guarantee

Wed, 31 May 2017 20:00:16 +0000

The Bootstraps Basic Income Documentary

Tue, 23 May 2017 20:49:26 +0000

We talk with Conrad Shaw and Deia Schlosberg, co-creators of an ambitious film, Bootstraps, that will crowdfund and donate a basic income to multiple people and then follow the recipients to see how it changes their lives. Hear what inspired them to embark on this multi-faceted project and donate to their crowdfunding campaign here: https://handup.org/campaigns/bootstraps

Dr. Evelyn Forget on Mincome & Basic Income in Canada

Tue, 16 May 2017 17:45:16 +0000

Canada’s basic income trials in trials in the 70s–the “Mincome” experiments–were largely forgotten until Dr. Evelyn Forget found records of the Mincome trials and individuals who had received a basic income. She discusses what she found, and the implications for Canada’s upcoming trials in Ontario.

Basic Income vs. The Status Quo

Mon, 08 May 2017 05:09:18 +0000

Most arguments against the basic income can be summed up in two words: "status quo." Owen and Jim explore the thinking behind some of the most common objections to the basic income and why these arguments are understandable but ultimately shortsighted.

Senator Art Eggleton on the Ontario Basic Income Pilot

Mon, 01 May 2017 16:47:29 +0000

We spoke with Senator Art Eggleton of Ontario on the upcoming pilot program, which will supply a basic income to 4,000 people in three cities across the province of Ontario. Eggleton described the rationale for the trial and where we might see future basic income experiments across Canada.

Annie Lowrey on the Basic Income in Kenya & the Power of Cash Transfers

Fri, 14 Apr 2017 18:06:28 +0000

Annie Lowrey, writer for the Atlantic, discusses her trip to Kenya to cover GiveDirectly’s village-wide basic income trial for the New York Times Magazine. Lowrey explains the move in the aid community toward cash transfers and away from tangible items, such as cows, medicine or sports equipment. She also describes the moment when the village learned […]

The 2017 Basic Income Create-a-thon in San Francisco

Thu, 30 Mar 2017 20:47:39 +0000

From March 24-26th, the Universal Income Project hosted a Basic Income Create-a-thon. This is a dedicated time for artists, activists, coders, writers, politicians and many more to work on projects that advance the basic income movement. Projects ranged from a giant sign hung outside a busy train station to a software platform that allows small […]

The Finland Basic Income Experiment with Roope Mokka

Fri, 17 Mar 2017 23:31:10 +0000

We talk a lot about hypotheticals when it comes to the universal basic income, but with Finland, we don’t have to. Finland is instituting a basic income on a trial basis in place of unemployment benefits for certain citizens. Roope Mokka, Cofounder of Demos Helsinki, explains why this move will encourage recipients to find work, and […]

Enno Schmidt on the Swiss Basic Income Campaign

Wed, 22 Feb 2017 21:00:18 +0000

Enno Schmidt, co-founder of the Swiss campaign to enact a countrywide basic income, joined us in San Francisco for a live event about his groundbreaking campaign. Schmidt spoke about the unique design of the Swiss campaign, and why they chose to invest in stunning, eye-catching images. He was interviewed by Co-Director of the Universal Income Project Sandhya […]

MacArthur Fellow Ai-jen Poo on What Basic Income Would Mean to Domestic Workers

Fri, 03 Feb 2017 05:13:52 +0000

Roy Bahat, Head of Bloomberg Beta, on Innovation and Basic Income

Tue, 24 Jan 2017 20:58:51 +0000

Roy Bahat, Head of Bloomberg Beta, discusses the future of employment and why a universal basic income could spur innovation. He also discusses the mental leaps it requires to wrap our minds around the basic income, and what we can do to help others to make those leaps.

Steps to Making Basic Income a Reality in the U.S.

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 07:58:45 +0000

Jim Pugh, Sandhya Anantharaman and Owen Poindexter discuss the key stepping stones needed to bring the basic income from an idea to a reality. From media exposure, to pilot studies, to political pressure, they explore various ways to move the UBI movement forward.

Alexis Frasz on what the Basic Income would mean to the Arts Community

Wed, 11 Jan 2017 15:52:55 +0000

What would a basic income mean for artists? Jim and Alexis Frasz delve into this topic in this insightful interview. Alexis Frasz has worked as a researcher, creative strategist and consultant in the arts and cultural sector for over a decade. Since 2007 she has been a lead researcher and strategist with Helicon Collaborative, an organization seeking […]

Sean Kline, Director of the San Francisco Office of Financial Empowerment

Fri, 30 Dec 2016 04:55:03 +0000

Sean Kline is a public servant who is not afraid to speak openly about his support for the basic income. Hear about his work at the San Francisco Office of Financial Empowerment and his ideas about bringing a basic income to U.S. cities.

Basic Income vs Basic Capital with Juliana Bidadanure

Sun, 18 Dec 2016 05:32:40 +0000

An interview with Juliana Bidadanure, Assistant Professor in Philosophy, Stanford University, on basic income, basic capital and more.

Former SEIU President Andy Stern

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 15:56:17 +0000

Andy Stern, one of America’s most influential organizers and activists, describes his time as SEIU President, why he stepped down and eventually turned to the basic income as a policy solution for the new economy. Stern is the author of Raising the Floor: How a Universal Basic Income Can Renew Our Economy and Restore the […]

Milicent Johnson on Poverty, Philanthropy and UBI

Thu, 03 Nov 2016 15:57:13 +0000

Would a universal basic income solve poverty? Milicent Johnson offers her unique perspective on how these issues intersect as someone who works in philanthropy to alleviate poverty.

Rose Broome, CEO and Cofounder of HandUp

Sun, 23 Oct 2016 04:28:10 +0000

One cold evening in San Francisco, Rose Broome walked past a homeless woman sleeping on the street and decided in that moment to do something impactful to help the homeless. This eventually led to the creation of HandUp, an organization that facilitates donations to people in need. As she has come to understand poverty and […]

An Overview of the Basic Income

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 17:33:12 +0000

Sandhya, Jim and Owen provide an overview of what the basic income is, its biggest benefits, most common objections, results of pilot studies and what’s driving the conversation today.

Drew Pilottos of Basic Income Australia

Sat, 24 Sep 2016 04:12:11 +0000

Jim spoke with Drew Pilottos of Basic Income Australia on the state of the UBI movement down under.

Amira Jehia of Mein Grundeinkommen

Thu, 15 Sep 2016 00:21:03 +0000

Sandhya and Jim spoke to Amira Jehia of Mein Grundeinkommen, a German organization that crowdfunds and raffles yearlong basic incomes to raise awareness around the issue.

Rutger Bregman, Author of Utopia for Realists

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 04:16:18 +0000

A conversation with Rutger Bregman, author of Utopia for Realists: The Case for a Universal Basic Income, Open Borders and a 15-Hour Workweek. We discuss what brought him to the basic income movement, some historical basic income experiments, and how a basic income could benefit his home country of the Netherlands.

The Universal Income Project

Fri, 26 Aug 2016 15:39:34 +0000

Jim Pugh and Sandhya Anantharaman, our new cohost, discuss the Universal Income Project and each host explains how they got into the basic income movement.

Scott Santens on Having a Basic Income

Wed, 17 Aug 2016 04:56:19 +0000

Scott Santens, who crowdfunds his own basic income, discusses the experience of having wage security, and where he sees the future of technology taking us.

Camila Thorndike on Cap & Dividend

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 03:49:37 +0000

Camila Thorndike of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network discusses campaigning for a cap and dividend at the state and national level.

Joe Huston of GiveDirectly

Wed, 03 Aug 2016 04:41:13 +0000

A conversation with Joe Huston on GiveDirectly’s upcoming experiments in which every resident of select villages in certain African countries will receive a long-term basic income. Joe discusses what he hopes to learn from these experiments, how the basic income conversation has changed over the years and what it’s like to knock on someone’s door and […]

Che Wagner, Campaigner for the Swiss Basic Income Referendum

Mon, 25 Jul 2016 05:23:06 +0000

Our first episode! Jim Pugh caught up with Che Wagner, who campaigned for the basic income referendum in Switzerland. We also get an inside look at this year’s Basic Income Earth Action conference, held in Seoul earlier this year.