The Scott Santens UBI Enterprise

Scott Santens
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Author, public speaker, and Unconditional Basic Income advocate. Explorer of all things UBI. Here you will find audio versions of my many articles and blog posts, narrated by me.

  1. JAN 6

    World’s First Nationwide Universal Basic Income Just Went Live (Marshall Islands) | The Basic Income Show #26

    Episode 26 of The Basic Income Show!patreon.com/scottsantensThe Marshall Islands just made history: the world’s first permanent Universal Basic Income (UBI) is now live—paid to every citizen/resident (kids and adults) on an ongoing basis. In this episode of The Basic Income Show, Scott Santens, Conrad Shaw, and Josh Worth break down what’s happening, how it’s funded, and why this is a turning-point moment for global basic income.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro + what’s covered03:18 Marshall Islands launches the world’s first permanent UBI06:36 Payment options (direct deposit / check / USD stablecoin)07:09 How big is the UBI (PPP + share of GDP per capita)09:54 How they’re paying for it (trust fund / sovereign wealth fund)28:34 IMF targeting pressure + VAT (and why UBI changes the math)31:12 Cook County makes guaranteed income permanent (budgeted)36:40 BOOST Act: $250/month UBI in Congress + surtax design47:44 Trump accounts + Dell donation (why this isn’t basic income)58:42 Canada basic income bill advances (process + next steps)1:00:50 Canadian farmers union proposes guaranteed income1:09:54 Oregon unhoused youth: $1,000/month and housing outcomes1:14:58 Madison, WI pilot: $500/mo to parents — FT employment up1:19:25 Brazil natural large UBI experiment: daughters' military pension1:28:44 UBI size vs employment: poverty-level ≈ zero impact1:31:36 ITSA Foundation gets grant from OpenAI Foundation for UBI work1:36:31 Wrap-upShow links:https://scottsantens.substack.com/p/marshall-islands-just-implemented-ubiSee my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/scottsantens.com/post/3lckzcleo7s24See my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on X: https://x.com/scottsantens/status/1766213155967955332For more info about UBI, please refer to my UBI FAQ: http://scottsantens.com/basic-income-faqDonate to the Income To Support All Foundation to support UBI projects:https://www.itsafoundation.orgSubscribe to the ITSA Newsletter for monthly UBI news:https://itsanewsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribeSign up for the Comingle waitlist for voluntary UBI:https://www.comingle.usFollow Scott:https://linktr.ee/scottsantensFollow Conrad:https://www.linkedin.com/in/conradshaw/Follow Josh:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshworth/Special thanks to: Gisele Huff, Haroon Mokhtarzada, Steven Grimm, Bob Weishaar, Judith Bliss, Lowell Aronoff, Jessica Chew, Katie Moussouris, David Ruark, Tricia Garrett, A.W.R., Daryl Smith, Larry Cohen, John Steinberger, Philip Rosedale, Liya Brook, Frederick Weber, Dylan Hirsch-Shell, Tom Cooper, Robert Collins, Joanna Zarach, Mgmguy, Albert Wenger, Andrew Yang, Peter T Knight, Michael Finney, David Ihnen, Steve Roth, Miki Phagan, Walter Schaerer, Elizabeth Corker, Albert Daniel Brockman, Joe Ballou, Arjun ,' @Justin_Dart , Felix Ling, S, Jocelyn Hockings, Mark Donovan, Jason Clark, Chuck Cordes, Mark Broadgate, Leslie Kausch, Braden Ferrin , Juro Antal, centuryfalcon64, Deanna McHugh, Stephen Castro-Starkey, Tommy Caruso, and all my other patrons for their support.If you'd like to see your name here in future video descriptions, you can do so by becoming a patron on Patreon at the UBI Producer level or above: https://www.patreon.com/scottsantens/membership

    1h 38m
  2. South Korea’s Massive Rural Basic Income Pilot and What It Means for UBI | The Basic Income Show #25

    11/14/2025

    South Korea’s Massive Rural Basic Income Pilot and What It Means for UBI | The Basic Income Show #25

    Episode 25 of The Basic Income Show!patreon.com/scottsantensChapters:00:00 South Korea's huge rural basic income pilot experiment14:05 The Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act26:30 Miracle Money Experiment Results46:56 Zack Polanski asks Richard Murphy about UBI1:10:21 Baltimore Young Families Success Fund results1:21:07 Hamburg, Germany votes against a UBI pilot1:24:20 TEDEd video about GiveDirectly's cash giving1:38:04 Customers are the real job creators1:41:09 How much wealth is too much wealth?In this episode of The Basic Income Show, Scott Santens, Josh Worth, and Conrad Shaw break down one of the biggest basic income stories in the world right now: South Korea’s massive rural basic income pilot covering more than 200,000 people. They dig into how the “local love” voucher design works, why it targets rural counties instead of cities, and how funding it from solar and wind profits creates a clean-energy dividend model that looks a lot like a permanent UBI fund. From there, they turn to the newly reintroduced U.S. “Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act of 2025,” led by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, and explain why tying payments to the local cost of a two-bedroom apartment risks becoming a landlord subsidy rather than a scalable universal basic income. The conversation hits core design questions: per-person vs per-household payments, including or excluding seniors on Social Security, and why calibrating UBI to cost of living can undermine competition between high-rent cities and cheaper regions. The hosts then unpack fresh randomized-control-trial evidence from Miracle Money California’s $750/month cash transfers to people experiencing homelessness, alongside results from the Baltimore Young Family Success Fund, which gave young parents $1,000/month for two years.Show links:https://www.scottsantens.com/its-time-to-walk-the-walk-for-universal-basic-income-ubi/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gTgloPR0Awhttps://www.guaranteedincomeworks.org/data-from-baltimore-mdSee my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/scottsantens.com/post/3lckzcleo7s24See my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on X: https://x.com/scottsantens/status/1766213155967955332For more info about UBI, please refer to my UBI FAQ: http://scottsantens.com/basic-income-faqDonate to the Income To Support All Foundation to support UBI projects:https://www.itsafoundation.orgSubscribe to the ITSA Newsletter for monthly UBI news:https://itsanewsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribeVisit Basic Income Today for daily UBI news:https://basicincometoday.comSign up for the Comingle waitlist for voluntary UBI:https://www.comingle.usFollow Scott:https://linktr.ee/scottsantensFollow Conrad:https://www.linkedin.com/in/conradshaw/Follow Josh:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshworth/Special thanks to: Gisele Huff, Haroon Mokhtarzada, Steven Grimm, Bob Weishaar, Dorothy Krahn, Judith Bliss, Lowell Aronoff, Jessica Chew, Katie Moussouris, David Ruark,Tricia Garrett, A.W.R., Daryl Smith, Larry Cohen, John Steinberger, Philip Rosedale, Liya Brook, Frederick Weber, Dylan Hirsch-Shell, Tom Cooper, Robert Collins, Joanna Zarach, Mgmguy, Albert Wenger, Andrew Yang, Peter T Knight, Michael Finney, David Ihnen, Steve Roth, Miki Phagan, Walter Schaerer, Elizabeth Corker, Albert Daniel Brockman, Natalie Foster, Joe Ballou, Arjun ,' @Justin_Dart , Felix Ling, S, Jocelyn Hockings, Mark Donovan, Jason Clark, Chuck Cordes, Mark Broadgate, Leslie Kausch, Braden Ferrin , Juro Antal, centuryfalcon64, Deanna McHugh, Stephen Castro-Starkey, Tommy Caruso, and all my other patrons for their support.If you'd like to see your name here in future video descriptions, you can do so by becoming a patron on Patreon at the UBI Producer level or above: https://www.patreon.com/scottsantens/membership

    1h 46m

  3. 10/21/2025

    Ireland Just Made Basic Income for Artists Permanent—And Much More UBI News!

    Episode 24 of The Basic Income Show!patreon.com/scottsantensChapters:00:00 Ireland Makes Basic Income for Artists Permanent05:37 The UBI Derby24:27 7 Key UBI Narratives1:02:31 UBI Reduces Crime Inside of Prison1:09:26 Inequality Hurts Child Brain Development1:21:10 The Orphan Trains Experiment1:31:37 Coinbase's Basic Income Pilot in NYC1:40:42 Gen X Needs UBI for Retirement1:51:49 Bernie Sanders on AI2:04:41 Jane Goodall as UBITakeaways:● The importance of defining what basic income is to avoid misconceptions.Basic income can stimulate the economy by providing cash to individuals.● Cash transfers are essential for meeting immediate needs, unlike public services.● Basic income can reduce the strain on public services by addressing root causes of poverty.● The affordability of basic income can be achieved through strategic tax reforms.● Basic income can fix broken welfare systems by simplifying access and reducing stigma.● There is a need to replace certain welfare programs with basic income, not just add it on top.● The narratives around basic income should focus on its economic benefits and affordability.● Public perception of basic income often misunderstands its purpose and design.● The conversation around basic income should include discussions on its implementation and potential challenges. A no harm provision is essential in UBI policies.● Basic income can significantly improve public health outcomes.Inequality, not just poverty, affects child development.● UBI can strengthen democracy by enhancing civic participation.● The impact of basic income in prisons can reduce crime.● Historical experiments like the orphan trains reveal the importance of family over geography.● UBI is increasingly necessary for Gen X retirement planning.● Automation poses a threat to job security, necessitating UBI.● Addressing immigration concerns is crucial for UBI acceptance.● The societal narrative around fairness influences public perception of UBI.See my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/scottsantens.com/post/3lckzcleo7s24See my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on X: https://x.com/scottsantens/status/1766213155967955332For more info about UBI, please refer to my UBI FAQ: http://scottsantens.com/basic-income-faqDonate to the Income To Support All Foundation to support UBI projects:https://www.itsafoundation.orgSubscribe to the ITSA Newsletter for monthly UBI news:https://itsanewsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribeVisit Basic Income Today for daily UBI news:https://basicincometoday.comSign up for the Comingle waitlist for voluntary UBI:https://www.comingle.usFollow Scott:https://linktr.ee/scottsantensFollow Conrad:https://bsky.app/profile/theubiguy.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/conradshaw/Follow Josh:https://bsky.app/profile/misterjworth.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joshworth/Special thanks to: Gisele Huff, Haroon Mokhtarzada, Steven Grimm, Bob Weishaar, Dorothy Krahn, Judith Bliss, Lowell Aronoff, Jessica Chew, Katie Moussouris, David Ruark,Tricia Garrett, A.W.R., Daryl Smith, Larry Cohen, John Steinberger, Philip Rosedale, Liya Brook, Frederick Weber, Dylan Hirsch-Shell, Tom Cooper, Robert Collins, Joanna Zarach, Mgmguy, Albert Wenger, Andrew Yang, Peter T Knight, Michael Finney, David Ihnen, Steve Roth, Miki Phagan, Walter Schaerer, Elizabeth Corker, Albert Daniel Brockman, Natalie Foster, Joe Ballou, Arjun ,' @Justin_Dart , Felix Ling, S, Jocelyn Hockings, Mark Donovan, Jason Clark, Chuck Cordes, Mark Broadgate, Leslie Kausch, Braden Ferrin , Juro Antal, centuryfalcon64, Deanna McHugh, Stephen Castro-Starkey, Tommy Caruso, and all my other patrons for their support.If you'd like to see your name here in future video descriptions, you can do so by becoming a patron on Patreon at the UBI Producer level or above: https://www.patreon.com/scottsantens/membership#universalbasicincome #BasicIncome #UBI

    2h 9m

  4. 10/08/2025

    Six New Pilot Programs Show UBI Works | The Basic Income Show

    Episode 23 of The Basic Income Show!Read: https://scottsantens.substack.com/p/the-reports-of-ubis-death-are-greatlyChapters:00:00 Plugging my newest article03:56 Comingle and Bootstraps updates08:20 Boulder, CO results20:58 Alameda, CA results33:06 Ithaca, NY results47:34 New Mexico launches universal childcare51:03 Flint, MI results1:02:51 New Jersey child poverty report1:08:20 New results from Ireland1:23:25 New results from Finland1:29:03 Child allowance average1:32:46 Tempe, AZ South Park pilot1:34:08 OutroSummary:This conversation delves into six recent studies of UBI via just released guaranteed basic income pilot results. The hosts discuss the psychological benefits of UBI, including increased hope and a sense of mattering, while also addressing in response to a viewer question the potential of cryptocurrency in funding these initiatives. They highlight the importance of community support and the positive outcomes observed in various UBI pilot programs, emphasizing the need for flexible support systems for caregivers and the broader implications of financial stability on mental health. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various aspects of universal basic income (UBI) and its implications on society, particularly focusing on recent developments in universal childcare programs, the RX Kids initiative in Flint, Michigan, and new health results of Finland's basic income study. They explore the positive outcomes of these programs on mental health, economic stability, and the arts, emphasizing the importance of universality in social support systems. The discussion also touches on the economic value of creativity and the need for a more comprehensive understanding of societal benefits beyond traditional metrics like GDP.See my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/scottsantens.com/post/3lckzcleo7s24See my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on X: https://x.com/scottsantens/status/1766213155967955332US guaranteed basic income pilot result summaries:https://www.guaranteedincomeworks.org/researchFor more info about UBI, please refer to my UBI FAQ: http://scottsantens.com/basic-income-faqDonate to the Income To Support All Foundation to support UBI projects:https://www.itsafoundation.orgSubscribe to the ITSA Newsletter for monthly UBI news:https://itsanewsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribeVisit Basic Income Today for daily UBI news:https://basicincometoday.comSign up for the Comingle waitlist for voluntary UBI:https://www.comingle.usFollow Scott:https://linktr.ee/scottsantensFollow Conrad:https://bsky.app/profile/theubiguy.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/conradshaw/Follow Josh:https://bsky.app/profile/misterjworth.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joshworth/Special thanks to: Gisele Huff, Haroon Mokhtarzada, Steven Grimm, Bob Weishaar, Dorothy Krahn, Judith Bliss, Lowell Aronoff, Jessica Chew, Katie Moussouris, David Ruark,Tricia Garrett, A.W.R., Daryl Smith, Larry Cohen, John Steinberger, Philip Rosedale, Liya Brook, Frederick Weber, Laurel gillespie, Dylan Hirsch-Shell, Tom Cooper, Robert Collins, Joanna Zarach, Mgmguy, Albert Wenger, Andrew Yang, Peter T Knight, Michael Finney, David Ihnen, Steve Roth, Miki Phagan, Walter Schaerer, Elizabeth Corker, Albert Daniel Brockman, Natalie Foster, Joe Ballou, Arjun ,' @Justin_Dart , Felix Ling, S, Jocelyn Hockings, Mark Donovan, Jason Clark, Chuck Cordes, Mark Broadgate, Leslie Kausch, Braden Ferrin , Juro Antal, centuryfalcon64, Deanna McHugh, Stephen Castro-Starkey, Tommy Caruso, and all my other patrons for their support.If you'd like to see your name here in future video descriptions, you can do so by becoming a patron on Patreon at the UBI Producer level or above: https://www.patreon.com/scottsantens/membership#universalbasicincome #BasicIncome #UBI

    1h 36m

  5. 09/24/2025

    Thailand Could Become the 1st Country with a Basic Income Guarantee

    Episode 22 of The Basic Income Show!Could Thailand be the first to UBI?Chapters:00:00 Thailand Announces Negative Income Tax in 202719:27 Conrad's Trip To Brazil for the 2025 BIEN Congress26:07 UBI will mean more games like Hollow Knight: Silksong32:56 Cat Subways in a UBI Future45:50 Robert Reich Prescribes UBI50:54 Sam Altman Mentions UBI Again53:43 $10,000 a Month in UBI??58:48 Mexico Drops Poverty by 26% via Universal Pensions1:02:40 Yes, Cash Transfers Work Says The Atlantic's Annie Lowrey1:16:05 New Version of UBIdata1:31:28 Concluding RemarksSummary:In this conversation, the hosts discuss the recent announcement by Thailand to implement a negative income tax in 2027, exploring its implications for poverty reduction and economic reform. They delve into the similarities and differences between Universal Basic Income (UBI) and Negative Income Tax (NIT), emphasizing the importance of real-time financial support during crises. The conversation also touches on the political challenges of sustaining such programs, the potential economic effects, and the role of community engagement in advocating for basic income. Additionally, they highlight how financial security can unleash human creativity and potential, leading to innovative projects and a more fulfilling society. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the pervasive stress related to financial planning and the potential for universal basic income (UBI) to alleviate this burden. They explore the public's growing demand for UBI, especially in light of economic disruptions caused by AI. The conversation also touches on the feasibility of high UBI amounts, evidence from successful cash transfer programs in Mexico, and the counterarguments against UBI that have emerged recently. The speakers emphasize the importance of cash transfers in reducing poverty and the need for comprehensive data to support UBI initiatives.See my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/scottsantens.com/post/3lckzcleo7s24See my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on X: https://x.com/scottsantens/status/1766213155967955332For more info about UBI, please refer to my UBI FAQ: http://scottsantens.com/basic-income-faqDonate to the Income To Support All Foundation to support UBI projects:https://www.itsafoundation.orgSubscribe to the ITSA Newsletter for monthly UBI news:https://itsanewsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribeVisit Basic Income Today for daily UBI news:https://basicincometoday.comSign up for the Comingle waitlist for voluntary UBI:https://www.comingle.usFollow Scott:https://linktr.ee/scottsantensFollow Conrad:https://bsky.app/profile/theubiguy.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/conradshaw/Follow Josh:https://bsky.app/profile/misterjworth.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joshworth/Special thanks to: Gisele Huff, Haroon Mokhtarzada, Steven Grimm, Bob Weishaar, Judith Bliss, Lowell Aronoff, Jessica Chew, Katie Moussouris, David Ruark,Tricia Garrett, A.W.R., Daryl Smith, Larry Cohen, John Steinberger, Philip Rosedale, Liya Brook, Frederick Weber, Laurel gillespie, Dylan Hirsch-Shell, Tom Cooper, Robert Collins, Joanna Zarach, Mgmguy, Albert Wenger, Andrew Yang, Peter T Knight, Michael Finney, David Ihnen, Steve Roth, Miki Phagan, Walter Schaerer, Elizabeth Corker, Albert Daniel Brockman, Natalie Foster, Joe Ballou, Arjun ,' @Justin_Dart , Felix Ling, S, Jocelyn Hockings, Mark Donovan, Jason Clark, Chuck Cordes, Mark Broadgate, Leslie Kausch, Braden Ferrin , Juro Antal, centuryfalcon64, Deanna McHugh, Stephen Castro-Starkey, Tommy Caruso, and all my other patrons for their support.If you'd like to see your name here in future video descriptions, you can do so by becoming a patron on Patreon at the UBI Producer level or above: https://www.patreon.com/scottsantens/membership#universalbasicincome #BasicIncome #UBI

    1h 32m

  6. 09/16/2025

    The Reports of UBI’s Death Are Greatly Exaggerated

    The Reports of UBI’s Death Are Greatly Exaggerated: The Mountain of Positive Results vs. Pandemic-Era NullsIn this episode, I read through my newest essay on scottsantens.substack.comChapters:00:00 Introduction00:25 Overview03:05 The Pandemic Happened09:44 The U is Universal14:25 The Household Size Problem18:02 Prevention vs Treatment22:18 Time is a Factor26:22 The Control Group Problem30:17 Evidence For Thee But Not For Me34:58 Missing the Forest For the Trees40:48 There's More to Poverty Than Brainwaves46:12 ConclusionSummary:This essay audits the evidence that actually maps to UBI—per-person, saturation-site, long-duration designs with clean controls—and shows consistent gains in poverty reduction, mental and physical health, crime, education, and labor-market functioning.Key threads: COVID-19 as a confound; universality vs scattered pilots; household-size scaling; prevention vs treatment; time-horizon effects; control-group and benefit-interaction problems; marginal tax rate traps in SSI/SNAP/housing; cash vs in-kind efficiency (MVPF).Referenced cases and pilots: Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend; Stockton SEED; Chelsea Eats; Denver Basic Income Project; OpenResearch UBI Study (ORUS); Baby’s First Years; Finland and Germany basic income studies; Dauphin, Manitoba (MINCOME); India saturation pilots; Namibia village UBI; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians dividends; EITC and CTC; Bolsa Família.See my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/scottsantens.com/post/3lckzcleo7s24See my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on X: https://x.com/scottsantens/status/1766213155967955332For more info about UBI, please refer to my UBI FAQ: http://scottsantens.com/basic-income-faqDonate to the Income To Support All Foundation to support UBI projects:https://www.itsafoundation.orgSubscribe to the ITSA Newsletter for monthly UBI news:https://itsanewsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribeVisit Basic Income Today for daily UBI news:https://basicincometoday.comSign up for the Comingle waitlist for voluntary UBI:https://www.comingle.usFollow Scott:https://linktr.ee/scottsantensSpecial thanks to: Gisele Huff, Haroon Mokhtarzada, Steven Grimm, Bob Weishaar, Judith Bliss, Lowell Aronoff, Jessica Chew, Katie Moussouris, David Ruark,Tricia Garrett, A.W.R., Daryl Smith, Larry Cohen, John Steinberger, Philip Rosedale, Liya Brook, Frederick Weber, Laurel gillespie, Dylan Hirsch-Shell, Tom Cooper, Robert Collins, Joanna Zarach, Mgmguy, Albert Wenger, Andrew Yang, Peter T Knight, Michael Finney, David Ihnen, Steve Roth, Miki Phagan, Walter Schaerer, Elizabeth Corker, Albert Daniel Brockman, Natalie Foster, Joe Ballou, Arjun ,' @Justin_Dart , Felix Ling, S, Jocelyn Hockings, Mark Donovan, Jason Clark, Chuck Cordes, Mark Broadgate, Leslie Kausch, Braden Ferrin , Juro Antal, centuryfalcon64, Deanna McHugh, Stephen Castro-Starkey, Tommy Caruso, and all my other patrons for their support.If you'd like to see your name here in future video descriptions, you can do so by becoming a patron on Patreon at the UBI Producer level or above.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/scottsantens/membership#universalbasicincome #BasicIncome #UBI

    49 min

  7. 08/27/2025

    The World's Greatest Politician Supports Universal Basic Income

    Episode 21 of The Basic Income Show!UBI is in High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World!Chapters:00:00 The Basic Income Show at SXSW03:37 Basic Income for the Arts public consultation05:17 Guaranteed Basic Income in Palm Springs10:32 Guaranteed Basic Income in Los Angeles12:16 Institutional Fears of Trump17:56 Bright children in low-income homes study21:02 Could Malaysia win the UBI race?22:40 UBI legislation introduced in Colombia35:50 UBI scene in High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World56:20 Basic Income for Farmers in the UK57:17 Basic Income versus UBI1:03:15 Universality helps prevent corruption1:04:46 Neurodivergence and Bureaucracy1:10:37 Crime and the National Guard in DC1:15:35 Americans spend 4 hours a day thinking about money1:19:35 Patreon SupportersSummary:In this episode of The Basic Income Show, Scott Santens, Conrad Shaw, and Josh Worth cover major new developments in Universal Basic Income (UBI) policy, research, and culture. They discuss the Bootstraps docu-series heading to South by Southwest, Ireland’s Basic Income for the Arts consultation, and new Guaranteed Basic Income pilots in Palm Springs and Los Angeles. The hosts examine institutional fears of Trump, a new study on bright children in low-income households, and Malaysia’s bold push that could make it the first nation with a true UBI. They also explore UBI legislation in Colombia, a UK program for farmers, and the importance of universality in preventing corruption. Alongside these updates, the team dives into how anime (High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World) depicts UBI, the struggles of neurodivergent people navigating bureaucracy, and the reality that Americans spend four hours a day worrying about money. This wide-ranging conversation blends news, culture, and research to highlight why UBI remains one of the most urgent and transformative policies of our time.See my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/scottsantens.com/post/3lckzcleo7s24See my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on X: https://x.com/scottsantens/status/1766213155967955332For more info about UBI, please refer to my UBI FAQ: http://scottsantens.com/basic-income-faqDonate to the Income To Support All Foundation to support UBI projects:https://www.itsafoundation.orgSubscribe to the ITSA Newsletter for monthly UBI news:https://itsanewsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribeVisit Basic Income Today for daily UBI news:https://basicincometoday.comSign up for the Comingle waitlist for voluntary UBI:https://www.comingle.usFollow Scott:https://linktr.ee/scottsantensFollow Conrad:https://bsky.app/profile/theubiguy.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/conradshaw/Follow Josh:https://bsky.app/profile/misterjworth.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joshworth/Special thanks to: Gisele Huff, Haroon Mokhtarzada, Steven Grimm, Bob Weishaar, Judith Bliss, Lowell Aronoff, Jessica Chew, Katie Moussouris, David Ruark,Tricia Garrett, A.W.R., Daryl Smith, Larry Cohen, John Steinberger, Philip Rosedale, Liya Brook, Frederick Weber, Laurel gillespie, Dylan Hirsch-Shell, Tom Cooper, Robert Collins, Joanna Zarach, Mgmguy, Albert Wenger, Andrew Yang, Peter T Knight, Michael Finney, David Ihnen, Steve Roth, Miki Phagan, Walter Schaerer, Elizabeth Corker, Albert Daniel Brockman, Natalie Foster, Joe Ballou, Arjun ,' @Justin_Dart , Felix Ling, S, Jocelyn Hockings, Mark Donovan, Jason Clark, Chuck Cordes, Mark Broadgate, Leslie Kausch, Braden Ferrin , Juro Antal, centuryfalcon64, Deanna McHugh, Stephen Castro-Starkey, Tommy Caruso, and all my other patrons for their support.If you'd like to see your name here in future video descriptions, you can do so by becoming a patron on Patreon at the UBI Producer level or above.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/scottsantens/membership#universalbasicincome #BasicIncome #UBI

    1h 20m

  8. 08/08/2025

    Did a New Study Weaken the Case for UBI? Here's the Data the NYT Ignored

    Episode 20 of The Basic Income Show!That article in the New York Times about how little basic income does for kids was absolute trash, so we tore it apart in this episode.Chapters:00:00 Our response to the NYT about cash not helping poor kids22:35 A decades-long study about UBI's impact on kids30:26 Meta-analysis of 13 UBI studies (impact on kids)42:44 UBI for kids would have a 10x return on investment46:36 The $50 Study results55:55 Do we prefer small and universal or large and targeted?1:02:54 Will we get a $600 tariff rebate 4th stimulus check?1:11:28 The Climate Emergency Basic Income Act1:16:22 Cool stuff people would actually do with UBI1:23:13 Joe Rogan talks UBI with Bernie Sanders1:27:47 Joe Rogan talks UBI with James Talarico1:34:46 Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and UBI1:43:50 Concluding RemarksSummary:This conversation delves into the complexities of Universal Basic Income (UBI) and its effects on child development, critiquing recent studies and media portrayal in the New York Times. The hosts discuss the importance of comprehensive data, longitudinal studies, and the biases present in reporting on UBI. They highlight the positive impacts of cash transfers on children's financial literacy and agency, and explore the implications of various UBI experiments, including the $50 study focused on high school students. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the multifaceted implications of Universal Basic Income (UBI), exploring its potential to transform lives, foster creativity, and reshape societal structures. They discuss the importance of experiential learning in financial literacy, the need for universal programs, and innovative approaches to UBI distribution. The conversation also touches on political perspectives, the role of tariffs and taxes, and legislative innovations in disaster relief. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of trust and community in realizing the full potential of UBI.See my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/scottsantens.com/post/3lckzcleo7s24See my ongoing compilation of UBI evidence on X: https://x.com/scottsantens/status/1766213155967955332For more info about UBI, please refer to my UBI FAQ: http://scottsantens.com/basic-income-faqDonate to the Income To Support All Foundation to support UBI projects:https://www.itsafoundation.orgSubscribe to the ITSA Newsletter for monthly UBI news:https://itsanewsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribeVisit Basic Income Today for daily UBI news:https://basicincometoday.comSign up for the Comingle waitlist for voluntary UBI:https://www.comingle.usFollow Scott:https://linktr.ee/scottsantensFollow Conrad:https://bsky.app/profile/theubiguy.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/conradshaw/Follow Josh:https://bsky.app/profile/misterjworth.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joshworth/Special thanks to: Gisele Huff, Haroon Mokhtarzada, Steven Grimm, Bob Weishaar, Judith Bliss, Lowell Aronoff, Jessica Chew, Katie Moussouris, David Ruark,Tricia Garrett, A.W.R., Daryl Smith, Larry Cohen, John Steinberger, Philip Rosedale, Liya Brook, Frederick Weber, Laurel gillespie, Dylan Hirsch-Shell, Tom Cooper, Robert Collins, Joanna Zarach, Mgmguy, Albert Wenger, Andrew Yang, Peter T Knight, Michael Finney, David Ihnen, Steve Roth, Miki Phagan, Walter Schaerer, Elizabeth Corker, Albert Daniel Brockman, Natalie Foster, Joe Ballou, Arjun ,' @Justin_Dart , Felix Ling, S, Jocelyn Hockings, Mark Donovan, Jason Clark, Chuck Cordes, Mark Broadgate, Leslie Kausch, Braden Ferrin , Juro Antal, centuryfalcon64, Deanna McHugh, Stephen Castro-Starkey, Tommy Caruso, and all my other patrons for their support.If you'd like to see your name here in future video descriptions, you can do so by becoming a patron on Patreon at the UBI Producer level or above.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/scottsantens/membership#universalbasicincome #BasicIncome #UBI

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Author, public speaker, and Unconditional Basic Income advocate. Explorer of all things UBI. Here you will find audio versions of my many articles and blog posts, narrated by me.

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