TPB81 - Universal Basic Income: Coercion or Freedom? with Scott Santens

TPB81 - Universal Basic Income: Coercion or Freedom? with Scott Santens

Author: Bitcoin is for Everyone April 2, 2024 Duration: 1:55:45

"Basic income is not left or right. It's forward." - Scott Santens

My guest today is Scott Santens, with special guest co-host and friend of the pod Margot Paez. Scott is a leading Universal Basic Income (UBI) advocate and has been researching the subject since 2013. He is also the President and Founder of the Income to Support All (ITSA) Foundation which supports ambitious projects that help realize a foundation of unconditional universal basic income through research, storytelling, and implementation. In this episode we discuss Universal Basic Income's potential to address poverty, inequality, and the future of work. Santens explains how UBI can empower individuals, boost entrepreneurship, and create a more voluntary labor market, while addressing misconceptions and basic facts of what UBI is. We also explore the intersection of UBI and Bitcoin, with particular focus on renewable bitcoin mining projects and community benefits.

To learn more, including Scott’s social links, head to Scott’s website: https://www.scottsantens.com/

You can find Trey on nostr, X and via the pod’s social channels

You can find Margot on X: https://twitter.com/jyn_urso

EXCLUSIVE SPONSORS:

ZEUS is an open-source, self-custodial Bitcoin wallet that gives you full control over how you make payments. Head to Zuesln.com to learn more and download. Save 5% on LSP fees by using code ‘TPB’ in the access code under LSP settings.

BitBox: Get the open-source Bitbox02 Bitcoin only edition. It’s my favorite bitcoin hardware wallet for you to take self-custody of your bitcoin and keep your private keys safe in cold storage. Use promo-code TPB during checkout at https://bitbox.swiss/tpb to get 5% off your purchase.

You, our listener! Thank you to our supporters. To support The Progressive Bitcoiner and access rewards, including our new TPB merch, head to our geyser page: https://geyser.fund/project/theprogressivebitcoiner

PROMO CODES:

Sazmining: Hosted Bitcoin mining made easy, using 100% cheap and renewable energy. Get $50 off the purchase of a miner using the following link: https://app.sazmining.com/purchase?ref=byyhN2mCGXlu

Lightning Store: Head to https://lightning.store/ and use promo-code ‘TPB’ to get 20% off all products.

To learn more, visit our website

Follow the pod on X | Nostr | Bluesky | Instagram | Threads | Facebook | LinkedIn | TikTok

Join in on the conversation at our Progressive Bitcoiner Community telegram group!

The Team: Producer/Editor: @DamienSomerset | Branding/Art: @Daniel | Website: @EvanPrim



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit progressivebitcoiner.substack.com

There’s a common story told about Bitcoin, one focused on speculation and a certain type of enthusiast. The Progressive Bitcoiner exists to tell the rest of the story. This podcast moves past the headlines to explore how this technology is being used in tangible, human ways around the world. You’ll hear from organizers, developers, and everyday people who are applying Bitcoin as a practical tool for financial inclusion and personal autonomy. Each conversation focuses on real-world impact, whether that’s supporting human rights work, providing an economic lifeline in unstable regions, or simply offering a new way to think about value and community. Hosted by Bitcoin is for Everyone, the discussions are grounded in education and firsthand narratives, linking the technical foundations to broader cultural and societal shifts. The aim isn’t to hype an asset, but to document a movement. Tune in for a perspective that is often missing from the mainstream conversation-one that finds the progressive potential within a protocol and amplifies the voices already building a more accessible future with it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Progressive Bitcoiner
Podcast Episodes
Bitcoin, Death, & Rock 'n Roll [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:26
Something new for today's episode! Myself and our audio extraordinaire, Tom Maxwell, sit down for a wide-ranging discussion: Tom's life in music How has medicine affected Mark's worldview What sacrifices would you be wil…
Bitcoin and a New System for Change with Scott Wolfe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:08
My guest today is Scott Wolfe. Scott is the Executive Director at the Canadian Association of Community Health Centres and Global Coordinator at IFCHC. He has been a lifelong advocate for health and social policy for his…
Bitcoin is an Answer for Progressive Values with Jason Maier. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:13
My guest today is Jason Maier. Jason is a secondary school math teacher, who after learning about Bitcoin, realized its potential for aiding in progressive values. He is writing a book entitled A Progressive's Case for B…
Acting On Climate Change – Now! with Daniel Batten [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:39
My guest today is Daniel Batten. Daniel is an entrepreneur, coach, ClimateTech VC, and author. He is a lifelong environmental advocate who has lent an objective eye to Bitcoin’s environmental impact. Daniel has researche…
Being a Climate Activist and Bitcoiner with Merissa Coello [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:18
My guest today is Merissa Coello. Merissa has her Masters in Geography from UCSB and her undergrad in environmental engineering. As a lifelong environmental advocate addressing climate change has been her personal and pr…
From Bernie to Bitcoin with Logan Bolinger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:54
My guest today is Logan Bolinger. Logan, is an attorney and prolific writer on Bitcoin. He has been a welcomed voice in the space as he draws from his experience as an attorney and Bernie Sanders supporter, as well as hi…
Bitcoin Mining at Bitcoin Lake Guatemala with Dr Patrick Melder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:03
My guest today is Dr. Patrick Melder, surgeon and founder of Bitcoin Lake in Guatemala. Inspired by Bitcoin Beach in El Salvador, Bitcoin Lake wants to educate the local community on the various benefits and possibilitie…