5 episodes

The latest podcast from writer and activist Mia Birdsong and The Nation explores how a Guaranteed Income might actually transform people's lives.

Mia Birdsong first heard about the concept of Guaranteed Income in the mid-90s through the 1967 writings of Martin Luther King Jr. King. He asserted that “the time has come for us to civilize ourselves by the total, direct and immediate abolition of poverty” by providing a basic level of material well-being to allow all Americans to truly flourish. Birdsong thought it sounded "absurd.” As Birdsong notes, "Free money went against everything I'd learned about being a respectable citizen. But people change and our ideas evolve. I no longer think guaranteed income is absurd.”

After years of political education and activism, Birdsong came to reject some ideas that most of us believe: that having a job makes you a whole person, and that you have to earn the things we all deserve to live a good life.

From The Nation, More Than Enough is a four-episode podcast that explores the concept of guaranteed income, or "universal basic income," through conversations with the experts, people who experience poverty in America.

We invite you to listen to these under-explored conversations with Americans about Universal Basic Income: what it is, what it means, and what it says about a culture that so closely correlates deservedness with work. Join Birdsong as she explores the idea of the meaning of work, of inequality, and most importantly, of what America is and what it can be. More Than Enough launches January 15. Sign up for updates at thenation.com/morethanenough (https://www.thenation.com/content/more-than-enough/) .

More Than Enough Mia Birdsong, The Nation Magazine

    • News
    • 4.9 • 94 Ratings

The latest podcast from writer and activist Mia Birdsong and The Nation explores how a Guaranteed Income might actually transform people's lives.

Mia Birdsong first heard about the concept of Guaranteed Income in the mid-90s through the 1967 writings of Martin Luther King Jr. King. He asserted that “the time has come for us to civilize ourselves by the total, direct and immediate abolition of poverty” by providing a basic level of material well-being to allow all Americans to truly flourish. Birdsong thought it sounded "absurd.” As Birdsong notes, "Free money went against everything I'd learned about being a respectable citizen. But people change and our ideas evolve. I no longer think guaranteed income is absurd.”

After years of political education and activism, Birdsong came to reject some ideas that most of us believe: that having a job makes you a whole person, and that you have to earn the things we all deserve to live a good life.

From The Nation, More Than Enough is a four-episode podcast that explores the concept of guaranteed income, or "universal basic income," through conversations with the experts, people who experience poverty in America.

We invite you to listen to these under-explored conversations with Americans about Universal Basic Income: what it is, what it means, and what it says about a culture that so closely correlates deservedness with work. Join Birdsong as she explores the idea of the meaning of work, of inequality, and most importantly, of what America is and what it can be. More Than Enough launches January 15. Sign up for updates at thenation.com/morethanenough (https://www.thenation.com/content/more-than-enough/) .

    4: We All Deserve An Income Floor: Why the Bold Policy of Guaranteed Income Works

    4: We All Deserve An Income Floor: Why the Bold Policy of Guaranteed Income Works

    How would a universal basic income open up the potential of all people in this country?

    • 19 min
    3: Poverty Makes the Pursuit of Happiness a False Promise

    3: Poverty Makes the Pursuit of Happiness a False Promise

    Could Guaranteed Income be one way of ensuring we all have the agency we need to pursue “the good life”?

    • 17 min
    2: Poverty Can Be Solved. Just Trust Poor People.

    2: Poverty Can Be Solved. Just Trust Poor People.

    Our current poverty alleviation programs just aren’t working the way they should. Is there a better way?

    • 17 min
    1: ‘Let’s Give Them Money’: Could Guaranteed Income Be a Solution To Wealth Inequality?

    1: ‘Let’s Give Them Money’: Could Guaranteed Income Be a Solution To Wealth Inequality?

    The latest podcast from writer and activist Mia Birdsong and The Nation explores how a “Guaranteed Income” might actually transform people’s lives.

    • 24 min
    1: America Has More Than Enough Wealth For Us All

    1: America Has More Than Enough Wealth For Us All

    The latest podcast from writer and activist Mia Birdsong and The Nation explores how a Guaranteed Income might actually transform people's lives.

    • 1 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
94 Ratings

94 Ratings

Mamaknitty ,

So good

Just listen

mandapan23 ,

If you only listen...

....to one podcast this month it MUST be this one. Speaks to the heart, the head and the soul. Mia Birdsong is someone I wish I was friends with for her ability to speak to all the above and for listening to real people gift us with their stories. Are we ready to make change??

R23ndwp ,

Must listen

Regardless of your income level this podcast is a must listen. Beautiful created and centered on community care and empowerment.

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