The Elevated Denver Podcast has produced two seasons with over 30 episodes that lift up the voices of neighbors experiencing homelessness and the experts working toward solutions. We uncover the systemic breakdowns that perpetuate homelessness, spotlight innovative strategies in Denver and beyond, and share a vision for how we can redesign our social safety net so all neighbors have the chance to thrive.
Support our work: https://elevateddenver.co/donate/ (https://elevateddenver.co/donate/)
In this second episode of our special series, we sit down again with Gwen Battis, Program Manager for the Denver Basic Income Project (DBIP), to explore what guaranteed income can mean for the future of Denver, and the country.
We dig into:
The civil rights roots of guaranteed income
Why cash offers dignity, choice, and real agency
How DBIP became the first major pilot studying direct cash for people experiencing homelessness
The growing participant-led movement shaping state and national cash policy
What critics misunderstand—and why outcomes must be understood in context
How AI and shifting labor markets make basic income increasingly essential
A preview of DBIP’s upcoming documentary and the powerful stories featured in it
You’ll also hear reflections from DBIP participants and founder Mark Donovan, offering an honest look at the impact of trust, flexibility, and unconditional support.
If this conversation resonated with you, please consider supporting Elevated Denver this Colorado Gives Day. Your gifts keep this podcast, our storytelling work, and our community-centered education efforts going strong: https://www.coloradogives.org/story/Elevatedenver (https://www.coloradogives.org/story/Elevatedenver).
25 Nov 2025
Dignity, Cash, and Change: Inside the Denver Basic Income Project (Part 1)
In this special two-part series, we explore one of the most talked-about ideas in the national conversation on poverty and homelessness: basic income. This episode features Gwen Battis, Project Manager at the Denver Basic Income Project (DBIP) about what happens when we trust people, and give them the financial foundation they need to rebuild their lives.
Gwen talks about DBIP's upcoming documentary, what they hope viewers take away, and why telling this story right now matters more than ever. We also hear from Mark Donovan, DBIP’s founder, about the origins of the pilot and the remarkable outcomes they've seen.
Throughout the conversation, we unpack:
Why direct, unconditional cash works and what the data shows
How stereotypes about homelessness and basic income break down when we listen to real stories
The connection between dignity, agency, stability, and opportunity
What it truly costs to keep someone in crisis vs. supporting financial stability
Why cash cannot replace the safety net, but can strengthen it
How basic income might help us reimagine systems that are failing individuals and families today
Links & Resources:
Denver Basic Income Project — https://www.denverbasicincomeproject.org (https://www.denverbasicincomeproject.org)
Follow DBIP on Instagram/TikTok: @denverbasicincomeproject
Denver VOICE — https://denvervoice.org (https://denvervoice.org)
Elevated Denver — https://elevateddenver.co (https://elevateddenver.co)
Donate to Support our work — https://www.coloradogives.org/story/Elevatedenver (https://www.coloradogives.org/story/Elevatedenver)
Thank you for listening. If this conversation moved you, share the episode and join us for Part 2, where we explore shifting mindsets, what DBIP’s documentary reveals, and what it takes to build systems rooted in dignity and equity.
19 Feb 2025
From Crisis to Connection: A Community-Designed Solution to Prevent Homelessness
In the final episode of our special series on the Collaboratory and solutions to homelessness, we dive into the transformative solution that emerged from our work: Resource Connection Hubs. These Hubs, designed by those with lived experience, aim to address a critical gap in the homelessness response system—helping people find the resources they need before they experience homelessness or fall into chronic homelessness.
You'll hear from Collaboratory co-designers, champions, and national experts on:
🔹 Why peer-led support is key to making the system more effective.
🔹 How these hubs differ from existing resource centers.
🔹 The power of community-driven solutions in preventing homelessness.
🔹 What’s next for piloting and scaling this initiative.
Featured Voices:
🎙 Jennifer Speight (National homelessness advocate) on the urgency of early intervention.
🎙 Jeff Olivet (Federal homelessness expert) on the importance of local solutions.
🎙 Collaboratory co-designers & champions on how the Hubs will reshape Denver’s response system.
🎙 Jamie Morgan (Collaboratory facilitator) on what makes the Collaboratory model work.
Join the Movement: 🚀 Visit https://elevateddenver.co/ (https://elevateddenver.co/) to learn more and sign up for our newsletter. 📢 Follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn (@ElevatedDenver.co) to stay updated. 💡 Help us spread the word—share this episode and be part of reimagining systems that work for everyone. 💙 Support this work! Make a donation to help us pilot and scale peer-led hubs: elevateddenver.co/donate (http://elevateddenver.co/donate)
Special Thanks: This series is made possible by the support of Don & Lynn Burnes, Sal & Mimi Tripodi, and the incredible Collaboratory participants who co-designed this groundbreaking solution.
With true collaboration, homelessness is solvable. Let’s build a more just, connected Denver—together.
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5.0 / 5
17 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 30 / 100
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YouTube
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Engagement
51
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