Value Stack: A Bitcoin Podcast

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May 2024

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Welcome to Value Stack Podcast, where we discuss current events and interview guests around their experiences living through Bitcoin's epic ascension.

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May 3, 2024Episode 4837 min

We are UNDER ATTACK with Jameson Lopp | Value Stack 48

Jameson Lopp is a cypherpunk and co-founder of Casa. In this episode we discuss how privacy in the US and bitcoin are UNDER ATTACK. And Testnest v3 is also UNDER ATTACK.... by Jameson Lopp? Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:30 Why Jameson Lopp is attacking Bitcoin Testnet 12:10 The State of Bitcoin Mining Post-Halving 20:30 Lopp's view on current bitcoin mainnet development like OP_CAT 24:15 Privacy is under attack 29:00 Our gainz are under attack 35:00 Outro - resist the narrative wars! Links Jameson's website has many great bitcoin resources: https://lopp.net ⁠Follow Jameson on Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/lopp Support the show: https://valuestack.xyz/support

January 31, 2024Episode 472 hr 15 min

Starting a Self-Hosting Server Revolution with Matt Hill (Start9) | Value Stack 47

What is cloud-computing and why is it a paradigm we should be uncomfortable with? Matt Hill of @Start9 joins Value Stack Podcast for a discussion about the current state of computing and why self-hosting and running a home server is more important than ever before. StartOS is an open source Linux distribution optimized for running a personal server. It facilitates the discovery, installation, network configuration, service configuration, data backup, dependency management, and health monitoring of self-hosted software services. Check out the chapters below! 00:00 Intro 00:28 How did we get to the cloud computing paradigm? 03:30 Computer client and server architecture explained 11:30 How does relying on centralized servers affect freedom? 15:00 How are servers and clients designed differently? 18:05 The fight over privacy, personal data, and politics 26:55 How will the Bitcoin ETF change bitcoin? 29:10 Does technology push sovereignty forward? 37:20 How culture, education, and technology are interlinked 42:25 Why trust is essential in a flourishing human society 46:30 About Start9 and StartOS - Run a Sovereign Personal Server 52:30 Why SaaS needs to disappear 01:00:11 Why StartOS is fully FOSS 01:11:00 DNS, encryption, Google and search 01:14:33 On censorship and ransomware 01:19:58 Why running a home server is more secure than cloud computing 01:26:30 Why you should start with self-hosting a password manager like Vaultwarden 01:31:09 What’s on the StartOS roadmap? 01:37:16 How Start9 is building a new product category - the personal server 01:45:00 Daemon and Freedom TM book recommendations- Daniel Suarez 01:47:15 How is StartOS different than UmbrelOS, CasaOS, etc? 01:58:23 The AI and LLM revolution 02:03:43 IoT and the future of the computing paradigm 02:13:55 Outro

December 29, 2023Episode 461 hr 44 min

How to get a Bitcoin Job with Eric Podwojski | Value Stack 46

How do you get a job in the bitcoin industry? Is bitcoin even an industry? What kind of skills are companies in the bitcoin industry looking for? Are crypto and bitcoin companies looking for different things? How will an ETF change the industry? What sort of mindsets help bitcoiners get hired? In Episode 46, I'm joined by Eric Podwojski of Bitcoin Talent Co to talk all about bitcoin jobs and wrap up with a little bit of reflection, mindfulness and motivation on working in an industry and on building things we enjoy. If you're looking for a job in bitcoin or your company has roles to fill, this is an episode for you about bitcoin culture and hiring in the bitcoin industry. Check out the chapters below! Check out bitcoin talent co ⁠Follow Eric on X Support the show Chapters 0:00 Intro - Let’s do less podcasts in 2024 2:45 What would you do if you were rich AF? 4:40 Starting Bitcoin Talent Co 5:50 Bitcoin vs Crypto Companies 7:15 How do you find bitcoin jobs? 8:15 What personality traits help bitcoiners get hired? 11:30 What kind of skills do you need to work in bitcoin? 16:00 Can you get a bitcoin job in a bear market? 18:30 How to get a job in the bitcoin industry? 21:00 How do bitcoin adoption incentives work? 26:00 How will the Bitcoin ETF change bitcoin? 28:45 On reading books and building skillsets 31:00 How do you define the bitcoin industry? 37:00 Flex hiring and TalentOS through Bitcoin Talent Co 41:00 Does prior industry experience matter in bitcoin? 42:00 Skills to help you get hired in the bitcoin industry 50:00 The importance of consistency in content creation 52:00 Becoming indifferent to price action and monetary gains 1:01:00 On paradigm shifts 1:04:00 On making an impact with content creation 1:08:00 Self-awareness and behavior patterns 1:10:30 On meditation, motivation, and facing mortality 1:17:00 The Story of the Stonecutter 1:21:30 Libraries are cool again in 2023 1:24:00 Making commitments 1:25:15 The Bitcoin Tao draft excerpt 1:31:00 On the ever-changing nature of life 1:35:30 How writing and journalling helps process emotions 1:38:30 The importance of atomic habits 1:39:45 Outro

December 14, 2023Episode 451 hr 53 min

2023 Bitcoin Market Recap with Sam Callahan and Beau Simon | Value Stack 45

Sam Callahan and Beau Simon join me for a 2023 year-in-review of the bitcoin markets episode to wrap up the year for Value Stack Episode 45. We talk market cycles and how SBF, CZ, and other people are now going to jail. We talk about interest rates and how the economy has done this year, make predictions on monetary policy, talk the halving and 2024 bitcoin price predictions and more. Chapters 0:00 Intro 5:57 What happened with interest rates in 2023? 15:00 Regional banking crisis of 2023 17:00 Bitcoin mempool fees all time high 20:00 Bitcoin ETF and BlackRock 26:10 RIP Charlie Munger 28:40 SBF, CZ, Etc all going to jail 33:00 Is a Bitcoin ETF approval good for Bitcoin? 48:12 FedNow launches in 2023 55:00 Too big to fail US banks 59:00 Federal reserve 2024 policy predictions 1:03:00 Lyn Alden post-ww2 bond thesis correlation 1:07:00 Millennials and the 2023 housing market 1:17:30 Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS Act 1:19:30 Bitcoin hashrate doubles in 2023 1:23:40 2024 Bitcoin halving predictions 1:25:30 Reflecting on lessons from the last cycle 1:28:30 Personal highlights of 2023 1:39:40 Revisiting our 2023 predictions 1:40:30 2024 Bitcoin predictions ⁠Follow Sam and Beau on X: https://x.com/samcallah // https://x.com/shaperfunds Support the show: https://valuestack.xyz/support

November 24, 2023Episode 442 hr 10 min

Live from the CryptoCloaks Shop with Rick & Rob | Value Stack 44

Here's a 2 hour conversation on life and surviving bear markets as a bitcoiner. Rob and Rick have both been on the show before and for this one we were LIVE in the CryptoCloaks print shop. We talk about mining, the insane math behind hashing SHA256 , cycles of equipment upgrading and how to deal with heat from mining and equipment, and a whole lot of messing around. Check out the chapters below! ____________________________________ ⁠Follow Rick on X: https://x.com/RickFromCloaks Follow Rob on X: https://x.com/BikesandBitcoin Support the show: https://valuestack.xyz/support ____________________________________ Chapters 00:00 Intro - without an introduction 5:30 Computers are hot 9:00 On starting a small business with bitcoin 11:15 How to repurpose heat from bitcoin mining 15:45 Mining downtime and ASIC repair 18:00 Why's there so much performance variation across ASICs? 23:25 Bitcoin mining is a brutal business 26:55 Rob's poetic ode to the beauty of hashing 30:35 How does the bitcoin difficulty adjustment work? 32:30 On exponential growth and really big numbers 35:45 Rob's alan watts interpretation 36:35 Why is Rick still operating in his basement? 40:00 Rick explains the CryptoCloaks printing operation 43:20 Rob teaches about how mega bitcoin miners make money with electricity 53:30 On achieving and goal-setting 56:30 On risk-taking and running a business 1:02:15 On becoming more family-oriented because of bitcoin 1:10:05 Is bitcoin a faith-based community? 1:12:55 On grokking bitcoin and it going mainstream 1:20:00 Talking about cycles of life and the fourth turning 1:26:45 On loving "the process", cycles of life, kids, and hashing 1:30:00 How mining pools changed bitcoin mining forever 1:34:45 When will the general population adopt bitcoin? 1:37:00 Why we stopped talking about bitcoin during the holidays 1:45:35 On mentally HODLing through bitcoin bear markets 1:54:00 Generations of bitcoiners 1:58:08 How will a bitcoin ETF change the market environment? 2:00:30 Are we screwed when baby boomers leave the workforce? 2:03:45 Bitcoin adoption in developing countries 2:05:30 Outro - words of wisdom from Rick & Rob

October 26, 2023Episode 431 hr 32 min

Lessons from Ranching and Bitcoin with Jason Wrich | Value Stack 43

Jason Wrich is a first-generation rancher in Colorado and founder of Wrich Ranches, a farm-to-table brand that serves local Colorado customers grass-fed and finished natural beef. In this episode, we dive into modern day-ranching and we draw insights from ranching history and lessons of the past, emphasize the connection between people and their food, and explore the unexpected link between Bitcoin and the farming and ranching world. With a special focus on the Beef Initiative and grassroots efforts, Jason does a great job of bringing these two seemingly disparate concepts closer than ever before. Join us for a candid exploration of the essence of ranching in the digital age. Check out the chapters below! ____________________________________ ⁠Follow Jason on Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/JasonWrich Support the show: https://valuestack.xyz/support ____________________________________ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:13 Ranching Challenges and Land Leasing 03:30 Legacy and Soil Improvement 05:12 Cattle Health and Sustainability 08:11 Financial Considerations 09:41 Grass-Fed Beef and Quality 14:27 Ranching and Price Control 18:11 Challenges in Ranching and Adaptation 21:40 Weather Challenges and Ranch Preparedness 24:24 Naysayer Reactions and Ranching Challenges 28:57 Values, Money, and Circular Economy 33:28 Introduction to Bitcoin 36:03 Transparency in Ranching and Bitcoin 38:01 Expanding Network and Community 40:03 Impact of Bitcoin on Ranching Business 41:00 Bitcoin in Transactions 42:10 Bitcoin Adoption in the Community 45:05 Concerns about Wolf Reintroduction 47:26 Challenges in Different Environments 50:09 Connection with Nature and Presence 54:09 Lessons in Strength and Resilience 58:29 Overcoming Self-Limitations 01:00:30 Dealing with the Uncontrollable 01:01:31 Nature's Wisdom 01:02:03 Adaptation to Environment 01:03:36 The Beef Initiative's Purpose 01:11:05 Challenges in Beef Certification 01:14:01 Eating as Part of a Microbiome 01:19:00 Quality of Life Goals 01:25:05 Closing Thoughts

October 6, 2023Episode 421 hr 48 min

Why Anarchy Could Work with David Croisant | Value Stack 42

David Croisant is a passionate free-thinker and advocate of sovereign and open source technologies. He and I sat down to discuss common and alternative forms of government, how money affects organization of groups, if bitcoin can lead to better ways of organization, and ask the question - do people really want to be free?Check out the chapters below and if you enjoy it, consider supporting the show. Chapters 00:00 What is anarchy? 1:55 Why did governments come about and stay in power? 5:10 Why are citizens ignorant about government laws? 8:20 Whose responsibility is it to keep governments in check? 12:00 How does the public education system affect government power? 13:35 Money, power, the church, and government control 16:00 Societal structure today is designed government overreach 20:00 How can we take back power into the citizens hands? 24:20 Why do bitcoiners “unplug” sooner than the general population? 28:00 Will governments ever embrace bitcoin? 34:30 Why do we even need money? 39:00 Government ideals vs reality 43:30 Does technology increase or decrease freedom? 47:15 Why do people trade freedom for convenience? 51:45 Cycles of creation and destruction 1:02:30 Paths to “waking up” 1:06:45 How can society work in a world without stated rules? 1:10:10 How education and media keep citizens in the dark 1:14:15 How do collective and individual incentives align? 1:17:15 Imagining very large perspectives to re-examine society 1:22:00 Taking sovereignty of the mind 1:33:00 What ways can we spread sovereign ideas? 1:37:00 Learning from self-reflection and observing others 1:41:00 Outro: You Matter

July 13, 2023Episode 411 hr 16 min

Financial Planning for Bitcoiners with Zechariah Schaefer | Value Stack 41

Zechariah Schaefer, CFP®, is the founder of Ascent, a next-generation wealth management & tax firm helping Founders, Tech Professionals, & Crypto Investors to reduce taxes, build wealth intentionally, & invest wisely. Due to his firm's unique Gen Z & Millennial niche, flat-fee model, & his 10,000+ social media following, Zechariah's been featured in CNBC, Forbes, Investopedia, & more. In this episode, we discuss a financial advisor's perspective on bitcoin, and how this asset is a growing part of younger investors' planning. We talk about practical ways that people can improve their own financial position, debt and leverage, philosophies of value and diversification, and more. If you're interested in how bitcoin can serve as a part of a sound financial plan, this episode is definitely for you! Check out the chapters below! The best place to get in touch with Zechariah is his LinkedIn, but we’ve also included his other links below.LinkedInTwitterAscent Personal FinanceInstagram⁠Support the show Chapters 00:00 Intro 1:40 Why should someone still consider a financial advisor in 2023? 4:40 How do financial advisors compete in an automated investing world? 7:45 Why did you start your own RIA instead of joining a big firm? 11:55 What areas of advice do millenials in tech need help with? 26:10 Most common Gen-Z financial planning mistakes 31:00 How do you create a beginning financial plan? 33:45 How do you think about debt in 2023? 37:00 Discussing personal residence real estate as an investment 39:00 How do you define "value"? 44:20 Asset allocation for crypto investors in 2023 51:00 Considering children and family in a financial plan 53:06 Bitcoiner's take on retirement accounts and social security 56:00 Money printing, bitcoin, CBDCs and predicting our future monetary system 1:05:00 Custodial bitcoin 1:08:40 Outro - General tips to improve your own financial position

June 6, 2023Episode 4054 min

How the Email Protocol was Captured by 5 Gatekeepers with Jameson Lopp | Value Stack 40

Jameson Lopp has been building multisig Bitcoin wallets since 2015. He is the founder and CTO of Casa and also founded Mensa's Bitcoin Special Interest Group, the Triangle Bitcoin & Business meetup, and several open source Bitcoin projects. He enjoys researching various aspects of the ecosystem and giving presentations about what he has learned the hard way while trying to write robust software that can withstand both adversaries and unsophisticated users. In Value Stack Episode 40, we discuss the history of email and spam prevention, and the actions / missteps that led to centralizing forces of the Mail Protocol, SMTP, into the control of a few gatekeepers over time. We expand on whether these same forces and gatekeepers are developing and might be present in the Bitcoin protocol today, if the similar missteps are being made, or if we've already fought those battles and learned from previous mistakes. Support the show here, or by listening to the podcast directly on Fountain app! Special thanks to Dez and Cory who filmed the episode - check out their channel and other work at DezCor Media! Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:25 What is email and SMTP? 1:20 ARPANET - the early days of email 2:45 The beginning of email spam 4:17 Why most people don't run their own mail servers today 5:22 AOL and the meteroic rise of commercialized internet 8:50 How uptime needs and free open relays led to centralization 10:24 How spam prevention measures led to centralization over time 14:53 How do email providers define what is spam today? 16:40 Spam solutions as a business and beginnings of email gatekeeping 20:03 Flipping the game theory - imposing economic costs on spam senders (Hashcash) 22:30 Why didn't Hashcash get adopted into the Mail Protocol? 25:00 Blacklisting, port blocking, and challenges of self-hosting mail servers 28:30 Third parties all the way down - "meta-rules" that crippled SMTP 29:40 How misaligned incentives led to centralization of email 31:00 Bitcoin's incentives - are the better thought out? 32:20 Points of failure and redundancy 34:20 KYC, the Scaling Wards, censorship, and the custodial problem 37:00 Is bitcoin still vulnerable to incentives that create centralizing forces? 38:55 Should we ossify the bitcoin protocol now? 40:00 Are there scaling issues for self-custody bitcoin long term? 42:00 Importance of the bitcoin culture of Sovereignty 43:30 Why monetary and messaging protocols are different 45:07 Tracking custodial-held bitcoin on-chain 46:20 Is bitcoin headed in the right direction? 49:00 Are out-of-protocol abstractions a bad thing? 51:10 How can people get involved in helping bitcoin succeed? 53:55 Outro

May 12, 2023Episode 391 hr 40 min

Bitcoin Lightning Network Merchant Adoption with Anthony Feliciano | Value Stack 39

Anthony Feliciano is a bitcoiner pushing forward merchant services adoption and the bitcoin circular economy. He hosts CryptoBeerKings popup meetups and is an early advocate of the Bitcoin Lightning Network. This episode is a deep dive in the world of using bitcoin as a medium of exchange and unit of account, particularly in the context of businesses and merchants. We discuss the benefits of LN vs onchain, and roadblocks that lightning network must overcome. ____________________________________ Check out CryptoBeerKings Support the show here, or by listening to the podcast directly on Fountain app! ____________________________________ Chapters 00:00 Intro 4:00 Reminiscing on early days of the Lightning Network 9:00 Challenges & importance of Lightning Network adoption 15:30 When to use Lightning versus on-chain bitcoin? 17:30 Can lightning network scale and be decentralized enough? 21:20 Teaching small businesses about bitcoin and lightning network 25:30 How to learn about bitcoin lightning network and other BTC Layer 2s 28:30 Are custodial lightning solutions a growing concern? 31:00 Importance of grassroots Bitcoin circular economy 36:00 Educating businesses on why bitcoin is better than credit cards 44:30 Lightning network inbound liquidity & other challenges to growth 56:00 The paradigm shift of seeing bitcoin as a unit of account 58:50 Teaching middle-schoolers about #bitcoin 1:12:00 What helped you see bitcoin's potential earlier than most? 1:15:00 The process of going down the Bitcoin Rabbit Hole 1:17:00 Building computers in the 1990s 1:20:35 The trilemma of privacy, sovereignty, and convenience 1:25:00 Learning Linux 1:31:30 Outro