The Block Reward | Real Stories. Real Impact. All Powered by Real Money - Bitcoin

If you want a competitive edge, stop trying to out-AI everyone—and start doing things only humans can.This week on The Block Reward, Scott sits down with returning guest Aleks Svetski—entrepreneur, author of The Bushido of Bitcoin, and the visionary founder behind Satlantis, a decentralized, Nostr-powered travel and social app reshaping how sovereign individuals connect in the real world. With a track record of challenging the status quo, Aleks brings sharp insight into the future of technology, identity, and human connection.In this thought-provoking conversation, you’ll discover how Satlantis merges real-life exploration with digital sovereignty, why mainstream social media is devolving into algorithmic sludge, and how decentralized protocols like Nostr could reshape the internet as we know it. Aleks also drops bold takes on AI hype, Bitcoin’s inevitable dominance, and why your competitive edge lies in not outsourcing your life to tech. Whether you’re a Bitcoiner, builder, or freedom-seeking nomad, this episode offers a roadmap for staying human in an increasingly automated world.You’ll Learn:How building on Nostr changes what’s possible for decentralized appsWhy identity as a protocol beats identity as a featureHow social graphs drive personalized travel recommendationsWhy “real-world experience” is the next competitive edge after AI saturationHow to blend directory, social, and review systems into one seamless platformWhat Satlantis reveals about the future of network-driven communitiesWhy traditional social media is collapsing under its own algorithmsHow deflationary pressure from AI will reshape pricing and productivityWhy Bitcoin adoption and digital sovereignty go hand in handHow to position yourself where AI can’t compete—and humans thriveTimestamps: [00:00] Introduction [05:00] Why existing tools like Nomad List fall short [07:15] How building on Nostr expanded the project beyond Bitcoin [09:57] What Nostr is and how identity works on it [13:03] Why Nostr offers the power of email with social reach [15:32] Building Satlantis fully on Nostr initially failed [18:15] Why the new version blends native features with protocol integration [19:45] Why the mobile and web apps are intentionally different [21:45] How the collections feature helps travelers plan ahead [23:14] How Satlantis combines events, merchants, and content [25:12] Why traditional travel and review apps feel outdated [26:57] How Satlantis blends social discovery with structured content [28:10] How social and interest graphs drive personalization [30:03] Why Instagram changed what people share and search for [31:59] Satlantis aims to replace TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Meetup [32:31] How Nostr-based identity enables a new kind of platform [33:49] How listeners can invest in Satlantis via Timestamp [35:02] Why slop content is killing social media [36:44] Why people are craving real-world connection again [39:10] Where humans have the edge in an AI-dominated future [41:05] Why capital is shifting toward Bitcoin and real value [43:31] How Satlantis plans to onboard merchants into Bitcoin at scaleWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.The Bushido of Bitcoin by Aleks Svetski | Book The UnCommunist Manifesto by Aleks Svetski and Mark Moss | Book or AudiobookSatlantis | WebsiteThe Bitcoin Times | WebsiteSpirit of Satoshi | WebsiteLearn more about Aleks on his website. You can also follow him on X and InstagramFind more from Scott:Scott Dedels | XBlock Rewards | InstagramBlock Rewards | YouTubeBlock Rewards | TikTokBlock Rewards | WebsiteBlock Rewards | LinkedIn

I didn’t lose faith in crypto—I lost faith in lies.This week on The Block Reward, Scott sits down with author and sociologist Suman Kumar, whose new book Reclaiming Sovereignty explores the gritty personal journey from crypto disillusionment to Bitcoin conviction. With no background in finance or tech, Suman brings a rare lens: one rooted in global stories, community resilience, and a fierce demand for choice. Her insights are especially vital in a world waking up to the reality of broken money.You’ll hear how surviving the collapse of Luna and the FTX fallout led Suman not to retreat—but to lean in. She unpacks Bitcoin not as tech or trend, but as a social movement—a worldwide experiment in autonomy, hope, and human empowerment. We explore the emotional and existential stakes of financial sovereignty, how Gen Z and the Global South are shaping Bitcoin’s future, and why real freedom always comes with responsibility. If you’ve ever felt like the system wasn’t built for you, this conversation is your call to reconsider what’s possible.You’ll Learn:How disillusionment with crypto scams can sharpen clarity around Bitcoin’s core valueWhy Bitcoin’s social movement transcends race, politics, and geographyHow to reframe sovereignty as actionable personal choice, not just ideologyWhat global stories reveal about Bitcoin’s role in financial survivalHow community and shared values drive deeper adoption than profit aloneWhy emotional freedom depends on financial sovereigntyWhat Gen Z’s engagement with Bitcoin signals about the future of moneyHow Bitcoin mining intersects with energy reform and Indigenous autonomyWhy responsibility—not just rebellion—is central to true financial freedomHow real stories from the Global South challenge Western Bitcoin narrativesTimestamps: [00:00] Introduction [01:45] The emotional fallout of Luna and FTX [03:10] What sets Bitcoin apart from altcoins [04:26] Turning financial loss into purpose [05:38] How personal stories shape the Bitcoin narrative [06:57] The power of the global Bitcoin community [08:19] Bitcoin as a vehicle for personal choice [09:36] Why sovereignty starts with money [10:42] Bitcoin’s role in transcending identity and borders [12:01] The deeper emotional impact of broken money [13:30] Bitcoin as a tool for reclaiming personal freedom [14:27] How Bitcoin transforms lives in the Global South [15:42] Breaking away from financial systems of control [17:00] Why sovereignty means more than just independence [18:23] The cultural layers of sovereignty on Indigenous land [19:41] Why freedom must be fought for [20:55] Compliance vs responsibility in financial systems [22:14] How Bitcoin fosters active, engaged communities [23:33] Bitcoin’s optimism and life-changing potential [24:11] El Salvador’s shift from fear to hope [25:18] Gen Z’s role in shaping Bitcoin’s future [26:22] What freedom feels like after finding Bitcoin [27:29] Writing as a personal sovereignty practice [28:24] Bitcoin mining and Indigenous energy strategyWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.Resources Mentioned:Reclaiming Sovereignty by Suman Kumar | Book The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous | Book or AudiobookConsensus Conference | Website“With Bitcoin, we don’t have to earn our wealth twice” - Ella Hough | YouTubeLearn more about Suman Kumar by following her on XFind more from Scott:Scott Dedels | XBlock Rewards | InstagramBlock Rewards | YouTubeBlock Rewards | TikTokBlock Rewards | WebsiteBlock Rewards | LinkedIn

The Fed Wants to Be a Hedge Fund—Here’s What That Means for BitcoinJames Lavish—managing partner of the Bitcoin Opportunity Fund and author of The Informationist—returns for a sharp, high-stakes conversation about markets, monetary policy, and the future of Bitcoin. With a background in hedge funds and Wall Street, James brings deep insight into how liquidity, debt, and geopolitical shifts are shaping the investment landscape.In this episode, you’ll hear James break down the trillion-dollar “basis trade” threat looming over global finance—and why the Brookings Institution is floating the idea of the Federal Reserve taking it on directly. You’ll learn how institutions like BlackRock are quietly stacking Bitcoin, why MicroStrategy’s playbook is nearly impossible to replicate, and what SAB 121’s repeal means for Bitcoin’s integration into traditional banking. We also unpack volatility, risk signals, and why all eyes are on liquidity as the true driver of price action. If you care about macro shifts, asymmetric bets, and the collision of old and new finance, this one’s unmissable.You’ll Learn:How the trillion-dollar “basis trade” threatens market stabilityWhy the Fed might start behaving like a hedge fundHow volatility forces institutions to liquidate Bitcoin firstWhat liquidity cycles reveal about Bitcoin price movementWhy MicroStrategy’s model can’t easily be copiedHow policy shifts like SAB 121 impact Bitcoin custody and lendingWhy institutional Bitcoin buys don’t always move the priceWhat global treasury markets signal about U.S. economic fragilityHow margin rules and volatility drive systemic riskWhy long-term Bitcoin conviction hinges on liquidity, not hypeTimestamps: [00:00] Introduction [03:10] What the Fed watches when making rate decisions [05:35] How global liquidity ties into Bitcoin’s price [06:45] Why the US relies on foreign treasury buyers [08:05] The problem with holding US treasuries during inflation [10:30] How the “basis trade” works and why it’s dangerous [13:20] The scale and leverage behind today’s basis trade [15:45] What it means if the Fed takes hedge fund positions [18:05] How Bitcoin reacts to macro uncertainty [20:14] What a Bitcoin sell-off on weekends signals [22:52] The role of haircut changes during market stress [25:25] What makes liquidity broader than just money supply [27:38] Why Bitcoin may peak after liquidity peaks [29:38] How multiple macro factors shape Bitcoin price [31:12] How convertible bonds helped MicroStrategy scale [35:20] Why new Bitcoin companies can’t mimic MSTR returns [37:18] What 21.co and Jack Mallers are building [40:02] The impact of SAB 121 on banking and Bitcoin custody [42:10] How Chokepoint 2.0 disrupted Bitcoin funds [45:05] How banks will integrate Bitcoin into lendingWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.Resources Mentioned:Bitcoin Opportunity Fund | WebsiteBrookings Institution | WebsiteStrategy | WebsiteMetaplanet | Website21 | WebsiteLearn more about James through The Informationalist newsletter. You can also follow him on Instagram, X, and YouTube.Find more from Scott:Scott Dedels | XBlock Rewards | InstagramBlock Rewards | YouTubeBlock Rewards | TikTokBlock Rewards | WebsiteBlock Rewards | LinkedIn

Bitcoin is replacing real estate—and it’s happening faster than you think.In this episode, Leon Wankum, financial economist and real estate developer breaks down why Bitcoin is rapidly outcompeting real estate as a store of value, investment vehicle, and source of cashflow. With over 15 years in real estate and a background in financial economics, Leon brings unmatched insight into how the rules of wealth-building are being rewritten. From leveraging Bitcoin as pristine collateral to MicroStrategy’s game-changing financial products, this conversation challenges the long-held dominance of physical assets—and makes a compelling case that Bitcoin isn’t just an alternative investment, it’s becoming the benchmark. Whether you're a seasoned investor, real estate pro, or Bitcoin skeptic, this episode will shift how you think about capital, yield, and the future of money.You’ll Learn:How MicroStrategy’s financial products are engineered to outperform real estate cashflow without leverageWhy Bitcoin’s purchasing power growth outpaces even leveraged real estate over timeWhat makes Bitcoin a superior form of collateral compared to property assetsHow institutional capital is shifting from bonds and real estate toward Bitcoin-backed instrumentsWhy rising interest rates are exposing vulnerabilities in traditional real estate investingHow Bitcoin flips the time value of money and redefines financial riskWhat the decline of commercial real estate reveals about the larger economic paradigm shiftWhy measuring wealth in Bitcoin changes investment logic and portfolio strategyHow real estate developers can practically integrate Bitcoin into financing and reserve strategiesTimestamps: [00:00] Introduction [01:45] How Bitcoin flips the time value of money [03:10] Bitcoin vs real estate as yield-generating assets [05:30] Inflation benchmarks and real estate performance [06:55] Why Bitcoin’s growth outpaces even leveraged real estate [08:10] Bitcoin as superior collateral and digital real estate [09:35] MicroStrategy’s bond and preferred stock offerings explained [12:00] Real estate investor motivations and the shift to Bitcoin [14:20] Bitcoin’s threat to the $300 trillion real estate market [16:00] Declining commercial real estate value in a new economy [18:35] Central banking errors and rising interest rate impact [20:15] Real estate struggles while Bitcoin rises [22:00] Paradigm shift in storing and exchanging value [24:05] Clear math: Bitcoin vs real estate returns over time [26:20] Institutional capital shifting through MicroStrategy [28:00] Why Bitcoin is now the true investment benchmark [30:10] Will Bitcoin’s volatility decline or persist [32:20] Volatility as a resilience mechanism in BitcoinWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.Resources Mentioned:Bitcoin As Real Estate by Surfer Jim | ArticleLearn more about Leon’s work on his Website. You can also subscribe to his Substack and follow him on LinkedIn and X.Find more from Scott:Scott Dedels | XBlock Rewards | InstagramBlock Rewards | YouTubeBlock Rewards | TikTokBlock Rewards | WebsiteBlock Rewards | LinkedIn

You won’t change the system by shouting at it—try writing a book instead.What happens when two Bitcoiners become authors—and decide to peel back the curtain on the writing, publishing, and marketing grind behind their books? In this refreshingly honest and unexpectedly hilarious episode, Roger Wang (Senior Marketing Director at Block Rewards and author of Would Mao Hold Bitcoin?) and Seb Bunney (author of The Hidden Cost of Money) go deep on what it really takes to write a Bitcoin book that resonates.From self-doubt to publishing politics, research rabbit holes to accidental financial wins from Bitcoin appreciation, this is a no-BS conversation about the pain, strategy, and joy of building something that lasts. Whether you’re a curious reader, aspiring writer, or freedom-maxi who wants to orange-pill through storytelling—this episode will shift how you think about content, craft, and conviction.You’ll Learn:How self-publishing unlocks creative control and competitive reach in the Bitcoin spaceWhy using a non-Bitcoiner editor can strengthen your arguments and expose blind spotsHow pricing in Bitcoin turns small book sales into high-leverage assets over timeWhat note-taking over 10 years reveals about building a citation powerhouseHow separating writing and editing accelerates creative output and clarityWhy emotionally charged writing often leads to sharper, more resonant workWhat poor cover design signals about credibility—and how to avoid itHow evergreen content challenges traditional marketing tacticsWhy structure-first writing reduces wasted effort and kills fewer “darlings”What print-on-demand technology reveals about the democratization of publishingTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[00:27] Selling books in bitcoin during a bull run[03:42] Roger’s process blending Bitcoin and China[05:18] The challenge of citations and deep research[06:41] Roger’s structured writing habits[08:34] Seb’s three-part writing framework[10:32] Learning from Stephen King's writing process[12:12] First drafts vs editing efficiency[13:01] Using notes to support citations[14:47] Tone and voice in Bitcoin writing[16:26] Writing emotionally vs analytically[22:32] Early activism and censorship in diaspora communities[23:02] Power of personal storytelling in nonfiction[26:00] Real cost of self-publishing a book[27:33] Importance of good cover design and layout[30:11] Missing the chance to narrate the audiobook[31:06] Roger’s experience with Bitcoin Magazine publishing[33:21] Tradeoffs between author control and publisher support[35:11] Why most publishers don’t help with marketing[36:12] How a non-Bitcoiner editor strengthened Seb’s book[37:22] How Amazon and print-on-demand changed publishing[38:44] Challenges of marketing evergreen content[39:51] Social media tradeoffs for indie authors[41:00] Three main hooks Roger uses to market his book[42:07] Hosting meetups to drive in-person sales[44:47] Selling in Bitcoin as a long-term advantage[47:11] Seb’s advice to podcast hosts[48:26] Roger’s wish to talk about more than Bitcoin and ChinaResources Mentioned:Would Mao Hold Bitcoin? by Roger Huang | BookThe Hidden Cost of Money by Seb Bunney | BookB is for Bitcoin by Seb Bunney and Daz Bea | BookOn Writing by Stephen King | BookReedsy | WebsiteBitcoin Magazine Publisher | WebsiteFind more from Scott:Scott Dedels | XBlock Rewards | InstagramBlock Rewards | YouTubeBlock Rewards | TikTokBlock Rewards | WebsiteBlock Rewards | LinkedInWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Peruvian Bull is a macro analyst, author of Dollar End Game, and creator focused on the long-term consequences of fiat monetary policy and Bitcoin's role in the global economy.In this episode, you're going to learn how the U.S. dollar became the dominant global reserve currency and why that system is now under strain, what the Triffin dilemma is and how it forces the U.S. to make impossible economic trade-offs, why central banks are trapped in a cycle of endless debt and money printing, what caused the post-2020 inflation spike and why it's different from 2008, and how Bitcoin fits into this system as a neutral, non-sovereign monetary asset with potential game-theoretic consequences at a global level.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction[00:38] Why exponential debt systems always break[03:01] The origins of the global dollar system[04:18] The Triffin dilemma explained[05:47] France calls the U.S. bluff on gold[07:30] Why reserve currencies must become net importers[09:12] Why capital flows toward higher-yield currencies[10:36] The policy trilemma explained[12:08] Global synchronized monetary policy[14:27] Brent Johnson’s dollar milkshake theory[15:36] How foreign selling triggers U.S. stock crashes[17:32] Why the Fed always steps in to rescue markets[18:52] Why inflation isn’t a one-time problem[20:22] How the Fed evolved into a power center[22:15] Why QE flows into financial assets, not groceries[25:00] When reserves become real, spendable money[26:48] How deficits + QE = money printing[28:13] How 2% inflation quietly robs your savings[29:46] The Fed balance sheet now drives markets[31:22] Cantillon effects and unfair gains[32:23] Recession avoidance creates bigger problems[34:07] Zombie companies and bad capital allocation[35:39] The exponential nature of debt and money[36:50] Bitcoin as a solution to fiat collapse[38:28] Game theory and Bitcoin nation state adoption[40:36] The race to accumulate Bitcoin[42:05] Bitcoin vs global capital markets[43:27] Why Satoshis could become expensive[44:56] Why Bitcoin’s simplicity is a feature[46:35] Only universal upgrades succeed in Bitcoin[47:31] Exponential debt means exponential inflationResources Mentioned:The Dollar Endgame by Peruvian Bull | BookTriffin Dilemma Concept by Robert Triffin | FrameworkDollar Milkshake Theory by Brent Johnson | WebsiteCreature from Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin | BookShadowStats – Alternative Inflation Data | StatisticsThe Peter Schiff Show Podcast | Spotify or AppleGet Peruvian Bull’s latest analysis, charts, and longform commentary on his Substack.Find more from Scott:Scott Dedels | XBlock Rewards | InstagramBlock Rewards | YouTubeBlock Rewards | TikTokBlock Rewards | WebsiteBlock Rewards | LinkedInWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Scott and Seb Bunny are long-time friends and thinkers in the Bitcoin space who focus on the philosophical, societal, and spiritual implications of sound money.In this episode, you're going to learn how fiat money distorts our perception of time and value, why Bitcoin could be the antidote to rising anxiety and survival-driven living, how inflation and state-controlled money affect everything from relationships to food quality, what the future might look like with AI, simulation theory, and Bitcoin intersecting, and why smaller, tighter communities might be the key to a more meaningful life.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction[01:40] The spiritual side of Bitcoin[02:18] How Bitcoin relates to time[03:01] Money as a measurement of time[04:03] Energy, time, and the Bitcoin standard[05:56] How government intervention distorts value[06:39] The tyranny of the clock explained[08:02] TikTok and shortened attention spans[09:04] State-controlled money as a modern parasite[09:56] How Bitcoin breaks the survival mindset[10:41] Consciousness model: past, present, future[12:57] Money working better in the past[13:50] TikTok, dopamine, and attention collapse[15:46] Financial stress and lack of meaning[16:32] Masculine and feminine energy imbalance[17:56] Fiat food and declining food quality[18:34] Why beauty in architecture is disappearing[20:00] Government subsidies and the grain boom[21:45] Why our diets no longer match evolution[22:31] Fiscal responsibility under a Bitcoin standard[23:10] Why endless money printing kills innovation[24:29] Nestlé and the World Economic Forum[25:01] How legal tender laws protect bad money[25:39] Capital gains tax and Bitcoin adoption[26:20] Sea’s law and merchants choosing Bitcoin[27:04] Nation states conflicted over Bitcoin[28:04] Trump, Bitcoin, and US debt[28:44] The dollar milkshake theory explained[29:57] Ignoring hard money has real consequences[30:22] Why universal basic income doesn’t work[31:45] Technological progress and job displacement[32:27] Simulation theory and discovered AI[34:06] A renaissance through alignment with Bitcoin[35:33] How realistic video games support simulation theory[36:12] Predictive programming in media[37:51] Is the world happening to us or for us?[40:00] Could Bitcoin be created by AI[42:01] The myth of needing to spend Bitcoin[43:30] Why mass Bitcoin adoption will take time[47:39] Bitcoin as a spiritual tool[51:02] The second renaissance and cultural revivalResources Mentioned:Bitcoin is Time | Website"The Tyranny of the Clock" by George Woodcock | ReadSeeds of Deception by Jeffrey Smith | BookFiat Food by Matthew Lysiak and Saifedean Ammous | Book or AudiobookTribe by Sebastian Junger | Book or AudiobookMovies: Ready Player One and The AnimatrixGive Seb a follow on X, Instagram and LinkedInFind more from Scott:Scott Dedels | XBlock Rewards | InstagramBlock Rewards | YouTubeBlock Rewards | TikTokBlock Rewards | WebsiteBlock Rewards | LinkedInWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

In this episode, Scott sits in the guest seat. You’re going to learn how he went from mocking Bitcoin to building a company around it, what employers need to know if they want to offer Bitcoin to their staff, why money is designed to lose value over time—and how that affects every employee’s future, what a Bitcoin savings plan looks like today and how it helps staff build real long-term wealth, and why Bitcoin could be the most important tool for both retaining talent and fighting inflation in the modern workplace.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction  [01:12] Why employers should offer Bitcoin to staff [03:48] COVID lockdowns and realizing the inflation problem[05:17] Discovering Austrian economics and Bitcoin as a solution[06:47] Why traditional financial products lose value over time[08:05] The vision for Bitcoin in employer-employee relationships[10:04] What Block Rewards is building right now[11:29] Addressing safety, legality, and accessibility concerns[12:42] Custodial wallets and cold storage options[14:35] How inflation is built into the fiat system[16:28] Measuring assets in Bitcoin instead of dollars[17:40] Why saving in Bitcoin beats stock market investing[18:49] Bitcoin’s long-term potential for retirement planning[20:38] Stretching compensation budgets with Bitcoin[22:33] How the Bitcoin Savings Plan works[24:24] Payroll integration and matching contributions[26:05] Why user experience matters for Bitcoin adoption[27:53] The mission and culture of Block Rewards[29:04] Why HR leaders need to start Bitcoin conversations[30:54] Inflation is guaranteed—Bitcoin is the alternative[32:47] The cost of waiting to understand Bitcoin[33:18] Global expansion and product roadmap[35:08] Bitcoin becoming as normal as email[36:20] Future vision for universal Bitcoin compensation[39:30] Bitcoin as energy and universal truth  [41:03] Why Bitcoin conferences change perspectivesResources Mentioned:The Price of Tomorrow by Jeff Booth | Book or AudiobookLantern Bitcoin by Scott Dedels | WebsiteThe Dao of Bitcoin by Scott Dedels | Book or AudiobookBitcoin for Financial Advisors by Scott Dedels | BookFind more from Scott:Scott Dedels | XBlock Rewards | InstagramBlock Rewards | YouTubeBlock Rewards | TikTokBlock Rewards | WebsiteBlock Rewards | LinkedInWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Paul Rogers is a financial planner turned author who wrote Money, Love, and Bitcoin, a book exploring the spiritual and societal implications of sound money.In this episode, you’re going to learn how inflation silently robs regular people of their ability to save, why Paul believes most people don’t actually want to invest—they just want to be secure, how Bitcoin could shift humanity’s focus from extraction to contribution, what universal laws like love and energetic balance have to do with money, and how a sound money system might change not only economies but the way we live and relate to each other.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction[00:48] Fix the money fix the world[02:11] Building systems after money is fixed[04:01] Bitcoin and synchronizing consciousness[06:01] Why saving is hard in an inflationary system[07:10] The mindset of the average investor[08:15] Freedom from versus freedom to[09:06] Bitcoin as a foundation for deeper life questions[10:00] The premise of money, love, and Bitcoin[11:30] Understanding money as a technology[12:14] The problem of extraction vs contribution[13:22] Jeff Booth and falling prices[14:04] More people doing meaningful work[14:45] How commercialism shapes our worldview[15:33] Not everything in life is transactional[16:10] High time preference and broken systems[17:00] The importance of love in systems[18:50] FX trading as a symptom of fiat distortion[19:36] Universal law and quantum principles[20:20] The influence of the Tao of Physics[21:12] Everything is energy and vibration[22:01] The radio frequency analogy[23:18] Media distraction and energetic disconnection[24:00] From analog to digital age[25:00] Access to ideas throughout history[25:55] Tuning into higher frequencies[26:22] Can love be scientifically proven[27:05] Replacing extractive systems with aligned ones[28:01] Broken systems and political distraction[29:10] Fiat money versus thermodynamics[30:03] The impossibility of reconciling fiat logic[31:02] Jargon in traditional finance[31:50] Rethinking money as government-controlled[32:40] Money as stored labor and energy[33:15] Creating money without creating value[34:03] Paul’s optimism about humanity’s future[34:52] Moms working multiple jobs and broken incentives[35:40] People shouldn't need PhDs to survive[36:18] Building systems that serve instead of exploit[37:01] Avoiding centralized replacements[37:55] The digital age requires new visions[38:40] Drowning in data without wisdom[39:28] Ancient myths and cultural guardrails[40:15] Scientific thinking vs traditional wisdom[41:00] The Bitcoiners as a new social class[41:52] Final settlement vs endless credit[42:30] Importance of integrity and love[43:12] Interstellar as a metaphor for quantum loveResources Mentioned:Money, Love, and Bitcoin by Paul Rogers | BookThe Dao of Bitcoin by Scott Dedels | Book or AudiobookThe Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous | Book or AudiobookThe Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra | BookThe Systems View of Life by Fritjof Capra and Pier Luigi Luisi | BookThe Bushido of Bitcoin by Aleksandar Svetski | BookThe Block Reward episode on Bitcoin is Synchronizing Human Consciousness with Tomer Strolight | Spotify or AppleIf you want to connect with Paul, find him on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.Find more from Scott:Scott Dedels | XBlock Rewards | InstagramBlock Rewards | YouTubeBlock Rewards | TikTokBlock Rewards | WebsiteBlock Rewards | LinkedInWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.

Efrat Fenigson is a journalist and podcaster with a background in tech and marketing.  In this episode, you're going to learn why Efrat left a successful corporate career to focus on journalism and podcasting, her concerns about government control and how it led her to Bitcoin, what Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are and how they could impact privacy and freedom, how various countries like China, Thailand, and the EU are experimenting with CBDCs, and why Efrat believes Bitcoin offers a better solution for financial sovereignty.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction    [07:00] Discovering Bitcoin and its potential[08:00] COVID-19 experience and loss of trust in government[09:30] Introduction to Bitcoin through Crypto Jungle[10:30] Efrat’s Bitcoin journey and learning process[12:00] Leaving old social circles and building new ones[14:00] The shift from valuing money and titles to valuing freedom and truth[17:30] Wholesale and retail CBDCs[18:30] Possible restrictions on CBDCs, including geofencing and expiry dates[19:30] Global alignment of CBDC rollout with Agenda 2030[21:00] The state of CBDC development in Israel[22:00] ECB’s plan to launch the digital euro in 2025[24:00] How China’s CBDC rollout evolved[26:00] Similar strategies being considered in Europe[28:00] European Bank’s plans to redirect private savings[30:00] Estimated cost of Euthe ropean CBDC project[32:00] How global institutions operate with long-term plans[34:00] The Overton window and how it applies to CBDCs[36:00] China’s approach to control and compliance[38:00] Privacy concerns related to CBDCs[40:00] Concerns about geofencing and limiting transactions[42:00] Thailand’s extreme CBDC experiments[44:00] Stablecoin pilots and KYC Bitcoin use in Thailand[46:00] The Overton window strategy and gradual rollout[48:00] How Bitcoin provides a solution to CBDCs[50:00] Bitcoin as a hedge against government controlResources Mentioned:The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous | Book or AudiobookCrypto Jungle | WebsiteBitcoin Live Conferences | WebsiteIf you want to connect with Efrat, follow her on Instagram, X, Youtube, LinkedIn and Facebook.Make sure you check out Efrat’s Podcast, You're the Voice | Spotify or AppleFind more from Scott:Scott Dedels | XBlock Rewards | InstagramBlock Rewards | YouTubeBlock Rewards | TikTokBlock Rewards | WebsiteBlock Rewards | LinkedInWant to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here.