The Owl Explains Hootenanny

Crypto says it’s for everyone, but who’s actually building the future? Michelle O’Connor, founder of The Digital Future, joins us to talk about inclusion, innovation, and why the next wave of Web3 depends on who’s in the room. From breaking down crypto’s insider language to creating real access for builders across different backgrounds and regions, Michelle shares how diverse voices are shaping the next era of Web3. Together, we explore what happens when the people designing the technology finally reflect the world it’s meant to serve.

What happens when Bordeaux meets blockchain? Connor Daly, CTO of CrewTrade, explains how tokenizing wine on the blockchain is transforming a $25B industry with transparency, traceability, and a whole new kind of cellar. By unlocking instant liquidity and aligning incentives, the model empowers producers with fairer economics and gives collectors and consumers trusted access to the world’s finest bottles. Discover more at crutrade.io

Keith Bear, Fellow at Cambridge Judge Business School, joins us to break down what digital money really looks like in a tokenized economy. From stablecoins to CBDCs, we explore what’s working, what’s missing, and what still needs to be reimagined.

Can blockchains ever truly be privacy-compliant? Clifford Chance lawyers walk through the gray areas, from wallet addresses to pseudonymous data, and explain what regulators are starting to expect.

Lord Holmes explains how tokenization could reshape identity, finance, and trust across the UK and beyond. He breaks down what digital assets really are and why they matter for everyone, not just technologists. From refugee ID to football cards, this episode connects the dots between everyday life and emerging tech.

Global crypto rules are changing fast, and 2025 is a turning point. We are joined by Elise Soucie Watts (Executive Director at Global Digital Finance), who discusses the big moves: MiCA in Europe, U.S. legislation, Asia’s innovation wave, and so much more.Check out the GDF’s report here:https://www.gdf.io/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/23.7.25_GDFDACxTokenizationReport_FINAL.pdf

Michael Mainelli, former Lord Mayor of London, joins Owl Explains to unpack how blockchain can help cities govern smarter: from planning records to transit data. From congestion charges to building permits, Mainelli explains why cities need better memory systems and not just better apps. It’s local meets ledger, and a reminder that blockchain’s real power might lie in fixing what cities forget to track.

Professor Michele Neitz (University of San Francisco) makes the case for tech courts, a bold idea that could help us rethink how justice works in a digital-first world. As AI and blockchain reshape everything from contracts to crime, our legal system needs to evolve. Tech-savvy justice isn’t a luxury anymore but a necessity for protecting rights and resolving disputes in the age of code.

Discover Letsbuyhealthcare — a platform using Avalanche blockchain to let people prepay for private healthcare with tokenized credits in Ireland. Its founder, Dave Allen, breaks down how it works, why it matters, and what blockchain still needs to continue scaling.

What happens when trust collapses faster than institutions can rebuild it? Amanda Wick, founder of the Association for Women in Crypto and author of The Catalysts, joins Owl Explains to unpack the forces fueling a new world financial order—from DeFi to geopolitics.A single podcast episode can’t fit everything, so check out her book for more: The Catalysts by Amanda Wick | Pre-Order Now