

Free Cities Podcast
Timothy Allen
The official podcast of the Free Cities Foundation hosted by Timothy Allen. Timothy conducts in-person, long-form discussions with the preeminent thought leaders in the Free Cities ecosystem, including builders, investors, residents, entrepreneurs & people who value liberty & prosperity for all. Everyone is welcome, especially skeptics. Topics: Private Cities, Pioneer Communities, Charter Cities, Seasteading, Homesteading, Libertarianism, Anarcho-Capitalism, Bitcoin, Economics, Geopolitics, Flag Theory, Homeschooling, Technology, Free Markets & Digital Nomadism. New episodes every Friday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 12, 2024 • 1h 12min
060 - Ivan Ko: Leaving Hong Kong, UK Charter Cities & Global Citizen Passports
Hong Kong, Protests, International Charter Cities, Singapore, Free City Design, BNO Visa, UK Free City Project, Global Citizen Passport
Timothy Allen talks with Ivan Ko.
Ivan is a real estate development and finance veteran from Hong Kong who more recently has turned his hand to the production of 21st century charter cities in his role as CEO of Victoria Harbour Group.
In this conversation we discuss Ivan's reasons for leaving his homeland of Hong Kong and the ensuing international journey that has culminated with him pitching a very ambitious Free City project to a council in the south east of England.
Enjoy the conversation.
Free Cities Telegram Community: https://t.me/+im6c6r4jQkUzMjU0
LIBERTY IN OUR LIFETIME CONFERENCE: https://libertyinourlifetime.org/
TIMESTAMPS
(0:30) Introduction. (3:14) Hong Kong's political situation and freedom. (8:34) Hong Kong protests and government response. (14:17) Building a charter city for former Hong Kong residents. (22:33) Designing a charter city with a focus on integration and community. (28:38) Developing a Free City in Indonesia. (32:31) Establishing a charter city in the UK. (42:16) At what stage of development is the UK project?. (46:09) What are the core principals of Victoria Harbour Group Cities? (51:00) Hong Kong's future amid political unrest. (58:41) China's economic and political issues. (1:03:33) Global citizenship passports.
TWITTER:
Ivan Ko: https://twitter.com/IvanKo46790213
Timothy Allen: https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen
Free Cities Foundation: https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound
OTHER LINKS:
Victoria Harbour Group: https://www.victoriaharbor.group/
Free Cities Foundation: https://free-cities.org/

Jan 5, 2024 • 1h 21min
059 - Filip Karađorđević: Monarchy, Low Time Preference & Bitcoin Adoption
Absolute Monarchy, Serbia, Jan3, Bitcoin, Nation State Bitcoin Adoption, Low Time Preference, Hyperinflation, Family.
Timothy Allen talks with Filip Karađorđević.
Also known as Prince Filip of Serbia, Filip is a former asset manager turned Bitcoiner currently traveling the word spreading the gospel of censorship-resistant money with 'Jan3', Samson Mow's organisation dedicated to promoting nation-state Bitcoin adoption.
As you might expect, Prince Filip is also a monarchist, so in our conversation you can expect his elevator pitch on why monarchy might be the best governance model going forward.
Lets see if Philip can convince you.
Enjoy the conversation.
Free Cities Telegram Community: https://t.me/+im6c6r4jQkUzMjU0
LIBERTY IN OUR LIFETIME CONFERENCE
https://libertyinourlifetime.org/
TIMESTAMPS
(0:10) Introduction. (4:44) Using Bitcoin to fund infrastructure projects. (8:53) Monarchy, its forms, and its benefits. (14:14) Governance structures in the Middle East. (19:11) Monarchies, religion, and culture. (23:57) Serbian history and royal lineage. (29:02) Yugoslav history, property confiscation, and EU expansion. (33:26) Serbian monarchy, politics, and personal struggles. (38:56) Monarchy, anarchy, and Bitcoin. (44:13) Monarchy and its perception in Serbia. (49:10) Do you mix with other royal familes much? (56:25) Photojournalism, 9/11, and Bitcoin. (1:01:27) Using Bitcoin sidechains for securities issuance and community infrastructure. (1:06:50) Bitcoin adoption and importance of decentralization. (1:10:56) Using Bitcoin as a hedge against economic collapse. (1:15:39) Hyperinflation, Bitcoin, and family.
TWITTER:
Filip Karađorđević: https://twitter.com/PrincFilip1
Timothy Allen: https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen
Jan3: https://twitter.com/JAN3com
Free Cities Foundation: https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound
OTHER LINKS:
Jan3: https://jan3.com/
Free Cities Foundation: https://free-cities.org/

Dec 29, 2023 • 1h 23min
058 - Vít Jedlička: Starting a New Country in Europe
Liberland, Micronations, Claiming Free Land, Croatia, Serbia, The Singularity, Consciousness, Community, Free Republics.
Timothy Allen talks with Vít Jedlička.
Vit is the founder and president of the Free Republic of Liberland, a new micronation formed in 2015 which claimed an uninhabited parcel of disputed land on the western bank of the Danube, between Croatia and Serbia.
This was my first time discussing the project on this podcast and, as a result my questions are quite rudimentary. Liberland’s story is absolutely fascinating and if this is your first exposure to it, you should definitely use this interview as a springboard to investigating the whole thing much, much further.
Enjoy the conversation.
Free Cities Telegram Community: https://t.me/+im6c6r4jQkUzMjU0
LIBERTY IN OUR LIFETIME CONFERENCE
https://libertyinourlifetime.org/
TIMESTAMPS
(0:30) Introduction.
(4:09) Vit's background.
(5:40) How do you find unclaimed land?
(10:39) Liberland's border disputes.
(16:03) Legal challenges to Croatia's control over Liberland.
(20:42) Diplomatic recognition.
(24:43) Liberland's unique governance model.
(30:17) Can anyone build in Liberland?
(36:25) Liberland's relationship with Croatian authorities.
(42:34) Challenges with the Croatian police.
(47:18) Describe a typical Liberlander.
(55:06) Governance and justice.
(1:02:07) Future plans.
(1:10:48) Singularity, consciousness, and the future.
(1:19:09) International relations timeline going forwards.
TWITTER:
Vít Jedlička: https://twitter.com/JedlickaVit
Timothy Allen: https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen
Free Cities Foundation: https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound
OTHER LINKS:
Liberland: https://liberland.org/en/
Free Cities Foundation: https://free-cities.org/

Dec 22, 2023 • 1h 22min
057 - Joe Quirk: Seasteading, Evolutionary Psychology & The Surveillance State
Seasteading, Flotels, Aquapreneurs, Evolutionary Psychology, Climate Change, Burning Man, Surveillance State, Distributed Problem Solving, Underwater Hotels.
Timothy Allen talks with Joe Quirk.
I really enjoy my conversations with Joe. The first time I met him was at our conference two years ago when I interviewed him for a film and it was instantly obvious that he is a great orator and overall extremely interesting guy.
This is a light hearted conversation about Seasteading. Joe is the president of the Seasteading Institute and extremely knowledgeable on the subject. I mean, from who else could I learn exciting new words such as flotel, coralcrete, aquapreneurs and seavilisation? If you listen to this podcast regularly, you’ll know how much I love new words.
However, this conversation is also about the human condition and how best to use our innate ingenuity to stay as free as we can as individuals.
I really enjoyed this discourse and in particular, Joe’s takes on the world. He makes fascinating observations about this particular moment in history and I sincerely hope that they can help you understand your own path forward.
I wish you all a very wonderful Christmas if that’s something you are choosing to celebrate in the coming days.
Enjoy the conversation.
Free Cities Telegram Community: https://t.me/+im6c6r4jQkUzMjU0
LIBERTY IN OUR LIFETIME CONFERENCE
https://libertyinourlifetime.org/
TIMESTAMPS
00:30 - Introduction.
05:29 - Joe’s bibliography.
10:27 - Evolutionary psychology, emotions, and their relation to Seasteading.
16:10 - Burning man, temporary cities and distributed problem solving.
23:06 - Opening your mind to the potential of Seasteading.
28:38 - Seasteading and its potential to solve global problems.
35:43 - Thai prototype and the nomadic Bajau sea gypsies.
39:52 - Potential for evading state control.
44:36 - Subcultures that already live at sea.
48:55 - Cruise ship governance.
56:10 - Defining the legal classification of Seasteading.
01:01:57 - Seasteading design and regulation.
01:08:35 - Seasteading as a solution for climate change.
01:16:37 - The future of governance.
TWITTER:
Joe Quirk: https://twitter.com/joequirkexults
Timothy Allen: https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen
Free Cities Foundation: https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound
OTHER LINKS:
The Seasteading Institute: https://www.seasteading.org/
Joe's Books: http://tinyurl.com/4zhdejtz
Free Cities Foundation: https://free-cities.org/

Dec 15, 2023 • 1h 32min
056 - Marthinus Grobler: Free City Design, Fiat Architecture & New Urbanism
Urban Design, Modernism, The Elite Class, Progressivism, Fiat Architecture, Central Planning, New Urbanism, Dubai & The Emirates.
Timothy Allen talks with Marthinus Grobler.
Todays’ show is an episode about architecture & Free City planning with Marthinus Grobler.
Marthinus is the chief architect at Tipolis, a company that I would describe as being at the forefront of planning, building and operating Free City projects throughout the globe.
I loved talking to Martinus. Not least because he let me rant about one of my personal bugbears: Modernist architecture. However, during our discussion we also touch upon subjects such as urban design, progressivism, central planning, new urbanism, fiat architecture and I get Martinus’s opinion on what he thinks of the way that the design of the modern Emirates have evolved as a possible case study for urban planning in the future, something that has left me wondering whether skyscrapers and high rise buildings are a good idea at all.
Enjoy the conversation.
Free Cities Telegram Community: https://t.me/+im6c6r4jQkUzMjU0
LIBERTY IN OUR LIFETIME CONFERENCE
https://libertyinourlifetime.org/
TIMESTAMPS
0:30: Introduction.
6:08: What is your career history?
10:44: The Modernist movement in architecture and its impact.
15:24: Postmodernism and its impact on society.
20:46: Intellectual ideas about architecture.
23:12: Fiat architecture.
27:54: Urban planning and new urbanism.
33:28: Designing a Free City with a focus on property rights and beauty.
39:55: Building styles and preferences in a hypothetical Free City.
44:21: Power dynamics in society and the importance of alternative networks.
50:00: Decentralized planning and architecture.
54:08: Architectural design and urban planning in the Middle East.
1:02:16: Is high rise living a good idea?
1:06:07: Architecture, beauty, and urban design in Prague.
1:13:06: Which buildings should be centrally planned?
1:18:17: Can you speak about any current Tipolis projects?
1:22:43: Modernist buildings and longevity.
TWITTER:
Timothy Allen: https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen
Free Cities Foundation: https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound
OTHER LINKS:
Tipolis: https://tipolis.com/
Free Cities Foundation: https://free-cities.org/

Dec 8, 2023 • 1h 20min
055 - Marnix van Suylekom: Buying an Abandoned Village in Spain
Abandoned villages, Agorism, Galicia, Spain, Free Commune of Panadexo, Governance.
Timothy Allen talks with Marnix Van Suylekom
I know that many of you, myself included, have secretly dreamt of buying an abandoned village and turning it into the utopia of your dreams. Well today’s guest has embarked on one such project and I sat down with him recently in Prague….
Marnix Van Suylekom has a grand plan to apply Agorist principals to the rejuvenation of an abandoned hamlet in a picturesque valley in Galicia, Northern Spain.
In this conversation we discuss the lessons Marnix has learnt so far on his journey to source, buy and now begin renovating his abandoned village called Panadexo.
There are lots of great insights and info here on his bottom up approach to the project as well as some chat about life, raising kids and generally finding freedom in your life.
Enjoy the conversation.
LIBERTY IN OUR LIFETIME CONFERENCE
https://libertyinourlifetime.org/
TIMESTAMPS
(0:30) Introduction.
(5:34) Finding abandoned villages.
(9:59) The process of buying an abandoned village in Galicia.
(15:09) What is Panadexo like?
(21:56) How much is land in Galicia?
(25:58) Decentralized decision-making and the bottom-up approach.
(31:39) Problems with small-scale community living.
(37:31) Community governance and conflict resolution.
(42:20) Self-sufficiency and family life in modern society.
(47:57) Children will want to leave home and explore the world.
(52:53) Multi-generational living and community development.
(58:24) What do the locals think of your project?
(1:07:31) Problems with over romanticising this idea.
(1:14:00) What are the other hamlets like nearby?
TWITTER:
Timothy Allen: https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen
Free Cities Foundation: https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound
OTHER LINKS:
Free Commune of Panadexo: https://www.freecommune.org/
Panadexo Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@galiciaunzipped3312
Free Cities Foundation: https://free-cities.org/

Dec 1, 2023 • 1h 21min
054 - Christopher Beaumont & Swen Lorenz: Sark. Past, Present & Future
Island of Sark, Repopulation, Independence, Channel Islands, Move to Sark, Investment in Sark, Sark Masterplan.
Timothy Allen talks with Christopher Beaumont & Swen Lorenz.
On today's show I'm in discussion with two gentlemen involved in the self-governing island of Sark which is located just off the coast of Normandy.
Christopher Beaumont, the 23rd Seigneur of Sark and Swen Lorenz, a Sark immigrant who helped revitalize public interest in the island by creating the hugely successful 'Move To Sark' repopulation campaign, sat down with me in the Czech Republic and we talked everything Sark.
This is a fascinating conversation with these two Sarkees who are deeply involved in creating a long-term masterplan for this little-known Crown dependency. We discuss the past, present, and future of Sark in a thoroughly informative conversation.
Thanks to Christopher and Swen for taking the time to not only speak to me on the podcast, but also for presenting the project to the Free Cities audience at our annual conference.
Enjoy the conversation.
LIBERTY IN OUR LIFETIME CONFERENCE
https://libertyinourlifetime.org/
TIMESTAMPS
(0:30) Introduction.
(5:00) Life experiences and connections to Sark Island.
(9:01) The challenge for Sark.
(14:12) Sark Island's history and feudal system.
(18:42) Relationship to UK government.
(23:05) Financial regulations and industry in the Channel Islands.
(27:27) Sark Island government, taxes, and culture.
(34:26) Population size and community needs in a remote island community.
(38:34) Revitalizing Sark Island's real estate market.
(44:42) Proposal to buy property on Sark.
(47:24) Sustainable development in a small island community.
(54:26) Politics and governance in a small island nation.
(1:04:49) Homeschooling and education options in Sark.
(1:08:12) Sark Island's unique attractions and challenges.
(1:12:49) Guernsey island development and community engagement.
(1:19:00) Challenges of living on a remote island.
TWITTER:
Christopher Beaumont: https://twitter.com/SeigneurOfSark
Swen Lorenz: https://twitter.com/uv_shares
Timothy Allen: https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen
Free Cities Foundation: https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound
OTHER LINKS:
Isle of Sark website: https://www.sark.co.uk/
Move to Sark: https://www.swen-lorenz.com/move-to-sark/
Sark Presentation at LIOL 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qgv0qXCUu4
Free Cities Foundation: https://free-cities.org/

Nov 24, 2023 • 1h 5min
053 - Aleks Svetski: Bushido of Bitcoin, Feudalism & Artificial Intelligence
Bushido, Bitcoin, Warrior Culture, Chivalry, Feudalism, Collectivism, Artificial Intelligence, Transhumanism, Warfare.
Timothy Allen talks with Aleks Svetski.
Todays guest will be well known to the Bitcoiners amongst you. Aleks is an entrepreneur and the co-author of the 'Uncommunist Manifesto' with Mark Moss, also, well known for the “Wake Up Podcast’. I caught up with him at BTC Prague and we talked about a number of relatively unusual things. I’ll list a few of them here…. The Bushido of Bitcoin, chivalry, collectivism, A.I., transhumanism, stochastic parrots, augmented Samaurais.. and I'll let you decide whether or not you agree with Aleks’s sentiment that “Feudalism was peak civilisation”. Enjoy the conversation.
LIBERTY IN OUR LIFETIME CONFERENCE
https://libertyinourlifetime.org/
TIMESTAMPS:
0:30 - Introduction.
4:02 - Bitcoin, entrepreneurship, and cultural philosophy.
6:47 - Warrior cultures and their virtues in the context of Bitcoin.
13:09 - Honor codes, leadership, and class structure in various cultures.
18:21 - Bitcoin's impact on culture and personal growth.
24:25 - The use of "pleb" and "elite" in Bitcoin culture.
29:27 - Collectivism, decentralization, and the future of society.
34:23 - A.I. regulation and its potential impact on free speech.
38:36 - A.I. language models and their limitations.
43:18 - Consciousness, A.I. and the human brain.
49:51 - The potential consequences of advanced technology and cultural evolution.
53:06 - Future warfare and cultural evolution.
57:40 - Projected power and preparing for a future society.
TWITTER:
Aleks Svetski: https://twitter.com/AleksSvetski
Timothy Allen: https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen
Free Cities Foundation: https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound
OTHER LINKS:
Wake Up Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6POdgh4pgd7G63CnCYwDBm
Uncommunist Manifesto: https://www.uncommunist.com/
Free Cities Foundation: https://free-cities.org/

Nov 17, 2023 • 1h 21min
052 - Jeremy Kauffman: New Hampshire Free State Project & Libertarian Politics
New Hampshire Free State Project, Libertarianism, Politics, Frontier Spaces, Ideological Communities, Alarmism, A.I., Regulation, PorcFest.
Timothy Allen talks with Jeremy Kauffman.
Jeremy is a tech entrepreneur and a well-known activist in the American Libertarian movement. He is deeply involved in the New Hampshire Free State Project, which is the focus of our conversation. He lives in New Hampshire and was the Libertarian nominee for the 2022 US Senate election there.
In this episode, we discuss the Free State Project and the US political landscape in general, along with Jeremy’s perspectives on the Libertarian movement and the best strategies for carving out a pathway to freedom in the future.
Additionally, we touch on topics such as A.I., frontier spaces, collapsatarianism (I love discovering new words), Jeremy’s opinion of the Free Cities movement, and I get the low down on why I should bring my family to visit PorcFest – New Hampshire’s epic Libertarian Freedom Festival.
Enjoy the conversation.
LIBERTY IN OUR LIFETIME CONFERENCE
https://libertyinourlifetime.org/
TIMESTAMPS:
(0:30) Introduction.
(7:04) Summary of New Hampshire Free State Project.
(10:02) The Libertarian political movement in New Hampshire.
(14:22) Benefits of Libertarianism in New Hampshire.
(20:18) Ideological communities manifesting in real life.
(25:11) Libertarian politics and satire.
(32:12) Political beliefs and motivations.
(33:17) The emperor has no clothes.
(39:04) The essence of the political left.
(45:12) Getting kicked off the Free State Project board.
(49:21) What is your career history?
(53:19) What do you think of the Free Cities movement?
(1:01:42) Current free City challenges.
(1:05:44) Free City evolution.
(1:10:06) Creating a utopian society through decentralization and voluntary cooperation.
(1:14:48) PorcFest Freedom Festival.
TWITTER:
Jeremy Kauffman: https://twitter.com/jeremykauffman
New Hampshire Free State Project: https://twitter.com/freestatenh
Timothy Allen: https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen
Free Cities Foundation: https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound
OTHER LINKS:
New Hampshire Free State Project: https://www.fsp.org/
Free Cities Foundation: https://free-cities.org/

Nov 10, 2023 • 1h 43min
051 - Adam Bartha: Free Markets, The European Union & CBDCs
The E.U., Freedom, Brexit, Open Borders, Bitcoin vs CBDCs, City Gentrification, Inflation, Money Printing, Tik Tok, Democratisation of Ideas, Free Markets.
Timothy Allen talks with Adam Bartha.
Today I’m releasing a conversation that I recorded just over 6 months ago. It's worth noting that deciding which show to air each week is by no means an exact science and this episode has been near the top of my list for many weeks but it just kept getting bumped aside by interviews that had content that was more time sensitive. At any one time I have a pool of episodes to choose from since we record all our podcasts in person in batches at different events and gatherings that I attend.
So, as you are listening to this, bear in mind that the conversation was recorded in April. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of timeless insights and lots of up to date information plus some interesting predictions about the economy that turned out to be quite prophetic.
My guest is Adam Bartha who is the director at Epicenter, The European Policy Information Center which is part if the Institute of Economic Affairs.
As a gentleman who roams the political hallways of Brussels, I had a lot of questions for Adam about the E.U. and international politics in general which is something that both fascinates and infuriates me. Alongside that we discuss topics such as freedom, social media, Brexit, open borders, city gentrification, inflation and the impending battle between Bitcoin and CBDCs.
Enjoy the conversation.
LIBERTY IN OUR LIFETIME CONFERENCE
https://libertyinourlifetime.org/
TIMESTAMPS:
(0:30) Introduction.
(3:27) Think tank influence in Europe.
(11:08) Social media presence and influence for think tanks.
(15:01) Individual freedom and the EU.
(24:21) Brexit and its impact on the UK and EU.
(29:28) Decentralization, freedom of movement, and the EU.
(34:45) Open borders, freedom of movement, and social unrest.
(41:29) Citizenship requirements and entrance exams.
(45:29) Economic benefits of open borders and government resistance.
(50:35) Immigration and cultural integration in Europe.
(53:58) British identity and cultural change.
(59:11) Gentrification and housing affordability in London.
(1:03:14) Welfare and immigration policies.
(1:08:02) UK National Insurance and healthcare system.
(1:14:58) Inflation, central banking, and new digital currencies.
(1:19:12) The benefits and limitations of Bitcoin vs central bank digital currencies.
(1:24:40) Decentralized currencies and their potential impact on society.
TWITTER:
Adam Bartha: https://twitter.com/bartha_adam
Epicenter: https://twitter.com/epicenterEU
Timothy Allen: https://twitter.com/MrTimothyAllen
Free Cities Foundation: https://twitter.com/freecitiesfound
OTHER LINKS:
Epicenter: https://www.epicenternetwork.eu/
Free Cities Foundation: https://free-cities.org/