Erin Kissane is a writer and researcher focused on the fediverse, while Darius Kazemi is a senior engineer at Harvard's Applied Social Media Lab. They discuss the challenges of decentralized governance and the potential impact of the 2024 U.S. Presidential election on network building. The conversation touches on user migration to platforms like Bluesky and the importance of interoperability. They explore sustainable business models for these networks and advocate for user-centric approaches to data safety, emphasizing collaboration in enhancing the fediverse's ecosystem.

Jason Koebler, co-founder of 404 Media and a passionate journalist advocating for audience connections, joins Ben Werdmuller, Senior Director of Technology at ProPublica, to discuss the challenges facing modern publishers. They delve into the potential of decentralized social media to enhance discoverability. The duo explores how platforms like Mastodon can empower journalists against the backdrop of AI-generated content. They also assess innovative subscription models and the future of advertising as it shifts towards genuine connections.

Jay Graber, founder and CEO of Bluesky, dives into the exciting journey of transforming social media from a Twitter offshoot to a game-changing independent platform. She discusses the urgent need for decentralization in today's social media landscape, emphasizing user empowerment and innovation. Graber tackles the intricacies of digital identity and the push for standardized decentralized IDs. The podcast also explores custom feeds, bridging social protocols, and reclaiming user control, all aimed at fostering a more open and integrated online experience.

Samantha Lai, a senior research analyst at the Carnegie Endowment, and Jaz-Michael King, executive director of IFTAS, dive into the fascinating world of the fediverse. They discuss the challenges and innovations in community moderation, emphasizing collective responsibility over centralized control. Their collaboration helps illuminate the role of AI tools in managing toxicity while maintaining human oversight. With a focus on privacy and community norms, they highlight how decentralized platforms can empower users to create safer online spaces.

Founder and CEO of Ghost, John O'Nolan, discusses decentralizing technology, integrating ActivityPub, and empowering creators. They explore open-source publishing, micropayments, digital sovereignty, and challenging algorithm-driven platforms for a more equitable internet future.

Cryptocurrency critic Molly White discusses the evolving web, highlighting optimism, blogging for all, digital ownership changes, and the POSSE model for content sharing. She explores identity frameworks, creator relationships, and sustainable funding models for online content.

Software engineer Ryan Barrett, with 12 years of experience, talks about bridging social networks through Bridgy Fed. Highlights include the culture clashes between platforms, feedback on Bridgy Fed, and motivations driving Ryan's work. The discussion explores the challenges of introducing bridges in the Fediverse, consent principles, and balancing centralization with decentralization in web engagement.

Rachel Lambert and Peter Cottle from Meta discuss Threads' entry into the fediverse, the importance of interoperability, Meta's motivations, using ActivityPub, and the future roadmap. They address community concerns, privacy controls, monetization, and excitement for progress in the Fediverse.

Discover the future of the Fediverse at FediForum, discussing top-of-mind topics, bringing people to the network, innovative social media experiences, combatting spam attacks, balancing interoperability, and collaboration in the entrepreneurial journey.

Tony Stubblebine, Publisher of Better Humans and its sister publications at Medium, discusses pivoting out of the attention economy into something more meaningful. They explore Medium's focus on quality, the launch of their own instance on Macedon, and the value of writing and recommending content on Medium.