Gen C

In this episode of “Gen C”, we discuss how a simple colorful squiggle became an icon of the crypto art movement and what it means for the future of Web3.Erick Calderon, Founder/CEO of Art Blocks and creator of the Chromie Squiggle, joins us to discuss the final mint of the iconic NFT project. Erick reflects on the Squiggle's journey from a proof of concept to a symbol of the crypto art movement, now featured in major museum collections. He also shares his thoughts on bringing more joy and innovation to the Web3 space, emphasizing the need to engage people outside the crypto ecosystem.Links mentioned from the podcast: Erick’s TwitterWatch this episode on video:YouTubeCoinDeskFollow us on Twitter: Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Walmart's Justin Breton reveals how the retail giant is reinventing itself for the digital age through immersive commerce and virtual world experiences.In this episode, Justin Breton, Director of Brand Experience and Strategic Partnerships at Walmart, discusses the company's foray into digital platforms like Roblox and their new immersive commerce destination, Walmart Realm. Justin shares insights on partnering with creators, introducing real-world commerce in virtual environments, and Walmart's approach to innovation. He also touches on the company's strategy for engaging younger audiences and their cautious approach to implementing AI technologies.Links mentioned from the podcast: Justin Breton’s TwitterWalmart Realm WebsiteWatch this episode on video:YouTubeCoinDeskFollow us on Twitter: Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From the Consensus stage, this episode focuses on the future of immersive technologies, underlining how brands and creators are utilizing these platforms to drive community engagement and social responsibility initiatives.In this episode, we bring you another conversation from Consensus where we delve into how various brands are leveraging the metaverse and immersive technologies for social good, featuring insights from industry leaders: Justin Breton of Walmart, Adam Shlachter of Niantic, Winnie Burke of Roblox and moderated by Laurie Keith of Ad Council. Topics include Walmart’s virtual initiatives, innovations spotlighted at the Cannes Lions Festival, the impact of celebrity tokens on culture and commerce and media licensing within the evolving landscape of AI. This episode was recorded live at Consensus 2024 in Austin, TX. Links mentioned from the podcast: Justin Breton’s TwitterLaurie Keith’s TwitterWatch this episode on video:YouTubeCoinDeskFollow us on Twitter: Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3-Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) is the ownership layer of web3 with the most battle tested smart accounts. Trusted to secure over $100 billion, Safe offers unparalleled usability and security for individuals, DAOs, and institutions. Experience true digital ownership with Safe's flagship web and mobile wallet and its leading account abstraction infrastructure. Get started today at safe.global.-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Legendary comic creator Todd McFarlane discusses his journey from artist to entrepreneur on this week’s episode of “Gen C”.Todd McFarlane, creator of Spawn and founder of Image Comics and McFarlane Toys, joins the podcast to discuss his career. He shares his journey from comic book artist to successful entrepreneur, offering insights on building brands and navigating the entertainment industry. McFarlane also delves into his recent forays into blockchain and digital collectibles, explaining his perspective on the future of art and collectibles.Links mentioned from the podcast: Todd on TwitterMcFarlane Toys WebsiteWatch this episode on video:YouTubeCoinDeskFollow us on Twitter: Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3-Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) is the ownership layer of web3 with the most battle tested smart accounts. Trusted to secure over $100 billion, Safe offers unparalleled usability and security for individuals, DAOs, and institutions. Experience true digital ownership with Safe's flagship web and mobile wallet and its leading account abstraction infrastructure. Get started today at safe.global.-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From the Consensus stage, Ben Leventhal shares his philosophy of building consumer-friendly crypto brands by prioritizing user experience over crypto buzzwords.Ben Leventhal, founder of restaurant brands like Eater.com and Resy, joins Sam Ewen on the stage at Consensus to discuss his latest venture, Blackbird, which aims to enhance the relationship between restaurants and customers through loyalty programs and payments built on blockchain technology. They explore Ben's philosophy of prioritizing user experience over crypto jargon and infrastructure when creating consumer-facing products. Ben also shares advice for other entrepreneurs looking to build successful Web3 brands. This episode was recorded live at Consensus 2024 in Austin, TX.Links mentioned from the podcast: Ben on TwitterWatch this episode on video:YouTubeCoinDeskFollow us on Twitter: Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3-Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) is the ownership layer of web3 with the most battle tested smart accounts. Trusted to secure over $100 billion, Safe offers unparalleled usability and security for individuals, DAOs, and institutions. Experience true digital ownership with Safe's flagship web and mobile wallet and its leading account abstraction infrastructure. Get started today at safe.global.-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From the Consensus stage, we explore the rise of meme coins and the financialization of cultural ideas through blockchain technology.In this episode, we feature a panel from Consensus moderated by Camilla McFarland with artist Rhett Mankind, marketer Liz Hagelthorn, talent representative Chris Jacquemin, and investor Derek Edwards to discuss the emergence of meme coins, the tokenization of cultural concepts and the potential impact of this trend on art, celebrity and the monetization of ideas. This episode was recorded live at Consensus 2024 in Austin, TX.Links mentioned from the podcast: Derek on TwitterLiz on Twitter Rhett on TwitterChris on TwitterCamilla on TwitterWatch this episode on video:YouTubeCoinDeskFollow us on Twitter: Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3-Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) is the ownership layer of web3 with the most battle tested smart accounts. Trusted to secure over $100 billion, Safe offers unparalleled usability and security for individuals, DAOs, and institutions. Experience true digital ownership with Safe's flagship web and mobile wallet and its leading account abstraction infrastructure. Get started today at safe.global.-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ian Rogers, the Chief Experience Officer at Ledger, is a digital pioneer with a rich history in music and technological innovation. He discusses the launch of Ledger Stacks and the vital role of digital ownership amid rising AI and security concerns. Ian highlights how luxury goods are moving towards digital purchases and the growing significance of user-friendly technology. He also explores the evolution of digital music and warns about the implications of synthetic data on trust and identity in an increasingly digital world.

Avery and Sam tackle the hot topic of Scarlett Johansson's clash with OpenAI over voice usage, raising ethical questions about AI. They dive into the trendy Hamster Combat game on Telegram, showcasing its viral potential and marketing chops. Additionally, they explore the surge of online scams in the tech world and introduce initiatives aimed at tackling these frauds. The duo also shares insights on leveraging social media for business growth, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and authenticity in today's fast-paced digital landscape.

Evan Helda, Principal Specialist in Spatial Computing at Amazon Web Services, joins this episode to discuss the future of spatial computing and its potential impacts.In this episode, Evan Helda, a leading expert in spatial computing at Amazon Web Services (AWS) sits down with Avery and Sam. Evan shares his insights on the recent release of Apple's Vision Pro and the challenges and opportunities in the development of immersive digital experiences. They delve into the convergence of spatial computing, AI and blockchain technology and how these advancements could revolutionize e-commerce, education, and entertainment.Links mentioned from the podcast: Introducing GPT-4o and more tools to ChatGPT free usersGetBadNews AppUpfronts 2024: Where & When They’re HappeningEvan Helda on TwitterEvan’s Newsletter — Medium EnergyWatch this episode on video:YouTubeCoinDeskFollow us on Twitter: Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3-Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) is the ownership layer of web3 with the most battle tested smart accounts. Trusted to secure over $100 billion, Safe offers unparalleled usability and security for individuals, DAOs, and institutions. Experience true digital ownership with Safe's flagship web and mobile wallet and its leading account abstraction infrastructure. Get started today at safe.global.-Consensus is where experts convene to talk about the ideas shaping our digital future. Join developers, investors, founders, brands, policymakers and more in Austin, Texas from May 29-31. The tenth annual Consensus is curated by CoinDesk to feature the industry’s most sought-after speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities and unforgettable experiences. Take 15% off registration with the code GENC15. Register now at consensus.coindesk.com.-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jana Bobosikova, Co-Founder of KIKI, discusses how her beauty platform empowers customers to co-create and co-own products through blockchain technology and community involvement.In this episode, Avery and Sam interview Jana Bobosikova, the co-founder of KIKI. KIKI is a beauty platform that rewards customers for participating in the product development process through voting, sharing ideas and providing feedback, using blockchain technology and NFTs to facilitate co-creation and co-ownership. We explore KIKI's innovative approach, the importance of community involvement and the future of decentralized product development.Links mentioned from the podcast: Tubi Launches Stubios, A Fan Fueled Studio for Aspiring FilmmakersOpenAI licenses Financial Times’ content for ChatGPTThanks To Hits Like Wordle, The New York Times Is Now A Gaming CompanyKIKI WebsiteKIKI on TwitterWatch this episode on video:YouTubeCoinDeskFollow us on Twitter: Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3-Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) is the ownership layer of web3 with the most battle tested smart accounts. Trusted to secure over $100 billion, Safe offers unparalleled usability and security for individuals, DAOs, and institutions. Experience true digital ownership with Safe's flagship web and mobile wallet and its leading account abstraction infrastructure. Get started today at safe.global.-Consensus is where experts convene to talk about the ideas shaping our digital future. Join developers, investors, founders, brands, policymakers and more in Austin, Texas from May 29-31. The tenth annual Consensus is curated by CoinDesk to feature the industry’s most sought-after speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities and unforgettable experiences. Take 15% off registration with the code GENC15. Register now at consensus.coindesk.com.-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.