You're The Voice | by Efrat Fenigson

My guest today is Knut Svanholm, author, educator, and philosopher focused on Bitcoin. Drawing on ethics, praxeology, and monetary history, Knut argues that sound money reduces conflict by aligning human action with natural law and voluntary exchange. In this episode, he explains why fiat banking already functions like a CBDC system in practice, why cash preserves privacy but not liberty, and why real freedom requires self custody and non-KYC Bitcoin. We explore his critique of custodial “paper Bitcoin,” the case for non-custodial adoption over treasury companies, and his view of Bitcoin as intellectual armor that raises the cost of violence. Knut outlines a practical path away from banks, explains why stablecoins can be a bridge yet remain fiat, and why a low-time-preference culture of quality over quantity matters.► If you got value, please like, comment, share, follow and support my work. Thank you!-- SPONSORS --→ Get your TREZOR wallet & accessories, with a 5% discount, using my code at checkout (get my discount code from the episode - yep, you’ll have to watch it): https://affil.trezor.io/SHUn → Shield your bitcoin with time-delayed transactions over multisig with BitVault: https://bit.ly/bitvault_efrat → Have you tried mining bitcoin? Stack sats directly to your wallet while saving on taxes with Abundant Mines: https://AbundantMines.com/Efrat – AFFILIATES –→ Get 10% off on Augmented NAC, with the code YCXKQDK2 via this link: https://store.augmentednac.com/?via=efrat (Note, this is not medical advice and you should consult your MD)→ Watch “New Totalitarian Order” conference with Prof. Mattias Desmet & Efrat - code EFRAT for 10% off: https://efenigson.gumroad.com/l/desmet_efrat → Get a second citizenship and a plan B to relocate to another country with Expat Money, leave your details for a follow up: https://expatmoney.com/efrat → Join me in any of these upcoming events: https://www.efrat.blog/p/upcoming-events -- LINKS –Knut’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/knutsvanholmKnut’s Nostr: https://primal.net/knutKnut’s Website (10% off with code EFRAT): https://www.bitcoininfinity.com/ Efrat's Twitter: https://twitter.com/efenigsonEfrat's Channels: https://linktr.ee/efenigsonWatch/listen on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/yourethevoiceSupport Efrat's work: ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/efenigson   ⁠Support Efrat with Bitcoin: https://geyser.fund/project/efenigson-- CHAPTERS –00:00 - Coming Up01:23 - Introduction to Knut03:40 - Current Affairs: Stablecoins & CBDCs06:55 - Cash & Fiat vs. Bitcoin08:20 - Ethics of Money, Natural Law, First Principles 10:00 - Conflict Resolution via Violence Or Communications13:12 - Ad Break: Trezor & BitVault15:30 - Bitcoin as Intellectual Armor20:30 - Knut’s Take on Bitcoin Treasury Companies23:11 - Ad Break: Abundant Mines & Expat Money27:39 - Mass Adoption & Future Outlook29:46 - Transitioning to a Bitcoin-Only Reality34:44 - The Psychological Manipulation of Obedience39:05 - Hope & the Shawshank Redemption Metaphor42:43 - Bitcoin as a Tool for Human Freedom & Hope48:12 - Closing Thoughts & Acknowledgements

Max Kei, a former private banker and founder of Debify, dives into the transformative power of Bitcoin in the financial sector. He argues that banks will adapt rather than crumble under Bitcoin’s influence, with Switzerland leading the way in integration. Max highlights the critical need for non-custodial finance post-FTX, advocating for security measures like three-of-four multisig configurations. He also sees stablecoins as a vital bridge to Bitcoin, especially in inflation-stricken areas, providing optionality and faster settlements.

Allen Farrington, a writer and co-founder of Bitcoin-focused venture capital firm Axiom, shares insights on the transformative power of Bitcoin. He explains why the most promising startups will use Bitcoin as invisible infrastructure rather than explicitly branding themselves as crypto companies. Farrington discusses the failures of current stablecoin systems under real demand, the advantages of Taproot Assets and Lightning for cheaper, scalable payments, and anticipates a future evolution from stablecoins to eCash as a leading digital currency.

My guest today is Max Hillebrand, praxeologist, cypherpunk, and open-source advocate dedicated to building freedom tech that empowers individuals through economic and technological sovereignty. As a contributor to projects like Bitcoin Core, Wasabi Wallet, BTCPay Server, JoinMarket, Lightning Network, Bisq, Angor, White Noise, and Amethyst. In this episode, Max shares his journey from Austrian economics into Bitcoin privacy, recounting how tools like CoinJoins, Wasabi, and the Taproot upgrade push Bitcoin closer to true anonymity. We explore the battle between fiat and freedom, the broken incentives of inflation and war, and why opting into Bitcoin is both a moral imperative and a form of resistance. Max also introduces Nostr as the communications layer for a censorship-resistant future, explains the axioms of human action, argumentation ethics, and resistance, and highlights why he believes we now have the technological weapons to end modern financial slavery in our lifetime.► If you got value, please like, comment, share, follow and support my work. Thank you!-- SPONSORS --→ Get your TREZOR wallet & accessories, with a 5% discount, using my code at checkout (get my discount code from the episode - yep, you’ll have to watch it): https://affil.trezor.io/SHUn → Shield your bitcoin with time-delayed transactions over multisig with BitVault: https://www.bitvault.sv/ – AFFILIATES –→ Get 10% off on Augmented NAC, with the code YCXKQDK2 via this link: https://store.augmentednac.com/?via=efrat (Note, this is not medical advice and you should consult your MD)→ Watch “New Totalitarian Order” conference with Prof. Mattias Desmet & Efrat - code EFRAT for 10% off: https://efenigson.gumroad.com/l/desmet_efrat → Get a second citizenship and a plan B to relocate to another country with Expat Money, leave your details for a follow up: https://expatmoney.com/efrat → Join me in any of these upcoming events: https://www.efrat.blog/p/upcoming-events -- LINKS –Max’s Website: https://towardsliberty.com Max’s Nostr: npub1klkk3vrzme455yh9rl2jshq7rc8dpegj3ndf82c3ks2sk40dxt7qulx3vtEfrat's Twitter: https://twitter.com/efenigsonEfrat's Channels: https://linktr.ee/efenigsonWatch/listen on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/yourethevoiceSupport Efrat's work: ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/efenigson   ⁠Support Efrat with Bitcoin: https://geyser.fund/project/efenigson-- CHAPTERS –00:00 – Coming Up01:23 – Intro to Max05:56 – Max Passion for Austrian Economics06:56 – Bitcoin: Bridging Economics with Computer Science11:16 – Building Freedom Tech14:16 – CoinJoin and Bitcoin Privacy18:56 – Legal & Regulatory Challenges for Privacy Tech – Samurai, Tornado, Wasabi Wallet26:36 – Why Is Privacy Important?29:06 – Economics of Wars & The Broken Window Fallacy41:23 – The Value of Cash and Fiat Currency45:38 – Moving to a Bitcoin Standard & Influence on Businesses50:03 – Max’s Take on Bitcoin Treasury Companies52:03 – Nostr & Decentralized Protocols1:00:03 – “White Noise” - Building Nostr Private Encrypted Messaging1:04:48 – Austrian Economics Axioms: Human Action, Argumentation, Resistance1:13:10 – Max’s Book Recommendations & Reasons to Stay Hopeful

My guest today is Alena Vránová, entrepreneur, author, and builder of freedom tech who has spent over a decade pioneering tools that defend both digital and physical sovereignty. She co-founded SatoshiLabs (Trezor’s mother company), which launched  the world’s first commercially available hardware wallet, joined the Casa Node team to make running Bitcoin and Lightning easy, and co-authored The Little Bitcoin Book, a global bestseller introducing why Bitcoin matters for freedom and finance. Today, she is building GLOK, a project dedicated to protecting Bitcoiners against kidnapping, extortion, and physical threats. In this episode, Alena shares her journey from legacy finance into Bitcoin, recounting how she helped establish an entirely new market for hardware wallets. We discuss the ongoing attempts to co-opt Bitcoin through regulation and confiscation, the dangers of KYC and data leaks, and why physical security is the next frontier for Bitcoiners worldwide. Alena also reflects on the role of women in Bitcoin, the growth of a truly global community, and why she believes building tools for self-defense—digital and physical—is essential for human freedom► If you got value, please like, comment, share, follow and support my work. Thank you!-- SPONSORS & AFFILIATES --→ Get your TREZOR wallet & accessories, with a 5% discount, using my code at checkout (get my discount code from the episode - yep, you’ll have to watch it): https://affil.trezor.io/SHUn → Shield your bitcoin with time-delayed transactions over multisig with BitVault: https://www.bitvault.sv/ → Get 10% off on Augmented NAC, with the code YCXKQDK2 via this link: https://store.augmentednac.com/?via=efrat (Note, this is not medical advice and you should consult your MD)→ Watch “New Totalitarian Order” conference with Prof. Mattias Desmet & Efrat - code EFRAT for 10% off: https://efenigson.gumroad.com/l/desmet_efrat → Get a second citizenship and a plan B to relocate to another country with Expat Money, leave your details for a follow up: https://expatmoney.com/efrat → Join me in any of these upcoming events: https://www.efrat.blog/p/upcoming-events -- LINKS –Alena’s Twitter: https://x.com/alenasatoshi Alena’s Nostr: https://bit.ly/4msttRb Glok’s Website: https://glok.me/ Efrat's Twitter: https://twitter.com/efenigsonEfrat's Channels: https://linktr.ee/efenigson Watch/listen on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/yourethevoiceSupport Efrat's work: ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/efenigson   ⁠Support Efrat with Bitcoin: https://geyser.fund/project/efenigson-- CHAPTERS –00:00 - Coming Up01:40 - Intro to Alena & Her Background08:27 - Alena’s Journey Into Bitcoin11:08 - Building Trezor: Pioneering Hardware Wallets & Their Importance19:17 - Bitcoin Nodes: From Fringe to Mainstream22:37 - The Little Bitcoin Book29:08 - The Inevitable Evolution of Bitcoin: Regulation, Co-opting, Confiscation36:27 - Tech Innovation in Bitcoin40:02 - Kidnapping, Extortion & “Glok” - Alena’s New Security Project45:07 - Operational Security Checklist48:07 - Kidnapping Use Case & Glok’s Deterrent Solution59:17 - Women’s Safety in Europe1:00:17 - Empowering Women Generally & in Bitcoin1:11:27 - A Pronoic Mindset: Alena’s Hope for the Future

This episode is a recording of the great panel I moderated at Baltic Honeybadger 2025. Willy Woo, Max Kei & Preston Pysh break down ETFs, treasury strategies, custody risks, CBDCs, and why self-custody still matters most.-- SPONSORS & AFFILIATES --→ Get your TREZOR wallet & accessories, with a 5% discount, using my code at checkout (get my discount code from the episode - yep, you’ll have to watch it): https://affil.trezor.io/SHUn → Shield your bitcoin with time-delayed transactions over multisig with BitVault: bitvault.sv → Get 10% off on Augmented NAC, with the code YCXKQDK2 via this link: https://store.augmentednac.com/?via=efrat (Note, this is not medical advice and you should consult your MD)→ Watch “New Totalitarian Order” conference with Prof. Mattias Desmet & Efrat - code EFRAT for 10% off: https://efenigson.gumroad.com/l/desmet_efrat → Get a second citizenship and a plan B to relocate to another country with Expat Money, leave your details for a follow up: https://expatmoney.com/efrat → Join me in any of these upcoming events: https://www.efrat.blog/p/upcoming-events -- LINKS –Efrat's Twitter: https://twitter.com/efenigsonEfrat's Channels: https://linktr.ee/efenigsonWatch/listen on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/yourethevoiceSupport Efrat's work: ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/efenigson   ⁠Support Efrat with Bitcoin: https://geyser.fund/project/efenigson

My guest today is Francis Pouliot, long-time Bitcoin advocate, cypherpunk entrepreneur, and CEO of Bull Bitcoin, Canada’s leading Bitcoin-only exchange. Known for his uncompromising stance on self-custody, privacy, and resistance to state overreach, Francis has been a vocal defender of Bitcoin’s founding ethos for over a decade. He is also a key figure in Bitcoin Jungle, a circular economy in Costa Rica where hundreds of merchants transact daily in Bitcoin. In this episode, Francis shares how his background in Austrian economics and libertarian politics, combined with the wake-up call of COVID, led him to relocate from Canada to Costa Rica. We explore the creation and growth of Bitcoin Jungle, why farmers markets are fertile ground for adoption, and how his “scale versus compromise” framework guides strategic decisions in building Bitcoin infrastructure. Francis opens up about the tension of running a regulated exchange while opposing KYC, his mission to make self-custody as seamless as custodial services, and why Bitcoin’s payments layer is as critical as its store-of-value function. He dismantles the “Bitcoin is hijacked” myth spread by Roger Ver & others, addresses skepticism from the red-pilled community, and explains why barter and cash cannot scale for true financial freedom. → If you got value, please like, comment, share, follow and support my work. Thank you!-- SPONSORS & AFFILIATES --►► Get your TREZOR wallet & accessories, with a 5% discount, using my code at checkout (get my discount code from the episode - yep, you’ll have to watch it): https://affil.trezor.io/SHUn ►► Get 10% off on Augmented NAC, with the code YCXKQDK2 via this link: https://store.augmentednac.com/?via=efrat (Note, this is not medical advice and you should consult your MD)►► Watch “New Totalitarian Order” conference with Prof. Mattias Desmet & Efrat - code EFRAT for 10% off: https://efenigson.gumroad.com/l/desmet_efrat ►► Get a second citizenship and a plan B to relocate to another country with Expat Money, leave your details for a follow up: https://expatmoney.com/efrat ►► Join me in any of these upcoming events: https://www.efrat.blog/p/upcoming-events -- LINKS –Francis’ Twitter: https://x.com/francispouliot_ Bull Bitcoin Website: https://www.bullbitcoin.com/ Francis’ Nostr: francis@nostrplebs.com Efrat's Twitter: https://twitter.com/efenigsonEfrat's Telegram: https://t.me/efenigsonWatch/listen on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/yourethevoiceSupport Efrat's work: ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/efenigson   ⁠Support Efrat with Bitcoin: https://geyser.fund/project/efenigson-- CHAPTERS –00:00 - Coming Up…01:18 - Intro to Francis & His Covid Wakeup Call05:38 - Costa Rica During Covid06:38 - Francis Interest in Austrian Economics & Libertarianism09:08 - Francis Journey Into Bitcoin & Bull Bitcoin13:08 - Private Property & Self-Custody17:18 - Efrat’s Revelation of the Fiat Scam20:58 - The Birth of Bitcoin Jungle Circular Economy30:38 - Custodial vs. Non-Custodial Bitcoin Solutions35:18 - The New Revolution: Build Tech That Creates New Reality40:48 - The Circular Community in Costa Rica & Globally45:48 - Bull Bitcoin: Freedom vs. Compliance & Regulation53:38 - Struggle Between Scale & Compromise - Cypherpunk Values1:00:38 - Understanding Bitcoin: Overcoming Skepticism & Claims Against It1:04:08 - Shortcomings of Cash, Barter, Gold1:07:48 - Roger Ver Attempt To Hijack Bitcoin and Damage to Bitcoin & Freedom Community1:18:08 - Can Bitcoin Be Coopted By Those Who Hold The Most Bitcoin?1:21:08 - Resist By Minimize Interface With Fiat/Matrix/Institutions

My guest today is Bob Burnett, veteran technologist, former Gateway CTO, and now CEO of Barefoot Mining. From consumer tech pioneer with eight U.S. patents to leader in sovereign Bitcoin mining, Bob shares his vision for “wild mining,” where miners own their energy using innovative energy sources. He challenges the myth that mining is only for massive corporations, showing how small, strategically placed operations can be both profitable and decentralizing. We discuss adoption curves, block template decentralization, why nation-states should build mining infrastructure before buying Bitcoin reserves, lessons from the early PC revolution, and the coming energy race with AI and High-Performance Computing.► If you got value, please like, comment, share, follow and support my work. Thank you!-- SPONSORS & AFFILIATES --►► Get your TREZOR wallet & accessories, with a 5% discount, using my code at checkout (get my discount code from the episode - yep, you’ll have to watch it): https://affil.trezor.io/SHUn ►► Get 10% off on Augmented NAC, with the code YCXKQDK2 via this link: https://store.augmentednac.com/?via=efrat (Note, this is not medical advice and you should consult your MD)►► Watch “New Totalitarian Order” conference with Prof. Mattias Desmet & Efrat - code EFRAT for 10% off: https://efenigson.gumroad.com/l/desmet_efrat ►► Get a second citizenship and a plan B to relocate to another country with Expat Money, leave your details for a follow up: https://expatmoney.com/efrat ►► Join me in any of these upcoming events: https://www.efrat.blog/p/upcoming-events -- LINKS –Bob’s Twitter: https://x.com/boomer_btc Barefoot Mining: barefootmining.com Efrat's Twitter: https://twitter.com/efenigsonEfrat's Telegram: https://t.me/efenigsonWatch/listen on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/yourethevoiceSupport Efrat's work: ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/efenigson   ⁠Support Efrat with Bitcoin: https://geyser.fund/project/efenigson-- CHAPTERS –00:00 – Coming Up01:29 – Bob’s Background & His Long Tech Career05:15 – Bob’s Patents & Innovations, Early Adopter Mindset10:00 – Leap Frog Into New Tech Frontiers - AI & Bitcoin14:00 – PC As Prerequisite For The Internet Revolution17:00 – Good & Bad Actors19:00 – Why Bob Chose Bitcoin Mining21:10 – Bob’s Bitcoin Mining 101 Explanation25:00 – Why Bitcoin & Barefoot Mining?34:20 – Smaller Scale 0.5-5MW “Wild” Mining Sites Can Be As Cost Effective As Larger 50-200MW Sites39:40 – Barefoot Mining Expansion41:40 – The Energy Landscape and Bitcoin Mining43:44 – Opportunities for Small-Scale Mining46:39 – Meaning of HODL & Role of Citizens in Bitcoin48:24 – Key Trends in Bitcoin, Inc. Template Creation54:54 – Political Implications & Weaponization of Bitcoin Mining1:00:54 – Economic Sovereignty through Mining1:04:36 – The OP_Return Debate & Facilitating Change1:12:06 – Bob’s Hope for the Future

My guest today is the internationally renowned chef Pete Evans, bestselling author, and outspoken advocate for regenerative health and personal sovereignty. He built a successful career in the culinary world with over 30 cookbooks and award-winning restaurants, and after shifting to regenerative health and holistic wellness, he became one of the first high-profile figures to be widely deplatformed. In this episode, Pete shares how his journey from celebrity chef to wellness crusader began with a shift to ancestral eating that radically transformed his health. We dive into his clash with mainstream media, his exploration of psychedelics and spiritual growth, and how Bitcoin became the missing link in his pursuit of holistic sovereignty. Pete explains why Bitcoiners might hold the key to a global health revolution, and how financial freedom and health are deeply intertwined. From detoxing modern life to building vitality through conscious choices, Pete calls for radical accountability and curiosity.► If you got value, please like, comment, share, follow and support my work. Thank you!-- SPONSORS & AFFILIATES --►► Get your TREZOR wallet & accessories, with a 5% discount, using my code at checkout (get my discount code from the episode - yep, you’ll have to watch it): https://affil.trezor.io/SHUn ►► Get 10% off on Augmented NAC, with the code YCXKQDK2 via this link: https://store.augmentednac.com/?via=efrat (Note, this is not medical advice and you should consult your MD)►► Watch “New Totalitarian Order” conference with Prof. Mattias Desmet & Efrat - code EFRAT for 10% off: https://efenigson.gumroad.com/l/desmet_efrat ►► Get a second citizenship and a plan B to relocate to another country with Expat Money, leave your details for a follow up: https://expatmoney.com/efrat ►► Join me in any of these upcoming events: https://www.efrat.blog/p/upcoming-events -- LINKS –Pete’s Twitter: https://x.com/peteevanschefx Pete’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefpeteevans/ Pete’s new book - “The Primal Code”, Amazon - hard cover: https://www.amazon.com/Primal-Code-Peter-Evans/dp/1764057902 Pete’s new book - “The Primal Code”, Apple - digital version: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-primal-code/id6747148044 Pete’s Website: https://peteevans.com/ Efrat's Twitter: https://twitter.com/efenigsonEfrat's Telegram: https://t.me/efenigsonWatch/listen on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/yourethevoiceSupport Efrat's work: ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/efenigson   ⁠Support Efrat with Bitcoin: https://geyser.fund/project/efenigson-- CHAPTERS –00:00 - Coming Up…01:20 - Introduction to Chef Pete Evans06:08 - The Impact Pete Made Using Ancestral Diets12:58 - Pete Becoming Public Enemy No. 1 In Australia & Facing Media Backlash15:05 - The Health-Media-Money Incentive Structure18:05 - Media’s Role During Covid Hysteria21:15 - Impact of Cancel-Culture on Pete: Personal Growth34:55 - Bitcoin Entering Pete’s Life40:44 - Health, Vitality & Bitcoin: Insights & Reflections45:44 - The Intersection of Regenerative Health & Wealth51:44 - “Sprayed”, Geo-engineered Food & Health Impacts1:01:32 - Thoughts, Beliefs & Leaning In To Uncertainty1:13:54 - Interested In A Retreat in Australia?1:16:54 - Living in the Present & Celebrating Uniqueness

Preston Pysh, an engineer, Apache helicopter pilot, and co-founder of The Investor’s Podcast Network, delves into the transformative power of Bitcoin. He highlights how his military background shaped his understanding of Bitcoin as a superior store of value. The discussion covers the rise of Bitcoin treasury companies and the innovative financial strategies inspired by MicroStrategy. Preston also addresses the psychological shift needed to embrace Bitcoin, the dangers of institutional inertia, and the future landscape of finance shaped by cryptocurrency.