In this episode of the Bitcoin Journeys Podcast, I chat with Halston Valencia, a Gen Z Bitcoin enthusiast, recent USC graduate, and marketing professional at Bitcoin Well. Halston brings a unique perspective as a first-generation college student who transitioned from a traditional marketing career to the Bitcoin space, advocating for financial empowerment and self-sovereignty.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and education system critique00:55 - Halston's USC experience and debt burdens03:21 - Forced majors and post-grad slavery05:11 - Questioning the system in college08:18 - Peers' sentiments and lack of innovation10:49 - Discovering Bitcoin via "Broken Money"13:28 - Key Bitcoin insights: Supply cap and decentralization15:55 - Overlaps with business education19:46 - Bitcoin vs. crypto stigma22:26 - Future of Bitcoin adoption and self-custody26:31 - Pivoting career to Bitcoin Well29:45 - What Bitcoin Well does32:07 - Learning self-custody35:45 - Responsibility in Bitcoin39:29 - Women in Bitcoin42:43 - Holistic health and Bitcoin alignments47:15 - Final advice and closingFollow Halston:X: @HalstonValenciaInstagram: @Halston.ValenciaFollow Me:X: @stephan_zimmInstagram: @bitcoinadvisoryThis content is for educational and/or entertainment purposes only.The views expressed by Stephan Zimmermann and his guests are their own and do not constitute financial advice.Nothing in the title, thumbnail, description, or video/audio is to be interpreted as investment, tax, or legal advice.I am not a financial advisor and do not provide financial services as defined by MiCA or other financial regulations.

In this episode of the Bitcoin Journeys podcast, I am joined by Zac Townsend, a fintech veteran and founder of Meanwhile, the world's first and only Bitcoin-denominated life insurance company.

With roots in Silicon Valley—including stints at Stripe and Y Combinator—Zac brings deep insights into building financial products for a Bitcoin future.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Zac's Bitcoin journey beginnings02:00 - Impact of the 2008 financial crisis on views of money07:00 - Silicon Valley experiences: Stripe, Y Combinator, and key lessons12:00 - Inspiration and founding of Meanwhile17:00 - Life insurance basics and Meanwhile's Bitcoin differentiation24:00 - Policy mechanics: Payouts, tax benefits, borrowing, and inheritance29:00 - How yields are generated: Lending model and risk management35:00 - Balancing ideology, trust, and practical Bitcoin use cases42:00 - Future of Bitcoin economy and regulatory changes44:00 - Advice for newcomers and closing thoughts

Follow Zac:X: @ztownsendWebsite: meanwhile.bmFollow Me:X: @stephan_zimmInstagram: @bitcoinadvisoryThis content is for educational and/or entertainment purposes only.

The views expressed by Stephan Zimmermann and his guests are their own and do not constitute financial advice.Nothing in the title, thumbnail, description, or video/audio is to be interpreted as investment, tax, or legal advice.I am not a financial advisor and do not provide financial services as defined by MiCA or other financial regulations.

In this episode of the Bitcoin Journeys Podcast, I am joined by Prashanth Chandrashekar, a seasoned Bitcoin engineer and founder of Bringin—a platform revolutionizing how Bitcoiners spend and manage their funds.

Prashanth shares his inspiring journey from discovering Bitcoin in college to building tools that bridge the gap between crypto and everyday fiat needs, all while living fully on a Bitcoin standard.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction and guest background

02:30 - Prashanth's Bitcoin discovery through "Mastering Bitcoin"

07:15 - Explaining proof of work to non-technical audiences

12:45 -What is the Lightning Network and why it matters

18:20 - Building Lightning infrastructure at Lastbit

23:10 -The problem that led to founding Bring-in

28:45 - Living on a Bitcoin standard: practical experience

35:30 - Dealing with Bitcoin volatility in daily spending

42:15 - Tax complications of Bitcoin-as-currency

47:00 - The future of Bitcoin adoption and circular economies

51:30 - Final advice for Bitcoin newcomers

Follow Prashanth:

X: @prashanthc123

Website: bringin.xyz

Follow Me:

X: @stephan_zimm

Instagram: @bitcoinadvisory

This content is for educational and/or entertainment purposes only.

The views expressed by Stephan Zimmermann and his guests are their own and do not constitute financial advice.

Nothing in the title, thumbnail, description, or video/audio is to be interpreted as investment, tax, or legal advice.

I am not a financial advisor and do not provide financial services as defined by MiCA or other financial regulations.