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.

In this episode of the Bitcoin Journeys Podcast, I am joined by Knut Svanholm, a former sea captain turned Bitcoin author and philosopher. Knut's books, including "Bitcoin: Sovereignty Through Mathematics" and "Bitcoin: Everything Divided by 21 Million," explore the profound implications of Bitcoin on freedom, economics, and society. With a background in sailing the world's oceans and a rebellious spirit against fiat systems, Knut brings unique insights into how Bitcoin redefines money and human collaboration.

Podcast Originally Recorded: November 18th, 2024

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Knut's pre-Bitcoin background05:50 - Sailing adventures and global travels10:50 - Transition to family life and fiat jobs15:50 - Bitcoin discovery and philosophical insights on scarcity20:50 - Explaining inflation as theft and Austrian economics25:50 - Role of government and vision for a stateless society30:50 - Internet, borders, and Bitcoin as peace35:50 - Shifts in global politics and youth awakening40:50 - Technology deflation and fiat illusions45:50 - Incentives in a Bitcoin world and letting go of ego50:50 - Price predictions and advice for newcomers55:50 - Closing thoughts and resources

Follow Knut Svanholm:

X (Twitter): @knutsvanholm

Website: bitcoininfinity.com

Follow Me:X: @stephan_zimmInstagram: @bitcoinadvisory

In this episode of the Bitcoin Journeys Podcast, I am joined by Pascal Huegli, a Swiss Bitcoin journalist, author, and host of the "Less Noise, More Signal" podcast, whose journey from aspiring soccer pro to economics enthusiast unlocked the world of sound money. With a background in Austrian economics and monetary theory, Pascal offers profound insights into Bitcoin's revolutionary potential, drawing from his personal evolution from sports enthusiast to crypto expert.Timestamps: 00:48 - Introduction and start of Pascal's Bitcoin journey01:30 - Early life: From soccer to academic awakening and reading passion05:12 - Language skills and experiences in Brazil09:03 - Cultural insights and global empathy14:20 - Post-exchange thirst for economic knowledge17:06 - Discovering Bitcoin with Patrick Byrne at Mises University19:23 - Scholarium studies and Austrian economics deep dive20:59 - Key differences: Austrian individualism vs. Keynesian aggregates28:11 - Bitcoin's interdisciplinary appeal and why it resonated34:28 - Assessing Bitcoin's long-term adoption and feasibility40:20 - Balancing risk aversion with Bitcoin enthusiasm45:34 - Living in a fiat world while pursuing Bitcoin goals49:26 - Exploring intelligent leverage in Bitcoin54:27 - Closing: Book, podcast, and where to find PascalFollow Pascal:X (Twitter): @pahuegPodcast: Search "Less Noise More Signal" on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple PodcastsBook: Available on major platforms (e.g., Amazon) under Pascal HuegliFollow Me:X: @stephan_zimmInstagram: @bitcoinadvisory

In this episode of the Bitcoin Journeys Podcast, I am joined by Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, co-founder and CSO of Ledn, a leading platform for Bitcoin-backed loans and financial services. Born in Venezuela, Mauricio experienced firsthand the chaos of chronic inflation and hyperinflation, which shaped his understanding of broken money systems and led him to Bitcoin as a tool for financial sovereignty.After witnessing his family's strategies to navigate economic distortions, Mauricio discovered Bitcoin through mining and founded Ledn to help users borrow against their Bitcoin without selling. Now a prominent advocate for sound money, Mauricio shares insights on turning inflation into a tailwind, the cyclical nature of inequality, and Bitcoin's role as a global reserve asset.Podcast Originally Recorded: August 23rd 2024TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Episode Introduction00:55 - Introduction and Mauricio's Bitcoin journey beginnings01:33 - Prehistory: Growing up in Venezuela's inflation-distorted economy07:24 - Realizing money is broken and using inflation as a tailwind13:02 - Living through hyperinflation and why risk tolerance matters21:51 - Wealth inequality, historical debasement, and societal cycles29:36 - First encounter with Bitcoin through mining36:21 - Bitcoin's potential in collapsing economies38:28 - Founding Ledn and the vision for Bitcoin-backed loans43:40 - How Bitcoin-backed loans work and benefits over selling47:24 - Managing volatility and risks in Bitcoin lending51:54 - Advice for new Bitcoiners54:15 - Closing thoughtsFollow Mauricio Di Bartolomeo:X: @cryptonomistaLedn website: https://www.ledn.io/Ledn on X: @hodlwithLednFollow Me:X: @stephan_zimmInstagram: @bitcoinadvisory

In this episode of the Bitcoin Journeys Podcast, I am joined by Eric Yakes, a CFA charterholder, former corporate restructuring expert, author of "The 7th Property: Bitcoin and the Monetary Revolution," and founder of Epoch VC—a Bitcoin-focused venture capital firm dedicated to building the future of decentralized finance.

Eric shares his transformation from a fiat system insider betting on economic failures to a Bitcoin advocate, drawing on his deep economic background and experiences in distressed investing. He explores Bitcoin's role as a revolutionary digital commodity, critiques the flaws of central banking, and outlines a vision for Bitcoin's layered architecture and global adoption cycles, offering profound insights for both newcomers and seasoned investors.

TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction and Eric's Bitcoin journey beginnings02:00 - Economic priming: From Milton Friedman to Keynesian education06:00 - Experiences in distressed investing and fiat system flaws10:00 - Rethinking value: Bitcoin as a commodity, not a security14:00 - Discovering Bitcoin as an alternative to central banking17:00 - Why Bitcoin over altcoins: Trade-offs in speed and complexity20:00 - Layered architecture for Bitcoin's future financial system25:00 - Bitcoin's market potential and adoption cycles31:00 - Education and technology in driving Bitcoin adoption39:00 - Parallel systems: Centralized vs. Bitcoin-native44:00 - Incentives for migrating to a decentralized future50:00 - Advice for newcomers and closing thoughts

Resources mentioned:Capitalism and Freedom by Milton FriedmanThe 7th Property: Bitcoin and the Monetary Revolution by Eric YakesHuman Rights Foundation (in context of Bitcoin use cases)Paper: "Banks Without Bankers" by Eric Yakes

Follow Eric Yakes:X: @ericyakesWebsite: epochvc.ioBook: Available on major platforms or via his website

Follow Me:X: @stephan_zimmInstagram: @bitcoinadvisory

In this episode of the Bitcoin Journeys Podcast, I am joined by Mark Moss, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and prominent Bitcoin educator who turned personal financial catastrophe into a mission to empower others through sound money. After building and exiting multiple successful businesses, Mark was impacted by 2008 crash, sparking his deep dive into monetary history and the flaws of fiat currency. Now a leading voice in the Bitcoin space, Mark shares his journey from gold bug to Bitcoin maximalist, offering actionable insights for anyone seeking financial sovereignty.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction and Mark's background 03:58 - Personal Impact of the Financial Crash and Questioning the System06:19 - Discovering the Fiat problem and Becoming a Gold Bug08:50 - Signs of the 2008 Crash and Attempts to Mitigate Risks13:45 - Inflation Explained in Simple Terms21:12 - Why Sound Money Solves Fiat Issues26:32 - First Encounter with Bitcoin and Initial Reactions30:21 - Key Bitcoin Features that Changed Mark's Worldview33:12 - Early Doubts about Bitcoin's Success38:27 - Differentiating Bitcoin from Altcoins like Solana or XRP45:43 - Bitcoin's Future Price Potential54:24 - Words of Wisdom for New Bitcoiners56:22 - Where to find Mark Moss and His Latest ProjectsResources mentioned:Books by Harry Dent Jr. (e.g., "The Great Bubble Boom Ahead")Sovereign Man newsletter by Simon BlackMike Maloney and Peter Schiff's content on gold and economicsLudwig von Mises and Austrian School of Economics principlesFollow Mark Moss:YouTube: @1MarkMossX: @1MarkMossSatsuma (Bitcoin Treasury company)Follow Me:X: @stephan_zimmInstagram: @bitcoinadvisory