The Block Reward | Real Stories. Real Impact. All Powered by Real Money - Bitcoin

Scott Dedels
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  • TECHNOLOGY
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Welcome to The Block Reward Podcast, where real stories meet real impact, all powered by real money—Bitcoin. Each week, we dive into the transformative world of Bitcoin through in-depth interviews with thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping the future of decentralized finance. Your host, Scott Dedels, also shares solo episodes where he reflects on his journey as a conscious CEO, offering insights into leadership, personal growth, and the evolving role of Bitcoin in creating a more intentional and purpose-driven economy. Whether you're a seasoned Bitcoiner or just starting to explore its potential, The Block Reward Podcast delivers thought-provoking conversations and actionable takeaways to inspire your own financial freedom and conscious living. Join us as we uncover the stories and strategies that fuel the Bitcoin revolution—one block at a time. New episodes released every Tuesday!

  1. 3D AGO

    99: Tyranny of the Clock

    👉 Engage top talent and empower your team with Bitcoin saving: https://blockrewards.ca What if the real theft isn’t of your money, but of your time? This episode was sparked by George Woodcock’s 1944 essay The Tyranny of the Clock. Woodcock, an economist, argued that the invention of the mechanical clock in 1657 fundamentally changed how humans related to time, making it possible to measure, schedule, and commodify life itself. I trace that idea forward into the world of central banking, fiat money, and Bitcoin. From the Federal Reserve’s creation in 1913, to Nixon cutting gold from the dollar in 1971, to today’s endless money printing, the value of time has been systematically degraded. Bitcoin, with its fixed supply and transparent schedule, offers a way to break free of this trap and restore time as the most valuable asset we have. You’ll Learn: Why Nixon’s 1971 move to cut gold from the dollar still shapes your daily costsWhat happens when central banks expand the money supply while time itself never changesThe surprising link between the invention of the mechanical clock and the rise of industrial societyWhy fiat money makes every unit of your time worth less as you move through lifeHow Bitcoin functions as a clock built on blocks, epochs, and difficulty adjustmentsThe damage of high time preference and how it fuels disposable culture, food, and buildingsWhy storing your time in Bitcoin can flip urgency into long-term securityThe deeper connection between history, civilization cycles, and the future Bitcoin makes possible Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [09:00] The mechanical clock’s invention in 1657 and how it redefined time [11:47] Factories, schools, and armies turning human life into scheduled labor [14:32] Central banking, fixed time, and why money keeps losing value [18:15] Bitcoin as a clock built on blocks, epochs, and difficulty adjustments [21:57] High time preference and disposable culture in food, buildings, and media [24:38] Low time preference and how Bitcoin lets you store time securely [28:51] Civilization cycles, history, and Bitcoin as the next major shift [31:42] Why Bitcoin is as significant as the printing press or the wheel [34:12] How Block Rewards reshape saving, work, and the future of value Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here. Resources Mentioned: The Tyranny of the Clock by George Woodcock | Essay The Creature from Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin | Book The Price of Tomorrow by Jeff Booth | Book or Audiobook Bitcoin Is Time | Essay Find more from Scott: Scott Dedels | X Block Rewards | Instagram Block Rewards | YouTube Block Rewards | TikTok Block Rewards | Website Block Rewards | LinkedIn

    36 min

  2. AUG 19

    98: Joe Burnett ON: The Playbook for Running a Corporate Bitcoin Treasury

    👉 Engage top talent and empower your team with Bitcoin saving: https://blockrewards.ca What if the smartest move your company could make right now isn’t launching a new product, but changing what sits on your balance sheet? In this episode, I’m joined by Joe Burnett, Director of Bitcoin Strategy at Semler Scientific, the second American public company to adopt a Bitcoin standard. We get into what it actually means to operate on a Bitcoin standard, how corporate treasury strategies for Bitcoin are emerging, and why adoption has moved from individuals to companies. Joe shares what his role involves day to day, how public and private companies think differently about Bitcoin, and the specific factors a small business owner might weigh before starting their own Bitcoin treasury. You’ll Learn: The difference between a company simply holding Bitcoin and operating on a true Bitcoin standardWhy Bitcoin’s monetary properties make it a contender for the “best form of money” ever discoveredHow metrics like BTC yield and market-to-net-asset-value (MNav) shape corporate Bitcoin strategyThe role “intelligent leverage” plays in amplifying Bitcoin returns for public companiesWhy Bitcoin treasury companies can be massively overcollateralized despite using debtThe factors that make adoption easier for individuals and private companies than public corporationsHow a small business owner might decide whether to start a Bitcoin treasuryThe trade-offs and challenges of proof of reserves for Bitcoin treasury companiesWhat a Director of Bitcoin Strategy actually does inside a public companyWhy skepticism toward Bitcoin treasury companies could signal an untapped opportunity Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [05:00] Why companies might choose to hold Bitcoin as an asset [06:58] What it means to operate on a Bitcoin standard [08:57] Key metrics for evaluating corporate Bitcoin treasuries [11:55] How intelligent leverage can amplify Bitcoin returns [15:00] The long-term outlook for Bitcoin treasury companies [21:00] Inside the role of a director of Bitcoin strategy [27:02] How small businesses can approach a Bitcoin treasury [31:00] The challenges and trade-offs of proof of reserves [37:58] Why Bitcoin remains the foundation beneath treasury strategies Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here. Resources Mentioned: Semler Scientific | Website If you want to learn more about Joe, follow him on LinkedIn, X and YouTube. Find more from Scott: Scott Dedels | X Block Rewards | Instagram Block Rewards | YouTube Block Rewards | TikTok Block Rewards | Website Block Rewards | LinkedIn

    41 min

  3. AUG 12

    97: Dave Bradley ON: The Untold Way Bitcoin Could Reshape Governments and Nations

    What happens when cheap money builds entire industries on debt? In this episode I sit down with Dave Bradley. He was very early to Bitcoin and ran the first brick‑and‑mortar Bitcoin store in Canada.   We start with his “Bitcoin fixes things” lens on the car industry, financing bubbles, add‑on features, regulations, and union dynamics, and why he says Bitcoin would change those incentives. Then we get into how money printing shapes government power, the “sovereign individual” idea and the end of the mega‑state, plus what a Bitcoin reserve or commodity‑backed currency could mean for Alberta and why he predicts Alberta could leave Canada by the end of 2026. You’ll Learn: The mechanics of Dave Bradley’s “Bitcoin fixes the car industry” exampleHow cheap credit fuels vehicle financing bubbles and distorted car designThe real reason modern cars are loaded with costly, breakable featuresWhat changes when money appreciates instead of melts awayThe connection between money printing and government overreachWhy Dave believes Bitcoin could strip governments of their covert taxing powerThe “sovereign individual” case for the end of the large-scale nation stateHow Alberta could use a Bitcoin reserve to protect against federal controlThe potential of a currency backed by gold, Bitcoin, and oil Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [06:18] How Bitcoin could fix the car industry [10:47] The shift in spending when money gains value over time [15:00] Why Bitcoin changes the buyer’s relationship with government power [18:23] How government intervention distorts markets [24:00] The sovereign individual theory and the decline of the mega state [34:00] How a strategic Bitcoin reserve could protect Alberta [38:00] The idea of a currency backed by gold, Bitcoin, and oil [42:00] Why Alberta could thrive with low taxes and unleashed oil production [45:00] Dave’s prediction for Alberta’s separation from Canada Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here. Resources Mentioned: The Sovereign Individual by James Dale Davidson and William Rees-Mogg | Book or Audiobook If you want to learn more from Dave, visit his website and follow him on LinkedIn and X. Find more from Scott: Scott Dedels | X Block Rewards | Instagram Block Rewards | YouTube Block Rewards | TikTok Block Rewards | Website Block Rewards | LinkedIn

    53 min

  4. AUG 5

    96: George Bordianu ON: Why Most Canadians Don’t Actually Own Their Bitcoin

    How safe is your Bitcoin, really?  In this episode, I sit down with George Bordianu, co-founder and CEO of Balance, Canada’s oldest and largest digital asset custodian. Balance has been operating since 2017, holds roughly $3 billion in client assets (depending on market prices), and is regulated under a trust charter from Alberta Treasury Board and Finance. We talk about why self-custody isn’t always practical, how most retail investors end up with “paper Bitcoin” instead of actual Bitcoin, and how Balance creates wallets with full legal title for clients while keeping assets secured offline in military-grade hardware inside bank-grade vaults. George also explains what it takes to protect assets against hackers and physical threats, and why he believes building and keeping crypto infrastructure in Canada is critical for the country’s financial future. You’ll Learn: The real reason most Canadians end up with “paper Bitcoin” instead of actual BitcoinThe surprising link between vault security and digital asset protectionHow Balance creates wallets with full legal title for individual investorsThe quiet damage of Canada losing crypto companies and assets to the USWhat happens when Bitcoin is used as collateral for loans and mortgagesHow Balance protects assets against both hackers and physical threatsThe slow but essential shift toward regulated crypto custody in CanadaWhy quantum computing is already on the radar for custodians like Balance Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [05:00] Why custodians matter alongside self-custody for Bitcoin [09:00] How Balance secures assets against hackers and physical threats [13:00] The difference between legal title and “paper Bitcoin” [17:00] Why custody is the biggest roadblock for Bitcoin payroll adoption [19:00] How Canadian law protects client assets in a custodian insolvency [21:00] Using Bitcoin as collateral for mortgages and loans [24:00] Why quantum computing is a real future risk for custody systems [28:00] The regulatory challenges pushing Canadian crypto assets to the US [34:00] How Alberta enabled Balance to become a regulated custodian Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here. Resources Mentioned: Balance | Website Block Rewards Bitcoin Savings Plan | Website Learn more about George on his website and follow him on LinkedIn. Find more from Scott: Scott Dedels | X Block Rewards | Instagram Block Rewards | YouTube Block Rewards | TikTok Block Rewards | Website Block Rewards | LinkedIn

    45 min

  5. JUL 29

    95: Helena Andrejko ON: The Psychology of Fiat, Bitcoin, and Human Consciousness

    What if money doesn’t just buy things but actually changes how we think?  In this episode, I talk with Helena Andrejko, an Australian psychotherapist who works with individuals and couples, as well as a psychedelic-assisted therapist trained to use psilocybin and MDMA for trauma and depression treatment in regulated medical settings. She splits her time between her therapy practice and her work in the Bitcoin space. We discuss how money can shape human consciousness, the overlap Helena sees between therapy and decentralization, and how trust functions differently in fiat and Bitcoin systems. Helena also shares why she believes Bitcoin challenges old power dynamics and what that could mean for how people relate to truth, pain, and authenticity. You’ll Learn: The surprising link between money and human consciousnessWhat it feels like to balance psychotherapy with being a BitcoinerThe real reason trust can’t be mandated in money systemsWhy fiat money mirrors a parent-child dynamicWhat happens when centralized authorities decide what truth isThe quiet damage of relying on monetary “heroes” for protectionHow Bitcoin shifts trust from institutions to math and codeThe role pain plays in growth and authenticity within decentralized systemsWhat history shows us about dissent, truth, and the cost of challenging power Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [06:40] How Helena connects therapy and Bitcoin through decentralization [08:55] The link between the invention of coinage and abstract thought [15:10] Why fiat money mirrors a parent-child trust dynamic [23:40] The hero, villain, and victim roles in money systems [29:00] How CBDCs and centralized decisions place people in the victim role [30:20] Why Bitcoin liberates authenticity by breaking old power structures [37:00] What history teaches about dissent and the cost of truth [39:10] How Bitcoin changes our relationship with pain and self-reliance [44:30] Why Bitcoin’s rules create boundaries without central authorities Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here. Resources Mentioned: The Dao of Bitcoin by Scott Dedels | Book or Audiobook Richard Seaford | About Yuval Noah Harari | Website Byung-Chul Han | About Learn more about Helena on her website and follow her on LinkedIn. Find more from Scott: Scott Dedels | X Block Rewards | Instagram Block Rewards | YouTube Block Rewards | TikTok Block Rewards | Website Block Rewards | LinkedIn

    48 min

  6. JUL 22

    94: Cedric Youngelman ON: Bitcoin, Freedom, and the Fight Against Financial Enslavement

    What if Bitcoin didn’t come to disrupt the system… but to save it? In this episode, I’m joined by Cedric Youngelman, the host of the Bitcoin Matrix podcast. Cedric’s been immersed in the Bitcoin space since 2017, and over the years he’s built a reputation for digging into the deeper philosophical and political implications of money, sovereignty, and how we organize society. We get into Cedric’s personal Bitcoin journey, from Facebook burnout and “heavily armed clowns” on Twitter to realizing that Bitcoin might be one of humanity’s few true paradigm shifts. We also talk about the rise of corporate and government accumulation, the dangers of centralization, and what happens when people confuse price action with understanding. Cedric doesn’t hold back. You’ll Learn: What it feels like to go from fiat confusion to Bitcoin convictionHow MicroStrategy and other treasury firms could destabilize Bitcoin during a downturnWhy self-custody is more than just a technical feature, it’s a societal shiftThe quiet damage of measuring everything in fiat termsWhat changes when you treat Bitcoin as money, not just a store of valueThe surprising link between centralized adoption and long-term riskWhat happens when states, ETFs, and corporations accumulate too much BitcoinWhy some Bitcoiners are questioning Ross Ulbricht’s reappearanceThe big risk of forgetting Bitcoin’s ethos while celebrating its price Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [06:01] Cedric’s first exposure to Bitcoin and early confusion around altcoins [10:37] The moment he realized Bitcoin isn’t about tech, it’s about money [14:55] Why Bitcoin changes the rules of entrepreneurship and property ownership [19:03] The myth of store of value first, medium of exchange second [22:45] How ETFs and custodians give the old system leverage over Bitcoin [29:14] The risk of financialized Bitcoin companies during market crashes [33:45] Why state and corporate adoption might backfire [39:59] The problem with passing down Bitcoin values to the next generation [43:00] Cedric’s take on the Lightning Network and remaining skeptical [45:50] Why some Bitcoiners are ignoring valid critiques of the system [47:40] Could Bitcoin have been created by the state? [56:25] Cedric’s theory on Ross Ulbricht’s release and strange public reappearance [01:04:55] Reframing fiat life as a prison and Bitcoin as an escape hatch Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here. Resources Mentioned: Bitcoin Matrix Podcast with Cedric Youngelman | Website Your Wealth Is Melting by Joe Burnett | Article Lex Fridman Interview with Jack Dorsey | YouTube Learn more about Cedric by following him on X and LinkedIn. Find more from Scott: Scott Dedels | X Block Rewards | Instagram Block Rewards | YouTube Block Rewards | TikTok Block Rewards | Website Block Rewards | LinkedIn

    1h 13m

  7. JUL 15

    93: John Ely ON: The Explosive Synergy Between AI and Bitcoin Explained

    What happens when AI agents get paid in Bitcoin? In this episode, I sit down with John Ely, our Chief Innovation Officer at Block Rewards, for his second appearance on the podcast. John is a technologist with a sharp eye for where Bitcoin, AI, and the future of work intersect. We get into the explosion of AI agents and what it means to embed reasoning, logic, and even payments into software. John shares how AI is already reshaping our own company, his thoughts on why Bitcoin is the ultimate money for autonomous agents, and why he believes we’re on the verge of seeing AI create timeless works of art. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [04:45] How Tesla’s autonomous car shows where AI is headed [07:01] What AI agents are and how they’re already used in business [11:00] Michael Saylor’s use of deep research to create new financial products [13:55] Reflections on early tech and how AI feels like the next big shift [16:00] How coding agents plan, reason, and evaluate their own work [18:20] Why every company is becoming an AI company [23:00] Alpha Go, the God move, and what it revealed about AI creativity [26:00] What an agentic workforce could look like and how agents might be paid [31:00] The synergy between AI productivity and Bitcoin as sound money [35:00] Why white collar work is more vulnerable to AI than blue collar work [37:00] Bold prediction that AI will create a timeless work of art soon Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here. Resources Mentioned: The Price of Tomorrow by Jeff Booth | Book or Audiobook Deep Research | Website Claude (Anthropic AI Tool) | Website Y Combinator | Website Coinbase’s C402 Protocol | Website Lightning Labs' L402 Protocol | Website Movie: AlphaGo Learn more from John by following him on X. Find more from Scott: Scott Dedels | X Block Rewards | Instagram Block Rewards | YouTube Block Rewards | TikTok Block Rewards | Website Block Rewards | LinkedIn

    43 min

  8. JUL 8

    92: Jordi Llonch ON: Why Geographic Freedom Isn’t Enough—You Need Bitcoin

    “You thought you were free—until your bank froze your money.”  This week on The Block Reward, Scott sits down with Jordi Llonch, a former airline pilot turned Bitcoin advocate and digital freedom strategist. Jordi’s not just talking tech—he’s living the life of a global citizen, traveling the world as a true digital nomad and helping others do the same. With a sharp eye for how broken financial systems restrict our autonomy, Jordi brings a unique and urgent perspective on why Bitcoin matters far beyond investment portfolios. In this episode, you’ll explore the rising tension between geographical freedom and financial dependence, and how Bitcoin is quietly becoming the tool that unlocks both. Jordi shares stories from his travels, explains how Bitcoin empowers remote workers and nomads, and introduces ideas like geoarbitrage, circular economies, and financial self-sovereignty. You'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at Barcelona’s thriving Bitcoin community, what’s really happening in places like El Salvador and Costa Rica, and why most people won’t care about Bitcoin—until they’re forced to. If you’re curious about building a life outside the system, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. You’ll Learn: How digital nomads can unlock true freedom by combining geographic and financial independenceWhy most remote workers misunderstand what “freedom” actually requiresHow to use geoarbitrage to align your lifestyle with your valuesWhy banks freeze funds for nomads—and how Bitcoin bypasses that riskHow to identify the moment your freedom is just an illusionWhat Bitcoin adoption looks like on the ground in El Salvador vs. Costa RicaWhy freedom technologies matter more than speculative price chartsHow local Bitcoin communities fuel real-world adoption and resilienceWhy the global South may lead the next wave of Bitcoin innovationWhat a “Swiss bank account on your phone” really means for sovereignty Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [03:10] What defines a digital nomad [05:05] Why freedom is the central value for nomads [06:45] The financial limitations of geographic freedom [08:00] The role of Bitcoin in solving financial friction [09:15] How Bitcoin becomes a tool for survival, not speculation [11:26] The mindset shift from settling to mobility [14:02] How capital controls broke the social contract [15:32] How Bitcoin flips the power dynamic between people and states [16:12] Why the global South may rise while the West declines [18:07] A comparison of Bitcoin adoption in El Salvador vs Costa Rica [20:49] The “frog in the jacuzzi” metaphor for passive decline [22:47] Why Bitcoin provides a mobile, uncensorable bank account [24:12] How a pizza shop was on boarded through real demand [25:01] Inside Barcelona’s thriving Bitcoin-only community [27:06] Examples of technical workshops offered in Barcelona [29:45] Behind the scenes of Barcelona’s Bitcoin-only conference [33:04] Why Jordi built a global Bitcoin event map [35:37] The power of Bitcoin meetups when traveling [37:20] Why nationalism and politics create division [39:51] Creating a culture of global citizenship Want to start a podcast like this one? Book your free podcast planning call here. Resources Mentioned: BTC Map | Website BTC Events Map | Website Nostr | Website Satlantis | Website Learn more about Jordi by following him on X, LinkedIn and Satlantis Find more from Scott: Scott Dedels | X Block Rewards | Instagram Block Rewards | YouTube Block Rewards | TikTok Block Rewards | Website Block Rewards | LinkedIn

    43 min
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About

Welcome to The Block Reward Podcast, where real stories meet real impact, all powered by real money—Bitcoin. Each week, we dive into the transformative world of Bitcoin through in-depth interviews with thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping the future of decentralized finance. Your host, Scott Dedels, also shares solo episodes where he reflects on his journey as a conscious CEO, offering insights into leadership, personal growth, and the evolving role of Bitcoin in creating a more intentional and purpose-driven economy. Whether you're a seasoned Bitcoiner or just starting to explore its potential, The Block Reward Podcast delivers thought-provoking conversations and actionable takeaways to inspire your own financial freedom and conscious living. Join us as we uncover the stories and strategies that fuel the Bitcoin revolution—one block at a time. New episodes released every Tuesday!

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