Flirting with Bitcoin

Mandana & Ian

In 2022, we started a podcast to teach friends and family about Bitcoin. Trying to promote it online sparked the idea for NextBlock. nextblock.city

  1. 06/24/2025

    ⚡🌜 FWB120 - The Roman Calendar is Dead: NextBlock's Bitcoin Time Revolution

    An older episode of Flirting with Bitcoin, from June 2025. Since then, we built NextBlock, a video social app without ads or an algorithm: https://nextblock.city How We're Opting Out of Arbitrary Time and Embracing Bitcoin's Natural Rhythm [Block # 901651][S04X21] In this season finale of Flirting with Bitcoin, Ian and Mandana reveal NextBlock's first offering: The Observatory - a timekeeping system that uncovers Bitcoin's hidden connection to ancient lunar cycles. Ian shares his groundbreaking discovery that Bitcoin's blockchain is actually a "pseudo-programmatic lunar calendar" with 26 difficulty adjustments per year, creating exactly 13 moons annually. This revelation transforms how we understand Bitcoin's fundamental rhythm and opens the door to a completely new way of experiencing time. The couple explores how this lunar-solar system creates natural seasons within Bitcoin's ecosystem, with the halving cycle (every 210,000 blocks) acting as the "sun" that creates four distinct quarters. Each quarter contains exactly 13 moons, creating a perfect harmony between Bitcoin's mathematical precision and humanity's oldest timekeeping mechanism. But this isn't just about time - it's about freedom. The Observatory represents NextBlock's first offering to the world, demonstrating how Bitcoin enables us to "opt out" of the Roman calendar's arbitrary constraints and embrace a time system that's both mathematically precise and naturally aligned with cosmic cycles. From the technical architecture that powers this system to the philosophical implications of choosing your own time, this episode reveals how NextBlock is building more than just a platform - they're creating an entirely new way of experiencing reality itself. As Mandana says, "By changing your money, you completely separate yourself from the government." The Observatory shows us that by changing our time, we can separate ourselves from the entire system that's been imposed upon us. Key Topics: Bitcoin's hidden lunar calendar structure The 13-moon system and 26 difficulty adjustments NextBlock Observatory's launch Opting out of the Roman calendar Bitcoin's natural seasonal cycles The connection between time, money, and freedom This episode marks the beginning of NextBlock's journey to change not just how we think about money, but how we think about time itself. Subscribe to Flirting with Bitcoin: https://flirtingwithbitcoin.substack.com Where everything lives: the app and the podcast at https://nextblock.city · Mandana's book at https://theattentionprotocol.com · NextBlock at https://blog.joinnextblock.com

    ⚡🌜 FWB120 - The Roman Calendar is Dead: NextBlock's Bitcoin Time Revolution

  2. 06/10/2025

    ⚡🏙️ FWB119 - The Gentrification of Bitcoin

    An older episode of Flirting with Bitcoin, from June 2025. Since then, we built NextBlock, a video social app without ads or an algorithm: https://nextblock.city How language, power, and new money are reshaping Bitcoin’s culture. In this episode the hosts dive deep into the heated debate over whether Bitcoin’s smallest unit should be transformed as it goes mainstream. From the heated “bits vs SATs” debate to the influx of politicians, Wall Street, and corporate interests, they examine what’s gained and what’s lost when new money and new voices enter the space. With personal stories, sharp insights, and plenty of humor, this episode unpacks the tensions between old-school Bitcoiners and newcomers, the power of language, and what the future holds for the world’s most disruptive technology. Subscribe to Flirting with Bitcoin: https://flirtingwithbitcoin.substack.com Where everything lives: the app and the podcast at https://nextblock.city · Mandana's book at https://theattentionprotocol.com · NextBlock at https://blog.joinnextblock.com

    ⚡🏙️ FWB119 - The Gentrification of Bitcoin

  3. 05/13/2025

    ⚡🏷️ FWB118 - The Cost of Ignoring Bitcoin

    An older episode of Flirting with Bitcoin, from May 2025. Since then, we built NextBlock, a video social app without ads or an algorithm: https://nextblock.city What price are you paying by waiting? The perfect episode to share with friends and family who've dismissed Bitcoin in the past but might be ready to reconsider. Ian and Mandana return to their roots, explaining why Bitcoin is the solution to our broken money system in accessible, compelling terms. With inflation rising and economic uncertainty growing, the hosts provide a timely and convincing case for Bitcoin adoption through real-world examples—including how they both quit their jobs while maintaining their lifestyle. They address common objections and questions skeptics have: from "What exactly is Bitcoin?" to "How do you actually live using it?" The episode serves as both a primer for beginners and a powerful reminder that Bitcoin offers financial freedom in an increasingly restricted world. As the hosts cleverly note, "You get Bitcoin at the price you deserve"—is today finally the day your skeptical friends deserve it? Subscribe to Flirting with Bitcoin: https://flirtingwithbitcoin.substack.com Where everything lives: the app and the podcast at https://nextblock.city · Mandana's book at https://theattentionprotocol.com · NextBlock at https://blog.joinnextblock.com

    ⚡🏷️ FWB118 - The Cost of Ignoring Bitcoin

  4. 04/29/2025

    ⚡🕛 FWB117 - Attention Theft to Viewer's Choice

    An older episode of Flirting with Bitcoin, from April 2025. Since then, we built NextBlock, a video social app without ads or an algorithm: https://nextblock.city What if advertising actually respected you? Mandana and Ian explore how the Bitcoin-powered Nostr protocol is revolutionizing digital advertising by testing ways to pay people viewing ads. They discuss projects like Zapertising, Buzzbot, and SIGs for SATs that are experimenting with paying users directly for their attention, rather than exploiting it. The couple examines how these alternatives contrast with their own project NextBlock and traditional social media platforms like BlueSky. They argue that by changing the financial incentives around attention, we can create a more equitable internet where both creators and audience members receive fair compensation, ultimately concluding that your attention might be worth significantly more than current systems suggest. Subscribe to Flirting with Bitcoin: https://flirtingwithbitcoin.substack.com Where everything lives: the app and the podcast at https://nextblock.city · Mandana's book at https://theattentionprotocol.com · NextBlock at https://blog.joinnextblock.com

    ⚡🕛 FWB117 - Attention Theft to Viewer's Choice

  5. 04/22/2025

    ⚡🤖 FWB116 - Can AI Replace Seed Funding?

    An older episode of Flirting with Bitcoin, from April 2025. Since then, we built NextBlock, a video social app without ads or an algorithm: https://nextblock.city Staying Sovereign While Engineering Mandana and Ian explore AI’s revolutionary role in tech development. They discuss their time in Madeira (a Bitcoin-friendly hub) working on NextBlock, the Sovereign Engineering Program, and how AI tools like LLMs empower creators to buildout more of their product without VC funding. Key themes include decentralized innovation, community-driven adoption, and reclaiming digital sovereignty. Subscribe to Flirting with Bitcoin: https://flirtingwithbitcoin.substack.com Where everything lives: the app and the podcast at https://nextblock.city · Mandana's book at https://theattentionprotocol.com · NextBlock at https://blog.joinnextblock.com

    ⚡🤖 FWB116 - Can AI Replace Seed Funding?

  6. 04/02/2025

    ⚡🫐 FWB115 - Zapstore, Cashu, Blossom, and Beyond

    An older episode of Flirting with Bitcoin, from April 2025. Since then, we built NextBlock, a video social app without ads or an algorithm: https://nextblock.city New Tools for the Decentralized Digital World In this episode of " Flirting with Bitcoin,” hosts Ian and Mandana explore their experiences at the Sovereign Engineering Program in Madeira, where they are developing NextBlock. They elaborate on the transition from describing the platform as an "advertising network" to referring to it as a "promotional content system," highlighting the need for adaptability beyond conventional advertising methods. The episode features significant decentralized tools that are emerging from the program, such as Zapstore (a censorship-resistant application store), Blossom (decentralized file hosting solutions), DVMCP (which integrates artificial intelligence with Nostr), and Cashu (a Bitcoin-based credit framework). Furthermore, they investigate the challenges associated with designing user-friendly Bitcoin integrations and underscore the critical role of community-driven innovation in transforming our interactions with technology. Subscribe to Flirting with Bitcoin: https://flirtingwithbitcoin.substack.com Where everything lives: the app and the podcast at https://nextblock.city · Mandana's book at https://theattentionprotocol.com · NextBlock at https://blog.joinnextblock.com

    ⚡🫐 FWB115 - Zapstore, Cashu, Blossom, and Beyond

  7. 03/25/2025

    ⚡🌴 FWB114 - Building the Future on Bitcoin Island

    An older episode of Flirting with Bitcoin, from March 2025. Since then, we built NextBlock, a video social app without ads or an algorithm: https://nextblock.city In this episode of 'Flirting with Bitcoin,' Mandana & Ian explore the contrasting worlds Bitcoiners inhabit and the concept of sovereignty in the context of digital currency. They discuss the idea of living on a Bitcoin standard, the role of KYC (Know Your Customer) in modern financial systems, and the challenges of developing truly sovereign lifestyles. The conversation touches upon Bitcoin as an innovative force, the growth of new technologies like Nostr, and how platforms like Strike are helping bridge the gap between traditional and decentralized worlds. They also delve into the cognitive dissonance among Bitcoiners, who often must navigate a world that doesn't fully understand or accept Bitcoin. The episode wraps up with musings on long-term goals for Bitcoin adoption and the hurdles of achieving complete independence from established systems. 03:19 Living with Bitcoin: Practical Advice 05:45 The Role of KYC in Bitcoin Transactions 17:52 Decentralized Verification and Risk Management 22:23 Mitigating Risks in a Fraudulent World 24:14 The Role of KYC in Modern Platforms 25:33 Engaging with Critics 28:50 Historical Parallels: Facebook and Early Internet 30:21 Conspiracy Theories: Google Plus and Media Control 35:37 Proton Email: A Secure Alternative 37:57 Balancing Sovereignty and Realism 42:24 The Path to Sovereignty and Revolution Subscribe to Flirting with Bitcoin: https://flirtingwithbitcoin.substack.com Where everything lives: the app and the podcast at https://nextblock.city · Mandana's book at https://theattentionprotocol.com · NextBlock at https://blog.joinnextblock.com

    ⚡🌴 FWB114 - Building the Future on Bitcoin Island

  8. 03/04/2025

    ⚡🌴 FWB113 - Becoming Global Citizens

    An older episode of Flirting with Bitcoin, from March 2025. Since then, we built NextBlock, a video social app without ads or an algorithm: https://nextblock.city In this episode of 'Flirting with Bitcoin,' Mandana & Ian explore the contrasting worlds Bitcoiners inhabit and the concept of sovereignty in the context of digital currency. They discuss the idea of living on a Bitcoin standard, the role of KYC (Know Your Customer) in modern financial systems, and the challenges of developing truly sovereign lifestyles. The conversation touches upon Bitcoin as an innovative force, the growth of new technologies like Nostr, and how platforms like Strike are helping bridge the gap between traditional and decentralized worlds. They also delve into the cognitive dissonance among Bitcoiners, who often must navigate a world that doesn't fully understand or accept Bitcoin. The episode wraps up with musings on long-term goals for Bitcoin adoption and the hurdles of achieving complete independence from established systems. 03:19 Living with Bitcoin: Practical Advice 05:45 The Role of KYC in Bitcoin Transactions 17:52 Decentralized Verification and Risk Management 22:23 Mitigating Risks in a Fraudulent World 24:14 The Role of KYC in Modern Platforms 25:33 Engaging with Critics 28:50 Historical Parallels: Facebook and Early Internet 30:21 Conspiracy Theories: Google Plus and Media Control 35:37 Proton Email: A Secure Alternative 37:57 Balancing Sovereignty and Realism 42:24 The Path to Sovereignty and Revolution Subscribe to Flirting with Bitcoin: https://flirtingwithbitcoin.substack.com Where everything lives: the app and the podcast at https://nextblock.city · Mandana's book at https://theattentionprotocol.com · NextBlock at https://blog.joinnextblock.com

    ⚡🌴 FWB113 - Becoming Global Citizens
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5
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In 2022, we started a podcast to teach friends and family about Bitcoin. Trying to promote it online sparked the idea for NextBlock. nextblock.city

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