Going Direct Conversations

Jordan Wolfe

5.0 (1)
Technology
Weekly

Going Direct explores the decentralization of the real economy and how new technologies can bring us closer to the products we buy and the people who make them. goingdirect.substack.com

1d ago

#80 Ben O’Hanlon: The Intelligence Revolution Will Be Decentralized

I sit down with Ben O’Hanlon, the author of the Ecosystem Operator Substack, to walk through his five-part essay series on why the intelligence revolution will be decentralized. In Survival of the Sovereign, Ben argues that sovereignty, not ideology, is the selection pressure that makes decentralization inevitable. States, institutions, and individuals will eventually realize they’re either building their own cognitive infrastructure or paying rent on someone else’s. Enjoy. Recording date: October 30, 2026 Thanks for reading Going Direct! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Ben’s Background: Crypto And Building Developer Ecosystems 06:58 Essay 1: Money As A Coordination Technology 08:11 Who Controls The Inputs, Controls The System 12:13 Why We Pay Taxes 21:21 Essay 2: AI Sits A Layer Deeper Than Money 26:49 Why Ben Is Optimistic About AI 29:01 Reality Of AI Wealth Concentration 31:31 Ben’s Dark Forest Theory 34:30 Why Governance Systems Will Just Get Bigger 39:56 Sovereignty Is Why There Will Be An Intelligence Revolution 48:26 Why The Counter-Revolution Is Inevitable 56:23 Rapid Fire Follow Jordan on X: * https://x.com/jrwolfe Connect with Ben O’Hanlon: * Link to Survival of the Sovereign Essay Series on Substack: https://substack.com/@benohanlon * X: https://x.com/benohanlon * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/memetics/ * Telegram: https://t.me/benohanlon Remember to go direct! Jordan P.S. Build with loveP.P.S. Be an owner Thanks for reading Going Direct! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goingdirect.substack.com
Oct 27

#79 Douglas Rushkoff: Remaining Human In The AI Age

I sit down with Douglas Rushkoff, author and media theorist who studies human autonomy and how we can remain connected in a digital age. He has written 25 books, including Team Human, Present Shock, and Survival of the Richest. His perspective is pretty simple: a healthy society runs on direct exchange between neighbors. We cover the birth of the corporation, the limits of capitalism, what tech billionaires’ escape plans say about how they see the rest of us, how AI is coming for our attachment, not just our attention, and why we should get comfortable with collapse. Enjoy. Recording date: October 21, 2026 Chapters 00:00 Introduction 08:50 Can We Make Being A Good Neighbor Profitable? 15:29 How The Modern Day Corporation Was Formed 16:29 How the Chartered Monopoly Turned Craftsmen Into Employees 21:11 Ownership Economy vs. Capitalism 27:16 Ace Hardware Producer Co-Op Model 28:33 Building An Owner-Operator Economy 32:19 Food Systems And Industrial Agriculture 34:25 Doug’s Research On The Billionaire Perspective 44:18 How Technology Is Shaping Humanity 49:01 America Was Designed As An Oligarchy With Consent 53:09 Getting Comfortable With Collapse 59:52 Doug’s Drive & Source Of Energy 01:02:28 Rapid Fire 01:06:46 Bees In Detroit Follow Jordan on X: * https://x.com/jrwolfe Connect with Douglas Rushkoff: * Website: https://www.rushkoff.com/ * Substack: Remember to go direct! Jordan P.S. Build with love P.P.S. Be an owner This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goingdirect.substack.com
Sep 29

#78 Ben Cartwright: The Second Life of AI Hardware Will Become a Big Market

I sit down with Ben Cartwright of Cirkadis to talk about a part of the AI infrastructure buildout that very few people are discussing: what happens to the hardware when it gets decommissioned? Ben has spent his career in hardware lifecycle management, including six years living in China. We get into why the most valuable components still get shipped overseas, and how the volume and resale value of AI hardware can make reshoring electronics recycling a real possibility. Enjoy. Recording date: September 22, 2026 Chapters 00:00 Introduction 04:26 Defining De-manufacturing And ITAD 08:21 What Cirkadis Does And How It Started 11:46 Current Flow Of E-Waste 15:35 Where Cirkadis Plays In The Supply Chain 21:05 Ben's Background And Living In China 23:22 How Americans Misunderstand China 35:03 ITAD Transitioning To AI Infrastructure 38:03 E-Waste’s Regulatory Problem 41:52 Re-shoring The De-manufacturing Of Electronics 44:51 Decentralized AI 47:13 Servicing Neo-Clouds 51:53 NeoCloud Business Model 53:07 Re-shoring High-Value Components 1:01:44 Rapid Fire Follow Jordan on X: * https://x.com/jrwolfe Connect with Ben Cartwright: * Cirkadis: https://cirkadis.com/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-cartwright-738319121/ Remember to go direct! Jordan P.S. Build with love P.P.S. Be an owner This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goingdirect.substack.com
Sep 22

#77 Nikhil Gupta: Mining Isn't the Chokepoint. Refining Is.

I sit down with Nikhil Gupta, founder and CEO of Determinant Materials, to talk about the metal refining process he’s invented to help bring back critical supply chains to America. We discuss China’s metal refining monopoly, the need for innovation in the space, Nikhil’s vision for a refining-as-a-service model, and why silver is the next metal people will be talking about. Enjoy. Recording date: September 15, 2026 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:44 Mining vs. Refining 05:46 $200 Billion Investment From The US Government 08:09 What Is Determinant Materials? 10:24 Role Of Feedstocks In Metal Processing 11:54 How Determinant’s Refining Process Is Different 17:16 Rare Earths vs. Precious Metals 21:19 Determinant’s Initial Focus 25:01 Deeper Dive Into Determinant’s Refining Process 29:37 Unit Economics In Metal Refining 31:49 Refining As A Service Model 37:47 Determinant Materials Team 41:43 Role Of Government In Industrial Policy 50:43 Rapid Fire Follow Jordan on X: * https://x.com/jrwolfe Connect with Nikhil Gupta: * Determinant Materials: https://www.determinantmaterials.com/ * X / Twitter: https://x.com/nrg91720 * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilrgupta/ Remember to go direct! Jordan P.S. Build with love P.P.S. Be an owner This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goingdirect.substack.com
Sep 15

#76 Mollie Claypool: Building Affordable Housing That’s Beautiful.

I sit down with Mollie Claypool, co-founder of Automated Architecture (AUAR) to talk about their shipping-container-sized microfactories used by homebuilders. AUAR is starting with manufacturing timber structural panels on building sites. We discuss AUAR’s roots in academia and design, how they work with homebuilders, the US vs UK housing markets, and Mollie’s vision of building thousands of microfactories to create housing abundance. Her goal is to create affordable housing that’s actually beautiful to live in. Enjoy. Recording date: August 24, 2026. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:54 Mollie’s Journey Into Architecture 06:33 Working In Academia 11:11 From Academia To The Private Market 14:04 Starting As A Consultancy 17:13 Breaking Down Auar’s Microfactory Model 20:26 How Auar Works With Homebuilders 23:44 Reducing Costs For Homebuilders 27:38 UK vs US Home Building 32:59 Auar’s Initial Wedge 34:37 Full-Stack Approach 37:13 Making Construction Simple For Home Builders 38:29 Auar’s Current Operations 41:44 The Long-Term Vision 46:57 Auar’s Investors 48:12 Why Mollie Is Working On This Problem 51:45 Imagining A World Of Abundant Housing 55:45 Rapid Fire Follow Jordan on X: * https://x.com/jrwolfe Connect with Mollie: * AUAR: https://auar.io/ * Email: mollie@auar.io Remember to go direct! Jordan P.S. Build with love P.P.S. Be an owner This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goingdirect.substack.com
Sep 9

#75 Tom Joseph: The Real Gatekeepers Of American Primary Elections

I sit down with Tom Joseph, founder of America's Main Street Party, to talk about something we don't cover much at Going Direct: politics. The problem with American primary elections is that money has become the middleman between citizens and their representatives. Political parties pick who gets on the primary ballot well before citizens ever show up on election day. Tom's answer to fixing this is an American-Idol style contest for congressional primary elections. Anyone can get in with 100 endorsements and the entire process is facilitated entirely through an app. It’s a very interesting, creative idea that still needs some refinement, but it’s highly aligned with building the Going Direct Economy. Enjoy. Recording date: August 19, 2026 Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:55 Capital As The Middleman In American Democracy 07:28 Did Citizens United Change Anything? 09:05 Mechanics Of Gerrymandering 13:19 Why Tom’s Starting With The House Of Representatives 15:18 How The Primary Process Works Today 18:38 How Parties Control Who Gets On The Ballot 20:38 Role of Money In Politics 24:26 Primary Elections Are Not The Same In Every State 28:50 The Two Party Doom Loop 34:44 Main Street Party’s Vision For A Level Playing Field 38:54 Endorsement Rounds 46:01 Contest Mechanics Explained 49:26 Understanding The Role Of Super PACs 52:57 Tom’s Background 58:43 Future Plans And Funding Needs 1:00:09 Rapid Fire Follow Jordan on X: * https://x.com/jrwolfe Connect with Tom Joseph: * America's Main Street Party: https://www.mainstreetparty.org/ * Wilson's Fountain: https://www.wilsonsfountain.us/ * Email: tsjoseph@mainstreetparty.org Remember to go direct! Jordan P.S. Build with love P.P.S. Be an owner Come be a part of building the Going Direct Economy! Subscribe for free. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goingdirect.substack.com
Aug 25

#74 Sue Helper: Re-industrialization Starts With Coherent Strategy

I sit down with Sue Helper, economics professor at Case Western Reserve University, to discuss America’s lack of coherence in industrial policy. We dig into government procurement, the importance of mapping value chains as a first step to reindustrialization, and why the central challenge for government is having to work on supply and demand at the same time. Sue worked inside both the Obama and Biden administrations — first as Chief Economist at the Commerce Department, then as Senior Economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers, and finally as Senior Advisor for Industrial Strategy at the White House Office of Management and Budget. She worked directly on the IRA and CHIPS Act during her tenure. Enjoy. Recording date: July 22, 2026 Chapters 00:00 Introduction 04:20 Sue’s Journey To The White House 07:02 Industrial Policy vs Industrial Strategy 07:32 The Role Of Industrial Policy 12:50 Sue’s Work At The OMB 20:44 Government Procurement As Industrial Strategy 33:09 Lack of Coherence In US Industrial Policy 39:40 Government’s Role As A Partner 41:48 Value Chain Mapping As A First Step 42:52 Role Of Academic Research In Industrial Policy 48:08 Learning From Other Countries 51:06 Germany’s KfW Bank Case Study 58:19 Rapid Fire Follow Jordan on X: * https://x.com/jrwolfe Connect with Susan Helper: * E-mail: susan.helper@case.edu Remember to go direct! Jordan P.S. Be an owner P.P.S. Build with love This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goingdirect.substack.com
Aug 13

#73 Inside Going Direct: Gen Z vs Millennial Debate On The Future Of Work

I sit down with Duncan Young, founder of Saorsa Growth Partners and writer of the Substack Conduit of Value. We dig into why the future of work looks completely different for Gen-Z vs. Millennials. We discuss: * Door A vs. Door B — the exit door (leave and build your own) vs. the build-inside door. * Why demographics and the aging population is the real story, not AI. * What, “having a career” means to Gen-Z and Millennials. * The franchise industry as an unlikely case study in low-risk ownership Enjoy. Recording date: July 20, 2026 Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:47 Door A vs Door B 06:19 Door A - Build On Your Own 06:42 Door B - Build Inside An Organization 08:47 Career Ladder Is Being Pulled Up 11:44 The Paper-Pusher Rebalancing 13:47 Up-skilling For Mid-Career Professionals 16:28 Affordability Crisis Is A System Failure 18:32 Gen-Z vs Millennials: Career Choices 24:50 Franchise Models Are Perfect For Low Risk Ownership 30:07 New Ownership Structures In The Age Of AI 37:02 Gen-Z vs Millennials: Definition Of A Career 41:28 Talent Follows Economic Opportunity 46:07 Everything Is Becoming Transactional 50:31 Be an Owner in Something You Have A Connection With 54:11 Education’s Upcoming Pivot 59:08 Cross-Generational Company Building Follow Jordan on X: * https://x.com/jrwolfe Connect with Duncan Young: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncanmayoung/ * Substack: https://substack.com/@saorsapartners Remember to go direct! Jordan P.S. Build with love P.P.S Be an owner This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goingdirect.substack.com

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Going Direct explores the decentralization of the real economy and how new technologies can bring us closer to the products we buy and the people who make them. goingdirect.substack.com

Creator

Jordan Wolfe
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

76
Rating

Explicit
Show Website

Going Direct Conversations

Going Direct Conversations

Episodes

#80 Ben O’Hanlon: The Intelligence Revolution Will Be Decentralized

#79 Douglas Rushkoff: Remaining Human In The AI Age

#78 Ben Cartwright: The Second Life of AI Hardware Will Become a Big Market

#77 Nikhil Gupta: Mining Isn't the Chokepoint. Refining Is.

#76 Mollie Claypool: Building Affordable Housing That’s Beautiful.

#75 Tom Joseph: The Real Gatekeepers Of American Primary Elections

#74 Sue Helper: Re-industrialization Starts With Coherent Strategy

#73 Inside Going Direct: Gen Z vs Millennial Debate On The Future Of Work

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