Prosper Project Podcast with Alli Shaw

Alli Shaw
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Current economic systems, their personal impact, and hope for the next generation.

Episodes

  1. May 13

    I Watched My Currency Melt": The Reality of 100% Inflation - Q&A w/Batu

    What does it actually feel like when your money loses its value every single week? In this episode of The Prosper Project, Alli Shaw sits down with Batu to explore the deeply personal side of the global inflation crisis.Batu shares his journey from the "Ice Cream Test" in his childhood home in Turkey to finding a new economic perspective while studying in Mississippi. They dive deep into:The "Mental Math" required to survive a failing currency and why you can never stop thinking about the numbers.The Grocery Store Shock: What it's like to find your basic needs have become unaffordable in just seven days.Bitcoin as a Borderless Tool: Why digital assets are more than just a trend—they are a mechanism for carrying wealth "over the seas" without permission.Stability vs. Volatility: Why even a volatile market can offer more hope than a traditional system that is "melting" by design.Whether you are a Bitcoin enthusiast or just starting to notice the rising cost of your own grocery bill, this conversation provides a raw look at the emotional and financial toll of inflation—and the tools available to fight back.Timestamps00:00 — Intro: Meeting Batu and the Definition of Courage02:32 — The "Mental Math" of a Failing Currency04:34 — The Ice Cream Test: 5 Lira in Childhood vs. Today11:45 — Grocery Store Shock: When Prices Change in 7 Days14:30 — The Emotional Toll: Why Inflation Feels Like "Black & White"18:00 — Paid More, Buying Less: The Minimum Wage Trap20:00 — US Stability: A Lesson in Perspective and Gas Prices24:00 — Borderless Wealth: Carrying Bitcoin Over the Seas26:30 — The Volatility Opportunity: Why Bitcoin Beats 100% Inflation29:15 — Moving to Mississippi: A Different Pace of Life

    32 min

  2. Apr 28

    Is Bitcoin Real Money? What It Is, Who Controls It & Why It Matters

    Bitcoin Basics: What You Need to KnowAlli Shaw (The Prosper Project) answers Bitcoin questions from Batu, a college student from Turkey.Timestamps0:00 — Introductions: Alli & Batu1:38 — What is Bitcoin?1:49 — What is a monetary system? (Turkish lira vs. Bitcoin)2:53 — Centralized vs. decentralized money4:00 — Who controls Bitcoin?6:39 — Self-custody vs. holding on an exchange7:26 — Where does Bitcoin's value come from?8:24 — The 21 million Bitcoin supply cap9:55 — Can Bitcoin's rules ever change?11:48 — How do you use Bitcoin?13:19 — Bitcoin's role in financial freedom & the unbanked14:53 — Bitcoin's volatility — should you worry?15:28 — Bitcoin's track record since 200916:46 — Bitcoin vs. other cryptocurrencies17:40 — Bitcoin was built to solve problems, not enrich its creator18:14 — Scams & Bitcoin: what's actually at risk (exchanges vs. the network)19:09 — Has Bitcoin ever been hacked?19:46 — Wrap-up & what's coming nextKey TakeawaysBitcoin is a decentralized monetary system — no government, bank, or single entity controls it only 21 million Bitcoin will ever exist, making it scarce by design. Self-custody means you truly own your Bitcoin, just like cash in your pocket. Bitcoin's value is determined by the people who use it, not a central bank. Bitcoin is different from other crypto — it was built to solve a problem, not to profit its creator the Bitcoin network itself has never been hacked; risks exist on exchanges, not the protocol.Follow, share & subscribe to The Prosper Project for more conversations on financial freedom and economic security.

    20 min

  3. Apr 3

    What is Bitcoin Backed by?

    What Is Bitcoin Backed By? | Prosper ProjectIf math scares you, you're in good company but you don't have to understand algebra to understand why Bitcoin matters. In this episode, Allie Shaw breaks down what it really means for money to be "backed" by something, why institutional systems have limits, and how Bitcoin uses math, cryptography, and transparent rules to create something entirely new: economic security.Topics Covered:Why the US dollar depends on institutional trust (and why that's a problem)How human greed requires checks and balances and whether our current system provides them. What "economic security" means and how Bitcoin achieves it. Why reversing a Bitcoin transaction would cost more than a nation state can afford. How Bitcoin removes the human element from finalizing transactions.(0:00) Intro & Allie's Math Story(1:55) What Is Bitcoin Backed By?(2:19) The US Dollar & Institutional Security(2:40) Checks & Balances on Human Greed(3:39) How Bitcoin Uses Math & Cryptography(4:26) Economic Security vs. Institutional Security(5:20) What Bitcoin Is Backed By (Conclusion)(5:45) Resource Recommendation & Outro

    6 min

  4. Mar 28

    Who Controls Money?

    Episode Summary:Alli Shaw explores the question of who really controls money — from traditional centralized systems to Bitcoin's decentralized approach. Through the inspiring story of Batu, a young man who fled hyperinflation in his home country, Alli breaks down how Bitcoin works, who maintains it, and why it takes courage to pursue a new economic reality.Timestamps:0:00 — Introduction & current state of the economy (US-Iran tensions, stock market, Bitcoin at ~$70K)0:58 — Batu's story: Pursuing value in a new country1:43 — What is hyperinflation? (Explained simply)2:58 — Why we all search for tools to store our time, effort, and energy3:53 — How Batu's story connects to all of us4:47 — Who controls Bitcoin?5:12 — Bitcoin is controlled by the people who use it6:23 — Who controls the Bitcoin software?6:55 — What miners actually do (following rules & recording transactions)8:12 — Why miners run the software (incentives & rewards)8:44 — Bitcoin as digital cash & self-custody9:40 — What this all has to do with courage10:26 — What's next: "A Tale of Two Systems"Key Takeaways:Inflation erodes the value of your time, effort, and energy stored in money Bitcoin operates without centralized control — its rules are enforced by the software itself. Miners maintain the system but don't control or access anyone's Bitcoin Self-custody means you truly own your Bitcoin, unlike traditional financial systems. Choosing a new economic tool takes courage — just like Batu leaving his home countryMentioned: "A Tale of Two Systems" (companion episode), "The Value of Work" (previous episode)

    11 min

  5. Mar 15

    Tale of Two Systems

    The Prosper Project — Two Systems: US Dollar vs. BitcoinShow NotesIn this episode, Allie Shaw compares and contrasts the US monetary system with the Bitcoin monetary system, exploring how each one holds (or fails to hold) the value of our work, time, effort, and energy. Drawing on personal family history spanning three generations, she breaks down why Bitcoin was created and what problems it aims to solve.Timestamps0:00 Introduction — What money is supposed to do00:53 The US monetary system overview02:34 Personal story: The Great Depression & bank mismanagement03:35 Personal story: The 1980s agricultural crash & government mismanagement05:10 Why do we even need money?05:37 What is a monetary system?06:10 How digital money works — The Federal Reserve & local banks07:05 How money supply is increased (quantitative easing, bailouts, etc.)07:30 Money supply growth: 286 billion to 22+ trillion in 60 years08:07 Understanding purchasing power09:50 What is Bitcoin?11:00 Rule #1: Scarcity — The 21 million cap11:31 Rule #2: Decentralization — No single entity in control12:29 Bitcoin's security — Never been hacked12:55 Addressing Bitcoin's price volatility14:18 "When in doubt, zoom out" — Long-term price trajectory15:09 Why Bitcoin exists — Recognizing human greed15:37 Conclusion — We now have a choiceKey TakeawaysMoney should accurately reflect the value of our time, effort, and energy. The US dollar has lost ~95% of its purchasing power since 1935The Federal Reserve controls money creation, which dilutes purchasing power over time. Bitcoin is capped at 21 million coins and governed by code, not people. Bitcoin offers a voluntary, consent-based alternative monetary system

    16 min

  6. Mar 12

    The Value of Work

    In this episode, Alli explores the deeper meaning behind money — not how to earn it, but what it truly represents. Drawing on the idea that money is a stand-in for our time, effort, and energy, she weaves together a personal story about caring for her dying horse and tending childhood graves to illuminate the concept of work as stewardship of the earth.The episode closes with a look at how well (or poorly) modern money holds that value — and teases the case for Bitcoin.Timestamps00:00 - Intro & What Money Represents00:30 - Time, Effort, and Energy01:45 - Defining Work02:10 - Stewarding the Earth's Resources02:46 - A Love of Animals03:20 - A Story About a Grave in the Pasture05:36 - The Last Horse06:38 - Saying Goodbye07:39 - The Goodness of Creation and Work08:52 - Connecting the Story to Money09:44 - Why Scarce Resources Make Money's Value Critical10:05 - What Is the Value of Money10:27 - Purchasing Power Explained13:07 - Bitcoin and Holding Value14:01 - Wrap UpKey Themes- Money = time + effort + energy- Work = stewarding the Earth's resources- Purchasing power and monetary value- The case for sound money (Bitcoin)

    14 min

  7. Mar 2

    Human Value in Systems

    Should economic systems reflect human value? Alli Shaw shares a quick story of what’s at stake when they don’t.Timestamps0:00 - Introduction0:26 - The Broken Roadmap0:50 - Naming Problems & Exploring Solutions1:16 - A Promise & A Story2:12 - The Bike Ride3:30 - The Orphanage Visit Begins4:00 - The Baby Room4:48 - Disturbing Observations5:17 - The Child in a Coma6:03 - A Changed Person6:33 - The Economic Connection7:09 - The Cascade of Suffering7:35 - The Core Truth8:09 - Twenty Years Later8:39 - The Central Question9:03 - Conclusion & Call to Action

    10 min
  • 7 Episodes

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Current economic systems, their personal impact, and hope for the next generation.

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