BuildBetter - interviews with tech founders

Pete (aka BFG)
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Welcome to BuildBetter, formerly known as the Web3Magic podcast. This channel began 2,5 years ago as Web3Magic — decoding the thinking of decentralized builders. Now, it’s evolving into BuildBetter: frameworks, stories, and tools for people building the future. Technology, or rails, don't matter anymore. That's why I'm ditching Web3 branding. Blockchain is becoming part of everything. Now, more than ever, it's about useful products, not tech behind them. Every week, I look at lessons from building companies and products - not technical lessons, but distribution-focused ones. Sometimes alone, sometimes with builders working on interesting products. We dive into stories, projects, and what makes them tick. How are they thinking about distribution and attention that is ruling everything? The future is still exciting, and we're still building it. Let's Build it Better! 🚀 Hit that subscribe button and join the adventure!

  1. Daily Stoic For Builders - Episode 1

    JAN 6

    Daily Stoic For Builders - Episode 1

    Daily Stoic For Builders - Episode 1 This episode explores the concept of influence and control, and understanding of it for founders and builders. I emphasize the importance of focusing on what can be influenced and measuring what matters. It delves into the application of these principles in product building and the potential for change in the future. Takeaways Focus on what you can influenceMeasure what matters Chapters 00:00 Understanding Influence and Control14:39 The Power to Change the Future

    7 min
  2. Remix the Remix: How MRKD.dj Is Rewiring Music Ownership and IP for Web3 enabled World

    05/29/2025

    Remix the Remix: How MRKD.dj Is Rewiring Music Ownership and IP for Web3 enabled World

    What if DJs could remix, monetize, and own music like never before? In this mind-expanding episode, I sit down with Jaime Schwarz — brand strategist, NFT patent holder, and founder of MRKD.dj — to explore how blockchain is redefining music ownership, IP, and co-creation. From remix rights to fan distribution and Keith Shocklee’s role in launching a new creative economy, this episode hits every note. We dive deep into: - Why Web3 needs better ownership models - How MRKD.dj turns DJs into prosumers and remixers - The story behind the first-ever NFT patent - Rethinking the future of digital music, NFTs, and identity Jaime believes blockchain is the missing layer for the IP economy — offering permanence, provenance, and programmable rights at scale. In a world where AI is eating the service economy, he sees IP as the next frontier of value — and music, with its deep-rooted remix culture and licensing complexity, as the ideal first use case. MRKD.dj isn’t just about tracks — it’s about unlocking a future where artists, DJs, and fans co-create, co-own, and get rewarded in real-time. Tune in before their live launch at New York Tech Week on June 6! (link to tickets: https://partiful.com/e/mFEMK9C7GHKoRw73ryVg) Chapters 00:00 Exploring Bulgaria's History and Culture 01:46 The Intersection of Branding and Blockchain 04:24 The Birth of NFTs and Ownership in the Digital Age 07:04 Revolutionizing Music Ownership and Distribution 09:49 The Role of Centralized Institutions in a Decentralized World 12:28 The Future of IP and Music in the Blockchain Era 14:34 Pivoting from Art to Music: The Mark.DJ Journey 17:17 Unleashing Creativity through Sampling and Remixing 19:54 The Value of Digital Ownership and NFTs 21:57 Navigating the Challenges of Digital Immutability 24:42 The Economic Potential of Tokenized IP 28:25 Exploring the New York Music Scene 28:54 Innovative Music Experiences and Limited Editions 30:19 Remixing the Future of Music 31:24 Ticketing and Exclusive Access 31:53 The Role of Social Networks in Music 31:54 Future Plans for Mark DJ 33:00 Building an IP Economy 36:16 Startup Lessons and Team Dynamics 36:39 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement MY GUEST LINKS: Jaime Schwarz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimeschwarz/ Keith Shocklee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithshocklee/ MRKD.dj is the website Support the show I hope you liked today's episode. If you have any comments please reach out on socials, and let's chat. And as always, don't forget to sign up for Web3Magic and follow me across social media to enjoy the colorful ride! COLLECT THIS EPISODE On Pods.Media: https://pods.media/web3-magic Listen in your favorite app: Watch & Subscribe on YouTube - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-youtube Listen & Subscribe on Apple - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-apple Listen & Subscribe on Spotify - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-spotify FOLLOW US: Subscribe and see all episodes - https://web3magic.xyz Follow Web3Magic (X) - https://twitter.com/Web3MagicHQ Follow BFG (X) - https://twitter.com/aka_BFG Follow BFG (Farcaster) - https://warpcast.com/bfg Follow Web3Magic channel (Farcaster) - https://warpcast.com/~/channel/web3magic

    42 min
  3. TLDR - Learn in 8 mins about Citizens Weather Network with Rewards WeatherXM

    05/26/2025 ·  BONUS

    TLDR - Learn in 8 mins about Citizens Weather Network with Rewards WeatherXM

    Summary In this conversation with Manos, we speed-introduce WeatherXM - the citizens-run weather network that aims to solve weather prediction problems around the world.  We discuss the evolution of their hardware technology, the significant pivot towards integrating cryptocurrency, and the innovative approaches they are taking to enhance weather data collection and distribution.  The discussion covers the challenges faced in hardware development, the transition to a new business model, and the future direction of WeatherXM in the context of community impact and technological advancements. Takeaways WeatherXM started as a project among colleagues in a research facility. The initial weather stations were outdated and not suitable for modern needs. In 2018, the team decided to create their own hardware from scratch. They faced challenges in mass production and shifted to modifying existing products. The pivot to integrating cryptocurrency changed their business model significantly. The new weather stations utilize cryptographic proofs for data integrity. Innovations include low-level sensors and multiple communication protocols. The company has expanded its reach to over 80 countries. They aim to support industrial use cases with modular hardware. The focus is on community involvement and providing weather data to underserved areas. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 00:33 The Journey to Crypto 01:11 Developing WeatherXM Hardware 03:06 The Crypto Pivot 05:03 Exploring Filecoin and Helium 06:19 Formation of WeatherXM in Switzerland 06:56 Separation of Entities and the Association 07:02 Sales and Expansion 07:59 Plans for Mainnet Launch 08:36 Future Steps for WeatherXM 09:33 Spotlighting Builders Artists Projects Video.mp4 Support the show I hope you liked today's episode. If you have any comments please reach out on socials, and let's chat. And as always, don't forget to sign up for Web3Magic and follow me across social media to enjoy the colorful ride! COLLECT THIS EPISODE On Pods.Media: https://pods.media/web3-magic Listen in your favorite app: Watch & Subscribe on YouTube - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-youtube Listen & Subscribe on Apple - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-apple Listen & Subscribe on Spotify - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-spotify FOLLOW US: Subscribe and see all episodes - https://web3magic.xyz Follow Web3Magic (X) - https://twitter.com/Web3MagicHQ Follow BFG (X) - https://twitter.com/aka_BFG Follow BFG (Farcaster) - https://warpcast.com/bfg Follow Web3Magic channel (Farcaster) - https://warpcast.com/~/channel/web3magic

    11 min
  4. "One Human = One Node?" - Humanode's Bold Plan to Fix Crypto Governance for the future of UBI

    05/15/2025

    "One Human = One Node?" - Humanode's Bold Plan to Fix Crypto Governance for the future of UBI

    In this Web3Magic Builder Spotlight, I talk to Viktor, co-founder of Humanode.io, one of the most radical blockchain experiments out there: a Layer 1 secured not by stake or work, but by proof of biometric uniqueness. Yep, real humans, not capital, run this network. We go deep into: - Why proof-of-stake and proof-of-work are still plutocratic - How Humanode uses facial recognition + confidential computing to verify humanity (without storing your data) - The ethics and tech behind biometric verification - What makes Humanode different from Worldcoin, and why it actually decentralizes the validator layer - How you can run a node from your phone and earn $25/month just for being consistently human - Use cases beyond the chain: civil-resistant airdrops, Discord governance, and DeSci + gaming partnerships coming in hot We also talk distribution, community building, and how Humanode grew a 20+ person team of long-term believers. This is not just another chain. It's a bet on humans as validators of truth—and it might just change the game. Give it a listen, and if you're into Web3 and real-world use cases, subscribe to Web3Magic and share it with your builder friends. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Blockchain and Human Node 02:07 Victor's Journey into Blockchain 04:43 The Concept of Human Node 08:13 Verification of Human Identity 10:12 Data Security and Privacy in Human Node 13:15 Running a Node: Hardware and Incentives 16:14 Consensus Mechanism: Proof of Biometric Uniqueness 18:01 Human Node's Role in the Web3 Ecosystem 21:18 Consumer Applications and User Growth 23:01 Future Plans and Collaborations 24:29 Technical Difficulties and Connection Issues 24:33 Collaboration with Collabland 24:35 Human Node's Unique Approach to User Verification 25:32 Team Structure and Community Engagement 27:08 Integration with New Chains 28:39 Business Models and Revenue Streams 32:59 Comparing Human Node to WorldCoin 35:45 Future Prospects and Community Involvement --------- MY GUEST LINKS: Viktor on X (Twitter): https://x.com/tech_mingler Humanode on X (Twitter): https://x.com/humanode_io  Support the show I hope you liked today's episode. If you have any comments please reach out on socials, and let's chat. And as always, don't forget to sign up for Web3Magic and follow me across social media to enjoy the colorful ride! COLLECT THIS EPISODE On Pods.Media: https://pods.media/web3-magic Listen in your favorite app: Watch & Subscribe on YouTube - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-youtube Listen & Subscribe on Apple - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-apple Listen & Subscribe on Spotify - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-spotify FOLLOW US: Subscribe and see all episodes - https://web3magic.xyz Follow Web3Magic (X) - https://twitter.com/Web3MagicHQ Follow BFG (X) - https://twitter.com/aka_BFG Follow BFG (Farcaster) - https://warpcast.com/bfg Follow Web3Magic channel (Farcaster) - https://warpcast.com/~/channel/web3magic

    44 min
  5. Pop-Up Cities, ZK Tech & Living Forever — A Web3 Longevity Story with Francesca from AvinasiLabs

    04/24/2025

    Pop-Up Cities, ZK Tech & Living Forever — A Web3 Longevity Story with Francesca from AvinasiLabs

    Summary What happens when ZK cryptographers, pop-up cities, and longevity scientists collide? In this special Web3Magic episode, I sit down with the one and only Francesca, a multidisciplinary personality bridging decentralized science, digital identity, and transhumanist visions of the future. Francesca returns to the pod after a whirlwind journey through the world of ZKPass, popup cities like Vitalia and ZuConnect, and now her latest adventures with Avinasi Labs and AuraSci. From the Longevity Passport concept to merging AI, wearable health data, and decentralized infrastructure, Francesca shares how she feels that the next frontier in Web3 isn't just about finance, but about lifespan. We cover a lot: - What decentralized science (DeSci) is really about and why it's just getting started - The role of zero-knowledge proofs in safeguarding health data - How pop-up cities are incubating deep interdisciplinary collaboration - The importance of data sovereignty in the future of wellness - 2025 IRL events and experiments at ETH Denver and Vitalis Bay - Whether you're a DeFi degen curious about health, a builder looking to enter the DeSci space, or just obsessed with the future of human longevity, this episode is for you. Listen now and discover how Web3 can help us live longer, better, and freer. Chapters 00:00 Revisiting the Journey: From ZK Technology to Pop-Up Cities 05:42 Exploring Pop-Up Cities and the Longevity Agenda 10:37 Data, Privacy, and the Future of Health 15:50 Building Connections: The Role of Community in Longevity 20:51 Innovations in Longevity: The Longevity Passport 25:54 Future Plans: Merging Web3 with Longevity Research 33:19 Navigating Stress and Community Dynamics 35:47 The Landscape of Decentralized Science 39:51 Biological Aging and Longevity Research 45:12 Onboarding and Engaging the Community 53:34 Upcoming Events and Community Engagement 01:00:56 Spotlighting Builders Artists Projects Video.mp4 --------- MY GUEST LINKS: Francesca on X (Twitter): https://x.com/thefranceway Francesca on Farcaster: https://warpcast.com/thefranceway Support the show I hope you liked today's episode. If you have any comments please reach out on socials, and let's chat. And as always, don't forget to sign up for Web3Magic and follow me across social media to enjoy the colorful ride! COLLECT THIS EPISODE On Pods.Media: https://pods.media/web3-magic Listen in your favorite app: Watch & Subscribe on YouTube - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-youtube Listen & Subscribe on Apple - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-apple Listen & Subscribe on Spotify - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-spotify FOLLOW US: Subscribe and see all episodes - https://web3magic.xyz Follow Web3Magic (X) - https://twitter.com/Web3MagicHQ Follow BFG (X) - https://twitter.com/aka_BFG Follow BFG (Farcaster) - https://warpcast.com/bfg Follow Web3Magic channel (Farcaster) - https://warpcast.com/~/channel/web3magic

    55 min
  6. Conviction Over Hype: Building Real Products in Web3 with Chinmay, Percs & Basket.farm

    04/17/2025

    Conviction Over Hype: Building Real Products in Web3 with Chinmay, Percs & Basket.farm

    Summary What happens when a dev agency founder becomes a Web3 believer, builds tools for Fortune 500s, and ends up creating one of the most exciting products in Farcaster land? Find out in this candid and idea-packed episode with Chinmay, founder of Percs and Basket.Farm. We go deep on: - Chinmay’s journey from agency life to building in crypto - Lessons from building with Budweiser, Playboy, Coinbase & more - The rise of token baskets and what they unlock for creators - Behind-the-scenes look at Basket.Farm’s product strategy - Why Farcaster Frames might be the future of onchain UX - His controversial take on whether Basket even needs a token! Chinmay shares rare insights from years of shipping in crypto, experimenting during bear markets, and building through conviction, not hype. Whether you're a Web3 founder, creator, or just crypto-curious, this one’s full of gold. Stick around to hear how Zora, Base, and meme coins might collide in a new type of curated art portfolio — and why the best thing Basket could do is not launch a token… yet. (at least I hope!) Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Cinmai and Farcaster 01:31 Cinmai's Journey into Web3 and Blockchain 03:45 Transitioning from Agency Work to Product Development 09:56 The Birth of Perks and Product Development 16:04 Building the First Product: Token Gated Shopify 23:00 The Evolution of Ideas and the Concept of Baskets 29:15 Demonstrating the Basket Creation Process 32:40 Understanding Token Limitations 34:49 Exploring Zora Coins and Art Portfolios 38:57 Optimizing the Basket Creation Process 45:12 Business Model and Market Strategy for Baskets 53:10 Debating the Need for a Token MY GUEST LINKS: Chinmay on X (Twitter): https://x.com/chinmaydoteth Chinmay on Farcaster: https://warpcast.com/chinmay.eth Support the show I hope you liked today's episode. If you have any comments please reach out on socials, and let's chat. And as always, don't forget to sign up for Web3Magic and follow me across social media to enjoy the colorful ride! COLLECT THIS EPISODE On Pods.Media: https://pods.media/web3-magic Listen in your favorite app: Watch & Subscribe on YouTube - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-youtube Listen & Subscribe on Apple - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-apple Listen & Subscribe on Spotify - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-spotify FOLLOW US: Subscribe and see all episodes - https://web3magic.xyz Follow Web3Magic (X) - https://twitter.com/Web3MagicHQ Follow BFG (X) - https://twitter.com/aka_BFG Follow BFG (Farcaster) - https://warpcast.com/bfg Follow Web3Magic channel (Farcaster) - https://warpcast.com/~/channel/web3magic

    45 min
  7. TLDR - Why Is MINIMA The Most Decentralized Blockchain

    04/15/2025 ·  BONUS

    TLDR - Why Is MINIMA The Most Decentralized Blockchain

    What if your phone could run an entire blockchain — no miners, no middlemen, just pure freedom? In this 10-minute TLDR episode of Web3 Magic, Paddy from Minima drops an absolute masterclass on what true decentralization really means. We explore how Minima flips the script on traditional blockchain architecture with a protocol so light, it runs entirely on your phone — yet so powerful, it could outlast even the creators themselves. If you’ve ever asked “Why do we need decentralization?” or wondered whether any blockchain really lives up to that promise — this episode will blow your mind. Support the show I hope you liked today's episode. If you have any comments please reach out on socials, and let's chat. And as always, don't forget to sign up for Web3Magic and follow me across social media to enjoy the colorful ride! COLLECT THIS EPISODE On Pods.Media: https://pods.media/web3-magic Listen in your favorite app: Watch & Subscribe on YouTube - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-youtube Listen & Subscribe on Apple - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-apple Listen & Subscribe on Spotify - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-spotify FOLLOW US: Subscribe and see all episodes - https://web3magic.xyz Follow Web3Magic (X) - https://twitter.com/Web3MagicHQ Follow BFG (X) - https://twitter.com/aka_BFG Follow BFG (Farcaster) - https://warpcast.com/bfg Follow Web3Magic channel (Farcaster) - https://warpcast.com/~/channel/web3magic

    12 min
  8. Is Decentralized Science (DeSci) the biggest scientific shift since the internet with Andrew Hemingway

    04/11/2025

    Is Decentralized Science (DeSci) the biggest scientific shift since the internet with Andrew Hemingway

    Summary In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Hemingway, founder of the DeSci Alliance, to explore how Web3 is transforming how science is funded, shared, and collaborated on - from breaking pharma’s data monopoly to onboarding citizen scientists from Reddit. Whether you're curious about DeSci, a startup founder in healthtech, or just want to understand how blockchain and science can finally converge for real-world impact on individuals like us - this conversation is for you. Topics We Cover: - What is DeSci and why does it matter now - How DeSci can disrupt the "big boys club" of traditional science - The low-hanging fruit: data, privacy, and funding - Using X (Twitter) Communities to build ecosystems - Why the DeSci Alliance is amplifying—not gatekeeping—the space - The untapped potential of biohackers, Reddit researchers, and citizen science Guest: Andrew Hemingway Formerly with Tron & Avalanche, now on a mission to build the connective tissue of decentralized science through the DeSci Alliance. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to DeSci and Its Importance 01:21 Andrew's Journey into Web3 and DeSci 04:39 The Formation of DeSci Alliance 08:52 Utilizing Twitter Communities for DeSci 11:10 The Current State of DeSci Communities 13:16 The Need for Unity in DeSci 14:41 Challenges in Communicating DeSci's Value 18:36 Exploring the Scope of DeSci Beyond Healthcare 20:01 Building a Community in Science 22:36 Low-Hanging Fruit in Data Services 28:08 The Future of Data Sharing in Pharma 29:14 Emerging Voices in the D-Sci Space 31:55 Seriousness of the D-Sci Community 33:53 The Importance of Narrative in D-Sci 35:56 Future Directions for D-Sci Alliance Hit Subscribe for more interviews on: - DeSci - Web3 for scientists - Blockchain in healthcare - Crypto funding models - Peer review reform - Tokenizing research - Decentralized data collaboration - New Health and Wellness data sharing models Support the show I hope you liked today's episode. If you have any comments please reach out on socials, and let's chat. And as always, don't forget to sign up for Web3Magic and follow me across social media to enjoy the colorful ride! COLLECT THIS EPISODE On Pods.Media: https://pods.media/web3-magic Listen in your favorite app: Watch & Subscribe on YouTube - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-youtube Listen & Subscribe on Apple - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-apple Listen & Subscribe on Spotify - http://tinyurl.com/w3m-spotify FOLLOW US: Subscribe and see all episodes - https://web3magic.xyz Follow Web3Magic (X) - https://twitter.com/Web3MagicHQ Follow BFG (X) - https://twitter.com/aka_BFG Follow BFG (Farcaster) - https://warpcast.com/bfg Follow Web3Magic channel (Farcaster) - https://warpcast.com/~/channel/web3magic

    42 min
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About

Welcome to BuildBetter, formerly known as the Web3Magic podcast. This channel began 2,5 years ago as Web3Magic — decoding the thinking of decentralized builders. Now, it’s evolving into BuildBetter: frameworks, stories, and tools for people building the future. Technology, or rails, don't matter anymore. That's why I'm ditching Web3 branding. Blockchain is becoming part of everything. Now, more than ever, it's about useful products, not tech behind them. Every week, I look at lessons from building companies and products - not technical lessons, but distribution-focused ones. Sometimes alone, sometimes with builders working on interesting products. We dive into stories, projects, and what makes them tick. How are they thinking about distribution and attention that is ruling everything? The future is still exciting, and we're still building it. Let's Build it Better! 🚀 Hit that subscribe button and join the adventure!

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