Back on the Chain

Fundamentals, Jason
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A podcast that explores the deep connections between Phish's lyrics and the creation of Bitcoin, based on the blog posts of Fundamentals Fundamentals Blog Post https://risk-fundamentals.ghost.io/phish-and-bitcoin-a-continuum-of-genius-network-effects-and-unintentional-foreshadowing/ Fundamentals X: @Fundamentals21m nostr: npub12eml5kmtrjmdt0h8shgg32gye5yqsf2jha6a70jrqt82q9d960sspky99g Jason nostr: npub19l2muzvelq07kfx8glfqmpf8jdcj2xp733rhjfc05t2g2mt9krjqrae40w

  1. 2D AGO

    Sphere Recap #2: Goin to ClownTown w/ Liz P

    In this episode, we’re back on the chain with our first post-recap conversation featuring our friend Liz, fresh off two Phish-at-the-Sphere shows wrapped around the Bitcoin conference in Vegas. We trade stories about the magic of the Sphere visuals, seat vibes, and the joy of finding a “great section” that feels like a team. Liz recounts how her Saturday night turned a previously lukewarm stance on Phish into full-on enthusiasm, from prime-center seats with haptics to beehive visuals and hot-dog lore, plus serendipitous run-ins with old friends and brand-new ones. We also dig into the unexpected overlap between Bitcoiners and live-music diehards, the power of meetups, and how this Vegas run uniquely fused both worlds—creating a communal afterglow that’s still buzzing.  We get candid about set break meetups, side quests, sound quirks, favorite moments, and even the shared language of “Clown Town.” We celebrate Liz’s meetup crew winning a conference award, dream up future Bitcoiner pre-show meetups (NYC, anyone?), and imagine what a true “Bitcoin Phish summer tour” could look like. If you were there, this will feel like reliving it with friends; if you missed it, consider this your invite to the next link-up.

    1h 14m

  2. 6D AGO

    Back on the Chain at the Sphere: T**s Resolved!

    In this episode, I take you inside our unforgettable Phish-at-the-Sphere weekend wrapped around the Bitcoin conference—a once-in-a-lifetime collision of worlds that exceeded every expectation. From a near ticketing disaster turned “t**s resolved” mantra, to Ash’s unbelievable generosity that transformed our seats, our night, and frankly the entire story, I walk through the chaotic entry, the crew’s rich cast of characters, and why sharing this show with friends mattered as much as the music. We celebrate Craig-from-Programming’s Clark Kent-to-superfan switch, Greaser’s first-show glow, and the hilarious double-Liz mix-up that became instant lore. The Sphere itself? Zero-to-one. We try to put into words the fireworks-level awe and the intimate magic of moments like Page’s on-screen grin and the Squirming Coil drive-in visual sendoff. Musically, I share why Set 2 felt exceptional to me—especially the risk-taking in A Wave of Hope—and why Sneakin’ Sally and Sloth hit so hard in the room, regardless of tape-judgment. I also open up about how this show intersected with bigger life currents: two years to the day since leaving fiat world; searching for meaning, purpose, and God; and realizing Phish has been a spiritual companion for decades—even as that relationship evolves. We may never get another Bitcoin-conference-meets-Phish-at-the-Sphere week, but the bonds forged—old friends, new friends, and the energy of being truly present—are now part of our permanent story. Next up, we’ll bring the whole crew on to relive it from every angle.  Resources mentioned: After Midnight (Big Cypress podcast by Jesse Jarnow).

    1h 31m

  3. APR 20

    Quantum Kuroda and Sigma Truths: Emergency Sphere Recap

    In this emergency episode, I break down Night 3 of Phish’s current Sphere run in Vegas and why the setlist threw up both thrilling signals and a brief moment of alarm. From the barn-burner intent telegraphed by a Buried Alive opener to a vintage-feeling first set (AC/DC Bag, Reba, Forbin>Mockingbird), we zoom in on Sigma Oasis as the patron-saint song of this show and our podcast—touching on its uncanny lyric resonance and why “sigma” and “oasis” together capture the Bitcoin-meets-Phish ethos. We also dissect Trey’s heartfelt nod to Joe Walsh before Walk Away (with Walsh in attendance), why that erased my “walk away” crash-out jitters, and how the visuals at the Sphere—Gamehendge animation, Rift album imagery, and “quantum Kuroda”—are an order of magnitude beyond the first 2024 run. We trade stories on jadedness vs. newness in different Phish eras (’97–’98, 3.0 early years), Fishman’s surprising triplet work in Split Open and Melt, and the evolving sound adaptations to the Sphere’s house system. We connect song “older brothers” across eras (Kill Devil Falls → Wingsuit → Sigma Oasis; Time Turns Elastic → Petrichor → Drift While You’re Sleeping), revisit favorite New Year’s gags, and level-set Vegas meetup logistics and tickets as Bitcoin and Phish worlds prepare to collide next week. Back on the chain indeed—see you in Vegas.

    1h 17m

  4. APR 15

    AI Can't Jam w/ Dan Webb

    In this episode, we welcome back our first-ever repeat guest, Dan, for a freewheeling conversation that braids together Phish lore, live music culture, Bitcoin, AI, and the polarizing mystique of Dr. Jack Kruse. From onstage magic and audience feedback loops to forty-minute Chalk Dust Torture odysseys, we explore why Phish remains an irreplaceable live experience in an age of phones and generative AI—and how that human connection can’t be counterfeited. We dive into Kruse’s worldview (water, light, magnetism), his history, his wins and excesses, and why he sounds compelling in biology but unconvincing in Bitcoin. Along the way, we compare scenes, decode the signal-vs-noise skillset Bitcoiners cultivate, parse crowd archetypes (wooks, chompers, tarpers), and talk about what happens when the band or the crowd “goes for it.” We close by looking ahead to Vegas—where the Bitcoin conference and Phish’s Sphere run collide—and why that synchronicity feels like a call to show up differently this time. Resources discussed include classic Phish eras (’93–’95, Mexico 2024’s 40-minute CDT), Trey’s recovery arc and onstage feedback philosophy, and the parallels between learning Phish’s catalog and building conviction in Bitcoin. If you’re new: show up honest, give your full attention, and let the music do its work. If you’re seasoned: you already know—sometimes the crowd and the band make each other better in real time.

    1h 24m

  5. MAR 30

    Brian and Jason's Bogus Journey

    http://www.magicinternetmath.com Fundamentals X: @Fundamentals21m nostr: npub12eml5kmtrjmdt0h8shgg32gye5yqsf2jha6a70jrqt82q9d960sspky99g READ THE BOOK: https://zeuspay.com/btc-for-institutions Jason nostr: npub19l2muzvelq07kfx8glfqmpf8jdcj2xp733rhjfc05t2g2mt9krjqrae40w READ THE F****G BOOK!!^^ In this episode, we lean into the razor’s edge between literal and poetic—both in songwriting and in life. We kick off reflecting on lyrics taking on new, unintended meanings over time, then rip into a candid, high-energy catch-up about podcast fatigue, the Bitcoin scene, and the shows we love. From Amsterdam’s “gray area” to ’90s road stories with cops, we trade coming-of-age tales around weed culture, freedom, and finding your people. We get real on ADHD, nootropics, parenting without amphetamines, and the value of going to zero to find your personal baseline. Most of all, we talk about self-doubt, proof of work, loving yourself, and why the magic lives right at the edge—where you either crash out or reinvent. Fish, Dead, Vegas plans, and a reminder that communities (imperfections and all) are what keep the music—and the mission—alive. If you’ve ever wrestled with reinvention, creative willpower, or how to stay authentic while navigating complex systems—from Bitcoin to biohacking to growing up—this one’s for you. We celebrate the friendships that catch us when we wobble, the continuum that music provides, and the courage to keep showing up where the juice is.

    1h 8m

  6. MAR 26

    Brian and Jason's Excellent Adventure

    In this freewheeling, high-energy return to the mic, we break in new audio gear, talk live mixing our theme music, and lay out road plans for a run of April conferences—Nashville, OpNEXt, and a Vegas sprint where we aim to rip ten on-the-road pods. From there we riff into Bitcoin culture wars, meetups, and the BIP-110 drama, drawing surprising parallels to 90s tape-trading ethics, nitrous-lot economics, and scene game-theory. We detour through comedy war stories (including a triumphant night at Philly’s Laugh House), time traveling with Bill & Ted, and why Fish may be the closest thing we have to the Wild Stallions—a band uniquely built to scale, unite a fractured culture, and give younger fans a real alternative to musical slop. It’s loose, candid, and hopeful: if the good gods win, maybe music still can bring us together—and Fish might be the vehicle. We also swap lyrical misfires (hello, “nappy nappy Bonaparte”), compare Clubhouse vs. Spaces vibes, reminisce about budget 90s hostel life, and celebrate Europe’s traveler hospitality. Underneath the tangents is a through-line: tools, incentives, and culture matter—whether you’re mixing a podcast live, stewarding a monetary network, or nurturing a scene that can actually scale without losing its soul. Fundamentals X: @Fundamentals21m nostr: npub12eml5kmtrjmdt0h8shgg32gye5yqsf2jha6a70jrqt82q9d960sspky99g READ THE BOOK: https://zeuspay.com/btc-for-institutions JOIN THE PIONEERS CLUB: https://fountain.fm/episode/F5QFM50ZVtTyQlDd0vOf Jason nostr: npub19l2muzvelq07kfx8glfqmpf8jdcj2xp733rhjfc05t2g2mt9krjqrae40w READ THE F****G BOOK!!^^ Intro: Back on the Train - Phish 09/13/25 Birmingham, AL Outro: 2001 - Phish 09/29/99 Memphis, TN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xri7OSXJzfc

    1h 31m

  7. MAR 12

    Birds of a Feather w/ RedTailHawk

    We’re back on the chain with a long-awaited return and a very special guest: Red Tail Hawk—writer, psychonaut, Bitcoiner, and the first-ever guest on my podcasting journey. We trace his origin story into our orbit, swap Fish and Dead tour lore, and dive into how shared peak experiences (at shows and beyond) forge real community. From Mexico’s Riviera Maya runs to NHL ’94 nostalgia, Dark Star continuity, and the wild synchronicities of life, we explore why meetups and meatspace matter—church-like moments where everyone lands on the same wavelength. Then we pivot hard into psychedelia, Steiner, plasma, and Bitcoin: how LSD may reveal “colors in the void,” why consilience and class initiations matter, and how Bitcoin operates in the invisible realm. We close with lyric talk, meetup culture as modern communion, and Red’s forthcoming book on decoding spiritual languages. Sense and subtle sounds, color in the void—this one’s a trip in every sense. Resources mentioned (non-sponsored): - Red Tail Hawk on X/Nostr: @redtailhawk19 - Red’s forthcoming book: “What’s in a Name? The Language of the Birds” - Fish tracks and touchpoints: Sense and Subtle Sounds; 12/31/1993; The Roxy 2/20/1993; Mississippi Nights shows; “Gloria” Blues win nod; Dark Star continuity (Grateful Dead) - Psychedelic references: Eleusinian Mysteries; LSD + nitrous continuity experiences; von Reichenbach magnet light; plasma studies; aura/EMF observations - Thinkers & threads: Rudolf Steiner; consilience (via Brandon Quittem on Demystify Sci) - Cultural side paths: NHL ’94; Techmo Bowl; Brett Hull/Blues; Ozzy & Tyson media headlines Fundamentals X: @Fundamentals21m nostr: npub12eml5kmtrjmdt0h8shgg32gye5yqsf2jha6a70jrqt82q9d960sspky99g READ THE BOOK: https://zeuspay.com/btc-for-institutions JOIN THE PIONEERS CLUB: https://fountain.fm/episode/F5QFM50ZVtTyQlDd0vOf Jason nostr: npub19l2muzvelq07kfx8glfqmpf8jdcj2xp733rhjfc05t2g2mt9krjqrae40w READ THE F****G BOOK!!^^ Intro: Back on the Train - Phish 09/13/25 Birmingham, AL Backing Tracks: Phish July 2024 - Simple https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlBpHJ5FmIQ Tweezer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoloVkjkgEw Ruby Waves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpOgr_G-tYc Outro: Birds of a Feather - Phish 06/19/19  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQrcvXAZL9M

    1h 53m

  8. MAR 6

    Phish, Rick Beato, and Crossed Paths

    In this freewheeling, no-plan-needed hang, we spiral from cosmic intentions to yacht-rock earworms and back again. I reflect on why this show isn’t about pleasing the masses so much as “putting the gods on notice,” and how a week-long Christopher Cross “Sailing” brain loop sent me down a YouTube rabbit hole: quirky TV scenes, Rick Beato deep-dives, and the strange cultural arc from MTV’s aesthetics to Arthur’s theme. We connect those dots to Phish lore—Trey vs. Beato origin stories, onstage tuner Easter eggs, and why Fish’s longevity and creativity remain an outlier. Then it’s boots-on-the-floor: our night at Umphrey’s McGee, a joyful surprise cameo from Eli Wunderman that lit up the room, and a candid take on lineup changes, pocket vs. precision, and what “tight” really means in a jam band. Through it all, we celebrate serendipity, lineage, and the rare miracle that Phish still exists—and still crushes—after four decades. Resources mentioned: Rick Beato’s breakdowns (esp. Christopher Cross solo isolations), Christopher Cross “Sailing” live clips, Say Say Say video lore, Trey/Undermine podcast story threads, and the Umphrey’s McGee sit-in that became a moment. Ignore the cheerleader discourse; keep the gods on notice. In this off-the-cuff hang, we spiral from yacht rock earworms to jam-band lore and back again—with the gods (and Tom Marshall) firmly on notice. I open with a weeklong fixation on Christopher Cross’s Sailing, which launches a YouTube rabbit hole: Rick Beato’s breakdowns, hidden fade‑out solos, and the MTV-era myth that looks killed the radio star. From there, we wander into Phil Collins-as-MTV-king, McCartney/Jackson’s Say Say Say as accidental premonition, and how guitar lineage—from Satriani to Neil Schon—shapes what sticks. We then pivot to a fresh Umphrey’s McGee show debrief: a surprisingly transcendent sit‑in by Eli Wunderman, the band’s evolving feel with a new drummer, and why the microscopic timing of tight prog-jam arrangements matters. Through it all, we circle back to Fish, Trey, and the Rick Beato near‑miss, musing on drive, beefs, and the sheer improbability of a band staying vital for four decades. TL;DR: Sailing still slaps, serendipity rules, and Fish remains the impossible standard—there is no second best. Resources mentioned (no sponsors): Rick Beato’s “What Makes This Song Great” series; his analysis of Christopher Cross’s hidden guitar solo in Sailing; interviews with Billy Strings, Béla Fleck, and Joe Satriani; Christopher Cross live TV performances; Journey/Neil Schon fade‑out solo dissections; Say Say Say (McCartney/Jackson) video; Umphrey’s McGee live show with Eli Wunderman sit‑in; Phish’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction of Genesis; Trey Anastasio’s Undermine interview/story; Arthur’s Theme and MTV-era context. Fundamentals X: @Fundamentals21m nostr: npub12eml5kmtrjmdt0h8shgg32gye5yqsf2jha6a70jrqt82q9d960sspky99g READ THE BOOK: https://zeuspay.com/btc-for-institutions JOIN THE PIONEERS CLUB: https://fountain.fm/episode/F5QFM50ZVtTyQlDd0vOf Jason nostr: npub19l2muzvelq07kfx8glfqmpf8jdcj2xp733rhjfc05t2g2mt9krjqrae40w READ THE F****G BOOK!!^^ Intro: Back on the Train - Phish 09/13/25 Birmingham, AL Backing Track: Phish 02/15/03 Set 2+E Las Vegas, NV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIHEcoRIAbw Outro: Sailing, Live - Christopher Cross https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myz7YV3W7po

    1h 17m
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A podcast that explores the deep connections between Phish's lyrics and the creation of Bitcoin, based on the blog posts of Fundamentals Fundamentals Blog Post https://risk-fundamentals.ghost.io/phish-and-bitcoin-a-continuum-of-genius-network-effects-and-unintentional-foreshadowing/ Fundamentals X: @Fundamentals21m nostr: npub12eml5kmtrjmdt0h8shgg32gye5yqsf2jha6a70jrqt82q9d960sspky99g Jason nostr: npub19l2muzvelq07kfx8glfqmpf8jdcj2xp733rhjfc05t2g2mt9krjqrae40w

Information

  • Creator
    Fundamentals, Jason
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Fundamentals 2025
  • Show Website
    Back on the Chain