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Welcome to this special edition of the GRTiQ Podcast as we kick off The Best of 2024. For the third year in a row, we’re taking a moment to look back at the incredible guests, conversations, and stories that made this year so memorable. Today’s episode, Part 1, features highlights from Episodes 151 to 175, bringing you some of the most inspiring and insightful moments from 2024.

Part 2 of The Best of 2024—featuring highlights from Episodes 176 to 200—releases next week

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Today I am speaking with Ram Kumar, Co-founder at OpenLedger, a platform building specialized AI models through decentralized data collection and attribution.

Born and raised in Chennai chen-NYE, India's thriving tech hub, Ram has been actively involved in the web3 space since 2017. Ram's journey from building web3 solutions for enterprises to founding OpenLedger was driven by his observation of data bottlenecks in AI development. His vision for specialized AI models that can power purposeful agents while ensuring fair attribution to data contributors showcases his commitment to making AI development more accessible and transparent.

Show Notes and Transcripts

The GRTiQ Podcast takes listeners inside web3 and The Graph (GRT) by interviewing members of the ecosystem.  Please help support this project and build the community by subscribing and leaving a review.

Twitter: GRT_iQ
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Today I am speaking with Lark Davis, an influential crypto content creator and the driving force behind the widely followed YouTube channel and newsletter, Wealth Mastery. Many listeners know Lark for his approachable and often humorous take on navigating the ever-changing landscape of crypto markets.

His journey into crypto began in 2017, sparked by a suggestion from his mother, and he quickly transitioned from a career in education to become one a well-known voice in the industry. Lark’s insights into market cycles, meme coins, and the future of decentralized finance have earned him a large, engaged audience. In our conversation, Lark shares stories from growing up in a small Appalachian town, moving to New Zealand, traveling the world, and how those experiences shaped his relentless drive. We dive deep into his thoughts on meme coins, the current market cycle, the role of community engagement, and the future of the crypto industry.

Show Notes and Transcripts

The GRTiQ Podcast takes listeners inside web3 and The Graph (GRT) by interviewing members of the ecosystem.  Please help support this project and build the community by subscribing and leaving a review.

Twitter: GRT_iQ
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Today I am speaking with Sean Robb, Technical Product Lead at Flow. Based out of St. Louis, Sean’s journey into Web3 started with his background in computer engineering, where he worked on flight control systems before moving into roles at CenturyLink and MasterCard. At Dapper Labs, he helped shape the Dapper Wallet during the NBA Top Shot craze, driving the evolution of consumer-facing applications in Web3.

Now at Flow, Sean is pushing the envelope in blockchain scalability and user experience, especially with recent upgrades like Crescendo and its EVM compatibility. We explore Sean’s unique perspective on Web3's consumer applications, digital scarcity, and the role of AI in decentralized ecosystems.

Show Notes and Transcripts

The GRTiQ Podcast takes listeners inside web3 and The Graph (GRT) by interviewing members of the ecosystem.  Please help support this project and build the community by subscribing and leaving a review.

Twitter: GRT_iQ
www.GRTiQ.com

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Today I am speaking with Rebecca Liao, CEO and Co-founder at Saga. A Stanford economics graduate and Harvard Law alumna, Rebecca's remarkable journey spans from corporate law to presidential politics, serving as policy advisor for both the Biden and Clinton campaigns. Her entrepreneurial path includes co-founding Skuchain, which grew to $5 billion in annual volume providing short-term liquidity to small businesses, and early leadership at Globality, where she helped drive the company to unicorn status through AI and international procurement solutions.

At Saga, Rebecca is revolutionizing blockchain infrastructure for gaming and entertainment, creating automated solutions for developers while maintaining a steadfast focus on community building. A lifelong performer who began ballet at age three, she brings an artist's sensibility to technology leadership.

Show Notes and Transcripts

The GRTiQ Podcast takes listeners inside web3 and The Graph (GRT) by interviewing members of the ecosystem.  Please help support this project and build the community by subscribing and leaving a review.

Twitter: GRT_iQ
www.GRTiQ.com

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Today I am speaking with Anna Kazlauskas, CEO and Co-founder at Vana. A builder at heart who discovered programming through graphing calculators, Anna's journey spans from mining cryptocurrency in MIT's dorm rooms to pioneering decentralized AI solutions. Her unique background combines computer science and economics, including work at the Federal Reserve, World Bank, and Cello, where she focused on making blockchain accessible on mobile devices.

At Vana, Anna is revolutionizing how users own and monetize their data in the AI era, drawing inspiration from her Filipino heritage and passion for creating global opportunities in tech. A testament to her innovative spirit, she built her first startup after automating document processing at the World Bank, and now leads Vana's mission to establish a new paradigm for data ownership in the age of artificial intelligence.

I started the conversation with Anna by talking about her upbringing in Montreal, Sweden, and Minnesota, and how her early curiosity led her to take apart appliances and read instruction manuals, shaping her systematic approach to understanding technology.

Show Notes and Transcripts

The GRTiQ Podcast takes listeners inside web3 and The Graph (GRT) by interviewing members of the ecosystem.  Please help support this project and build the community by subscribing and leaving a review.

Twitter: GRT_iQ
www.GRTiQ.com

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Today I am speaking with Jeroen Develter, Chief Operating Officer at Persistence Labs. Jeroen’s journey into web3 spans traditional finance, consulting, and an entrepreneurial leap into the world of crypto and blockchain. Originally from Belgium, he built a global career that took him from working with major banks in Paris to founding a startup in Singapore. His diverse background provides a unique perspective on the emerging Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem, a narrative that seems to grow more and more each day.

At Persistence Labs, Jeroen is working on pioneering solutions aimed at expanding the utility of Bitcoin through interoperable layer-two networks and innovative DeFi applications. During our conversation, Jeroen shares insights into his vision for a productive Bitcoin economy, the challenges of scaling Bitcoin's infrastructure, and why he believes Bitcoin DeFi could outpace Ethereum’s DeFi ecosystem.

Show Notes and Transcripts

The GRTiQ Podcast takes listeners inside web3 and The Graph (GRT) by interviewing members of the ecosystem.  Please help support this project and build the community by subscribing and leaving a review.

Twitter: GRT_iQ
www.GRTiQ.com

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Today I am speaking with Mark Beylin, an associate at Boost VC, an early stage venture capital firm with expertise in deep tech hardware and software. And as you will hear, Mark is no stranger to the world of web3 and blockchain - his journey includes founding roles and launching interesting tech, along with some amazing roles at Deloitte and ConsenSys.

Recently, Mark has gained significant attention for some thought-provoking blogs, including “The Token is the Product” and “The Hard Crypto Thesis,” which have challenged conventional views and started industry-wide discussions. During this interview, we explore both of these blogs and the arguments he is making. We’ll also unpack Mark’s professional experiences, his journey into web3, some of his entrepreneurial insights, his take on the evolving crypto industry, and the principles guiding his work at Boost VC. 

I started the conversation with Mark by talking about his early years, growing up as the child of Russian immigrants in Canada, and how this background shaped his views on entrepreneurship and innovation​.

Show Notes and Transcripts

The GRTiQ Podcast takes listeners inside web3 and The Graph (GRT) by interviewing members of the ecosystem.  Please help support this project and build the community by subscribing and leaving a review.

Twitter: GRT_iQ
www.GRTiQ.com

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Today I am speaking with Julian Zawistowski, Director at Golem Foundation. Julian is a co-founder and longtime leader behind Golem, a project initiated to leverage collective computing power through decentralized networks.

Since entering the blockchain space in 2013, Julian has applied his economics and policy background to drive innovation and create decentralized infrastructure for public good. Growing up in Poland, Julian witnessed the country’s historic transition away from communism—a pivotal experience that sparked his fascination with economics and shaped his mission to drive decentralization.

During this interview, Julian discusses his journey from Golem Factory to the Golem Foundation, exploring the evolution of decentralized computing, the importance of public goods funding, and the future of web3. Julian also shares insights on Ethereum staking, the challenges of decentralized coordination, and his team’s use of The Graph.

Show Notes and Transcripts

The GRTiQ Podcast takes listeners inside web3 and The Graph (GRT) by interviewing members of the ecosystem.  Please help support this project and build the community by subscribing and leaving a review.

Twitter: GRT_iQ
www.GRTiQ.com

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Today, I am speaking with Steve (Namwoong) Kim, Co-Founder at Four Pillars, a global blockchain research firm based in Seoul, South Korea. Four Pillars is influential throughout the blockchain space, known for its deep knowledge and research of key infrastructure and unique tech emerging in web3.

Steve’s academic background includes a degree in Economics from Penn State University, where he also pursued a minor in political philosophy. Steve’s passion for blockchain emerged from his interest in Austrian economics and the philosophical underpinnings of decentralization.

During this interview, Steve shares his incredible personal journey, beginning with his early life in South Korea. We then dive into his studies in the U.S., his pivot towards economics, and how some insight into financial hardship motivated him to explore blockchain technology. Steve’s reflections on the ideological and technological transformations within the crypto space provide unique insights into the intersection of economics and blockchain. We also discuss his vision for Four Pillars, the importance of interoperability in web3, his research on The Graph, and his experiences writing influential research that bridges Eastern and Western perspectives on blockchain development.

Show Notes and Transcripts

The GRTiQ Podcast takes listeners inside web3 and The Graph (GRT) by interviewing members of the ecosystem.  Please help support this project and build the community by subscribing and leaving a review.

Twitter: GRT_iQ
www.GRTiQ.com