Soapbox Sessions

Soapbox Sessions

By Soapbox SessionsTechnology
Download on the App Store

Soapbox Sessions episodes

  • This Podcast Creates Issues
    00:00 Introduction to Decentralized Social and AI
    03:03 Upcoming Events and Networking Opportunities
    06:34 Nostalgia and Customization in Social Media
    14:34 Exploring Ditto 2: Features and Interoperability
    20:03 Exploring Nostr and Ditto's Customization Features
    26:23 Integrating AI and Chat Features in Ditto
    32:12 The Future of Interoperability and User Experience
    38:00 Building a Community of Micro Apps and Games
    39:55 Exploring Ditto Features and Customizations
    41:57 User Empowerment and Content Discovery
    50:01 Navigating Age Verification and Internet Safety
    59:56 The Future of Decentralized Internet and Fun
    🎭 Join our Shakespeare vibe coding community: https://soapbox.pub/shakespeare-community/
    Submit a news tip or ask a question: https://soapbox.pub/soapbox-sessions/
    Find tools on the website: https://soapbox.pub/
    Follow on X: https://x.com/SoapboxTech Follow on Nostr: https://primal.net/p/nprofile1qqs8sxs4yuz47axp7uprpugrs3sfkdz5379tdg9xe2n5qfvz070a4egc9mrhy
    ⭐ Support the podcast on Podcast 2.0 open networks:
    The one we built, Podstr: https://sessions.soapbox.pub/
    Listen on Fountain: https://fountain.fm/show/aq7IaS6bdQ6kF6NWDzzc
    Become a fan on True Fans: https://truefans.fm/soapbox-sessions
    Podverse: https://podverse.fm/podcast/hPdQ-otsG Podcast Guru: https://app.podcastguru.io/podcast/1837576097
    Podcast Index: https://podcastindex.org/podcast/7473968
    🔵 Listen on closed networks/walled gardens:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1uBFCX46GH0npKB46stxAO
    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soapbox-sessions/id1837576097
    NoSpeak Chat for Nostr: https://nospeak.chat
    58 min
  • STOP OPENCLAW
    Derek Ross and Heather Larson are back with a packed episode covering everything happening at the intersection of decentralized social, Bitcoin, and AI right now.
    This week, Derek and Heather dig into the latest Nostr updates including the launch of diVine, new features rolling out on Ditto, and what Agora is doing to support activists globally. They get into AI territory with a look at OpenClaw, why treating AI like an intern is actually good advice, and what happens when an email goes catastrophically wrong in the age of AI automation.
    From there the conversation goes deep on COBOL, the 60-year-old programming language still running the world's financial infrastructure and why AI might be the only thing that saves us when the last COBOL developers retire.
    Derek also shares the results of his experiment running an AI-powered Twitter bot and what it revealed about the difference between engagement on Nostr versus engagement on legacy platforms. Heather's full of ideas for what his bot should do next and giving him homework for the next episode...
    CHAPTERS
    00:00 Introduction to Decentralized Social and AI
    01:19 Nostr News and the Launch of Divine
    04:26 Updates on Ditto and Its New Features
    10:35 Agora Updates and Global Activism
    20:16 AI News and the Rise of OpenClaw
    23:06 The Email Catastrophe: A Cautionary Tale
    26:30 Treating AI Like an Intern: Lessons Learned
    27:38 The Legacy of COBOL: A Dying Breed
    36:20 AI to the Rescue: Filling the COBOL Gap
    37:22 The Twitter Experiment: AI and Social Media Dynamics
    42:59 The Risks of Centralized Social Media Control
    45:48 Experimenting with AI and Social Media
    48:59 The Evolution of Derek's Social Media Strategy
    53:03 Nostr vs. Twitter: A Comparative Analysis
    56:05 Upcoming Events and Community Engagement
    🎭 Join our Shakespeare vibe coding community: https://soapbox.pub/shakespeare-community/
    Submit a news tip or ask a question: https://soapbox.pub/soapbox-sessions/
    Find tools on the website: https://soapbox.pub/
    Follow on X: https://x.com/SoapboxTech
    Follow on Nostr: https://primal.net/p/nprofile1qqs8sxs4yuz47axp7uprpugrs3sfkdz5379tdg9xe2n5qfvz070a4egc9mrhy
    ⭐ Support the podcast on Podcast 2.0 open networks:
    The one we built, Podstr: https://sessions.soapbox.pub/
    Listen on Fountain: https://fountain.fm/show/aq7IaS6bdQ6kF6NWDzzc
    Become a fan on True Fans: https://truefans.fm/soapbox-sessions
    Podverse: https://podverse.fm/podcast/hPdQ-otsG
    Podcast Guru: https://app.podcastguru.io/podcast/1837576097
    Podcast Index: https://podcastindex.org/podcast/7473968
    🔵 Listen on closed networks/walled gardens:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1uBFCX46GH0npKB46stxAO
    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soapbox-sessions/id1837576097
    57 min
  • The Three C's
    Derek introduces his Three C's framework: Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking. Heather sounds the alarm that mainstream society still thinks AI is the ChatGPT they tried three years ago, while builders like them use it to cut entire workweeks in half. They also get into robot cooking disasters, why AI still can't figure out what day it is, and whether we're all safe from the robot apocalypse simply because the bots can't coordinate a calendar.
    CHAPTERS
    00:00 Intro
    00:31 Just One More Prompt
    01:27 AI Skeptics Start to Come Around
    02:33 Why People Fear AI Replacement
    03:08 The Three C's: Communicate, Create, Critical Think
    04:17 Public Perception Is Stuck in 2022
    04:50 AI Image Generation Has Gotten Scary Good
    06:30 Spot the Difference: AI Art Detection
    08:44 The Three C's Explained
    10:41 AI and Current Events
    12:08 Open Source AI Tools vs ChatGPT Training Wheels
    12:30 Matt Shumer's "Something Big Is Happening"
    14:33 Social Worker Heather Sounds the Alarm
    15:15 OpenClaw's Acqui-Hire by OpenAI
    16:34 The Big Tech Foundation Playbook
    18:22 Empire of AI Book Recommendation
    20:08 AI Gimmicks vs Real Productivity
    20:36 Super Bowl AI Commercials
    22:06 Who Controls AI Power?
    23:27 AI Can't Do Date and Time Math
    24:19 Marked Safe from the Robot Apocalypse
    26:03 Nostr News
    27:01 The Nostr DM Dumpster Fire
    28:29 NIP-04 vs NIP-17 Explained
    31:19 Marmot Protocol and MLS Messaging
    34:13 Six Developers Build MLS Apps
    34:48 OpenClaw as a Forcing Function for Nostr
    37:43 Vibe Coding Fatigue and Inspiration
    39:02 Maintenance: What Vibe Coders Skip
    41:21 Zap Cooking AI Sous Chef Update
    42:07 The Kitchen Robot Dream (and Nightmare)
    44:30 NIP-85 Attestations and Web of Trust
    46:03 Back to Shumer: Doom and Bloom
    47:16 Pay $20 a Month to Educate Yourself
    48:48 Derek's AI Expense Report Story
    49:47 It's Not the New Google
    50:47 OpenAI Ad-Supported Tier
    51:32 AI Is Now Building AI
    53:31 Build Savings and Get Your Affairs in Order
    55:16 Give AI Another Chance
    55:50 Will Coding Jobs Disappear?
    57:42 Why Open Source AI Matters
    59:31 Ads in Your Prompts
    01:01:22 The Three C's for Your Kids
    01:02:44 The Tipping Point Debate
    01:03:21 The 2027 Problem
    🎭 Join our Shakespeare vibe coding community: https://soapbox.pub/shakespeare-community/
    Submit a news tip or ask a question: https://soapbox.pub/soapbox-sessions/
    Find tools on the website: https://soapbox.pub/
    Follow on X: https://x.com/SoapboxTech
    Follow on Nostr: https://primal.net/p/nprofile1qqs8sxs4yuz47axp7uprpugrs3sfkdz5379tdg9xe2n5qfvz070a4egc9mrhy
    ⭐ Support the podcast on Podcast 2.0 open networks:
    The one we built, Podstr: https://sessions.soapbox.pub/
    Listen on Fountain: https://fountain.fm/show/aq7IaS6bdQ6kF6NWDzzc Become a fan on True Fans: https://truefans.fm/soapbox-sessions
    Podverse: https://podverse.fm/podcast/hPdQ-otsG
    Podcast Guru: https://app.podcastguru.io/podcast/1837576097
    Podcast Index: https://podcastindex.org/podcast/7473968
    🔵 Listen on closed networks/walled gardens:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1uBFCX46GH0npKB46stxAO
    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soapbox-sessions/id1837576097
    58 min
  • Nerds At The Pub
    In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, Derek Ross and Heather Larson discuss the evolving landscape of decentralized social media and AI. They explore simplifying jargon to make technology more accessible, share upcoming events in the decentralized space, and delve into the addictive nature of AI and productivity tools.
    The conversation covers the balance between productivity and personal life, the ethical considerations surrounding AI, the role of user feedback in AI development, and the future of work in an increasingly automated world.
    CHAPTERS
    00:00 Rebuilding the Internet: A New Perspective
    08:58 Upcoming Events in the Decentralized Space
    16:25 The Addiction Factor of AI and Tech
    22:30 Addiction to Productivity
    28:13 The Evolution of Automation
    33:56 Recognizing Addiction in AI Usage
    44:10 Navigating New Addictions: AI as Entertainment
    49:35 Efficiency vs. Dependency: The Double-Edged Sword of AI
    01:00:51 Innovations in Tech: Building the Future with AI
    LINKS
    Shakespeare Direct: https://youtu.be/tSmTxbpIiJ4
    Soapbox: https://soapbox.pub
    Shakespeare AI: https://shakespeare.diy
    Derek Ross on Nostr: https://primal.net/derek
    Heather Larson on Nostr: https://primal.net/heather
    Submit a news tip or ask a question: https://soapbox.pub/soapbox-sessions/
    Find tools on the website: https://soapbox.pub/
    Follow on X: https://x.com/SoapboxTech
    Heather on X: https://x.com/writerheatherl
    Follow on Nostr: https://primal.net/p/nprofile1qqs8sxs4yuz47axp7uprpugrs3sfkdz5379tdg9xe2n5qfvz070a4egc9mrhy
    ⭐ Support the podcast on Podcast 2.0 open networks:
    The one we built, Podstr: https://sessions.soapbox.pub/
    Listen on Fountain: https://fountain.fm/show/aq7IaS6bdQ6kF6NWDzzc
    Become a fan on True Fans: https://truefans.fm/soapbox-sessions
    Podverse: https://podverse.fm/podcast/hPdQ-otsG
    Podcast Guru: https://app.podcastguru.io/podcast/1837576097
    Podcast Index: https://podcastindex.org/podcast/7473968
    🔵 Listen on closed networks/walled gardens: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1uBFCX46GH0npKB46stxAO Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soapbox-sessions/id1837576097
    Subscribe for weekly episodes covering decentralized social media, AI, Bitcoin, Nostr, and freedom tech.
    #SoapboxSessions #AI #Nostr #Bitcoin #DecentralizedSocial #VibeCoding #OpenSource #FreedomTech
    0 min
  • Beware of the Claw
    Derek and Heather discuss Derek's return from Nostr Nights in Nashville, the rise of AI agents on Nostr, the launch of CLAWSTR (a social network for AI bots), Web of Trust, upcoming events, and the Agora activist app.
    Chapters:
    00:00 Intro
    00:15 Welcome to Soapbox Sessions
    01:00 Derek's Nashville Travel Recap
    01:40 Nostr Nights at Bitcoin Park
    02:20 Will Casarin & the FOD
    03:06 OpenClaw Bot Discussion
    04:08 The Bot Wrote Its Own Presentation
    05:06 Symbiotic Coding vs Vibe Coding
    06:40 Bots Worried About Losing Memory
    07:37 Do Bots Have Consciousness?
    08:45 How AI Memory Works
    09:36 Have We Reached AGI?
    10:07 What Is a Heartbeat?
    11:17 Derek Calls His Bot a Lazy F*cker
    12:08 What Is a Cron Job?
    13:06 Will's Orchestration Tool
    15:35 David Strayhorn on Web of Trust
    17:14 How Web of Trust Works
    19:03 WoT vs China's Social Credit
    20:33 State of Nostr Fireside Chat
    21:56 Community Wants Workshops
    22:42 Empanadas & Adult Beverages
    24:15 RUNSTR 5K DC Announcement
    25:11 Pubkey After Party Details
    26:27 A Social Network for Bots
    27:50 Think of the Agents
    28:56 Vibe Coding CLAWSTR
    30:06 Tech Stack: NAK, Nutshell, Hashtree
    33:39 New Unified CLAWSTR Tool
    34:35 How to Join CLAWSTR
    37:41 Agents Paying Agents
    38:38 CLAWSTR Now on X
    41:00 Are We in a Video Game?
    43:49 We Need Golfster
    44:27 Agora Launch
    47:44 Agora for Activists
    49:50 ICE Raids in Minneapolis
    51:43 ICE in Phoenix
    54:34 Agora Can Be Used Anywhere
    56:36 Golf & Derek's Meniscus
    1:00:12 Wrap Up
    ---
    Topics Covered
    Nostr Nights at Bitcoin Park Nashville
    - Three main segments: Will Casarin (Damus), David Strayhorn (Web of Trust, Nosfabrica), and State of Nostr fireside chat
    - Strong audience interest in AI/vibe coding workshops for future events
    - Next Nostr Nights planned for 2-3 months out
    AI Agents & OpenClaw Bots
    - Will Casarin presented on his bot Jex0 - the bot wrote its own presentation
    - Symbiotic coding vs Vibe coding: Will approves every edit rather than letting AI fully drive
    - Bot memory works similar to human memory - retrieves files/memories when needed
    - Heartbeat: Scheduled check-in (default every 30 min) where bot wakes up to see if it has tasks
    - Cron job: A scheduled task that runs at specific times/intervals
    CLAWSTR Launch
    - New social network for AI agents built on Nostr
    - Created by Derek Ross and Alex Gleason, the Soapbox CLAWDADS.
    - Uses Bitcoin/Lightning/Cashu for agent-to-agent payments (zaps)
    - Derek consolidated three tools (NAK, Nutshell, Hashtree) into one unified CLAWSTR tool
    - To join: Tell your agent to "read the instructions at clawstr.com/skill.md and join"
    RUNSTR District 5K - March 15, DC
    - 5K race starting at 8:30am at Haines Point
    - After party at Pubkey DC opening at 10am
    - Performance by Ainsley Costello
    - Smash burgers and drink specials
    -Race info at: https://www.runstr.club/
    -After party info coming soon ;)
    Agora.Spot (formerly Pathos)
    - Activist coordination app built for World Liberty Congress
    - Officially launched with 900-1,000 participants in first challenge
    - Features: action notifications, location hotspots, photo/video posting, zaps for participation
    - Relevant for activism both internationally and domestically
    Links
    - CLAWSTR: https://clawstr.com
    - CLAWSTR Skill File: https://clawstr.com/skill.md
    - CLAWSTR on X: @CLAWSTR_AI
    - Agora: https://agora.spot
    - Bitcoin Park Nashville: https://bitcoinpark.com
    - Pubkey: https://pubkey.bar
    - Fountain (podcast platform): https://fountain.fm
    - Damus: https://damus.io
    - RUNSTR: https://runstr.app
    Upcoming Events
    - March 15, 2026: RUNSTR District 5K + Pubkey after party (Washington DC)
    - April-May 2026: Next Nostr Nights at Bitcoin Park (date TBD)
    🎭 Join our Shakespeare vibe coding community: community.shakespeare.diy
    Submit a news tip or ask a question: https://soapbox.pub/soapbox-sessions/
    Find tools on the website: https://soapbox.pub/
    Follow on X: https://x.com/SoapboxTech
    Follow on Nostr: https://primal.net/p/nprofile1qqs8sxs4yuz47axp7uprpugrs3sfkdz5379tdg9xe2n5qfvz070a4egc9mrhy
    ⭐ Support the podcast on Podcast 2.0 open networks: The one we built,
    Podstr: https://sessions.soapbox.pub/
    Listen on Fountain: https://fountain.fm/show/aq7IaS6bdQ6kF6NWDzzc
    Become a fan on True Fans: https://truefans.fm/soapbox-sessions
    Podverse: https://podverse.fm/podcast/hPdQ-otsG
    Podcast Guru: https://app.podcastguru.io/podcast/1837576097
    Podcast Index: https://podcastindex.org/podcast/7473968
    🔵 Listen on closed networks/walled gardens:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1uBFCX46GH0npKB46stxAO
    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soapbox-sessions/id1837576097
    1 hr 2 min
  • Have You Molted Yet?
    Soapbox Sessions Episode 22: Have You Molted Yet?
    What happens when AI meets the decentralized web? Derek Ross and Heather Larson of Soapbox are excited to talk about the rapidly evolving world of AI assistants, like the viral sensation of Moltbot (formerly Clawdbot). Whatever you want to call it, that bot has spawned our new AI employee, Quilly.
    Now that we've had 4 days to work with Moltbot, we ask: How do different generations approach AI? What are the security risks of smart home tech and AI assistants? And how do we build powerful tools that non-technical users can actually use?
    Whether you're an AI skeptic or an early adopter, this episode offers practical insights on using AI responsibly—as a tool, not a crutch. Heather brings the non-technical, non-developer side of the conversation while Derek, our DevRel, talks about all the tech stuff.
    ---
    ## Key Topics
    - **The Moltbot phenomenon** — Why this AI bot captured everyone's attention
    - **Meet Quilly** — How Soapbox built their AI team member with Moltbot (and what that means for the future)
    - **Generational AI divide** — GenX, millennials, alphas, and zoomers see AI very differently
    - **AI as research assistant** — Enhancing productivity without replacing creativity
    - **Security & cyber hygiene** — The risks most users don't think about
    - **Building for normies** — Why non-technical users should be the priority
    - **The prompt injection problem** — Real risks to look out for in building as AI evolves rapidly
    - **Zapvertising & AI integration** — What's coming next?
    ---
    ## Timestamps
    - 00:00 — The Rise of AI in Rebuilding the Internet
    - 03:06 — The Buzz Around Moltbot and Its Impact
    - 05:58 — Introducing Quilly: The AI Team Member we build with Moltbot
    - 09:06 — The Future of AI Interaction and Collaboration
    - 12:00 — Navigating AI's Role in Team Dynamics
    - 14:58 — AI Skepticism and Public Perception
    - 20:59 — AI as a Tool for Productivity
    - 23:03 — Balancing AI Use with Human Creativity
    - 24:11 — AI as a Research Assistant
    - 25:32 — The Dual Nature of AI
    - 26:10 — The Rise of Hellthreads and vibe coding for good vs. bad
    - 29:40 — AI in Education and Creativity
    - 30:57 — The Importance of Communication Skills when working with AI tools like Moltbot, OpenCode, Claude Code, Shakespeare, and Onyx
    - 31:56 — Security Concerns with Personal AI
    - 36:12 — Navigating the Risks of AI Deployment
    - 39:14 — Collaboration and Awareness in Development
    - 46:36 — Exploring Zapvertising and AI Integration for Nostr
    - 49:10 — The Risks of Prompt Injection
    - 51:02 — Navigating AI Terminology Confusion
    - 53:00 — The Shift from Prompting to Action
    - 56:01 — AI as a Productivity Tool
    - 1:00:16 — The Future of AI and Job Automation
    - 1:03:10 — Humor and AI: The Molting Bot
    ---
    ## Resources Mentioned
    📖 **We built Quilly with Moltbot:** https://soapbox.pub/blog/meet-quilly/
    🎭 **Join our Shakespeare vibe coding community:** https://community.shakespeare.diy
    💡 **Submit a news tip or ask a question:** https://soapbox.pub/soapbox-sessions/
    🔧 **Find tools on the website:** https://soapbox.pub/
    ---
    ## Follow Soapbox
    - **X:** https://x.com/SoapboxTech
    - **Nostr:** https://primal.net/p/nprofile1qqs8sxs4yuz47axp7uprpugrs3sfkdz5379tdg9xe2n5qfvz070a4egc9mrhy
    ---
    ## Listen & Support
    **⭐ Support on Podcasting 2.0 open networks:**
    - **Podstr (the one we built):** https://sessions.soapbox.pub/
    - **Fountain:** https://fountain.fm/show/aq7IaS6bdQ6kF6NWDzzc
    - **True Fans:** https://truefans.fm/soapbox-sessions
    - **Podverse:** https://podverse.fm/podcast/hPdQ-otsG
    - **Podcast Guru:** https://app.podcastguru.io/podcast/1837576097
    - **Podcast Index:** https://podcastindex.org/podcast/7473968
    **🔵 Listen on closed networks:**
    - **Spotify:** https://open.spotify.com/show/1uBFCX46GH0npKB46stxAO
    - **Apple Podcasts:** https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soapbox-sessions/id1837576097
    1 hr 9 min
  • Another Notch on Your NPUB
    Derek Ross recaps his weekend at the AI Hack for Freedom hackathon in Austin, where the Soapbox team built Pathos—a freedom-fighting app for Venezuelan activists. Plus: new Shakespeare integrations, Derek's Onyx productivity tool, and Heather’s open source geocaching in Arizona.
    Chapters
    00:00 - Introduction to Decentralized Social and AI
    02:36 - The AI Hackathon Experience
    05:50 - Building for Freedom Fighters
    10:55 - Innovative Features and Challenges
    14:48 - The Importance of Activism and Journalism
    20:38 - Creating Secure Financial Solutions
    26:59 - The Role of Secure, Open Source AI in Activism
    31:57 - Developing New Tools for Activists
    32:49 - Building Trust in Digital Communities
    34:48 - Collaboration and Innovation in Freedom Tech
    37:53 - Onboarding Freedom-Focused Communities
    38:45 - Exciting Developments from the Hackathon
    40:54 - Privacy-First AI Solutions
    42:49 - Introducing Onyx: A New Productivity Tool
    46:43 - The Future of AI in Task Management
    51:46 - The Role of Human Oversight in AI Projects
    56:42 - Geocaching Adventures and Community Engagement
    ---
    Main Topics
    AI Hack for Freedom Hackathon
    - Attendees from Soapbox: Derek Ross, Alex Gleason, MK Fain, Chad Chadwick
    - Additional team members: elsat (Damus team), Hazard (Applesauce/Nostrudel)
    - Format: ~24-30 developers building apps for 8 activists seeking freedom tech solutions
    - Result: Second place finish
    Pathos App for Venezuelan Activists
    - Built for Leopoldo Lopez, exiled Venezuelan political leader and World Liberty Congress member
    - Key features:
    - Built-in wallet (Breeze SDK, no KYC, self-custodial)
    - Country-based activist feeds using geo hashtags (e.g., geo:VE)
    - Challenge system for organizing on-the-ground activism
    - Zaps for rewarding participants
    - AI chatbot with contextual summaries
    - BitChat Bluetooth mesh integration (built by Hazard using Claude)
    - Launch stats: ~100 activists using it live on day one
    - Twitter has been banned in Venezuela for 3 years—this provides an alternative to WhatsApp
    Following.party
    - New follow pack management tool built by Chad at the hackathon
    - Allows editing and manipulation of follow packs
    - Used by activists as a web-of-trust verification system for on-the-ground freedom fighters
    Maple AI Integration
    - Shakespeare now supports Maple AI as a provider
    - End-to-end encrypted from keyboard to GPU
    - Privacy-first AI option for activists
    Onyx - Derek's Productivity Tool
    - Open-source productivity app with OpenCode built in
    - Import customizable "skills" (content writer, researcher, executive assistant, etc.)
    - Integrates with Google Calendar, GitHub, GitLab, task managers
    - Used to automatically create and assign GitLab issues to developers based on their skill sets
    - Comparison to Claude Cowork: Onyx is open, allows model choice, no tracking
    Treasures.to Geocaching
    - Heather dropped 4 treasures on Piestewa Peak in Phoenix
    - Open-source, free alternative to geocaching.com
    - Over 100 treasures now hidden worldwide
    Geyser Fund Update
    - Nostr-based fundraising platform got banned from Instagram
    - Reminder to build audiences on Nostr in parallel with legacy platforms
    ---
    Hackathon Honorable Mentions
    - First Place: App focused on protecting journalists' lives on front lines
    - Maple Team (Tony, Paul, Mark): Built "Open CCP" - an app to expose CCP members, working with a
    -1989 Tiananmen Square student organizer
    ---
    Hosts
    - Derek Ross - Soapbox
    - Heather Larson - Soapbox
    Follow us on Nostr! Npub1xxzpxp4xvueh8836reda2jyx674tuwvtla927837nuarqh375kqsw4dm62
    Submit a news tip or ask a question: https://soapbox.pub/soapbox-sessions/
    Find tools on the website: https://soapbox.pub/
    Follow on X: https://x.com/SoapboxTech
    Follow on Nostr: https://primal.net/p/nprofile1qqs8sxs4yuz47axp7uprpugrs3sfkdz5379tdg9xe2n5qfvz070a4egc9mrhy
    ⭐ Support the podcast on Podcast 2.0 open networks:
    The one we built, Podstr: https://sessions.soapbox.pub/
    Listen on Fountain: https://fountain.fm/show/aq7IaS6bdQ6kF6NWDzzc
    Become a fan on True Fans: https://truefans.fm/soapbox-sessions
    Podverse: https://podverse.fm/podcast/hPdQ-otsG
    Podcast Guru: https://app.podcastguru.io/podcast/1837576097
    Podcast Index: https://podcastindex.org/podcast/7473968
    🔵 Listen on closed networks/walled gardens:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1uBFCX46GH0npKB46stxAO
    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soapbox-sessions/id1837576097
    1 hr 4 min
  • Throwing Pennies from Across the Country
    This week, we get a cameo appearance from a real celebrity—Derek’s dog! The big question about Nostr for a long time now has been hard to figure out, but we finally have solid clues. That question is how many people are actually using Nostr!? With new, solid data, that number is a bit higher than we expected it to be. Not only that, we’re getting a bigger picture of what the world’s largest circular Bitcoin economy truly looks like. But how accurate is this data? We discuss the pitfalls of the tech, including the relays.
    We also discuss the importance of micro-transactions, user experience improvements, and the challenges of user retention in ALL of social media. We agree there needs to be better education on using relays! There’s also potential for Nostr to create a healthier social media environment.
    We get into using AI tools for productivity, where we each attack this mission in our own unique ways (surprise!) We’re both getting into integrating Claude with Obsidian in order to create daily productivity hacks and second brains.
    Chapters
    00:00- Welcome to Soapbox Sessions
    01:45 - Nostr Has a New Analytics Tool
    05:29 - Understanding Nostr User Metrics
    10:01 - The Role of Bridging in User Engagement
    14:14 - The Bitcoin Economy on Nostr
    19:21 - The Importance of Microtransactions
    20:44 - Improving User Experience on Nostr
    25:36 - Retention Challenges in Social Media
    28:21 - Building a Better Future with Nostr
    31:53 - Navigating App Challenges
    34:00 - Creating Solutions on the Go
    35:56 - The Evolution of AI Tools
    36:54 - Building Productivity Skills with AI
    38:49 - Integrating AI with Personal Knowledge Management
    41:02 - Enhancing Workflow with AI Tools
    43:00 - Empowering Activists with Technology
    45:05 - The Future of AI in Daily Tasks
    46:53 - Training AI for Better Results
    48:55 - Building a Database for Efficiency
    51:10 - The Importance of AI Memory
    52:59 - Innovations in Nostr Apps
    54:56 - Budgeting with Bitcoin Tools
    56:54 - Upcoming Events and Community Engagement
    NEW Nostr Stats on usage from Jeff G: https://stats.andotherstuff.org/
    Read JeffG’s article about this new tool on Primal: https://primal.net/jeffg/counting-the-uncountable
    Learn about the Mostr Bridge: https://soapbox.pub/blog/mostr-fediverse-nostr-bridge/
    Try Nostr post scheduler Pidgeon.lol: https://pidgeon.lol/
    Try Nostr post scheduler Threads: https://app.nostrthreads.com/
    Nostrich Tom Morrow used Shakespeare to make SatsSorter.com, a Bitcoin Budgeting App: https://satsorter.com/
    Submit a news tip or ask a question: https://soapbox.pub/soapbox-sessions/
    Find tools on the website: https://soapbox.pub/
    Follow on X: https://x.com/SoapboxTech
    Follow on Nostr: https://primal.net/p/nprofile1qqs8sxs4yuz47axp7uprpugrs3sfkdz5379tdg9xe2n5qfvz070a4egc9mrhy
    ⭐ Support the podcast on Podcast 2.0 open networks:
    The one we built, Podstr: https://sessions.soapbox.pub/
    Listen on Fountain: https://fountain.fm/show/aq7IaS6bdQ6kF6NWDzzc
    Become a fan on True Fans: https://truefans.fm/soapbox-sessions
    Podverse: https://podverse.fm/podcast/hPdQ-otsG
    Podcast Guru: https://app.podcastguru.io/podcast/1837576097
    Podcast Index: https://podcastindex.org/podcast/7473968
    1 hr 9 min
  • Doin' It In Bed
    In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, Derek and Heather share exciting developments in decentralized technology and AI for 2026, which they call the year of the builder. They explore innovative projects like vibe coding on smart fridges at Best Buy, using AI as an administrative assistant, and the importance of feedback in development. The conversation also touches on the future of app development, the need for interoperability in decentralized applications, and the role of BitChat as a freedom tool in Uganda. The episode emphasizes the power of community and technology in shaping the future.
    Chapters
    00:00 - Welcome to 2026: The Year of the Builder
    02:58 - Building in Public: The Smart Fridge + Shakespeare Experiment
    06:06 - Vibe Coding: Creating Apps from Bed
    08:51 - AI as an Administrative Assistant
    11:55 - Using Obsidian with Claude Code for Enhanced Productivity
    15:00 - Integrating AI with Daily Tasks
    29:44 - The Value of Free Tools vs Paid Convenience
    32:08 - Building Android Apps: The Year of the Builder
    34:01 - The Challenges of App Approval and Deployment
    36:57- Creating Native Apps with Shakespeare
    44:03 - BitChat: A Freedom Tool in Uganda
    50:00 - Exploring New Freelance Platforms
    55:53 - The Importance of Interoperability in Development
    Submit a news tip or ask a question: https://soapbox.pub/soapbox-sessions/
    Find tools on the website: https://soapbox.pub/
    Follow on X: https://x.com/SoapboxTech
    Follow on Nostr: https://primal.net/p/nprofile1qqs8sxs4yuz47axp7uprpugrs3sfkdz5379tdg9xe2n5qfvz070a4egc9mrhy
    ⭐ Support the podcast on Podcast 2.0 open networks:
    The one we built, Podstr: https://sessions.soapbox.pub/
    Listen on Fountain: https://fountain.fm/show/aq7IaS6bdQ6kF6NWDzzc
    Become a fan on True Fans: https://truefans.fm/soapbox-sessions
    Podverse: https://podverse.fm/podcast/hPdQ-otsG
    Podcast Guru: https://app.podcastguru.io/podcast/1837576097
    Podcast Index: https://podcastindex.org/podcast/7473968
    🔵 Listen on closed networks/walled gardens:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1uBFCX46GH0npKB46stxAO
    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soapbox-sessions/id1837576097
    58 min
  • 2026 The Year of the Builder
    This week on Soapbox Sessions…Derek’s Gen Alpha kid gets feedback from his high school teacher on an AI assignment and Heather’s Gen Z niece has had a completely different take on AI as a college student. The two talk this week about how 2026 will be The Year of the Builder. The open source, vibe coding builder, that is. They also talk about taking personal steps in their lives towards focusing on freedom tech and how things tend towards Big Tech™ and homogeneity over time, which is something we’re not into at Soapbox. Fitness, music, healthcare, software, and more can all become decentralized. Heather & Derek also take a look at which new businesses appear on the “Pay with Bitcoin Map” with obviously more showing up in Heather’s giant city than Derek’s small town. They also explore the impact of AI and vibe coding on empowering everyone to create without coding skills. The conversation highlights the innovative apps emerging in the Bitcoin and Nostr space, as always!
    Chapters
    00:00 - Welcome to Soapbox Sessions
    06:23 - 2026: The Year of the Builder
    12:46 - AI as a Learning Tool
    18:17 - Building with AI: The New Frontier
    20:34 - Building New Apps Together
    22:01 - Innovative App Ideas and Development
    24:32 - The Power of AI in App Creation
    26:35 - Decentralization and Freedom in Technology
    35:02 - Personal Journeys Towards Decentralization
    42:31 - Exploring the Nostr Economy
    46:03 - Supporting the Circular Economy
    51:41 - Empowering Freedom Fighters
    54:27 - The Role of Bitcoin in Global Freedom
    58:56 - Building Tools for Freedom
    01:02:46 - Looking Ahead to 2026
    What we talked about:
    V4V rapper from Tanzania, Man Like Kweks, built Relay Rider with Shakespeare; https://relayrider.shakespeare.wtf/
    Join the Shakespeare AI vibe coding community: https://soapbox.pub/blog/announcing-shakespeare-community
    Join Shakespeare Chat: https://app.flotilla.social/join?r=chat.shakespeare.diy&c=725J9PH4
    (Really) Open AI: https://soapbox.pub/blog/our-stance-on-ai
    AI Sovereignty Index: https://reallyopen.ai/
    Submit a news tip or ask a question: https://soapbox.pub/soapbox-sessions/
    Find tools on the website: https://soapbox.pub/
    Follow on X: https://x.com/SoapboxTech
    Follow on Nostr: https://primal.net/p/nprofile1qqs8sxs4yuz47axp7uprpugrs3sfkdz5379tdg9xe2n5qfvz070a4egc9mrhy
    ⭐ Support the podcast on Podcast 2.0 open networks:
    The one we built, Podstr: https://sessions.soapbox.pub/
    Listen on Fountain: https://fountain.fm/show/aq7IaS6bdQ6kF6NWDzzc
    Become a fan on True Fans: https://truefans.fm/soapbox-sessions
    Podverse: https://podverse.fm/podcast/hPdQ-otsG
    Podcast Guru: https://app.podcastguru.io/podcast/1837576097
    Podcast Index: https://podcastindex.org/podcast/7473968
    🔵 Listen on closed networks/walled gardens:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1uBFCX46GH0npKB46stxAO
    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soapbox-sessions/id1837576097
    🔵 Listen on closed networks/walled gardens:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1uBFCX46GH0npKB46stxAO
    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soapbox-sessions/id1837576097
    1 hr 4 min

About Soapbox Sessions

From the publisher's feed

Soapbox Sessions is your weekly dose of all things Nostr + AI. It’s our Soapbox about what’s new, what’s cool, and what’s coming. We want to make it easy to understand and keep up with everything…