The Bitcoin Matrix

• Mandrik - Pain, Purpose and Proof of Work

  In this episode, I chat with Mandrik, a legendary Bitcoin OG who’s been around since 2011. He shares deep honest reflections on proof of work, health and hardship.   We talk about what it was like working customer support during Mt. Gox, the emotional impact of long bear markets, and why kindness, consistency, and situational awareness matter.   ––– Offers & Discounts –––   Theya is the world’s simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us/cedric   Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com/matrix   The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order.   Become a sponsor of the show: https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/   ––– Get To Know Today's Guest –––   • Mandrik on X: https://x.com/Mandrik • Mandrik on Nostr:  npub1qex7yjtuucs6ac49kjujdgytrjsphn5a4pdscu2w3qlprym4zsxqfz82qk   ––– Socials –––   • Check out our new website at https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com • Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https://x.com/cedyoungelman • Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix • Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs   ––– Chapters –––   00:00 - Intro  01:08 - Mandrik: Bitcoin OG & Baklava Boss  04:30 - Freedom, Cash Traps & the Baklava Origin Story  08:30 - Cooking Roots: Diners, Grandmas & Fat Kid Energy  12:30 - Keto in 2011, Divorce & the First Bite of Baklava in 13 Years  17:00 - Health Journey, Delayed Gratification & Bitcoin Parallels  21:00 - Captain Crunch, Crunchberries & Hedonic Burnout 25:30 - Tweets of Struggle: Pushing Through the Pain  30:00 - Scrubbing Toilets Over Fiat: Escaping a Dead-End Job  34:30 - Closed Loop Bitcoin Economy in New Hampshire  39:00 - Cooking at Porkfest, Meeting Bitcoiners Through Food  43:30 - Jump to Blockchain.info & Early Bitcoin Startup Chaos  48:00 - Startup Grind, Family Balance & 24/7 Bitcoin Life  52:30 - Meaningful Work vs. Mediocre Office Jobs  56:30 - 4 AM Mornings, Short Sleepers & Existential Impact  1:01:00 - Walking, Sunrises & Psychopath Hour Reflections  1:05:30 - The Power of Kindness, Random Compliments & Awareness  1:10:00 - Feeding the Homeless: Lessons from Dad’s Diner  1:14:30 - Situational Awareness & Travel Safety  1:19:00 - Bacon Weave Sandwiches & Caitlin Long’s Memory  1:23:30 - Feeding the Masses: Deep Fried Everything  1:28:00 - Mandrik’s Roots: Nicknames, Gaming & Identity  1:32:30 - Toilets & Baklava: Humble Bitcoin Beginnings  1:37:00 - Getting Paid in Bitcoin for “Low Status” Work  1:41:00 - Advice to the Young: Take the Risk While You Can   DISCLAIMER: All views in this episode are our own and DO NOT reflect the opinions/views of any of our guests or sponsors.   I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing.   Thank you for listening!

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• Jesse Meyers - This Is A Species Defining Moment

  In this episode, I chat with Jesse Myers, a Bitcoin strategy advisor and the author of the essay Once-in-a-Species. He shares deep excitement for Bitcoin treasury companies and how they might be the gateway for TradFi capital to enter Bitcoin at scale. We also dive deep into the evolutionary roots of money and how the innate human drive for scarcity laid the groundwork for the concept of money, civilization itself, and ultimately Bitcoin as the perfection of scarcity. ––– Offers & Discounts ––– Theya is the world’s simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us/cedric Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com/matrix The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order. Become a sponsor of the show: https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/ ––– Get To Know Today's Guest ––– • Jesse Myers on X: https://x.com/Croesus_BTC • Once-in -species Essay: https://www.onceinaspecies.com/p/once-in-a-species-73b ––– Socials ––– • Check out our new website at https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com • Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https://x.com/cedyoungelman • Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix • Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs ––– Chapters ––– 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Jesse's Bitcoin Journey  02:03 - “Once in a Species”: What Inspired the Essay  02:53 - Nick Szabo, Shell Beads & Proto-Money  05:57 - Jesse’s Academic Background: From Neuroscience to Bitcoin  06:58 - Art, Humanity & Neanderthals  09:05 - Who Were the Neanderthals?  13:48 - Why Did Homo Sapiens Triumph?  16:55 - Victorian & Modern Theories on Neanderthals  20:22 - Current Academia’s View vs Austrian Economics  24:04 - The Hidden Economic Purpose of Shell Beads  28:23 - Brain Science & Scarcity: The TKTL1 Mutation  31:45 - Symbolic Thought: Neanderthals vs Homo Sapiens  34:38 - Population Density & Dunbar’s Number  38:46 - Money as a Social Efficiency Multiplier  43:14 - From Tribalism to Civilization Through Trade  48:28 - Reading Excerpt: Scarcity as the Root of Human Flourishing  50:16 - Lessons from the Past for Bitcoin’s Future  56:22 - Bitcoin: The Invention of Perfect Scarcity  01:00:50 - How Bitcoin Changes Civilization  01:05:38 - Deflation, Craftsmanship & Cultural Flywheels  01:07:39 - Closing Thoughts: Scarcity, Collectibles & Civilization  01:11:35 - What’s Next: Bitcoin Treasury Strategy & SmarterWeb  DISCLAIMER: All views in this episode are our own and DO NOT reflect the opinions/views of any of our guests or sponsors. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing. Thank you for listening!

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• Knut Svanholm - Wake Up Now

  In this episode of the Bitcoin Matrix Podcast, I chat with Knut Svanholm, a former seafarer turned philosopher and the mind behind the “Bitcoin Infinity” meme. We explore the philosophy of freedom, how Bitcoin changes human interactions, and what it truly means to live without fear in an age of paper Bitcoin and clown world distractions. ––– Offers & Discounts ––– Theya is the world’s simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us/cedric  Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com/matrix The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order. Become a sponsor of the show: https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/ ––– Get To Know Today's Guest ––– • Knut Svanholm on X: https://x.com/knutsvanholm ––– Socials ––– • Check out our new website at https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com • Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https://x.com/cedyoungelman • Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix • Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs ––– Chapters ––– 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - Knut’s Recent Work and Bitcoin Infinity Academy 04:14 - Philosophical Direction of Bitcoin in 2025 06:18 - Is Bitcoin Divine or Merely Civilized? 07:38 - Directional Libertarianism and Fiat Jobs 09:06 - Bitcoin, Hope, and Time Preference 11:33 - Money Printing: Conspiracy or Human Nature? 13:06 - Shawshank, Hope, and Government Overreach  16:08 - Free Will, Clown World, and Observations  20:06 - Ownership vs. Possession in Bitcoin  23:07 - Confidence, Satoshis, and Identity  29:20 - Bitcoin as the Internet’s Missing Layer 30:31 - FUD, Media, and Psychological Filters  33:34 - Stoicism, Thought, and Reality Control  38:09 - Past Regrets and Mindfulness in the Moment  41:35 - Thought Observation and Creative Flow 44:23 - Reflection, Growth, and Staying Grounded  46:49 - Generational Wealth and Responsibility 50:24 - Infinity Divided by 21 Million  52:15 - Can Bitcoin Be Broken?  54:42 - Final Thoughts  DISCLAIMER: All views in this episode are our own and DO NOT reflect the opinions/views of any of our guests or sponsors.  I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing.  Thank you for listening!

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• The Most Honest George Bodine Interview EVER!

  In this episode, I chat with the most interesting Bitcoiner out there, George Bodine. He opens up about his unshakable Bitcoin conviction, the painful distance it’s caused with his son, and his deep desire to leave behind generational wealth and wisdom. ––– Offers & Discounts ––– Theya is the world’s simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us/cedric  Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com/matrix The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order. Become a sponsor of the show: https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/ ––– Get To Know Today's Guest ––– • George Bodine on X: https://x.com/Jethroe111 ––– Socials ––– • Check out our new website at https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com • Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https://x.com/cedyoungelman • Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix • Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs  ––– Chapters ––– 00:00 - Intro  01:16 - The Most Interesting Bitcoiner  03:00 - From Fighter Jets to Fine Art  04:40 - Trailer Parks, Childhood, and Grit  07:18 - The Top Gun Years  09:27 - Stories About Tom Cruise and Life Lessons from Top Gun  11:50 - Post-Navy Hustles: Cab Driving and Cop Life  16:06 - Reinvention and Resilience  18:26 - Art, Creativity, and Mining Behind the Canvas  22:19 - Living the Bitcoin Life 26:14 - Advice to Plebs Still Grinding  29:52 - What If You Were a Young, Free Bitcoiner?  35:01 - Facing Fear and Surviving Tough Times  41:18 - Shark Encounter While Scuba Diving  43:40 - Bowhunting Elk and the Challenge of Nature  45:39 - Roman History, Plebs, and Humility  48:53 - Freedom, Kindness, and a Life Well-Lived  53:50 - Envy, Wealth, and the Bitcoin Divide  55:49 - Father’s Day Reflections and Family  01:01:04 - Leaving a Legacy and Having Enough  01:06:18 - Final Reflections: Honor, Kindness, and Purpose  DISCLAIMER: All views in this episode are our own and DO NOT reflect the opinions/views of any of our guests or sponsors.  I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing. Thank you for listening!

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  1:09:03

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• How One Family Built a Bitcoin Business From Rock Bottom

  In this episode, I chat with Pablo from Panties for Bitcoin, a family-run business that designs high-quality undergarments. He shares the economic realities of Argentina, the dangers of hyperinflation, and the passion behind creating a slow-fashion Bitcoin brand. ––– Offers & Discounts ––– Theya is the world’s simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us/cedric Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com/Matrix The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order. Become a sponsor of the show: https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/ ––– Get To Know Today's Guest ––– • Panties for Bitcoin on X: https://x.com/PantiesBitcoin • Panties for Bitcoin on Nostr: npub16xcnlkwcvrasle96yzpqywqy5hqyku483lwk843a0r70gsmr4r9sa7np3r ––– Socials ––– • Check out our new website at https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com • Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https://x.com/cedyoungelman • Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix • Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs ––– Chapters ––– 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - From Argentina to Canada: A Family Business Legacy 03:00 - Early Career in Underwear Manufacturing 05:00 - Economic Crisis & Emigration Story 08:00 - Hyperinflation in Argentina Explained 10:30 - First Encounters with Bitcoin 13:00 - Cancer Diagnosis & a Life-Changing Pivot 16:00 - Creating a Bitcoin-Centric Brand 18:00 - Getting the Family on Board with Bitcoin 20:00 - Bitcoin Conferences & Community Growth 23:00 - Trading vs. Building Value 25:00 - Bitcoin-Only Business Philosophy 27:00 - The Role of Design & Quality in Their Brand 30:00 - Embracing “Slow Fashion” on a Bitcoin Standard 32:00 - Working with Family & Bitcoin-Fueled Unity 34:00 - Lessons on Uncertainty, Growth & Inspiration DISCLAIMER: All views in this episode are our own and DO NOT reflect the opinions/views of any of our guests or sponsors. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing. Thank you for listening!

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