Podcast
Soapbox Sessions
Hosted by Soapbox Sessions · EN
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 going on in the decentralized world of Nostr and AI as we work to rebuild the Internet.
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Dad’s Approval
Dec 25Tap to summarizen this episode of Soapbox Sessions, Derek Ross and Heather Larson discuss the evolution of decentralized social platforms and AI, reflecting on Derek's three-year journey with Nostr and his transition to full-time work in the decentralized tech space. He’ll now be the Soapbox DevRel full-time! They explore the challenges of vendor lock-in, the importance of content ownership, and the potential of open-source technology to empower small businesses. The conversation also highlights the Soapbox team's recent success at Bitcoin++ Taipei and looks ahead to future initiatives in 2026. Heather & Derek reflect on their experiences over the past year, including their upcoming adventure to Hoover Dam, the excitement of hackathons using Shakespeare AI. (Much more to come about this in 2026!) They share their top moments of the year, highlighting the importance of community building through Nostr, the fun of live events in Vegas, and the power of collaboration in app development. See why 2025 was “The Year of the Vibe” as these two got way into vibe coding. 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 Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Soapbox Sessions 02:59 - Derek's Journey on Nostr 05:59 - Transitioning to Full-Time Nostr Work 09:13 - Building a Decentralized Future 12:01 - Vendor Lock-In and the Need for Open Source 14:47 - The Importance of Data Ownership 18:01 - Nostr Compass and Technical Insights 21:03 - Vibe Coding for Small Businesses 22:08 - Building Websites Made Easy 24:45 - Empowering Small Businesses with Shakespeare 26:52 - The Future of Website Management 28:47 - Transitioning from Closed to Open Source 29:44 - Nostalgia and the Evolution of Websites 31:03 - Hackathon Success Stories 32:54 - Global Hackathon Tour Plans 34:44 - Community Engagement and Fun 35:12 - Reflecting on the Year and Future Goals 44:20 - Vegas Nights and Musical Memories 47:04 - Community Building and Personal Growth 48:59 - The Power of Collaboration and Networking 51:36 - Musical Journeys and Artistic Connections 52:50 - Podcasting Adventures and New Beginnings 54:40 - Celebrating Milestones and Community Contributions 58:36 - Bromance and Live Events 01:01:51 - Family Ties and Personal Achievements
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Mo Users Mo Problems
Dec 11Tap to summarizePlus: Heather’s hill to die on is that Nostr needs to accommodate social media teams with better tools. Derek’s predictions for Nostr growth includes his vision for millions of new users. Heather discovers Derek hasn’t seen her favorite movie of 2025, K-Pop Demon Hunters! Does he not have kids?!? Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Decentralized Social and AI 07:10 - Reflections on Derek’s Nostr Predictions 14:09 - 2025 Predictions and Their Accuracy 23:53 - The Rise of Vibe Coding 28:04 - The Future of AI and App Development 32:12 - Nostr Ecosystem Predictions for 2026 37:39 - Social Media Trends and Nostr 43:37 - Improving Nostr Onboarding and User Experience 46:59 - Podstr Updates and Deployment Challenges 48:01 - The Value of Premium Storage in Nostr 49:40 - Innovative Payment Solutions for Storage Fees 50:52 - Exploring Nostr E-commerce 52:01 - The Importance of Cash App Supporting Zaps 55:38 - Spending Bitcoin: A Circular Economy 01:01:00 - Predictions for Nostr's Future Growth 01:06:21 - Anticipating Challenges with Increased User Base 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
Transcribe →Bat Drones
Nov 19Tap to summarizeThey love to do it on their phones! Derek and Heather explore innovative ideas for travel apps and the BitFest conference in the UK, which Derek will be attending. They discuss the fascinating concept of AI-driven bat drones for search and rescue operations, the significant rise of data centers vs. oil, and the future of renewable energy in both AI and Bitcoin mining. They also share about building community with Shakespeare and the current state of e-commerce solutions within the Nostr ecosystem. TL;DR: e-commerce on Nostr is about to get a lot better! Derek & Heather also share what they’re grateful for in Nostr. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Decentralized Social and AI 02:53 Boosts and Community Engagement 05:51 Analytics in Podcasting 2.0 08:51 Bitcoin Payments and Square's Innovations 11:47 The Circular Economy and Small Businesses 14:48 Challenges and Opportunities with Bitcoin Payments 17:42 Community Support and Local Businesses 20:51 Future of Bitcoin Payments in Everyday Transactions 27:01 Bitcoin Adoption in Local Businesses 30:06 Exploring Bitcoin Payment Options 35:17 Nostr and the Developer Community 46:10 Derek's Upcoming Trip to BitFest 48:42 Innovative Rescue Solutions: The Bat Drones 51:28 Data Centers: The New Oil 54:27 The Future of Energy and AI 59:24 Building Community with Vibe Coding 01:07:23 E-commerce on Nostr: The Future of Online Business 🎭 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 🔵 Listen on closed networks/walled gardens: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1uBFCX46GH0npKB46stxAO Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soapbox-sessions/id1837576097
Transcribe →Nut November
Nov 13Tap to summarizeChapters 00:00:00 Introduction to Soapbox Sessions 00:03:00 The Nostr App Debate; Damus vs. Primal—which is more decentralized? 00:09:00 Centralization vs. Decentralization 00:15:00 Exploring Cashu Privacy Features 00:21:00 Global Impact of Decentralized Tech 00:27:00 User Experience and Hybrid Apps 00:33:00 Future of Nostr and Decentralized Communication 00:39:00 The Role of Centralization in App Performance 00:45:00 Cashu: A New Era of Private Transactions 00:51:00 Building the Future: Nostr's Impact on Global Communication 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
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It Should Just Work
Nov 6Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Soapbox Sessions, Derek Ross and Heather Larson discuss the evolving landscape of decentralized social media and AI, focusing on their recent experiences at Nosterville 3.0 in Nashville, TN, at Bitcoin Park. This episode veers into an early celebration of “Festivus,” or the airing of grievances. Heather and Derek explore the challenges musicians face in the value-for-value music space, the importance of user feedback, and the technical hurdles of onboarding new users to Nostr. They’re honest about the need for better user experience across Nostr apps. They also cover interoperability and the integration of payment solutions like Cash App to support artists effectively. In this conversation, Heather Larson and Derek Ross discuss the intricacies of app development, emphasizing the importance of understanding user behavior and feedback. They recommend every Nostr dev find a way to do user interviews to get a better idea of how people are using their apps. They explore the challenges developers face in creating user-friendly applications, the need for simplified security measures, and the role of AI in enhancing app development. The discussion also highlights the significance of building open-source solutions that empower communities and promote independence online. Soapbox uses Nostr and AI to offer solutions to legacy platform lock-in and pay-for-play social media. You get to hear how we’re building it on Soapbox Sessions! If you listen closely at the end, you’ll get the alpha on new skills for Shakespeare as well as a Shakespeare desktop app. 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 Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setup 05:36 The Value for Value Music Space 08:42 Onboarding Challenges in Decentralized Platforms 11:38 User Experience and Media Uploads 14:35 Interoperability and Wallet Integration 17:35 Cash App and Zaps in the Music Industry 23:40 The Challenge of User Experience in Tech 24:34 Festivus: Airing Grievances in Tech 25:33 The Reality of Songwriter Rounds 26:38 Streaming Frustrations and Payment Issues 27:31 Interoperability Challenges in Streaming Platforms 28:35 User Experience and Technical Difficulties 29:37 The Importance of User Feedback 30:34 The Struggle of Non-Technical Users 31:31 The Need for Simplicity in Tech 32:27 Developer Insights on User Experience 33:29 The Importance of User Testing 34:30 Bridging the Gap Between Developers and Users 35:35 The Role of Feedback in Development 36:35 The Need for Better Tools in Tech 37:22 Custody vs. Self-Custody in Technology 38:32 Simplifying Security for Users 39:29 The Future of User-Friendly Tech 40:28 The Importance of Cyber Hygiene 41:23 The Alby Incident and Cybersecurity Awareness 45:55 Email Security and Phishing Threats 47:32 The Importance of Password Management 50:33 Innovations in AI and App Development 55:12 The Future of Open Source and Community Building
Transcribe →To Code or Not To Code
Oct 9Tap to summarizeChapters 00:00:00 - Introduction to Soapbox Sessions 00:03:00 - Halloween Hackathon Announcement 00:09:00 - Shakespeare Act II Launch 00:15:00 - Decentralized, Independent Music with Suzanne Santo 00:21:00 - AI Addiction and Vibe Coding 00:27:00 - Upcoming Nostr Events 00:33:00 - AI Models and Innovations 00:39:00 - Community Engagement and Feedback: Reading the Boosts 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
Transcribe →
Digital Spaghetti
Sep 25Tap to summarizeDerek Ross and Heather Larson of Soapbox Technology sit down to chat about what’s buzzing in the decentralized social space of Nostr and AI for a fresh edition of Soapbox Sessions. They break down their new podcast platform, Podstr, which they vibe coded using Soapbox tools, and why giving power back to the community matters. They riff on the headaches of mobile ecosystems, the crazy‑fast rise of Nostr apps, and how AI tools like Gemini (hello, Nano Banana!) are opening up wild creative possibilities. Heather and Derek also dive into the spirit of collaboration that fuels the Nostr community, the ups and downs of micro‑payments, and why we still need smarter ways to discover cool content. Oh, and they give us the lowdown on the upcoming Nostr Valley event—don’t miss it! Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 03:40 - The Launch of Podstr 06:35 - Dogfooding and Community Empowerment 09:34 - Decentralization in Podcasting 12:42 - Mobile Tech and Ecosystem Lock-in 15:32 - Nostr News and App Development 18:41 - The Digital Spaghetti Age 21:31 - Nostr's Growth and Future Prospects 23:46 - Exploring Nostr Search Tools 25:11 - DDoS Attacks and Infrastructure Challenges 26:36 - Testing New Apps: RUNSTR and Its Features 28:10 - The Role of Community in App Development 32:04 - AI Innovations: Gemini and Nano Banana 38:43 - Nostr's Place in the Social Media Landscape 47:20 - Building Community Through Consistency 48:12 - The Demand for Micro Payments on Bluesky 48:27 - Understanding Bitcoin and Its Stigma 49:57 - The Role of Micro Payments in Engagement 52:16 - Algorithms: The Good, The Bad, and The Future 54:04 - The Concept of Algorithm Marketplaces 55:51 - Content Discovery and User Engagement 56:58 - The Future of Nostr and Upcoming Events 01:01:35 - Listener Engagement and Boosts 01:03:27 - Teasing Future Content and Community Growth 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
Transcribe →
Seinfeld for Nerds
Sep 11Tap to summarizeChapters 00:00 - Introduction to Soapbox Sessions 03:41 - Understanding Nostr and the decentralized social future 06:56 - Exploring Nostr Apps: Primal, Amethyst, and more 09:40 - The power of decentralization: Your data, your identity 13:02 - Nostr is beyond social media with diverse applications possible 15:58 - Centralized platforms are high on censorship and control 18:48 - Navigating Nostr: Keys, security, and UX 21:52 - Personal Journeys: How we discovered and got into Nostr 24:51 - Building Community: Nostr meetups in Phoenix and beyond 30:32 - The Aha Moment: How Nostr offers true value to the user 33:10 - Reclaiming Humanity in Social Media 34:51 - The Journey to Nostr: From skepticism to adoption 39:21 - Building on Nostr: Nostrplebs, what it is, and why Derek made it 43:52 - Navigating the technical landscape of Nostr 45:17 - The Future of Social Media: What makes Nostr unique 51:34 - Navigating personal content choices 54:02 - Decentralization and freedom of speech 57:39 - The Echo Chamber Effect 01:00:53 - Advertising and user experience 01:03:05 - Building a healthier digital relationship with social media 01:05:04 - Upcoming events 01:12:04 - Reflections on the conversation Find tools on the website: https://soapbox.pub/ Follow on X: https://x.com/SoapboxTech Follow on Nostr: https://nostr.com/npub10qdp2fc9ta6vraczxrcs8prqnv69fru2k6s2dj48gqjcylulmtjsg9arpj ⭐ 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
Transcribe →