The Brave Marketer

Jay Chrawnna, director of The Kus, dives into the subtle ways people are already using Web3 in everyday transactions (often without realizing it) and what this means for the future of consumer Web3. He explores how gaming projects like FIFA Rivals are redefining digital asset ownership, and highlights how entities like the Indonesian government are leveraging blockchain to improve transparency, efficiency, and mainstream accessibility.

Key Takeaways:

• How the next wave of Web3 could be completely invisible to users.

• Why Polkadot may be the only platform capable of scaling Web3 at full potential.

• What "Consumer Web3" really means, and why it's about more than wallets and tokens.

• How blockchain is being used to reimagine institutions at a massive scale.

Guest Bio: Jay Chrawnna is the director of The Kus, a media broadcaster for Polkadot. On the Space Monkeys Podcast and weekly Attempts at Governance liveshows, the DOT eco's top movers and doers drive discourse and shape the second age of Polkadot. Jay exclusively uses the Brave browser.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Juan Leon, Senior Investment Strategist at Bitwise Asset Management, unpacks the rapid institutional adoption of Bitcoin and Ethereum, fueled by ETFs, regulatory clarity, and the rise of tokenization. He shares key trends shaping the next phase of crypto, including the integration of traditional finance and DeFi, and how this evolution could redefine corporate treasuries and real-world asset investing.

Key Takeaways

• How major financial institutions are embracing stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure

• What the surge in tokenization means for the $500T real-world asset opportunity

• How Ethereum treasuries could unlock new income streams for traditional investors

• Why the convergence of Wall Street and DeFi may be closer than ever

Guest Bio: Juan Leon is the Senior Investment Strategist at Bitwise Asset Management, where over the past 4 years he has helped lead research, product strategy, fund management, and sales engagements. He is a CFA charter holder, and prior to Bitwise Juan was a Portfolio Manager of equities, fixed-income, and commodities at a global asset manager.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Jack Pertschuck, former Principal Engineer at Pinecone, discusses what vector databases are and why they matter for AI and search applications. He also discusses the challenges of communicating the value of this technology when the problem isn't widely understood.

Key Takeaways: 

• Advice for teams looking to adopt vector search technology
• The importance of hybrid and cascading retrieval methods
• The significance of context engineering and evaluation metrics in AI systems
• How Pinecone is democratizing vector database technology for AI and machine learning applications

Guest Bio:

Jack Pertschuk is a former Principal Engineer with Pinecone, the market leader in vector databases. As the company's founding engineer and lead for algorithms, applied research, and platform, Jack is responsible for the roadmap and execution across research and engineering for search index efficiency and accuracy. Prior to Pinecone, Jack was a founder of SidekickQA and creator of the NBoost open source neural ranking engine. He is an active member of the Rust and Information Retrieval research community, and is passionate about solving problems at the intersection of ML and systems.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Andrew Pelekis, CEO of Claynosaurz, shares how they're making digital ownership fun, accessible, and frictionless. He also discusses the role of community and fan engagement in the success of digital brands.

Key Takeaways: 

• What they've learned from prior cycles about bringing blockchain projects to mainstream communities

• How audience participation has changed, and what new revenue streams have become possible

• The challenge of protecting original IP and the new fan intelligence system they're building

• Evolving acceptance of crypto and the need for regulatory clarity

• Challenges and opportunities of integrating Web3 technologies into mainstream brand building

Guest Bio:

Andrew Pelekis is the CEO of Claynosaurz, a leading digital entertainment brand building expansive storytelling worlds through Web3, animation, and community-driven IP. He is also the creator of Nobody Sausage, a viral character phenomenon turned entertainment franchise that blends humor, art, and digital culture into a global fan experience.

At Claynosaurz, Andrew is pioneering how blockchain and emerging technologies can transform the way audiences engage with stories, characters, and creators. With Nobody Sausage, he has shown how a playful, internet-native idea can evolve into a full-fledged entertainment property, capturing the imagination of millions worldwide.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

 Liz Zaborowska, Founder & CEO of Bhava Communications and Spring Catalyst, explores the common fears and misconceptions that lead to resistance against AI adoption. She emphasizes the importance of proper training and support, ensuring that team members feel confident and secure in their use of AI tools.

Key Takeaways: 

• The business benefits of embracing AI, including practical strategies to overcome fears and successfully adopt artificial intelligence throughout your team

• How AI tools can complement, rather than replace, human creativity

• The ongoing importance of fact-checking in the digital age

• Principles of responsible AI use and the policies that support it

• Ways to maintain authenticity with AI-generated content

Guest Bio:

Liz Zaborowska is the founder and CEO of Spring Catalyst, where she helps teams optimize performance and navigate AI adoption. With over 20 years in technology and deep expertise in team dynamics, she empowers organizations to transform how they create, communicate, and collaborate in the AI era. Liz has worked with AI companies for more than a decade and served in an advisory capacity for the Responsible AI Institute. Liz is also the founder of Bhava Communications, an award-winning marketing, PR, and social media agency that has helped hundreds of enterprise and consumer technology companies stand out as category leaders. Prior to founding her own companies, she ran technical, product, and corporate marketing on the tech startup side. She studied biology and theater at Tufts University, bringing a unique perspective that combines scientific rigor with creative ideation to help businesses and individuals thrive in our rapidly evolving technological landscape.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Daniela Barbosa, General Manager of Decentralized Technologies at the Linux Foundation, and Executive Director at LF Decentralized Trust, discusses the most promising open-source projects they've supported so far, and how more builders can get involved. She also emphasizes the importance of community contributions and cross-sector partnerships to accelerate the adoption and impact of decentralized technologies.

Key Takeaways: 

• How LF Decentralized Trust fits within the Linux Foundation and why it matters

• Why open source collaboration is key to interoperable, secure trust frameworks

• Common misconceptions about open-source blockchain

• The role of open governance in driving enterprise and government adoption

• How open-source communities are shaping next-gen secure, privacy-first technologies

Guest Bio:

Daniela Barbosa serves as General Manager of Decentralized Technologies at the Linux Foundation, and Executive Director of LF Decentralized Trust. She has 20+ years of enterprise technology experience, including seven years driving the global, collaborative development of enterprise-grade blockchain and identity technologies at Hyperledger Foundation. She is a leading voice for the power of openly developed decentralized technologies to spur efficiency, privacy, and inclusivity.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Gerrit, developer relations at Curve Finance, discusses the unique risks and rewards associated with DeFi stablecoins, and how increased regulatory clarity has fueled the rise of TradFi stablecoins. He also spotlights the crucial role of platforms like Curve in providing essential liquidity and stability, ensuring the continued growth and reliability of the stablecoin sector.

Key Takeaways: 

• Key differentiators between TradFi and DeFi stablecoins, including their risk / reward profiles

• The significance of the Genius Act in transforming the stablecoin landscape

• How regulatory clarity has spurred the growth of TradFi stablecoins, and why their success often ties to their integration within the DeFi ecosystem

• How AI could both exacerbate and solve problems in crypto, empowering hackers to find exploits faster and increase phishing risks

• Why crypto adoption surged in countries like Argentina and created real-world utility that outpaced U.S. adoption

Guest Bio: Gerrit has been on-chain since 2014. He joined Curve Finance in 2020, helping shape the decentralized protocol powering DeFi stablecoin and crypto markets by enabling high-yield on-chain savings, protected borrowing, and low-slippage swaps on EVM chains.

As a startup founder with deep AI roots, Gerrit launched the first AI-powered résumé grader back in 2008. He's taught courses at the University of Washington, on topics ranging from AI to blockchain to financial technology, and holds an MBA from MIT with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He's also a founding member of Leviathan News, a Web3 news aggregator.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Elizabeth Hansson is the Michigan President of Stand With Crypto and Founder of the Detroit Blockchain Collective. In this episode she discusses the importance of grassroots activism in shaping digital asset policy, the challenges of educating lawmakers, and how community engagement is driving innovation and regulatory clarity. She also reflects on America's lag in cryptocurrency innovation and the critical need for market structure and state-level legislation.

Key Takeaways:

• How Stand With Crypto is helping to bridge the gap between lawmakers and the crypto industry

• Current regulatory gaps and need for clear frameworks to foster innovation and protect users in the digital asset space.

• Why educating policymakers about crypto is essential to dispel misconceptions and encourage informed decision-making (and how communities can help do this).

• The importance of grassroots advocacy in shaping clear regulatory frameworks that foster innovation.

• State-level initiatives that are addressing unique local needs and driving progress in digital asset adoption.

Guest Bio:

Elizabeth Hansson is the Michigan President of Stand With Crypto and the founder of the Detroit Blockchain Collective. With a background in engineering and decentralized systems, she now works at the intersection of technology and policy, leading grassroots advocacy for digital assets across Michigan. Elizabeth has been instrumental in mobilizing communities, building coalitions, and advancing federal legislation to support innovation in the digital asset space.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and no w powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Jimmy Secretan, CTO of JustWin, explores the latest innovations in privacy-preserving neural networks, and explains how JustWin is leveraging AI to help small businesses win government contracts. He also explores the future directions of AI, and the impact of AI on user autonomy and privacy.

Key Takeaways:

• Technological advancements shaping the future of secure and ethical AI applications

• The significance of open-endedness in AI

• How to build while balancing both innovation and privacy

• Why AI solutions are a good fit for winning RFPs

• GPT-5 and predictions for its future impact

Guest Bio: Jimmy Secretan, CTO of JustWin, holds a Ph.D. from the Machine Learning Lab at the University of Central Florida, where he specialized in large-scale, privacy-safe neural networks. Having previously served as Chief Scientist at Korrelate, VP of Engineering of Sonobi, and CTO of Roadtrippers, Jimmy has architected privacy-safe AI/ML data pipelines, scaled infrastructure to hundreds of billions of requests per month to power predictive media planning, and led the creation of the AI-driven future of travel data. As VP of Ads and Premium Services at Brave, Jimmy helped launch Brave's global private ad network; led the development of premium functionality for the Brave browser; and managed initiatives like Brave News and Brave Talk.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte