Digital Gold

The Infrastructure Race: Bitcoin Mining Meets AI with Taylor Towler and Bill Schneider

This episode goes deep into the future of Bitcoin mining and AI-driven data centers with Taylor Towler of Solomon Data Systems and Bill Schneider, a global sourcing and energy strategist. Together with JohnPaul, they unpack the real economics behind power, infrastructure, and policy, from scaling megawatt projects to navigating utility politics and the coming AI energy crunch. Expect straight talk on grid congestion, demand response, modular power, and why being “behind the meter” might be the only way to stay sovereign in the next computing revolution.00:00 Intro & Guest BackgroundsJohnPaul introduces Taylor Towler (CEO, Solomon Data Systems) and Bill Schneider (energy sourcing expert). Quick overview of their backgrounds and experience scaling large-scale data centers and Bitcoin operations.02:00 Taylor’s Leap into Bitcoin MiningTaylor shares how he quit his day job during COVID, dove headfirst into Bitcoin, and landed his first consulting deal by mastering utility rate sheets.05:00 The First Big Win: 16,000 ASICs in 30 DaysInside Taylor’s first massive project , how a small team scaled overnight, built a warehouse from scratch in Montana, and learned the art of execution under pressure.09:00 The Entrepreneur’s MindsetWhy chasing fulfillment and sovereignty beats a 9–5. Taylor reflects on lessons from early risk-taking and what drives him beyond financial success.11:00 From 1MW to 250MW: Scaling SmartBreaking down the realities of large-scale infrastructure builds, load studies, land options, utility negotiations, and how to de-risk the process at each stage.15:00 The AI Shift: Data Centers Meet BitcoinWhy 90% of Solomon’s business now serves traditional data centers and how AI workloads are transforming grid demand, infrastructure design, and cooling tech.18:00 Bill’s Energy History LessonBill explains how decades of flawed policy, subsidies, and “phantom capacity” have distorted U.S. grid economics and why dispatchable power is the new oil.24:00 The Coming Power CrunchAI demand, grid instability, and the politics of electricity, how behind-the-meter generation and private infrastructure are becoming critical for reliability.27:00 The Consumer SqueezeWhy everyday energy bills are rising inflation, policy missteps, and capital misallocation, and how Bitcoin and AI are unfairly scapegoated.36:00 Utilities, Incentives, and the Broken ModelDeep dive on utility economics, asset base growth, and the hidden costs ratepayers shoulder as monopolies prioritize mega clients.48:00 Building Community TrustHow data center developers can win local support through early engagement, transparency, and direct community benefit, not PR spin.55:00 Modular Generation & Nuclear DebateThe future of decentralized power: SMRs, gas turbines, and why cost, regulation, and reliability will shape the next phase of compute growth.1:03:00 Market Outlook: AI, Mining & Capital FlowsAre we in an AI bubble? JohnPaul, Taylor, and Bill dissect Nvidia’s circular capital loop and debate whether we’re in a 1999-style hype cycle or early innings.1:14:00 Final TakeawaysBill and Taylor share closing advice: control your own power, build relationships early, stay nimble, and always bet on yourself.Enjoyed the episode?If this conversation brought you new insights, we’d love for you to leave a review, it helps more Bitcoin enthusiasts and professionals discover the show.Have a guest you'd like to hear from or a topic you want us to explore? Drop your suggestions in the comments. We’re building this podcast with and for the mining community.https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylortowler/https://solomondatasystems.com/linkedin.com/in/billschneider937 Follow JohnPaul BaricX / Twitter: @baricjohnpaulX / Twitter: MiningStore (@miningstore) on X Mining Managed Program by MiningStore is our proven mining formula that delivers constant returns:Bitcoin Managed Mining Program - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management Bitcoin Mining Hosting that deliversMiningstore HostingEarn Bitcoin at a 60% discount with Bitvault:To The Moon | Join the Green Bitcoin Revolution Are you looking for miners, managed mining, or hosting? Book a call:Schedule a Demo - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management

Power, Politics, and Progress: Building America’s Bitcoin Infrastructure with Matt Prusak

Dive into this conversation with Matt Prusak as he walks through his journey from USBTC and Hut 8 to launching ABTC. We cover strategy, treasury, risks, and why “maximizing Bitcoin per share” is the new gold standard for mining. Here are episode timestamps:00:00:00 Intro and ABTC mission00:01:00 Matt’s background and shift to Bitcoin mining00:03:00 USBTC to Hut 8 to Ionic and Cedarville turnaround00:04:00 Why launch American Bitcoin and how Hut 8 enables 25 EH scale00:06:00 Bitcoin per share focus and running lean with fewer than five FTE00:09:00 Dual engine strategy mining plus treasury accumulation00:10:00 Capital allocation and the 2.1 billion facility00:12:00 Countercyclical discipline and timing liquid cooling00:15:00 Hosting economics shared services and gigawatt pipeline with Hut 800:19:00 Going public via Gryphon and fast listing timeline00:23:00 Why NASDAQ and the institutional adoption lens00:26:00 Disclosure cadence and never selling sats00:27:00 When not to add hash and blockspace upside00:30:00 Three risks energy capital markets policy00:34:00 Partnership with Eric Trump and company formation00:37:00 Brand and marketing beyond crypto audiences00:42:00 Rapid fire picks reading robotics travel cooking00:47:00 Advice to younger self strengths and operating speed00:49:00 One word for 2025 track record and wrapEnjoyed the episode?If this conversation brought you new insights, we’d love for you to leave a review, it helps more Bitcoin enthusiasts and professionals discover the show.Have a guest you'd like to hear from or a topic you want us to explore? Drop your suggestions in the comments. We’re building this podcast with and for the mining community.https://x.com/MattPrusakhttps://www.abtc.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattprusak/ Follow JohnPaul BaricX / Twitter: @baricjohnpaulX / Twitter: MiningStore (@miningstore) on X Mining Managed Program by MiningStore is our proven mining formula that delivers constant returns:Bitcoin Managed Mining Program - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management Bitcoin Mining Hosting that deliversMiningstore HostingEarn Bitcoin at a 60% discount with Bitvault:To The Moon | Join the Green Bitcoin Revolution Are you looking for miners, managed mining, or hosting? Book a call:Schedule a Demo - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management

Bitcoin on the Big Screen with Lauren Sieckmann

Dive into this episode with filmmaker Lauren Sieckmann, co-director of Unbanked, as she shares her journey from Nebraska to directing a global Bitcoin documentary. Use the timestamps below to jump straight to the moments that matter most.00:00 – Intro: JP introduces Lauren Sieckmann, co-director of Unbanked, and her journey into Bitcoin filmmaking.02:00 – Nebraska beginnings: Lauren shares how her father introduced her to Satoshi Nakamoto and The Bitcoin Standard, sparking her fascination with Bitcoin and money.05:00 – Writing the first script: The story behind Lauren’s first attempt at a Satoshi feature film and her early struggles breaking into the film industry.10:00 – Finding funding and a co-director: How networking on Clubhouse led to support from Jason Williams and her collaboration with David Kuhn.15:00 – Interviewing Bitcoin’s leaders: Behind-the-scenes stories from interviews with Michael Saylor, Jack Dorsey, Adam Back, and Ted Cruz.20:00 – Themes of Unbanked: Lauren explains why Bitcoin is for everyone, across politics and geography, and how the film showcases real-world use cases.25:00 – Financial literacy and sovereignty: Why Bitcoin’s biggest contribution may be sparking global financial education and individual empowerment.30:00 – Distribution and screenings: Plans for festival showings, streaming availability, and how to host private or theater screenings through Gather.35:00 – Lightning round: Quick questions with Lauren on her first Bitcoin purchase, favorite films, AI tools for filmmaking, and dream cameos.38:00 – Personal reflections: Lauren and JP reflect on filming in Austin and Iowa, capturing meaningful moments, and the importance of art in Bitcoin storytelling.41:00 – Closing thoughts: Lauren shares her hope that Unbanked leaves audiences inspired, empowered, and eager to explore Bitcoin further.Enjoyed the episode?If this conversation brought you new insights, we’d love for you to leave a review, it helps more Bitcoin enthusiasts and professionals discover the show.Have a guest you'd like to hear from or a topic you want us to explore? Drop your suggestions in the comments. We’re building this podcast with and for the mining community.@LaurenSieckmann@UnbankedMoviewww.unbankedmovie.comhttp://bit.ly/Unbanked_Watch_Here Follow JohnPaul BaricX / Twitter: @baricjohnpaulX / Twitter: MiningStore (@miningstore) on X Mining Managed Program by MiningStore is our proven mining formula that delivers constant returns:Bitcoin Managed Mining Program - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management Bitcoin Mining Hosting that deliversMiningstore HostingEarn Bitcoin at a 60% discount with Bitvault:To The Moon | Join the Green Bitcoin Revolution Are you looking for miners, managed mining, or hosting? Book a call:Schedule a Demo - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management

Building Life Insurance for the Bitcoin Economy with Zachary Townsend

This episode follows JP’s conversation with Zachary Townsend, CEO of Meanwhile, covering how he built the first fully Bitcoin-denominated life insurance company and its role in the emerging Bitcoin economy.[00:00:00] Introduction. JP welcomes Zachary and the topic of Bitcoin life insurance.[00:01:00] Why Bitcoin + Life Insurance. Starting from the belief in a global Bitcoin economy.[00:03:00] Whole Life as the Original HODL. Long-term wealth transfer in Bitcoin.[00:04:00] Running on a Bitcoin Standard. All operations in BTC.[00:05:00] Zachary’s Background. From fintech and government to Stripe and Y Combinator.[00:08:00] Serving Global Markets. Bermuda licensing and expansion plans.[00:12:00] How the Product Works. Whole life policies, tax benefits, BTC-backed loans.[00:15:00] Where the Yield Comes From. Over-collateralized Bitcoin lending.[00:20:00] Challenges and Opportunities. Bitcoin hurdle rate and simplicity.[00:24:00] Future Products. Annuities, investment contracts, reinsurance.[00:28:00] Policy Limits and Transparency. BTC caps and public audits.[00:30:00] Building Trust. Overcoming skepticism and engaging clients.[00:33:00] Advice for Entrepreneurs. Going slower to build right.[00:35:00] Roadmap to a Billion Users. Expanding to smaller policies worldwide.[00:39:00] Managing Premium Payments. Avoiding being short Bitcoin.[00:41:00] How to Get Involved. Website sign-up and miner outreach.[00:43:00] Closing. Final thoughts and invitation to connect.Enjoyed the episode?If this conversation brought you new insights, we’d love for you to leave a review, it helps more Bitcoin enthusiasts and professionals discover the show.Have a guest you'd like to hear from or a topic you want us to explore? Drop your suggestions in the comments. We’re building this podcast with and for the mining community.@ztownsend@meanwhilelife Follow JohnPaul BaricX / Twitter: @baricjohnpaulX / Twitter: MiningStore (@miningstore) on X Mining Managed Program by MiningStore is our proven mining formula that delivers constant returns:Bitcoin Managed Mining Program - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management Bitcoin Mining Hosting that deliversMiningstore HostingEarn Bitcoin at a 60% discount with Bitvault:To The Moon | Join the Green Bitcoin Revolution Are you looking for miners, managed mining, or hosting? Book a call:Schedule a Demo - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management

From Fish Tanks to Hundreds of Megawatts: Carson Smith’s Industrial Leap

Johnpaul Baric interviews Carson Smith, pioneer of immersion cooling and builder of SBI Group’s 250MW global mining arm, now driving energy-efficient Bitcoin and AI infrastructure with 21 Tree Capital, Density AI, and Merkel Edge. They unpack power economics, demand response, treasury discipline, and the entrepreneurial grit required to survive and learn from multi-million-dollar mistakes.00:01:00 – Early Mining Journey & Technical Evolution00:03:00 – ASIC Development, Fried Cat, and DIY Immersion Cooling00:07:00 – Scale of Early Immersion Operations & Challenges00:10:00 – Career Pivot to SBI & Building a Global Mining Footprint00:17:00 – Large-Scale Deployment Lessons & Mistakes00:20:00 – Operational Tooling for Massive Miner Fleets00:24:00 – Negotiating Energy Contracts & Local Partnerships00:26:00 – Demand Response & Grid Dynamics00:32:00 – Creditworthiness & Capitalization Challenges00:33:00 – Current Focus: 21 Tree Capital, AI Crossover, and Merkel Edge00:36:00 – Power Costs & Strategic Importance (Bitcoin vs. AI)00:41:00 – Small AI Data Centers, Offtake, and Idle Capacity Monetization00:46:00 – Converting Bitcoin Mines to AI & Compatibility Challenges00:47:00 – Cooling Trends in AI Infrastructure00:49:00 – Treasury Management & Preparing for Cycles00:52:00 – Entrepreneurship Wisdom & Closing ThoughtsEnjoyed the episode?If this conversation brought you new insights, we’d love for you to leave a review, it helps more Bitcoin enthusiasts and professionals discover the show.Have a guest you'd like to hear from or a topic you want us to explore? Drop your suggestions in the comments. We’re building this podcast with and for the mining community.@blocksmither Follow JohnPaul BaricX / Twitter: @baricjohnpaulX / Twitter: MiningStore (@miningstore) on X Mining Managed Program by MiningStore is our proven mining formula that delivers constant returns:Bitcoin Managed Mining Program - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management Bitcoin Mining Hosting that deliversMiningstore HostingEarn Bitcoin at a 60% discount with Bitvault:To The Moon | Join the Green Bitcoin Revolution Are you looking for miners, managed mining, or hosting? Book a call:Schedule a Demo - MiningStore | Bitcoin Mining and Management