Soapbox Sessions

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

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

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

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

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