The Mantra of Bitcoin w/ Kgothatso Ngako
In this episode, Frank sits down with Kgothatso Ngako (KG), founder of Machankura, Exonomia, and now Mantra — a tool that can be used to translate Bitcoin texts. In the first part of the discussion — which is for the more technical-minded out there — KG provides an overview of how Mantra works, who it's for and why he employed tech like Nostr, Frost, and the Marmot Protocol in its design. He also shares how his work on Mantra will ultimately inform upcoming development for Machankura. In the…
Bitcoin as a Catalyst for a New Kenya w/ Robert Kirubi
On this episode of new renaissance capital, Frank sits down with TALO Africa Chairman and Kenyan Bitcoin advocate Robert Kirubi to discuss the work that is still to be done to get Kenya, its government, and its businesses to embrace Bitcoin. Frank and Robert touch on the many incredible Bitcoin programs and initiatives that already exist in Kenya — including Gridless, Bitcoin Dada, Afribit Kibera — and how, in the wake of Kenya's National Treasury gazetting Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP)…
The Fight Against Chat Control in the EU w/ Lyudmyla Kozlovska
On this episode, Frank sites down with Lyudmyla Kozlovska, president of the Open Dialogue Foundation, to discuss why Chat Control must be stopped in the EU and how to stop it. Kozlovska watched up close last month as the European Parliament pushed Chat Control 1.0 through via a last-minute vote, and now she's determined to stop something like this from happening again with the Chat Control 2.0 vote, which is scheduled for next month. That said, she can't stop Chat Control 2.0 on her own. She needs your…
South Africa's Rocky Balboa: Bitcoin Ekasi Community Leader Aims to Complete in Ironman World Champs
On this episode of new renaissance capital, Frank sits down with Akhona Mabuto Livingstone, better known as "The Orange Rocket" in Mossel Bay, South Africa. Akhona is a part of both the Bitcoin Ekasi (https://bitcoinekasi.com/) and The Surfer Kids (https://www.thesurferkids.com/) communities. With the Surfer Kids project, he teaches children how to swim and surf in an after school program. For his work, he's paid in bitcoin. In 2018, he became interested in triathlon after completing the swim leg of a…
The Fight For Bitcoin Rights In South Africa w/ Hermann Vivier
In this episode, host Frank Corva sits down with Hermann Vivier, a prominent South African Bitcoiner and the founder of Bitcoin Ekasi and The Surfer Kids non-profit. They dive deep into the recent draft regulations proposed by the South African government that threaten to essentially ban peer-to-peer Bitcoin usage through aggressive updates to the country's 1961 Capital Controls Act. Hermann breaks down how these vague new rules could force citizens to turn over assets to the state treasury or mandate…
Mostro: Building Censorship-Resistant P2P Bitcoin Trading on Nostr w/ Francisco CalderĂłn
In this episode, we sit down with Francisco Calderon, a veteran developer and a central figure in the Latin American Bitcoin scene. Francisco shares his journey from experiencing the economic collapse in Venezuela to building Mostro, a decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) trading protocol. We discuss how Mostro leverages the Nostr protocol to remove single points of failure, providing a lifeline for users in regions like Cuba and Bolivia where financial censorship and slow internet are daily realities. …
The Fight For Real Bitcoin Freedom w/ Hannah Rosenberg
Hannah Rosenberg of Lightning Labs joins Frank for a philosophical deep dive into the state of Bitcoin in 2026. This episode explores the "human being problem" behind Bitcoin's growing pains, specifically focusing on how authoritarianism and elitism have infiltrated American Bitcoin circles. Hannah shares personal experiences of how the space has changed and why she maintains respect for the "diamonds in the rough" who uphold their principles despite the pressure to chase power or clout. Beyond the…
On the Iran Conflict and Bitcoin in the Middle East w/ Faisal Saeed Al Mutar
Faisal Saeed Al Mutar joins us to discuss the reality of the situation in Iran, including how people from the region view at the conflict. He debunks common misconceptions about Iran's ethnic makeup and discusses how local populations really feel about the regime and foreign intervention. We also discuss the multiple layers on which Bitcoin has been adopted in the Middle East. Please note that this episode was recorded before the two-week ceasefire agreement, which was announced on April 7, 2026. …
How Bitcoin Helps in Cuba | CĂłmo Ayuda Bitcoin en Cuba
Discover the innovative ways Bitcoin is being used in Cuba to overcome economic hurdles and empower local communities. Our guests, Forte and Catrya, co-founders of Cuba Bitcoin, provide a firsthand look at the technical projects they are working on and the importance of native language media in the Bitcoin space. Descubre las formas innovadoras en que se está utilizando Bitcoin en Cuba para superar obstáculos económicos y empoderar a las comunidades locales. Nuestros invitados, Forte y Catrya,…
Bitcoin as a Lifeline in Jamaica w/ Dread
In this episode, Frank sits down with Dread, a developer, the founder of the Flash app, and just an all around incredible human being, sometimes referred to as "the Jamaican Bitcoiner," to discuss his incredible work on the ground following a devastating Category 5 hurricane in his home country. When traditional banks and Western Union locations were destroyed or offline, Dread and his team used the Bitcoin-powered Flash app to deliver immediate relief, care packages, and essential supplies to those in…
Helping Open-Source Bitcoin Developers Thrive w/ Amiti Uttarwar
In this episode of new renaissance capital, Frank sits down with Amiti Uttarwar, the first confirmed female Bitcoin Core developer and founder of Waye. Amiti discusses her transition from technical development to providing psychosocial support and executive coaching for open-source builders. We explore the "tyranny of permissionlessness" and why supporting the mental well-being of developers is critical for the long-term resilience of the Bitcoin ecosystem. Host: Frank Corva Guest: Amiti Uttarwar …
Bitcoin Mining and the Revitalization of Venezuela w/ Alessandro Cecere (El Sultán de Bitcoin)
In this episode of new renaissance capital, Frank Corva sits down with Alessandro Cecere, better known as El Sultan de Bitcoin, on X to discuss the transformative potential of Bitcoin mining in Venezuela. Alessandro shares his journey of starting one of Latin America's first mining farms in 2013 and explains how the country's current energy crisis—characterized by a massive power deficit—can be solved through strategic partnerships with international Bitcoin miners. Host: Frank Corva Guest:…