In this episode of The Initiation, I sit down with Scott Dedels, author of The Dao of Bitcoin: Towards a Cosmology of Energy Money, to explore Bitcoin not just as technology or finance — but as a philosophical and energetic lens on how humans organize value and life.

Scott blends timeless wisdom with modern innovation, drawing from Daoist philosophy to show how Bitcoin reconnects money with energy, effort, and the natural flow of existence — in contrast with modern money’s disconnection from real human and ecological systems. 

In this conversation, we unpack:

• Why Bitcoin is more than a financial instrument — it’s an energy currency that carries meaning and connection across human systems.

• How the principles of the Dao illuminate Bitcoin’s role as a harmonizing force in a world fractured by centralized finance and abstract money.

• The deeper philosophical questions at the intersection of money, life, and human purpose — and why this matters now more than ever. 

This isn’t a typical Bitcoin discussion — it’s an invitation to reflect on why money matters, how it shapes our world, and what it might mean when money itself is grounded in energy and human reality. Whether you’re a long-time student of Bitcoin or just curious about its deeper implications, this episode connects the dots between ancient wisdom and emergent systems.

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If you’re new to The Initiation, you may also want to explore Season 1, where I lay the foundations for the entire series. Across the first nine episodes, we dive into the core themes shaping our moment in history - from the rise of artificial intelligence and the breakdown of our monetary system to the climate crisis, geopolitics, and the breakthrough forces pointing toward transformation. Season 1 offers the wider context for everything we’ll explore this year.