Basecamp for Men E294: On Privacy…Get Off Zero

E294: On Privacy…Get Off Zero

 

E294 Introduction

The topic of digital privacy is one that I have been personally circling around for quite a few years. Watching how Bitcoiners and cypherpunks ( young and old) navigate this topic.

I am a Gen Xer and grew up in the early days of technology and I have been a man who has put convenience of using technology ahead of my own privacy (as most all of us had). I have been a die-hard Apple user since I was a young man and have enjoyed how seamlessly the user interface is with all the Apps I regularly use.

But with my initiation into Bitcoin (and it is a true initiation and chapter in a Hero’s Journey) has come a growing awareness.

That my love of ease and convenience has made me an easy mark for surveillance and even control. In any centralized system, whoever controls the central node sets the terms. And if the terms are to continually watch and push inputs at you, for instance, then that is what you will get. Without getting too Orwellian out of the gate….centralized control IS thought-control. Do you like constantly being watched and programmed? Eh, maybe not so much.

“But it is so convenient….” Yep, that is the rub.

There is a growing movement afoot called Freedom Technology. Open source, encrypted, impossible to control. And it all fits in nicely with Bitcoin, a decentralized ledger meant to put control of your money in your hands. It is early in the game but it is obvious that digital privacy along with Bitcoin and other decentralized systems that are emerging have a mutually beneficial relationship. To understand one is to take steps in understanding them all.

This decentralized revolution is quietly but surely making its way to the stage. You may not see it or think you need to understand it but I believe this will be talked about for decades to come.

The decentralized, open source movement reminds of Shawshank Redemption where Andy writes to Red “If you’ve come this far, perhaps you’re willing to come a little further.” I am speaking for myself as Red as much as you dear Basecamper. Another topic we will open with today but will surely be finding good guests in the episodes and seasons to come. Enjoy!

 Philip Charter Bio-

My guest today is Philip Charter. Philip is a totally human writer working in the Bitcoin space. He helps Bitcoin companies stack gains through expert articles, meaningful stories, and laser-focused copy. Here is my interview with Philip Charter.

E294 Final Thoughts-

 I love Philip’s message of getting off Zero. I think with complex topics like Bitcoin and digital privacy. The get off Zero approach gives you permission to muck around and learn at your own speed.

Personally, my get off zero involved running a Bitcoin node but also using Bitwarden to keep my most important passwords and info in a military-grade encrypted vault. But I will continue to learn about privacy, now looking into Proton mail and VPN suite and Graphene OS for phones. I will keep you posted.

Basecamp for Men E293:Basecamp Classic

E293: Basecamp Classic

 

E293 Introduction

Well, I had an interview that fell through this past week and I’m travelling a bit. So I thought it would be a perfect time for a Basecamp Classic. These are top-shelf replays of episodes done in past seasons.

What I do is look over my list and then read over the notes for the top two or three and then select the best one. I thought this one was particularly interesting as we are talking about navigating the chaos and messiness of the times we’re living in using your own inner knowing as a compass. These themes hold up well, don’t they Basecampers?

The original title was Dealing with Ourselves with my old friend Ben. Enjoy this Classic and we’ll see you around the fire next week.

Basecamp for Men E292: Creating a Personal Myth

E292: Creating a Personal Myth w Special Guest Patrick Christell

 

E292 Introduction

The topic of myth and narrative, story and mythic imagination is something that I have been fascinated by for decades. My life has been immersed in mythic imagination since I was a boy, really. Even my sports heroes and sports stories I gravitated to and followed as a child had mythic undertones, unbeknownst to me at the time.

And I believe we all long to live by myth. To have our lives have this sort of magical quality to them. I believe that deep down, we all want to live more courageously. Or to follow the path of the Light or the path of the Divine, the path of God, whatever that means to you. Or to really live by our highest spiritual knowing and our highest truth, are you following me?

In short, we were built for more than just work and a few laughs. We’ve just forgotten. A type of mythic amnesia has set in.

It seems the mass consciousness of the human race is looking for these threads right now, doesn’t it? Things seem to be teetering a bit, right? Nobody knows exactly what is going on or what is about to happen. It is times like these where myth is so valuable. By leaning into mythic possibilities, we open up new neuropathways that helps us set a new course in life. Both for ourselves and for our tribe.

Yet, so few reach this point. Why is that? Too many beautiful human Souls coast through life, resting on what has already happened, giving up their sovereignty and ability to set their own course. I believe if more of us were actively engaged in growing our mythic imaginations and living by a personal myth, you would see a lot more courageous people in the world. And God knows, the world NEEDS courageous people right now, doesn’t it?

My guest today is all about building a personal mythic narrative for oneself. I thoroughly enjoyed his company and this conversation. Enjoy.

Patrick Christell Bio

My guest today is Patrick Christell. Patrick is a novelist, a documentary filmmaker, and a story structure expert with over 20 years of screenwriting experience. Earlier in his career he was a Vanity Fair staffer and even worked with filmmaker Wes Anderson. Today, he runs Iconic, a narrative consultancy that turns hidden life patterns into mythic arcs. Helping people to stop drifting and start steering their own epic story. His work is here at: https://iconic.onl  .Here is my interview with Patrick Christell.

E292 Final Thoughts

Well I hope you enjoyed that converstaion as much as I did. His work sounds fascinating, doesn’t it? Create a customized narrative compass to help you navigate the fog of deception and confusion that we are all swimming in. Sounds right up our alley. To get connected to Patrick and create your  unique personal myth, go to https://iconic.onl.Thank you Basecampers and we’ll see you around the fire next week.

Basecamp for Men E291: The Importance of Male Friendships

E291: The Importance of Male Friendships w Kim Eversen

 

E291 Introduction

There is something strange in our culture that tells its men (young and old) that you don‘t really need authentic, loving male friendships to live your best life. It is actually one of the most harmful beliefs that a man can internalize.

For far too long too many men have isolated and suffered, leading lives of quiet desperation when in fact, the deeper truth is that men long for authentic connections amongst the male tribe.

As many of you know, I have long been an advocate for men’s groups and soulful, deeper friendships amongst men. My bond with the male tribe is one of the most enduring gifts that I have ever been given. The names and faces have changed over the decades, but my love and respect and admiration for my male friends is a bedrock of my life.

It’s important that a man have a group where he can unpack life’s challenges and express his deeper truths. For these deeper truths, if left unexpressed, will eat away at a man, sapping his energy, leaving a cloud our pall over the man. Without healthy male friendships, a man will become a more repressed, shadowy version of himself.

Part of being free flowing in our joy and our feelings is being able to authentically express our inner life to other men. To talk about how things REALLY are with us. It is also important to hear from other men as another man may perfectly capture some shadowy truth about yourself that has been dormant for decades. I have seen this dozens, if not hundreds of times.

I don’t often get to connect with a younger man who is completely committed to championing male friendships. So much so that he has written two books about the topic and started an organization called Brothers to spread the word. Love it! Enjoy the interview.

KIM EVERSEN BIO

 My guest today is Kim Eversen. Kim is an author, a leader, and the founder of Brothers, an organization that champions the importance of male friendship. Here is my interview with Kim Eversen. Enjoy!

 

Basecamp for Men E290: Men and Authenticity

E290: Men and Authenticity

 

E290 Introduction

Man, I have been loving these conversations with men who are committed to the Hero’s Journey and the soulful conversations that are a natural extension of the initiatory path. Whenever I find myself in these circles and conversations, it is a bit like a homecoming.

As a man who has engaged in these topics many times in many different settings, I find the depth to be reassuring and supportive of my own choices moving forward. Small talk is fine for a bit but the Soul longs to hear what is REALLY happening and it is our duty as men to provide the road signs for the men who will follow in our footsteps. It is important to leave footprints along the faint trail for otherwise how will our sons and nephews and grandsons know where to find sturdy footing in an unsure world. Myth will continue to be our guiding light, if only we let it in and receive the messages.

For those that are attuned to the new frequency, it is our sacred duty (is it not) to do our best to hold the flame of Divine Truth or the light of the Christ or the Universal heartbeat in ourselves as a lighthouse for what is unfolding. I can think of no higher purpose than this.

My guest today is a new friend of mine and someone that I have really enjoyed getting to know. Enjoy the interview.

John Owensby Bio

 My guest today is John Owensby. John is a Neurolinguistic Programming facilitator and a relationship coach who has been deeply influenced by the Mankind Project and the mens personal development movement. Something we both share. Here is my interview w John Owensby.

E290 Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed that conversation as much as I did with my friend John Owensby. These are the kinds of dialogue that all men need to be a part of…deeper conversations about Shadow and Light, the Soul’s Journey and how men can support and assist one another in the upcoming important chapters that we all face.