In this episode, we sit down with Johanna Cabildo, CEO and Founder of Data Guardians Network (D-GN), to unpack one of the most important—and overlooked—questions in AI today: Who trains the AI, and who benefits from it?Johanna is on a mission to flip the data economy. Her platform empowers users to own, train, and monetize their data through decentralized agentic avatars—a radically different model from Big Tech’s extractive systems.Topics We Cover:Why most AI models are trained using your data—without consent or compensationWhat agentic avatars are and how they let users participate in AI trainingHow D-GN is building decentralized data training communitiesThe concept of proprietary LLMs that value human data differentlyWhy Johanna believes blockchain is essential for ethical AILessons from her time leading enterprise work at droppGroupWhat an AI-powered user-owned economy looks likeThe future of identity, consent, and transparency in an AI worldConnect https://dataguardians.xyz/
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#195 Kathleen Perley | AI for Your Business
AI isn’t just a buzzword anymore—it’s a business imperative. But most leaders still don’t know where to begin. In this episode, Rocco sits down with Kathleen Perley, Rice University professor, founder of Demystify AI, and author of AI Made Simple: Results Made Real. Kathleen breaks down how to actually integrate AI into your organization, without the smoke and mirrors.Topics include:The biggest myths executives believe about AIWhy small businesses might beat big corporations in the AI raceReal-life case studies from Kathleen’s students building AI tools for space missions and neurodivergent teensWhy AI literacy matters more than coding skillsHow Agentic AI is unlocking new workflows and freeing up executive timeIf you're a founder, executive, or just trying to make sense of AI without the hype, this episode is your no-nonsense playbook.🧠 Learn more: https://www.demystifai.com/📕 Buy the book: AI Made Simple: Results Made Real🚀 Hosted by Rocco Strydom | Follow the pod: https://linktr.ee/sgmpodcast
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#194 Max Pace | Retiring on Bitcoin
In this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, host Rocco Strydom sits down with Max Pace, CTO of BlockTrustIRA, to unpack one of the most compelling intersections in finance today: crypto and retirement.Topics Covered:How BlockTrustIRA lets you stack crypto tax-free in your IRA or 401(k)Why traditional retirement providers are falling shortHow BlockTrust’s quant-driven strategies protect against crypto volatilityThe role of AI in sentiment analysis and trade executionBitcoin vs. altcoins: What really belongs in a long-term portfolio?Why Bitcoin is increasingly seen as “freedom money” in a broken financial systemWith nearly a decade of crypto quant research under his belt, Max is bringing hedge-fund-level insights to the everyday investor—without handing over control of your assets.🔗 Connect : https://blocktrustira.com
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#193 Nikolay Filichkin | Investing in AI Infrastructure
In this episode, Rocco Strydom sits down with Nikolay Filichkin, Chief Business Officer of Compute Labs, to explore how compute infrastructure—specifically GPU clusters—is becoming an investable asset class. Forget equities and tokens. We're talking teraflops, tokenized ownership, and IRR on silicon.Topics covered:Why GPUs are the new gold in the AI ageHow Compute Labs connects institutional capital with live compute marketsTokenizing compute infrastructure for liquidity and scaleThe future of compute ETFs, AI hardware, and energy infrastructureCompeting with Nvidia and the rise of GPU-based investingConnect https://x.com/Compute_Labs
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#192 Akash Gupta | Onboarding the Next Billion into Crypto
Today’s guest is Akash Gupta, VP of Core Wallet at Ava Labs, the powerhouse team building on the Avalanche blockchain.With a background that spans Meta, Uber, and startups out of the MIT Media Lab, Akash brings Web2 scale and discipline to the frontier of Web3. At Ava Labs, he’s spearheading the mission to make crypto invisible yet indispensable — starting with Core Wallet, a next-gen platform introducing gasless transactions and intuitive UX for the next billion users.In this no-fluff conversation:Why Avalanche is winning the speed and cost race in blockchainThe secrets behind launching gasless transactions at scaleWhat wallets will look like in 5 years (hint: AI agents might run them)Lessons from Meta and Uber that now power decentralized product designThe mindset shift from product manager to ecosystem stewardWhether you're a crypto native, Web2 veteran, or new to blockchain, this episode gives you a masterclass in product thinking, scaling ecosystems, and building for the future.Connect with Akash Gupta:X (Twitter): @akash90guptaAva Labs: avalabs.org🔗 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share!📲 Listen on all major podcast platforms🌍 Follow the pod: https://linktr.ee/SGMPODCAST
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