Disruption Now

About Disruption Now

Join us on the Disruption Now podcast as we challenge the status quo and advocate for digital equity, ownership, and responsible technology.

Publisher

Rob Richardson

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Feb 2019

Latest episode

30 Jan 2026

Latest episodes

27 of 211 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   30 Jan 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Disruption Now Episode 191 | Your Refrigerator Is More Cyber Secure than Your Computer?

   Host Rob Richardson interviews Dr. Richard Harknett, cybersecurity expert, about the current cyber threat landscape, AI's role in security, and the importance of citizen involvement in technology accountability.

2. 

   23 Jan 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Disruption Now Episode 190 | What Is Explainable AI?

   Professor of Aerospace Engineering, Dr. Kelly Cohen, explains explainable AI, its importance in healthcare for improving patient safety, and strategies for reducing algorithmic bias in medical machine learning in an interview.

3. 

   23 Jan 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Disruption Now Episode 189 | WHY AI AGENTS NEED CRYPTO

   Bitcoin and blockchain are reshaping money, trust, and the future of AI. In Episode 189 of the Disruption Now Podcast, Rob Richardson sits down with Andrew Burchwell, Executive Director of the Ohio Blockchain Council, to break down why blockchain matters more than ever—and why understanding it now is critical for anyone navigating the next decade of technology. This conversation dives into Bitcoin’s core value as a trust engine, why blockchain is essential for the AI era, how decentralized systems empower individuals and communities, and the massive economic transformation coming to states like Ohio. Andrew shares the personal story behind his leap from a secure energy-tech career into full-time blockchain advocacy, why his faith guided the transition, and how local policy can unlock global innovation. We unpack the realities behind Bitcoin’s volatility, long-term value, inflation, the S-curve of exponential tech adoption, and why blockchain should be seen as a utility—not a gamble. You’ll learn how agentic AI will depend on blockchain rails for payments, how on-chain verification combats deepfakes, and why crypto is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for regions left behind by globalization. Andrew also shares why privacy matters, what people misunderstand about crypto, where regulation should (and shouldn’t) go, and why the next five years will be the fastest technological pivot in human history. If you’ve been curious, skeptical, or overwhelmed by crypto, this is the conversation that makes it all click. What You’ll Learn: Why Bitcoin is “better, faster, more secure money” How blockchain + AI together solve trust, speed, and verification gaps Why inflation quietly erodes wealth and how Bitcoin counters it The real difference between gambling memes vs. real digital assets How agentic AI will need blockchain for payments and micro-transactions Why Ohio is emerging as a national leader in blockchain policy How decentralized tech can help rebuild forgotten communities Where privacy, transparency, and security intersect in Web3 Chapters: 00:00 Welcome & Andrew’s story 03:15 Why he left a secure career for blockchain 09:45 The meaning of Bitcoin as sound money 14:20 Inflation, trust, and why blockchain matters 19:30 Blockchain + AI: the critical connection 26:40 Privacy, regulation & misuse: what’s real 33:10 Meme coins vs. real utility 38:20 The next 5 years: “The Pivot” 42:15 What’s ahead for Ohio & crypto Quick Q&A: Q: Why does Bitcoin matter today? A: It creates trust, speed, and financial sovereignty in a system where inflation and centralization reduce purchasing power. Q: How do AI and blockchain work together? A: AI creates speed; blockchain creates trust and verification. Together they enable secure agentic automation. Q: What do people misunderstand most about crypto? A: They confuse speculation with utility. Blockchain’s long-term value is in its function, not its hype. Connect with Andrew Burchwell: Website / Organization: https://ohioblockchain.org/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/AndrewBurchwell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-burchwell-a7284994/ Ohio Blockchain Council (organization page): https://ohioblockchain.org/ Be a guest on the podcast or Subscribe to our newsletter All our links  - https://linktr.ee/disruptionnow #Blockchain #Bitcoin #Web3 #aiagents Music credit: calm before storm - moñoñaband

Inside a recent episode

Disruption Now Episode 191 | Your Refrigerator Is More Cyber Secure than Your Computer?

Published 30 Jan 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Big tech and little tech should prefer that. You'd rather follow one law. Yes. And 50 different laws. So could we come to a condominium? Right. This is a moment where we, with AI right now, we can get out in front of this and have some very light touch, basic parameters of guardrails of, hey, we're going to, we need you guys to prioritize safety. Exactly. And we need you to prioritize security. There's two different things, but they can do it every other industry has done it. My concern is that there's legislation to kill off all all all type of legislation with no plan to fill that gap. I think that's intentional. […]

Who has been a guest on Disruption Now

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Richard Harknett
• Dr Kelly Cohen
• Bharath Prabhakaran
• Kaila Love
• Sian Bitner-Kearney

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

250,298

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

31 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 92 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

98

Social presence

91

YouTube

82

Engagement

85

Contact Disruption Now

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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