Welcome to The Emerge21 Show, where hosts Alan Bryden and Chris McLaughlin guide you through the shift from traditional finance to a decentralised future.
Each episode dives into Bitcoin and the emerging technologies reshaping money and personal freedom. Tune in for insights from industry leaders, practical strategies, and tools for navigating the future of finance. Whether you're new to Bitcoin or a seasoned pro, The Emerge21 Show is your path to understanding and thriving in the decentralised world.
Is the Bitcoin 4-Year Cycle Broken? + Our Bitcoin-Only Lightning Project (21Stacker) | Ep.27
In Episode 27 of The Emerge21 Show, Alan and Chris review the Bitcoin landscape heading into 2026—from institutional adoption and dampening volatility, to the question many are asking: is the 4-year cycle broken?
They also reveal what’s been taking up most of their time: the launch of 21Stacker—a Bitcoin-only, Lightning-native competition platform designed to help people experience Bitcoin (not just hear about it).
The goal is simple: reduce friction, strip out fiat rails where possible, and create a hands-on Lightning moment that sparks curiosity and learning.You’ll also hear how the provably-fair draw mechanics work (pre-commit hash + next Bitcoin block hash + verification steps + 6 confirmations), why the platform includes a skill-based question, and how the 21% Partner Program (including lifetime commission for early partners) is designed to drive Bitcoin adoption through community network effects.Key themes: Bitcoin adoption, Lightning onboarding, cycles vs fundamentals, corporate treasuries, provably-fair verification, and building Bitcoin-native products in public.🔗
Explore 21Stacker: https://21stacker.com/
🎧 Subscribe for more Bitcoin-native builds + education from Emerge21.
What you’ll learn / talking points:
- Why 2025’s narratives didn’t play out the way many expected- Corporate + institutional Bitcoin adoption vs. retail participation
- The case for “cycle skepticism” and why calendar-year patterns can mislead- Volatility dampening: good for Bitcoin’s maturity, tricky for hype-driven retail- Why education alone doesn’t convert—first-hand Lightning experience does- The thinking behind a Bitcoin-only platform (and why avoiding fiat matters)- How 21Stacker aims to onboard the “next wave” via familiar mechanics- Provably-fair draw system: pre-commit hash + Bitcoin block hash + 6 confirmations- Skill-based entry + compliance considerations (including a free postal route)- The 21% partner program, including early-partner lifetime commission structure- Notable quotes “Bitcoin isn’t adopted by explanation alone—it's adopted through experience.”“If you can own more Bitcoin this month than last month, that’s the strategy.”“The calendar-year cycle is broken… and that’s probably healthier long-term.”“We stripped out the fiat rails—if you want to participate, you’ll use Lightning.”
6 Nov 2025
How BitVault Is Revolutionising Bitcoin Self-Custody | with Francesco Madonna
Emerge21 Ep 26 — with Francesco Madonna, Founder & CEO of BitVaultThis episode dives deep into the next evolution of Bitcoin self-custody.Host Chris (Emerge21) speaks with Francesco Madonna about how BitVault is re-imagining wallet security using on-chain time-locks, Miniscript, and multi-sig, to defend against both cyber and physical attacks.Francesco shares his journey from discovering Bitcoin in 2017 to building BitVault in Lugano’s Plan B city, plus how European Bitcoiners are quietly building the next wave of infrastructure.They discuss:Highlights from Lugano Plan B 2024 and Europe’s Bitcoin “renaissance”How quantum-resistant tech (BIP 360) and Miniscript are changing custodyWhy self-custody is a human vulnerability problem, not just a tech oneThe “wall of time”: how BitVault’s on-chain time-delay vault prevents theftEducation, podcasting, and building the Bitcoin community in Europe👉 Try the BitVault beta: https://www.bitvault.sv/👉 Follow Francesco on X / Twitter: https://x.com/CiccioMadonna @CiccioMadonna 👉 Store of Bitcoin - Bitcoin as Store of Value: https://www.youtube.com/@StoreofBitcoin00💬 Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Welcome Francesco Madonna (BitVault)02:00 – Lugano Plan B recap & European Bitcoin adoption06:00 – Quantum-resistant Bitcoin & multiple implementations08:00 – Building on Miniscript + Taproot11:00 – Francesco’s Bitcoin journey & move to Lugano13:30 – The self-custody vulnerability & physical attack problem16:00 – Founding BitVault — the “time-locked vault” concept18:00 – Education, podcasts & community building25:00 – Europe vs US adoption & regulation mindset33:00 – How BitVault actually works (multi-sig + timelock)39:00 – Security features, hardware integrations, key management46:00 – Recovery protocols & future roadmap50:00 – Why even small holders need time-locked security52:00 – Beta access + closing thoughtsKey takeaways:The inspiration behind BitVault and the problem it solvesHow Lugano’s “Plan B City” is nurturing European Bitcoin innovationUsing Miniscript and Taproot for next-generation wallet logicWhy time-delayed vaults make theft and coercion attacks pointlessEducation as the bridge to global Bitcoin adoptionWhat’s next for BitVault in 2025 and beyondResources MentionedBitVault website: https://www.bitvault.sv/Store Of Bitcoin: https://www.youtube.com/@StoreofBitcoin00
20 Oct 2025
From Baker to Bitcoiner: The Bitcoin Chef’s Recipe for Low Time Preference Living | Emerge21 Ep.25
In Episode 25 of The Emerge21 Show, Alan speaks with Henry Herbert — The Bitcoin Chef — about his transition from TV baker to Bitcoin entrepreneur. Together, they explore how Bitcoin principles mirror craftsmanship, health, and sustainability in business.
Henry discusses:
Growing up in a legacy bakery and rediscovering meaning through Bitcoin
Creating Feast with Henry and accepting Bitcoin payments via Lightning
The realities of “fiat food” and how inflation erodes quality
His new venture, The Healthy Bit Podcast, connecting Bitcoin philosophy with physical wellbeing
This episode perfectly blends food, finance, and philosophy — a must-listen for Bitcoiners, small business owners, and anyone curious about how Bitcoin’s values apply beyond money.
🎧 Listen now and get inspired to start living Bitcoin in your business and your life.
🔗 Connect with HenryX (Twitter): https://x.com/HenryBTCchefNostr: https://primal.net/p/npub1h5y464s5luy8fctwxgqrzhae2lazhx46nenvn8t4hqay96xu2cfsqsc68aWebsite: https://www.henryherbert.co.uk/Insta: https://www.henryherbert.co.uk/Podcast: The Healthy Bit: https://www.henryherbert.co.uk/general-6
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
517
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
32
Social presence
90
YouTube
63
Engagement
32
Contact Unlocked - The Emerge21 Podcast
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Unlocked - The Emerge21 Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
