Chat_141 - Protocols Over Platforms with Oscar Merry

*"Obviously we're trying to make fountain the best possible listening experience and the best possible app for discovering great audio content.
But more broadly than that, we don't want to turn into, you know, another version of Spotify where things only work in fountain. We want to, enable discovery and the signal around valuable content to come from anywhere and be consumed anywhere.
That's going to make fountain a lot better."
~ Guy Swann*

I sat down with Oscar Merry, founder of Fountain, to explore how Bitcoin, Nostr, and podcasting intersect in ways most people haven’t yet imagined. How can an open social protocol transform podcast discovery? What happens when “likes” work across every app, not just one platform? We dig into the technical hurdles — from key management and onboarding to building a better search for audio — and the surprising design decisions that make or break adoption. The good, the bad and the messy realities, of building tools that actually work for people, not just developers.

*Check out our awesome sponsors!*

Ledn: Need fiat but don’t want to sell your Bitcoin? Ledn offers secure, Bitcoin-backed loans with no credit checks, flexible repayment, and fast turnaround—often within 24 hours. With $10B+ in loans across 100+ countries and transparent Proof of Reserves, Ledn is a trusted option for unlocking liquidity without giving up your Bitcoin. (Link: https://learn.ledn.io/audible)

HRF: The Human Rights Foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies. Subscribe to HRF's Financial Freedom Newsletter today. (Link: https://mailchi.mp/hrf.org/financial-freedom-newsletter)

OFF: The Oslo Freedom Forum is a global human rights event by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), uniting voices from activism, journalism, tech, and beyond. Through powerful stories and collaboration, OFF advances freedom and human potential worldwide. Join us next June. (Link: https://oslofreedomforum.com/)

Pubky: Pubky is building the next web, a decentralized system designed to put control back in your hands. Escape censorship, algorithmic manipulation, and walled gardens by owning your identity and data. Explore the Pubky web and become the algorithm today. Don't forget to find me on my Pubky ID here: pk:5d7thwzkxx5mz6gk1f19wfyykr6nrwzaxri3io7ahejg1z74qngo. (Link: https://pubky.org)

Chroma: Chroma is dedicated to advancing human performance and well-being through cutting-edge light therapy devices and performance eyewear. Their mission is to enhance physical and mental health, unlocking peak human health, cognitive function, and physical performance. Get 10% off your order with the code BITCOINAUDIBLE. (Link: https://getchroma.co/?ref=BitcoinAudible)

*Guest Links:*
Oscar on X (Link: https://x.com/real_vijay)
Fountain.fm (Link:https://fountain.fm)
Fountain on X (Link: https://x.com/fountain_app)

*Host Links:*
⁠Guy on Nostr ⁠(Link: http://tinyurl.com/2xc96ney)
⁠Guy on X ⁠(Link: https://twitter.com/theguyswann)
Guy on Instagram (Link: https://www.instagram.com/theguyswann)
Guy on TikTok (Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@theguyswann)
Guy on YouTube (Link: https://www.youtube.com/@theguyswann)
⁠Bitcoin Audible on X⁠ (Link: https://twitter.com/BitcoinAudible)
The Guy Swann Network Broadcast Room on Keet (Link: https://tinyurl.com/3na6v839)