Soapbox Sessions

Heather Larson and Derek Ross cover three stories that connect in ways you did not see coming: an AI model that broke out of its secure container during testing, a marketing agency manufacturing music trends on TikTok, and two quiet Nostr announcements from Block. Then: #NosVegas is coming to We All Scream nightclub and the lineup is stacked.

Heather Larson and Derek Ross are back, and this week they go deep on some genuinely big questions: Can AI replace you? Is social media actually addictive? And what does Jack Dorsey think is coming next for how companies work? These two have been friends long enough to roast each other in public, which means the heavy topics get tackled and the conversation still ends up somewhere involving sperm-shaped app logos and a welfare check from Heather's family.

Derek re-frames the dark web versus light web divide. The so-called dark web is the open, uncensored internet. The so-called good web is the KYC, controlled, censored one. The internet is splitting into two directions and Nostr is the alternative path.

Is Derek Ross too attached to his bot? Heather Larson thinks so, and she shows up to this episode ready to stage an intervention. What starts as a playful confrontation about Derek talking to his AI more than he talks to people turns into a surprisingly honest conversation about AI addiction, the workaholic trap, and whether any of this technology is actually making life better or just busier.

Heather Larson and Derek Ross cover the week in Nostr and AI: Anthropic takes on the Pentagon and wins the internet, Meta acquires the AI agent network everyone was already suspicious of, Bluesky's CEO steps out, Ditto goes into soft launch, and Derek's bot is now running his LinkedIn.

Heather Larson and Derek Ross of Team Soapbox dive into the latest developments in decentralized social media, including a close look at Ditto 2, the growing ecosystem of Nostr apps, and what a more open, user-controlled internet actually looks like in practice. This episode covers customization, interoperability across social platforms, and why the future of the internet might feel a lot more like the old one. You miss MySpace? Love the indie web? Wish you could HTML your site again like the old MySpace days? We got you with Ditto 2!

This week, Derek and Heather dig into the latest Nostr updates including the launch of diVine, new features rolling out on Ditto, and what Agora is doing to support activists globally. They get into AI territory with a look at OpenClaw, why treating AI like an intern is actually good advice, and what happens when an email goes catastrophically wrong in the age of AI automation.

Derek Ross and Heather Larson break down the three skills everyone needs to stay ahead as AI accelerates faster than most people realize. They cover the massive gap between public perception and what AI can actually do right now, why OpenClaw's acqui-hire by OpenAI matters, how Nostr DMs are finally about to get fixed, and what the Matt Shumer article "Something Big Is Happening" means for regular people who haven't been paying attention.

In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, Derek Ross and Heather Larson discuss the evolving landscape of decentralized social media and AI. They explore simplifying jargon to make technology more accessible, share upcoming events in the decentralized space, and delve into the addictive nature of AI and productivity tools.

Nights in Nashville, the rise of AI agents on Nostr, the launch of CLAWSTR (a social network for AI bots), Web of Trust, upcoming events, and the Agora activist app.

What happens when AI meets the decentralized web? Derek Ross and Heather Larson of Soapbox are excited to talk about the rapidly evolving world of AI assistants, like the viral sensation of Moltbot (formerly Clawdbot).

Derek Ross recaps his weekend at the AI Hack for Freedom hackathon in Austin, where the Soapbox team built Pathos—a freedom-fighting app for Venezuelan activists. Plus: new Shakespeare integrations, Derek's Onyx productivity tool, and Heather’s open source geocaching in Arizona.

This week, we get a cameo appearance from a real celebrity—Derek’s dog! The big question about Nostr for a long time now has been hard to figure out, but we finally have solid clues. That question is how many people are actually using Nostr!?

In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, Derek and Heather share exciting developments in decentralized technology and AI for 2026, which they call the year of the builder. They explore innovative projects like vibe coding on smart fridges at Best Buy, using AI as an administrative assistant, and the importance of feedback in development. The conversation also touches on the future of app development, the need for interoperability in decentralized applications, and the role of BitChat as a freedom tool in Uganda. The episode emphasizes the power of community and technology in shaping the future.

This week on Soapbox Sessions…Derek’s Gen Alpha kid gets feedback from his high school teacher on an AI assignment and Heather’s Gen Z niece has had a completely different take on AI as a college student. The two talk this week about how 2026 will be The Year of the Builder.

In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, Derek Ross and Heather Larson discuss the evolution of decentralized social platforms and AI, reflecting on Derek's three-year journey with Nostr and his transition to full-time work in the decentralized tech space.

In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, Derek Ross and Heather Larson give a Nostr 101 so you can learn the basics of this open source protocol that works for social media, apps, music, and more.

In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, Derek shares the Nostr predictions he made for 2025 and how true they became (or how they missed). Heather didn’t make predictions over the past couple of years she’s been on Nostr, so she makes 2026 New Year’s Resolutions instead. They talk about the need for better privacy solutions and the decline of traditional messaging apps like Telegram. Heather and Derek also discuss various aspects of social media management, the need for better on-boarding experiences in Nostr, and the future of e-commerce and music apps. They emphasize the importance of spending Bitcoin within a circular economy and make predictions about the growth of Nostr and potential challenges ahead. We’ll bookmark this one and come back December 2026 to see what came true!

In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, Derek Ross and Heather Larson explore the evolving landscape of decentralized social media and AI. They discuss personal experiences at Nostrshire and Bitfest in the UK, the importance of privacy and data ownership, and the potential of Nostr to reshape the Internet. The conversation also gets into the challenges of vibe coding, community engagement, and the introduction of new features in Shakespeare, emphasizing the collaborative nature of development in this space.

In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, Derek Ross and Heather Larson discuss the latest developments in decentralized social media and AI, focusing on the excitement surrounding the new app, diVine, a reboot of the classic social media video app Vine.

In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, Derek Ross and Heather Larson discuss the latest developments in decentralized social and AI, focusing on the integration of Bitcoin payments through Square and its implications for small businesses. They explore the benefits of using Bitcoin for merchants, including lower fees and faster transactions. They also share info about the recent SatsConf event in Brazil, where a good portion of the Soapbox development team was able to see how folks in the global south approach vibe coding.

In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, Derek Ross and Heather Larson talk about decentralized social communication and AI as usual. They discuss Nostr apps, the role of centralization, and the importance of user experience. They explore the ongoing debates within the Nostr community about Damus vs. Primal and the possible “centralization” factor one of those apps may have (according to some) Heather and Derek cover the impact of centralization on app performance, and the future potential for hybrid apps. The conversation also touches on the significance of Cashu and its privacy features, as well as the broader implications of decentralized technology in global contexts. The duo are in #NutNovember using Cashu, a new technology that may be controversial but deserves to be explored.

This episode veers into an early celebration of “Festivus,” or the airing of grievances. Heather and Derek explore the challenges musicians face in the value-for-value music space, the importance of user feedback, and the technical hurdles of onboarding new users to Nostr. They’re honest about the need for better user experience across Nostr apps.

In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, Derek Ross and Heather Larson explore the intersection of the decentralized social media, Nostr, and AI, discussing their recent experiences at Nostr Valley. They delve into the beauty of State College, Pennsylvania, the innovative tools being developed for community building, and the importance of user-centric applications. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of content monetization, the significance of Web of Trust, and the collaborative spirit of vibe coding in tech development. In this conversation, Heather Larson and Derek Ross explore the rapid evolution of app development, particularly through the lens of vibe coding.

In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, Derek Ross and Heather Larson explore the evolving landscape of decentralized social media and AI. They discuss the importance of community resilience, share personal stories, and highlight events like Nostr Valley in State College, PA, and Nostrville, in Nashville, TN. They share about the value for value model in music, the impact of AI on creativity, and the significance of understanding Web of Trust (WoT) in Nostr.

In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, hosts Derek Ross and Heather Larson dive into the world of decentralized social communication and AI. They discuss the Halloween hackathon and the launch of Shakespeare Act II. The conversation also touches on the music industry, with indie singer Suzanne Santo joining Nostr and the impact of decentralized platforms on artists. The hosts share their experiences with possible AI addiction, vibe coding, and the evolving landscape of AI models. They also highlight upcoming Nostr events you can attend in State College, Pennsylvania, along with Nashville, Tennessee, and the importance of community engagement.

In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, your hosts, Derek Ross and Heather Larson, discuss the latest developments in decentralized social communication and AI. They highlight the Imagine If conference that Derek attended in Nashville, the challenges of protecting children in a permissionless digital world, and innovative projects emerging from the Hack for Freedom event. They emphasize the importance of parental involvement and education in navigating these technologies, while also exploring the potential of AI tools to foster community building and problem-solving.

Derek Ross and Heather Larson of Soapbox Technology sit down to chat about what’s buzzing in the decentralized social space of Nostr and AI for a fresh edition of Soapbox Sessions. They break down their new podcast platform, Podstr, which they vibe coded using Soapbox tools, and why giving power back to the community matters.

In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, your hosts, Derek Ross (DevRel) and Heather Larson (Marketing Director), explore the latest developments in the decentralized internet, Nostr, and AI. They discuss the significance of “zaps” and “boosts” in podcasting and other content creation, the rise of live streaming on Nostr, and the impact of Bitchat during protests. Derek & Heather also highlight upcoming events in the Nostr community and a new feature from music streaming platform Tidal that allows independent artists to earn directly from their music, using CashApp.

In this episode of Soapbox Sessions, hosts Derek Ross and Heather Larson dive deep into the world of Nostr, a decentralized way of doing everything from social media to building apps. They discuss the basics of Nostr, its significance, user experience, and the importance of decentralization in today's world where the user has very little control. The conversation explores the risks associated with legacy social media platforms, their personal journeys of discovering Nostr, and the community building that is taking place within this new ecosystem. They also touch on the future of Nostr, upcoming events you can attend, and the shift in social media dynamics. On The Soapbox Sessions, we always emphasize how Nostr serves the need for user control and privacy.

Join Soapbox DevRel, Derek Ross, and Marketing Director, Heather Larson, for a relaxed chat about what’s happening in decentralized social media, AI, and the Nostr community. They’ll walk you through the newest app updates, talk about the trends shaping the “purple‑verse,” and share a few stories from the front lines. What you’ll learn in this episode: How Nostr helps people build truly decentralized communities. New Android release: the Amethyst app for Nostr. A quick look at Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat and what makes it different. Takeaways from “BTC HEL(sinki)” and the future of the Internet The rise of “vibe coding,” or AI‑assisted development. Some cool projects the Soapbox team is working on, like Podstr The thing we can’t tell you about, but we’ll call it “Purpleverse” for now… Coming up next week: Catch a new episode each Thursday for more insights and updates on decentralized tech. You can listen at sessions.soapbox.pub or on any major podcast platform.