Hi @officialfuzzy! I am quite new to the world of crypto. Paying some attention since 2012, but have fully immersed in the last several months. I am a creative/strategic consultant with a background in education, activism/organizing and the arts. Your community podcast, "Beyond Bitcoin", has lit a fire in my belly about the possibilities for myself and our world - a marriage I've always struggled to understand and articulate. With most of my work in the past existing in the non-profit sector, it had become increasingly difficult to imagine a creative avenue that honored both my values and my natural human desire to prosper.

Your vision, and that of your regular contributors, well - it feels like home. In a chaotic and frenzied space like crypto, it's refreshing to discover thought leaders who understand that personal and global prosperity need not be in conflict in this new age of the trust economy.

All that said, I am writing in hopes of joining the discussion, but in a slightly atypical way. Other than this comment, I have not posted anything to Steemit as yet, and I'd like to keep it that way until I introduce myself on "Beyond Bitcoin". Why? Well, my background in education (with Teach for America and beyond) has taught me a lot about instilling value in "tokens" through the development of trust. PBIS is a system that rewards positive behavior exhibited by students through the physical offering of tokens. The tokens have value for students because they enhance freedom and self-determinism in the course of their education. They earn trust and spend the trust their behavior elicits.

For people like myself who stumble on "Beyond Bitcoin", or any facet of the crypto-space for that matter, a lack of trust (based on a lack of knowledge and relationship, built over time) is probably the biggest factor determining whether or not they join the party. I'd like to offer a different example by introducing myself to you and the community, for the first time, on the podcast.

I realize this is a risk on your end, and I'd love the opportunity through conventional channels to demonstrate my value and trustworthiness if necessary. However, I think it might be more impactful for listeners if they can see and hear candidly that, beyond this request, we have never met or discussed strategy that may be to our mutual benefit and at the cost of others.

So here's what I propose...

Before I roll out my ideas and project plan for "Headblocks" ,(something I can hardly wait to rave about to the world), I'd like to join the hangout next week, 6/30. I'd like two minutes or so, not to introduce my project as a result of upvotes, but simply to introduce myself.

My name is James Haugland. I'm from Highgate Springs, Vermont. I've always had big dreams - and I feel like all my experience, all my inclinations - the very wiring in my brain - has led me to this moment, and I want to do it right. Unmasking may be a dirty word in the Trump administration, but I believe unmasking in our space - revealing a willingness to be vulnerable and offer trust - is the first step to earning it.

The age of proprietary thinking is over. The age of emergence is here. It can't be led or dictated to, but it can be facilitated.

Thanks for your time, and I hope you'll be open to my approach. Let me know if you have any questions, and I hope we can connect soon and often.

Peace,

James
(@Headblock.J)