TPB114 - Meet the Pro-Bitcoin Democrat Running for Governor of California

TPB114 - Meet the Pro-Bitcoin Democrat Running for Governor of California

Author: Bitcoin is for Everyone November 4, 2025 Duration: 1:05:06

Our guest today is Ian Calderon. Ian is a former California State Assembly member and the youngest Majority Leader in state history. During his eight years in office, he focused on strengthening California’s economy and fostering innovation, including helping establish the state’s Blockchain Working Group. After leaving the legislature to focus on family and business, he’s now running for governor of California. *Disclaimer* - The Progressive Bitcoiner Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit. As such we do not endorse candidates or parties - we lead with our values and mission to promote Bitcoin education, and focus on Bitcoin for social good and adjacent topics relevant to current events today, including the realm of society and politics.

In this conversation, Ian discusses with Trey his journey from a professional surfer to the California State Assembly to a political candidate running for governor of California. He emphasizes the importance of homeownership, affordability, and the need for innovative solutions in government. Calderon advocates for the use of technology, particularly Bitcoin, as a means to provide financial security and improve government services and fiscal responsibility. This conversation focuses on the need for discussions around Bitcoin to move beyond political partisanship, and Ian’s hope that democrats can lead on issues of technology, including Bitcoin.

This show is brought to you by you, our listeners! We rely on grassroots donations to support our media and education work. To support The Progressive Bitcoiner please donate to our nonprofit today: https://progressivebitcoiner.org/donate/

Follow Trey on X: https://x.com/ktreywalsh

Follow Ian on X: https://x.com/IanCalderon and learn more at https://www.ianforgovernor.com/

To learn more about the Progressive Bitcoiner, head to our website: progressivebitcoiner.org



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit progressivebitcoiner.substack.com

There’s a common story told about Bitcoin, one focused on speculation and a certain type of enthusiast. The Progressive Bitcoiner exists to tell the rest of the story. This podcast moves past the headlines to explore how this technology is being used in tangible, human ways around the world. You’ll hear from organizers, developers, and everyday people who are applying Bitcoin as a practical tool for financial inclusion and personal autonomy. Each conversation focuses on real-world impact, whether that’s supporting human rights work, providing an economic lifeline in unstable regions, or simply offering a new way to think about value and community. Hosted by Bitcoin is for Everyone, the discussions are grounded in education and firsthand narratives, linking the technical foundations to broader cultural and societal shifts. The aim isn’t to hype an asset, but to document a movement. Tune in for a perspective that is often missing from the mainstream conversation-one that finds the progressive potential within a protocol and amplifies the voices already building a more accessible future with it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Progressive Bitcoiner
Podcast Episodes
TPB94 - Not Your Keys, Not Your Bitcoin with Stadicus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:22
"We are really building towards the next millions of bitcoiners that will join the space, and we want to give them no excuse to keep their coins on an exchange." - StadicusMy guest today is Stadicus. Stadicus is a part o…
TPB93 - Democrats need a Bitcoin Strategy with Jason Maier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:23
"Bitcoin is going to do just fine. The adoption will keep going and the understanding will keep going. And the politicians will slowly come on board as the voters do." - Jason MaierMy guest today is Jason Maier. Jason is…
TPB92 - Bitcoin is for Freedom Fighters with Anna Chekhovich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:41
"Bitcoin shouldn't operate like fiat. I see Bitcoin as a tool for freedom." - Anna ChekhovichMy guest today is Anna Chekhovich. Anna is the Director of Finance at the Anti-Corruption Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 20…
TPB91 - Bitcoin is Resistance Money with Bradley Rettler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:47
“A system that works only when the people that you trust are in power is not a very good system." - Bradley Rettler My guest today is Bradley Rettler. Bradley is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of…
TPB90 - Bitcoin is Winning, What now? with Avik Roy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:20
"The reason why Bitcoin will ultimately succeed is because we are more committed to our success than those who oppose us are committed to our failure." - Avik RoyMy guest today is Avik Roy. Avik has an extensive backgrou…
TPB88 - Anyone Can Mine Bitcoin with Kent Halliburton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:44
"Bitcoin mining looks for the lowest cost power... that just happens to be renewable." - Kent Halliburton My guest today is Kent Halliburton. Kent is the CEO & Co-founder of Sazmining, a hosted Bitcoin mining provider ut…
TPB87 - Bitcoin is a Powerful Story with Frank Corva [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:03
"Bitcoin is already solving very real problems for activists around the world." - Frank Corva My guest today is Frank Corva. Frank is a journalist and educator, currently serving as the Business-to-business (B2B) corresp…
TPB86 - Bitcoin Advocacy in the UK with Freddie New and Susie Ward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:06
"Bitcoin enables you to do an awful lot of good in a very short period of time." - Freddie NewMy guests today are Freddie New and Susie Ward from Bitcoin Policy UK, an organization focused on Bitcoin advocacy and educati…
TPB85 - Bitcoin Mining and the Future of Energy with Harry Sudock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:28
"Bitcoin is those last five puzzle pieces we're waiting for to achieve incredible quality of life." - Harry SudockMy guest today is Harry Sudock. Harry is the Chief Strategy Officer at Griid, a purpose-built American-bas…