#33 - Harris Irfan: Whether BITCOIN Goes Up Or Down Is NOT The Point!
In this conversation, I explore another perspective on the potential future of Bitcoin as sound money, this time with Harris Irfan, a veteran of the Islamic finance industry. We discussed some of the common arguments against Bitcoin as a possible medium of exchange as well as what the transition to a Bitcoin-based world might actually look like. Harris is the CEO of Cordoba Capital Markets and advisor to Onramp MENA. He is former co-founder of Deutsche Bank Islamic Finance. He has three decades of professional experience in London and the Middle East, specialising in Islamic finance and fintech.He is also author of the critically acclaimed best-seller, "Heaven's Bankers: Inside the Hidden World of Islamic Finance". He is Chairman of the UK Islamic FinTech Panel, and has been ranked in the Top 100 BAME Leaders in UK Tech by the Financial Times.Follow Harris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrisirfan/(0:00) Trailer(1:25) Getting orange-pilled(7:43) Is Bitcoin too concentrated?(9:42) Separating money from state(12:17) Is Bitcoin *real* enough?(20:01) Dedollarisation will happen(25:18) Faith and low time preference(31:27) Educate and buy it yourself (37:55) Goods, services and charity(40:56) What about inheritance?(43:20) Grassroots campaigns needed(56:25) Who are the villains?(1:00:28) Having universal concern(1:07:29) What Harris is working on(1:13:50) Becoming excellent(1:15:38) Personal reflections
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#32 - Muhammed Yesilhark: A MASTERCLASS On Why The BITCOIN Revolution Will SAVE Humanity
If you're thinking about the price of Bitcoin in terms of dollars or pounds... you're missing the point. The real power of Bitcoin, says investment expert Muhammed Yesilhark, lies in its intrinsic properties that make it a form of digital gold, i.e. a form of sound money that can protect your savings, help you win back your time and lead to more peaceful, prosperous and purposeful societies. If all this sounds too good to be true... well this conversation is for you. Muhammed is Chief Investment Officer at Noia Capital, Board Member at Dubai Chambers and Co-founder & President at EverGive. He combines years of experience at the highest level of the investment management industry with a proactive approach to philanthropy and a faithful concern for the future of humanity, which he believes will depend in large part on the reestablishment of sound money. Follow Muhammed: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muhammed-yesilhark-b089996/(0:00) Trailer(1:19) Getting introduced to Bitcoin(10:11) The fiat system is illogical(19:52) Why Bitcoin is revolutionary(28:15) Sound money characteristics(48:24) Fixing the incentive structure(58:20) Is there a risk of hoarding?(1:06:48) Less conflict, less crime(1:12:06) Separating money from state(1:16:03) Transition has already begun(1:25:59) Central bank adoption(1:32:40) How to buy Bitcoin(1:35:27) Two effects of AI(1:39:55) Advice for Iqbal(1:45:41) Closing remarks
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#31 - Tarek El Diwany: The SAD Reality Of Our BROKEN Monetary System
I sat down with the wonderful Tarek El Diwany after the recent publication of the 4th Edition of his hugely influential book: The Problem With Interest. We revisited some familiar themes of his work - namely the great harms of interest-based economies and the ills of fiat money creation - as well as his views on Bitcoin as a form of sound money. Tarek also shared his thoughts on whether there is any hope of saving ourselves from the sinking ship in which we all find ourselves. At Tarek's request, this is an audio only episode.See Tarek's website: https://theproblemwithinterest.com(0:00) Introduction(3:31) Conceptual frameworks(6:31) What is the problem with interest?(11:10) Hasn't capitalism reduced poverty?(24:50) Our broken monetary system(30:42) If Tarek were Chancellor...(41:01) Would a mass transition be painful?(44:01) The power of vested interests(49:24) Is Bitcoin the solution?(59:06) Possibilities in the meantime(1:08:01) Truth will win
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#30 - Dr Jennifer Eggert: Policies To Unlock The Full Benefits Of Zero Alcohol
Alcohol consumption has been rapidly declining in Britain, but the full benefits of this trend are yet to be fully understood and unlocked. To discuss what's been happening and what the future could look like, I spoke to the highly experienced Dr Jennifer Eggert, Director of Policy and Research at Equi, about the think tank's new report entitled: "A Teetotal Britain? Learning from Faith Communities." Equi is a new, dynamic, faith-based think tank committed to producing ethically-driven research and policy recommendations on issues affecting the UK.Follow Jennifer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-philippa-eggert-6639a553/Read the full report: https://equi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/08-Equi-Report-Teetotal-Britain.pdfDiscover Equi: https://equi.org.uk(0:00) Trailer(1:31) Introducing Equi's work(8:31) Why discuss this topic?(17:10) Calculating cost & data issues(32:15) Why the fall in consumption?(35:22) Reimagining nightlife(51:50) Changing workplace trends(53:49) Better use of cultural spaces(57:51) How research impacts policy(1:07:10) Equi's future(1:11:15) Jennifer's journey(1:16:01) Career advice(1:22:43) Concluding remarks
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#29 - WHY Muslim identity is IRRELEVANT & HOW Muslim strategy is REDUNDANT
One of my central convictions and most contrarian ideas is that the ways in which we use the terms "Islam" and "Muslim" - not to mention their various transliterated derivatives such as "Islamic" and "non-Muslim" - are inauthentic, inaccurate, misleading and divisive. The identity and strategy of what is supposed to be a deeply faithful and universally impactful community has instead become irrelevant, redundant and insular, in large part because of the misunderstanding and misuse of these foundational terms.I realise that these are significant claims with massive potential consequences for the way believers understand, organise and represent themselves. But, based on my learning and experiences over the last decade in particular, I have come to see them as almost indisputable. I only say 'almost' because I always try to keep an open mind, no matter the level of my conviction. So I welcome critical responses, as long as they're shared... in good faith. With thanks to my highly capable guest host Ali Siddiqui, this episode is a thorough exploration of the above ideas. There is always a lot more to say, which will perhaps follow in due course, if God wills. But if you can't wait...- for a detailed exploration of all 72 nominal and verbal references to the root "aslama / yuslimu" found in revelation, see here: https://www.iqbalnasim.com/products/club-revelation/categories/2152673277- for a related article, see here: https://www.iqbalnasim.com/blog/the-problem-with-islam-and-muslims- read The Meaning and End of Religion: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meaning-Religion-Wilfred-Cantwell-Smith/dp/0800624750(0:00) Trailer(1:07) Review of In Good Faith so far(7:02) Isn't it too late for change?(16:03) Transcending "us and them"(24:10) The tyranny of doctrine(30:17) Tackling our shared challenges(42:32) Universal values & universal concern(51:12) Being deeply in our context(1:17:20) Reconciling revelation with reality(1:34:30) Practical ideas for a better future(1:45:11) The importance of courage
This show is where we explore the God-centred life. We assess how faith can be the basis for human flourishing at the individual and societal level. In particular, we consider the principles and practicalities of meaningful prayer, effective giving and purposeful leadership. For more information, freely available courses and email newsletter, visit https://www.iqbalnasim.com
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