The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin

In this episode of The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin podcast, host Marisa Estrada Rivera (aka Ritzy P) sits down with Arushi Sood Joshi, founder and CEO of Zult, Inc. With over 25 years of experience leading digital asset strategies at giants like Wells Fargo, MasterCard, and Visa, Arushi shares her deep insights into why the financial system needs an operational upgrade. The conversation dives into th...

In this episode of The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin , host Cleve Mesidor sits down with Nilmini Rubin, Chief Policy Officer at Hedera and a seasoned Washington insider. With a career spanning the White House National Security Council, the U.S. Senate, and tech giants like Meta, Nilmini brings an elite policy perspective to the digital asset frontier. The conversation dives deep into how her background...

In this episode of The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin , host Cleve Mesidor sits down with two-term SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce—affectionately known as "Crypto Mom" and "Crypto's Architect"—for an engaging conversation. As Commissioner Peirce prepares to conclude her impactful tenure at the SEC later this year, she shares her unique origin story, vision for a digital asset...

Against the backdrop of the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner Weekend and National Financial Education Month, butterscotch Media convenes a virtual session: “TRUST MEDIA.” With a focus on digital finance, the forum explores issues around audience-trust and the impact and importance of niche media. The event features founders who are bridging the trust gap via newsletters, podcasts, an...

In this episode of The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin, Ritzy P and Cleve Mesidor host a masterclass on digital asset taxation. The conversation features Sulolit "Raj" Mukherjee, Founder and CEO of Bodin Advisory LLC and former head of the IRS Office of Digital Assets. Raj provides a "360 view" of tax policy—bridging the gap between the US Treasury and decentralized finance. Raj expla...

In this episode of The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin , Ritzy P and Cleve Mesidor host TuongVy Le, General Counsel at Veda and former SEC official. They discuss bridging the gap between federal regulation and decentralized finance, moving past the "Degen phase" toward institutional-grade consumer protection. All Things Butterscotch Ecosystem Updates: Cleve Mesidor highlights the expansion of B...

In this Season 2 premiere of The Get Down Beyond Bitcoin , host Ritzy P kicks off with a high-stakes look at the 2026 crypto landscape. The episode begins with a deep dive into Butterscotch Media’s second anniversary and the evolving state of digital asset regulation, followed by an interview with Malik Corbett, CEO of Hekaton, on the transition from traditional finance to decentralized innovation...

In this episode of The Get Down, we delve into the dynamic world of cryptocurrency policy and advocacy with Kristin Smith, a leading figure in the space. Cleve Mesidor, a longtime friend and collaborator of Kristin's, takes us on a journey through Kristin's impressive career, from her days on Capitol Hill to her pivotal roles as CEO of the Blockchain Association and soon-to-be President...

In this episode of The Get Down, Cleve Mesidor interviews Congressman Darren Soto of Florida. Congressman Soto discusses his inspiration for becoming a crypto champion in Congress, his legislative achievements including the National Defense Authorization Act amendments, his vision for a smart regulatory framework, and more! Be sure to sign up for our newsletter, Chews !  Darren Soto was elected to...

In this episode of The Get Down, Cleve Mesidor interviews former congressman Wiley Nickel, discussing his journey as a crypto advocate in Congress. They cover the importance of bipartisan efforts in shaping legislation around blockchain and cryptocurrency, the need for equitable consumer protectionand financial inclusion, the significance of stablecoin legislation, and more. Also, Ritzy P. and Cle...

In this episode of The Get Down, host Ritzy P. talks with Keiko Yoshino, the executive director of the Puerto Rico Blockchain Trade Association. Keiko shares her journey into the world of blockchain and crypto, the founding of the association, her educational initiative CryptoCurious, and the importance of inclusivity in the crypto space. Keiko highlights the impact of her work on the local commun...

In this special Spanish-language episode of The Get Down, host Ritzy P sits down with Mónica Talán, the founder of  CryptoConexión, who shares her journey into the crypto space and the inspiration behind creating  CryptoConexión - to provide accessible, Spanish-language content and resources to empower the Latino community to participate in the rapidly evolving world of decentralized finance and e...

In this episode of The Get Down, Ritzy P. interviews Debra Brookes about her professional journey, detailing her entry into the crypto space and her experiences with regulatory frameworks like the BitLicense. She discusses her current role in developing a state-issued stable coin in Wyoming, emphasizing the importance of balancing innovation with regulatory oversight. Debra also highlights the cha...

In this episode of The Get Down, Ritzy P. interviews Richard Ng and Jake Foreman about  their journeys into the world of Web3 and the founding of IndigiDAO, an initiative aimed at empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs through decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). They discuss the core objectives of IndigiDAO, the impact of a significant grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the...

In this episode of The Get Down, Ritzy P. interviews Dr. Tonya M. Evans, an attorney, academic, and founder, about the changing crypto landscape and her book, Digital Money Demystified. They discuss the importance of policy over politics, the need for inclusive policy making, and the challenges of pushing for change in the crypto industry. Dr. Evans also shares her thoughts on the future of crypto...

The Democratic Convention is in full swing and the crypto community is making its presence felt. On this episode of The Get Down, butterscotch Media’s own Cleve Mesidor and Ritzy P sit down live at the Chicago DNC to discuss the incredible events they have hosted and been part of in recent weeks, share their insider perspective straight from the convention floor, and their hopeful outlook on the f...

In this episode of The Get Down, host Ritzy P sits down with Amena Ross at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in Chicago to discuss her journey into the world of crypto, her insights on the evolving political landscape of digital assets and the immense potential to create economic spaces of empowerment and opportunities through digital assets, decentralization, and blockchain. Amena also shar...

In this episode of The Get Down, host Ritzy P. sits down with Tiffany J. Smith to discuss the importance of understanding the intersection between old rules and new technologies in the regulatory and compliance space and the need to focus on financial inclusion rather than political affiliations. They also discuss the success of the inaugural Blockchain Brain Trust Retreat at Martha’s Vineyard and...

In this episode of The Get Down, host Ritzy P sits down with Corey “Jayohcee” Jocko to discuss how he has utilized blockchain and NFTs to showcase his art and music, and how it has provided new opportunities for indigenous artists. Corey also highlights the significance of archiving Indigenous culture and land rights on the blockchain, as well as the potential for physical-digital hybrid experienc...

This episode of The Get Down podcast is all about the future of work and life in the digital age! Special Guest Damu Winston, the global head of Web3 Innovation at Amazon, shares his career journey and insights on the future of work in the digital age. He emphasizes the importance of including marginalized communities, such as Black and Brown individuals, in the conversation and opportunities of e...

On this episode of The Get Down, Cleve Mesidor sits down with Joshua Rivera, Operating Partner and General Counsel at blockchain investment firm Blockchain Capital, to discuss blockchain startups, entrepreneurship, and the evolving regulatory landscape. Joshua shares his journey from lawyer to blockchain advocate and insights from his work investing in innovative crypto projects.  Be sure to sign...

This episode of The Get Down podcast features an insightful conversation on financial inclusion and the potential of emerging technologies like blockchain and AI. Special guest Betsabe Botaitis shares her unique career journey from traditional banking to entrepreneurship in FinTech and web3, and how her diverse experiences have fueled her passion for impacting underserved communities. Plus, host R...

NOTE: The views expressed are Schonda's own, not those of Coin Metrics. Her views are not investment advice. In this episode of The Get Down podcast, host Ritzy P discusses the importance of inclusivity and bipartisanship in crypto policymaking with Cleve Mesidor of Butterscotch Media. They are joined by special guest Shonda Fields of Coin Metrics, who shares her experience bridging tradition...

On this episode of the Butterscotch podcast, The Get Down, Cleve Mesidor and Ritzy P discuss their mission to amplify diverse voices in the emerging tech space. As the founder of Butterscotch Media and a former Obama administration staffer, Cleve shares her journey from politics into crypto and why decentralization was her calling. Ritzy P, founder of Ritzy Periwinkle, dives into her work promotin...

In this special bonus episode of The Get Down, Cleve Mesidor interviews Rashan Colbert, Head of Policy at dYdX Trading, live at Consensus by CoinDesk. They discuss the current regulatory landscape of crypto and the challenges of achieving bipartisanship in the industry. He emphasizes the need for education and a shift in the narrative beyond just store of value.  Rashan also delves into the role o...