Bitcoin and blockchain are reshaping money, trust, and the future of AI.
In Episode 189 of the Disruption Now Podcast, Rob Richardson sits down with Andrew Burchwell, Executive Director of the Ohio Blockchain Council, to break down why blockchain matters more than ever—and why understanding it now is critical for anyone navigating the next decade of technology.

This conversation dives into Bitcoin’s core value as a trust engine, why blockchain is essential for the AI era, how decentralized systems empower individuals and communities, and the massive economic transformation coming to states like Ohio. Andrew shares the personal story behind his leap from a secure energy-tech career into full-time blockchain advocacy, why his faith guided the transition, and how local policy can unlock global innovation.

We unpack the realities behind Bitcoin’s volatility, long-term value, inflation, the S-curve of exponential tech adoption, and why blockchain should be seen as a utility—not a gamble. You’ll learn how agentic AI will depend on blockchain rails for payments, how on-chain verification combats deepfakes, and why crypto is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for regions left behind by globalization.

Andrew also shares why privacy matters, what people misunderstand about crypto, where regulation should (and shouldn’t) go, and why the next five years will be the fastest technological pivot in human history.

If you’ve been curious, skeptical, or overwhelmed by crypto, this is the conversation that makes it all click.

What You’ll Learn:

Why Bitcoin is “better, faster, more secure money”
How blockchain + AI together solve trust, speed, and verification gaps
Why inflation quietly erodes wealth and how Bitcoin counters it
The real difference between gambling memes vs. real digital assets
How agentic AI will need blockchain for payments and micro-transactions
Why Ohio is emerging as a national leader in blockchain policy
How decentralized tech can help rebuild forgotten communities
Where privacy, transparency, and security intersect in Web3

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome & Andrew’s story
03:15 Why he left a secure career for blockchain
09:45 The meaning of Bitcoin as sound money
14:20 Inflation, trust, and why blockchain matters
19:30 Blockchain + AI: the critical connection
26:40 Privacy, regulation & misuse: what’s real
33:10 Meme coins vs. real utility
38:20 The next 5 years: “The Pivot”
42:15 What’s ahead for Ohio & crypto

Quick Q&A:

Q: Why does Bitcoin matter today?
A: It creates trust, speed, and financial sovereignty in a system where inflation and centralization reduce purchasing power.

Q: How do AI and blockchain work together?
A: AI creates speed; blockchain creates trust and verification. Together they enable secure agentic automation.

Q: What do people misunderstand most about crypto?
A: They confuse speculation with utility. Blockchain’s long-term value is in its function, not its hype.

Connect with Andrew Burchwell:

Website / Organization: https://ohioblockchain.org/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/AndrewBurchwell
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-burchwell-a7284994/
Ohio Blockchain Council (organization page): https://ohioblockchain.org/

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Music credit:
calm before storm - moñoñaband