Best Star Merchant Podcasts (2026)

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The NBA’s 65-Game Rule Is Doing Its Job — Stop Trying to Save Stars 27:12

Play Pause

1h ago27:12

27:12

Nikola Jokic goes down with a knee injury — and suddenly the volume spikes to kill the NBA’s 65-game minimum for MVP and All-NBA eligibility. Coincidence? Or the latest example of the league (and its loudest voices) trying to rewrite the definition of greatness in real time? In the first On The Ball episode of 2026, Ric Bucher explains why the 65-g…

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The Poison Pill of Aging Champions: Why the Lakers & Warriors Can’t Quit Their Cores 27:36

15m ago27:36

27:36

The NBA loves a fairytale ending — legends riding off into the sunset with one last ring. But the reality is harsher: aging championship stars can become a “poison pill” for franchises, locking teams into oversized salaries, outdated roster-building, and stalled player development. In this episode of On The Ball, Ric Bucher breaks down why it’s so …

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Our Top Stories From 2025 50:24

7d ago50:24

50:24

Blockspace Boys — Charlie, Colin, and Will — join us to count down the most impactful and wildest stories of the year. They dive deep into the ICE raid on a Texas Bitcoin mine, the end of Operation Chokepoint 2.0, and the industry-wide pivot to AI and HPC. We also discuss Trump’s tariffs causing miner panic, the "Treasury Narrative" bust, and the l…

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Quantum's $100 Billion Threat To Bitcoin 46:36

5d ago46:36

46:36

Charlie and Colin join us to talk about the existential risk of quantum computing. We break down Nick Carter's latest research, the timeline for a potential quantum break, and the 2 million Bitcoin currently at risk. We debate the ethics of "burning" Satoshi's coins to save the network, the technical challenges of forking to quantum-resistant signa…

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When Championships Become the Only Measure: Steve Kerr, Steph Curry & NBA Expectations Gone Wrong 31:11

6d ago31:11

31:11

In this double-shot episode of On The Ball with Ric Bucher, Ric takes on two of the NBA’s most emotionally charged debates: Is Steve Kerr really holding the Golden State Warriors back — and why has championship-or-bust become the only standard by which star players are judged? With Warriors fans calling for Steve Kerr’s firing, Ric breaks down why …

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#343: Leveraging AI to Close Real Estate Loans Faster with Zach Farkas, Army Veteran 19:22

10d ago19:22

19:22

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Tampa, FL on January 26th & 27th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Speaker Bio: Zach Farkas is the founder of Relos, a proptech company automating real estate workflows to streamline transaction coordination and reduce hours of manual …

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Inside the $220M Bitcoin Infrastructure SPAC w/ Ryan Gentry 42:08

10d ago42:08

42:08

Ryan Gentry, CEO of Bitcoin Infrastructure Acquisition Corp (BIXI), joins us to talk about taking a Bitcoin company public via SPAC. We dive into his journey from aerospace engineering to Lightning Labs, and why so many engineers flock to Bitcoin. Ryan breaks down the current state of Bitcoin infrastructure, the massive opportunity in Bitcoin lendi…

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is NOT a “Free-Throw Merchant” | Thunder 23–1 Start, MVP Race & Why the Jordan vs LeBron Debate is Broken 25:39

23d ago25:39

25:39

Welcome back to On The Ball with Ric Bucher on the United Wecast Network. In this episode, Ric dives deep into why calling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a “free-throw merchant” is one of the dumbest narratives in the league right now — and how it’s overshadowing a potentially historic season from both SGA and the 23–1 Oklahoma City Thunder. 🔥 In this epi…

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This New Bitcoin Proposal Would Steal Your Bitcoin 40:14

15d ago40:14

40:14

Today, we break down the controversial "CAT" proposal by Claire Ostrom. This idea suggests snapshotting and burning UTXOs associated with Ordinals and Stamps to curb spam. We analyze the technical flaws, the failed game theory, and why seizing user coins—even "dirty" ones—sets a dangerous precedent for Bitcoin censorship and on-chain confiscation. …

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Why The 2025 Bitcoin Bull Run Failed Us 28:45

21d ago28:45

28:45

Today, we unpack the "underwhelming" 2025 bull market. Was $126k really the top? We dive into the data showing Bitcoin's 4-year ROI is virtually indistinguishable from the S&P 500 and Gold. We also break down Meltem Demirors’ viral thread on why "Proof of Stake was a mistake", how TradFi revenue has officially flipped DeFi, and why the meme coin su…

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Why the Lakers Are On Thin Ice: LeBron’s Disconnect, Luka’s Usage Problem & the Trade Value Collapse of Ja/LaMelo/Trae 29:27

1M ago29:27

29:27

In this episode of On The Ball, Ric Bucher delivers one of his most detailed breakdowns yet on the state of the Los Angeles Lakers, the viral moment that exposed LeBron James’ disconnect, and why their chemistry is quietly fraying beneath the surface. Ric walks through the full context behind the clip of LeBron ignoring a play call, Luka Doncic’s c…

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The Conspiracy Was True: Operation Chokepoint 2.0 27:36

24d ago27:36

27:36

We discuss the bombshell report from the House Committee on Financial Services that confirms the existence of **Operation Chokepoint 2.0**—a coordinated, extralegal effort by the Biden Administration to push the crypto industry out of the US banking system. Review Nic Carter's original exposes, how the "conspiracy" became formal documentation, and …

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#342: Strengthening the Backbone of Business (and Self) with Omar Ritter, USMA '00 39:30

26d ago39:30

39:30

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ Want to join us in Tampa, FL on January 26th & 27th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events ____ Omar Ritter is a West Point graduate, fractional CFO, and the author of West Point to Wall Street: My Journey to Mental Wellness. Currently serving as an Area President…

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Bitcoin Ruined Your Thanksgiving (Here's What To Do) 26:09

28d ago26:09

26:09

We analyze Bitcoin's historical holiday performance from 2012-2024, revealing that Thanksgiving-to-Christmas returns are a perfect 50/50 coin toss. We break down why 2017's spectacular bull run spoiled expectations, how the COVID-era 2020 produced the GOAT Thanksgiving shill with 69% gains, and why dollar cost averaging is the only advice worth giv…

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A Warriors-Kings Trade That Makes Sense and Payback In Effect 25:13

1M ago25:13

25:13

In this episode of On The Ball with Ric Bucher, Ric dissects the rumor of renewed future trade talks between two struggling teams, the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings, that would involve Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield and Moses Moody for Kings All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis and promising young guard Keon Ellis. Ric explains why the dea…

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Bitcoin Collapse: Here's Who's Bleeding In The Street 32:21

1M ago32:21

32:21

Colin and Charlie break down the brutal November 2025 Bitcoin selloff. With BTC trading at $87K, the average ETF holder is now underwater, hash prices are at all-time lows, and treasury companies like MicroStrategy and Nokia are facing serious headwinds. We discuss whether this is just typical Bitcoin volatility or something more concerning, analyz…

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What LeBron's Return Means for the Lakers & an Anthony Davis Reality Check 29:35

1M ago29:35

29:35

In this episode of On The Ball, Ric Bucher breaks down LeBron James’ long-awaited season debut—and why the box score doesn’t tell the truth about how the 40-year-old superstar actually looked against the Utah Jazz. Bucher digs deep into what LeBron’s return means for the Lakers’ chemistry, the Luka-LeBron power shift, and why L.A.’s defensive issue…

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Bitcoin & Islamic Finance 45:22

2M ago45:22

45:22

Allen Farrington and Harris Irfa explain their seminal paper "Bitcoin, Fiat and Islamic Finance." They dive into why Islamic banking is an oxymoron, how riba (interest/usury) connects to fractional reserve banking, and why Bitcoin naturally produces Islamic-compliant financial systems. Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia…

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Did Jack Dorsey Fix The Bitcoin Merchant Problem? 26:30

2M ago26:30

26:30

We break down Jack Dorsey's massive Bitcoin rollout across Cash App and Square—4M merchants can now accept BTC payments via Lightning and mainnet. We explore how Bitcoin rails are undercutting Visa/Amex fees, the Strike-style settlement strategy, and the controversial BIP 177 denomination debate. Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.bloc…

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Nico Harrison -- Culprit or Fall Guy? 30:15

2M ago30:15

30:15

🎧 In this On The Ball episode, Ric Bucher breaks down the full story behind the Dallas Mavericks’ shocking trade of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers — and the firing of GM Nico Harrison that followed. Bucher exposes the real dynamics inside the Mavericks front office, from owner Patrick Dumont’s reactionary leadership to how Michael Finley and…

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$120K Bitcoin Call, Stablecoins, and 2026 BTC Market w/ Galaxy Research Alex Thorn 43:12

2M ago43:12

43:12

Alex Thorn, Head of Research at Galaxy Digital, joins us to talk about why Galaxy revised their Bitcoin end-of-year target from $185K to $120K, the competitive headwinds from gold (up 57% vs Bitcoin's 12%), AI investments, and stablecoins, the October 10th leverage wipeout, Bitcoin's maturation into a lower-volatility asset, whale distribution patt…

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The 7 Indicators Saying The Bull Market Isn't Over 22:35

2M ago22:35

22:35

We dive deep into Coinglass's Bull Market Peak Indicators showing zero out of 30 signals flashing bear market warnings. Despite recent price drops and worst jobs data in 22 years, Bitcoin dominance sits at 59% (65% triggers peak warnings), Pi cycle top indicator remains green, and long-term holders absorbed $52.2B in sell pressure. Subscribe to the…

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Ja Morant's Future, Zion's Stagnation & Wemby's Rise: It's Time For A MAGPA Movement 31:19

2M ago31:19

31:19

In this episode of On The Ball (United WeCast Network), Ric Bucher breaks down the widening gap between American-born NBA stars and their international counterparts — and what it says about player development, discipline, and leadership in today’s game. Bucher dives into the latest around Ja Morant, including front-office chatter about his trade va…

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Inside Russia's Secret Bitcoin Mining Industry 29:09

2M ago29:09

29:09

Anna Baydakova, Senior Reporter at CoinDesk joins us to talk about Russia's complex relationship with Bitcoin. From Putin's surprising embrace of crypto mining to the grey market of mining rig distribution, Anna reveals how sanctions transformed Russia's crypto landscape. We explore Siberian mining operations and why Russians increasingly turn to B…

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#341: Helping Defense Contractors Work Smarter with AI, Anthony Pinto USNA '14 31:55

2M ago31:55

31:55

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ ____ Anthony Pinto is the founder of Veteran Vectors, an AI consulting and automation company serving defense and government contractors. A former submarine officer with nine years of service, Anthony previously appeared on the SABM podcast in April 2020 while sti…

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Gold Investors Are Taking A Victory Lap 21:43

2M ago21:43

21:43

Gold Investors Are Taking A Victory Lap! Colin explains how Boomer goldbugs finally get to take a victory lap as Bitcoin gets beaten out by gold in 2025. Were Bitcoiners wrong about the debasement trade?Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.comNotes:• Gold beats Bitcoin in 2025• Gold is winning the debasement trade• It’s a…

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Riley Goes Euro, Ant's Missing Ingredient, Odd Lineups Explained 32:55

2M ago32:55

32:55

On The Ball with Ric Bucher delivers sharp, no-nonsense NBA analysis from veteran insider Ric Bucher (FS1, Fox Sports Radio) on the United WeCast Network. In this episode, Ric examines how the NBA’s entertainment engine shapes today’s game and player development, contrasting it with EuroLeague and international club systems. He spotlights Pat Riley…

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The Insanity of Bitcoin's Newest Soft Fork 33:48

2M ago33:48

33:48

Rob Hamilton from AnchorWatch joins us to talk about the explosive BIP 444 proposal that could fork Bitcoin. We break down PortlandHodl's original 520-byte output limit idea, LukeDashjr's controversial technique to ban inscriptions, and the legal pressure being applied to mining pools. Rob explains why this fork will likely fail, what happens to yo…

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Did The CIA Create Bitcoin? 27:56

2M ago27:56

27:56

Tucker Carlson says the CIA probably created Bitcoin. We go back to the very beginning – to Gavin Andresen and the 1996 NSA paper on digital cash. The rabbithole goes very deep! (And we explain why it’s probably FUD) Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com Notes: • 1996 NSA paper on digital cash • Gavin Andresen 2011 CIA…

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#340: Building a National Real Estate Brand for Veterans with Travis Winfield, USN Ret.'16 23:13

2M ago23:13

23:13

Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/ ____ Travis Winfield is the founder of Military Operated Real Estate, and author of the upcoming book Military Money and More. A retired Navy Command Senior Chief with 24 years of service, Travis founded the Winfield Group in Southern California, successfully help…

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NBA Opening Night Torch Passing & The Mindset That Is Killing American Talent 36:16

2M ago36:16

36:16

Ric opens On the Ball by introducing his upcoming book, The Value of Being Coachable, which highlights lessons from legends like Steph Curry and Brandi Chastain, and outlines his three weekly shows—Full Court Passport (international hoops), On the Ball (solo NBA analysis), and Finding the Seams (with Brendan Haywood on college-to-pro transitions). …

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What we know about the FTX insolvency 3 years later 43:23

2M ago43:23

43:23

Investigative reporters Jonathan & Sophie dive much deeper into what happened *after* SBF was ousted. Hundreds of thousands of individual customers became creditors, getting paid in dollar values from the bankruptcy filing date when the market bottomed out (Meanwhile, nearly $1 billion in fees went to the bankruptcy process expenses) When you're wa…

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The Bitcoin "Dusting" Attack You Didn't Know About W/ Galaxy Digital 33:19

3M ago33:19

33:19

Zach Pokorny from Galaxy Digital joins us to discuss their deep investigation into the mysterious 80,000 Bitcoin whale that moved last summer. The report uncovers a massive dusting campaign targeting over 40,000 addresses holding 2.3 million BTC with fake "abandoned property" notices. We dive into the Salomon Brothers connection, the $90K cost of t…

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Warriors' Dilemma: Small Ball Has Become Tall Ball 25:45

3M ago25:45

25:45

Ric dives into an in-depth analysis of why the Golden State Warriors may struggle to match last season’s success despite Steph Curry’s brilliance and Jimmy Butler’s leadership. He argues that the NBA’s evolution toward “tall ball”—skilled, athletic bigs replacing traditional small-ball lineups—has neutralized the Warriors’ once-revolutionary style.…

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Strategy's Path To $10 Trillion 37:03

3M ago37:03

37:03

Pio Vincenzo joins us to talk about why MicroStrategy could become a $10 trillion company, how Bitcoin miners like Riot and Cipher are pivoting to AI infrastructure, and why the traditional four-year Bitcoin cycle is officially dead. Pierre breaks down the Bitcoin treasury company trend, explains why time is on Bitcoin's side, and shares his contro…

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Bitcoin Miners Don’t Care About The Filter Debate 19:35

3M ago19:35

19:35

We're reporting live from the North American Blockchain Summit in Dallas, Texas, where roughly 30% of the world's Bitcoin hashrate is decided. The shocking reality? Bitcoin miners don't care about Core v30 or technical debates. They care about electrons, steel, aluminum, and profit. We break down how Foundry became the largest pool with 0% fees, wh…

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Why Filters Are Playing Into The Fed's Hands w/ Fluffypony 1:03:26

3M ago1:03:26

1:03:26

Riccardo Spagni (Fluffypony), former Monero lead maintainer, joins the Bitcoin filter debate and explains why it's following the same playbook as the blocksize wars. Riccardo explains his early studies on Sybil attacking Bitcoin nodes, why filtering is fundamentally broken censorship, the thankless job of being a protocol maintainer. We also discus…

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The State of Kuminga and LeBron's Decision of All Decisions 41:28

3M ago41:28

41:28