BREAKDOWN: From Proof of Health to UBI: How Everything Changes Post COVID-19, Feat. Joe McCann
From domestic manufacturing to economic nationalization by proxy to proof of health on a blockchain, a preview of the decade to come.
ABOUT
Joe McCann currently works in cloud and AI at Microsoft and has spent decades in tech, crypto, and open source communities. He recently wrote a piece called “A New, New World Order” all about the second and third order effects of Covid-19.
In this conversation, Joe and NLW discuss:
- Localism and the beginning of the end of globalization
- The return of domestic manufacturing
- The ‘Roaring 20s’ of Inflation
- The inevitability of Universal Basic Income in response to inflation
- QE infinity and the US’s nationalization by proxy
- National healthcare as national security and why microbes are this decade’s terrorists
- Proof of health, and why it’s likely to be implemented on a blockchain
HOST
CoinDesk is the world leader in news, prices and information on bitcoin and other digital currencies.
We cover news and analysis on the trends, price movements, technologies, companies and people in the bitcoin and digital currency world.

EPISODES
The Blockspace Pod: Quantum: The Next Battleground For Bitcoin
Is Bitcoin quantum ready or is it just more FUD? We dive into the technical and social battles between developers and...
Feb 7, 2026
The Blockspace Pod: Bitcoin Craters, French Gov't Challenge MARA Acquisition, Cipher's Note Sees $13B But Interest
Bitcoin nukes to $65k as the industry faces a historic selloff. We cover a massive 13% difficulty drop, France’s push...
Feb 6, 2026
Patrick Witt says 'let's not let perfect be the enemy of good' in stablecoin standoff
Feb 3, 2026

The Mining Pod
Feb 10, 2025

CoinDesk Podcast Network
The top stories and best shows in the blockchain world, delivered daily from the team at CoinDesk.
Dec 20, 2023

Markets Outlook
Tune in as CoinDesk runs down action in the crypto market and some of the most important recent industry development.
Dec 19, 2023

Unchained
Unchained, your no hype resource for all things crypto by former Forbes senior editor Laura Shin, author of The Cryptopians.
Dec 18, 2023
