Think you missed the crypto boat? Think again. In this episode of Your Money on Easy Mode, Damien picks up where the last episode left off—this time diving into how to actually get started with cryptocurrency. From choosing an exchange to setting up a wallet, he walks through every step of investing in Bitcoin and Ethereum without the jargon or hype. If you’ve been watching from the sidelines, this is your chance to stop pretending and start understanding.

You’ll learn the basics of buying your first crypto, the difference between storing it on an exchange versus in your own wallet, and why "not your keys, not your crypto" is more than just a catchphrase. Damien also tackles popular myths—like whether crypto is only for criminals or if it's easy money—and lays out the real risks you need to watch out for. From avoiding scams and phishing to understanding market volatility and regulatory concerns, this episode is a complete beginner's guide to navigating the crypto space with confidence.

Whether you're crypto-curious, cautious, or just looking to get smart before you invest, this episode is packed with practical, easy-to-follow advice. Damien’s no-nonsense style will help you cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters. Listen now and take the first real step in your crypto journey—safely, securely, and on easy mode.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:53 Getting Started with Cryptocurrency

11:11 Common Misconceptions about Crypto

15:52 Understanding Crypto Risks

23:22 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

What exactly is cryptocurrency, and why does it seem like everyone’s either obsessed or overwhelmed by it? In this episode of Your Money on Easy Mode, Damien pulls back the curtain on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the blockchain revolution that’s reshaping how we think about money, trust, and value. Whether you’ve been nodding along in crypto conversations without a clue or just curious if you’re too late to the party, this beginner-friendly guide will finally make things click—no jargon, no hype, just clarity.

Damien starts by breaking down what cryptocurrency actually is (digital, secure, decentralized money) and why it’s more than just internet buzzwords. He dives into the origin stories of Bitcoin and Ethereum, from the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto and the infamous pizza purchase to how smart contracts and DeFi took things to the next level. You’ll also learn about the technology that powers it all (spoiler: it’s blockchain), the difference between public and private transactions, and why crypto might already be impacting your life without you realizing it.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by crypto or unsure where to start, this episode is your on-ramp. Tune in and walk away feeling informed, empowered, and ready for what’s next in the digital money space.

Chapters

00:00 Demystifying Cryptocurrency: An Introduction

01:11 Why Cryptocurrency Matters

02:14 Understanding Cryptocurrency Basics

09:40 The Rise of Bitcoin

12:11 Ethereum: Beyond Digital Currency

14:41 The Impact of Bitcoin and Ethereum

17:11 The Future of Money and Trust

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Ever wonder why AI sometimes gives you brilliant answers, and other times total nonsense? In this episode, Damien breaks down the misunderstood concept of prompt engineering, showing how it’s really just good communication dressed in tech jargon. Whether you're brand new to AI or already using it daily, this episode will help you ask smarter questions and get better answers—without the fluff.

Damien walks through seven practical techniques pulled from Google’s 70-page guide on working with large language models, translating them into plain English. You’ll learn how to guide AI with zero-shot, one-shot, and few-shot prompting, assign it a role for more consistent tone, and give it context that actually makes its responses relevant. Plus, he dives into powerful methods like step-back prompting, chain-of-thought reasoning, and self-consistency, so you can train your AI to think before it speaks.

If you’ve ever stared at an AI response thinking, “What were you thinking?”, this episode is your fix. You'll leave with the tools to make AI genuinely useful for budgeting, brainstorming, or just getting unstuck. Hit play and learn how to stop getting weird answers and start making AI work on easy mode.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Prompt Engineering

01:23 Ignore the Tech Bro Jargon

02:04 Shot Prompting for Examples

03:36 Role Prompting for Better Context

05:48 Context Prompting to Set the Scene

06:44 Step-Back Prompting for Thoughtful Responses

07:35 Chain of Thought Prompting for Transparency

08:37 Positive Prompting for Clarity

10:08 Self-Consistency Prompting for Reliable Answers

12:32 Conclusion and Challenge

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Full Example Prompt:

You are a financial coach who helps people categorize their spending to align with their goals. You’re helping a college student build their first budget. They work part-time, have student loans, and are trying to save for a study abroad trip.

Classify each expense as either 'Need', 'Want', or 'Savings/Investment'.

• Example 1: 'Grocery store purchase' → Need

• Example 2: 'Roth IRA contribution' → Savings/Investment

• Example 3: 'Movie theater tickets' → Want

Before we start, define what qualifies as a 'Need,' a 'Want,' or 'Savings/Investment' when helping someone build a monthly budget. Now, using that reasoning, classify the following expenses.

Only label an item as a Need if it’s essential for health, shelter, transportation, or basic living expenses. Label items as Wants if they’re discretionary or lifestyle-related. Label items as Savings/Investment if they contribute to long-term financial goals.

Think step-by-step about the purpose of the expense, how often it's used, and whether it's essential or optional:

• Ramen noodles

• Netflix subscription

• $50 monthly toward study abroad fund

• Used bicycle for commuting