500 Episodes.

Pass It On.

0days 0hours 0minutes 0seconds

Episode 500 arrives September 28

The #FDSD500 Campaign

For nearly 500 episodes, Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons has been about helping people take control of their security and privacy.

Here are some ways you can help me celebrate this milestone.

Celebrate by Helping Someone

My favorite way to celebrate this milestone is to further the mission. Help somebody. Pick one simple security or privacy improvement and help another person do it.

Choose Your Action Tell Me What Happened

Share the Ripple

You helped someone. Tell people about it. Sharing what you did may inspire somebody else to do the same. Even better, encourage the person you helped to tell their side of the story.

And They Told Two Friends...

Want to keep it going? Consider tagging someone else who might enjoy helping another person — or someone who helped you. No obligation, no chain letter. Just an invitation to pass it along.

Want to Know More?

This is part of the FDSD500 Digital Citizen project. Phase 1 is about improving your own digital security and privacy. Phase 2 is about taking what you've learned and helping someone else. Together, they're part of the bigger idea behind celebrating 500 episodes: turning useful knowledge into action and passing it along.

Start with Phase 1 Read About Phase 2

Share Something That Helped You

Help the next listener find something useful. Tell people what you learned, what you changed, or what you'd recommend.

Tell Your Story

Pick a prompt, make it yours, then choose where you'd like to share it.

Build an FDSD Starter Pack

If someone had never listened before, which 2–3 episodes would you tell them to start with?

Browse the podcast archive, pick your favorites, then share your starter pack with #FDSD500.

Join the Celebration

A milestone should have some fun in it. Pick anything here that sounds interesting.

FDSD500 Merch

Want a physical souvenir from Episode 500? I've made some limited-edition #FDSD500 gear for the occasion.

Browse the FDSD500 collection

From the Archive

Share a favorite episode, an old moment that aged surprisingly well, or something you think new listeners should rediscover.

Where's Your Dragon?

Have one of my Dragon Challenge coins? Post a photo and tell its story: how you got it, where it lives, where it's traveled, or what it means to you.

Roll for 500

Grab a favorite d20 or Dragon Challenge coin and generate yourself a fresh passphrase at D20Key.com. No physical dice handy? The site has virtual dice, too.

Make a Prediction

Give me one prediction about privacy, security, AI, or digital life five years from now. I may save a few for a future time capsule.

Share the Celebration

Got a favorite memory, archive pick, Dragon photo, or prediction? Pass it along.

You've Been Part of the Story

If you've appeared on FDSD, thank you. You helped make these 500 episodes possible. If you'd like to join the celebration, pick whatever sounds fun. One sentence or one post is plenty.

Pick a Favorite

If you've joined me more than once, which conversation was your favorite — and why?

What Stuck?

Tell me one thing you still remember from our conversation, or something that's changed since we talked.

Point to Someone Else

Recommend another guest's episode you enjoyed. Tag them if you'd like; maybe they'll pass another recommendation along.

Send a Tiny Clip

A short audio or selfie-video message, one piece of advice, or a quick “congrats on 500” is more than enough.

Share Your Guest Story

Pick a prompt, personalize it, and share as much or as little as you like.

For Patrons

Patrons have heard conversations and bonus material that most listeners haven't. I'd especially love your help surfacing some hidden gems from that archive.

Your Patron Starter Pack

Which 2–3 patron episodes would you recommend to another patron — or use to show someone what they're missing?

Browse the patron episode collection

Favorite Patron Perk

What's something you've particularly enjoyed about being a patron? Maybe it's Discord access, bonus Q&A, the book club, Merlin's Musings for top patrons, behind-the-scenes videos, or something else.

Share a Patron Favorite

Help surface a hidden gem, a favorite perk, or something you've enjoyed about being part of the patron community.

Visit FDSD on Patreon

A little souvenir, if you want one

Limited-edition #FDSD500 merch is available during the countdown.

Visit the FDSD500 shop