We also welcome Red Hat VP Mike McGrath for an in‑depth conversation about Lightwell - a new approach to simplifying modern infrastructure, improving predictability, and supporting open source ecosystems at scale. Mike shares insights on AI’s rapid rise, open source economics, partnerships with industry heavyweights, and how Lightwell helps developers, sysadmins, and researchers in real‑world environments.

Along the way, we cover Session chat updates, website security improvements, and reflect on the origins of Destination Linux with Rocco. We wrap with a fun lightning round.

Below are the full timestamps for this episode:

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:01:22 Community Feedback
00:06:44 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:08:14 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:10:37 Session Chat and Website Security
00:16:23 Rocco and the Origins of Destination Linux
00:28:31 Meet Mike McGrath
00:32:28 AI’s Rapid Rise
00:41:00 Open Source Economics
00:47:47 Introducing Lightwell
00:49:55 Why Lightwell Exists
00:53:15 Predictable Security at Scale
00:56:59 Keeping It Simple for Developers
01:00:43 Real-World Security Scenarios
01:02:47 Palo Alto Networks Partnership
01:05:47 What Lightwell Does
01:09:58 Helping Researchers
01:12:40 Getting Started with Lightwell
01:13:45 Roadmap and New Ecosystems
01:17:19 The Lightning Round
01:21:57 Closing Thoughts

Destination Linux is a weekly show where Ryan, Jill, and guests share their passion for Linux and Open Source. Destination Linux is a show for all experience levels, whether you’re a beginner to Linux and Open Source or a long time user, this is the podcast for you. Destination Linux covers a wide range of topics from the latest news, discussions on Linux and Open Source, Linux distributions, Linux applications, security, privacy, AI, gaming on Linux, and unique in-depth interviews with Linux developers and leaders and much more.

Destination Linux website
https://deviantairwaves.com

Become a Patron
https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee
https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

Merch
https://shop.deviantairwaves.com

EFF x Destination Linux
https://eff.org/destinationlinux

Sandfly Security
https://sandfly.com/?utm_source=destinationlinux&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=yt-description

We explore the realities of surveillance, motion‑sensing routers with privacy tradeoffs, and Craig’s full breakdown of the chaos and hype coming out of Black Hat - including agentic AI, guardrails that don’t guard anything, and the growing divide between restricted AI and open‑weight models. Craig also covers the Cold Incident Response Conference, AI‑powered threat detection, and a Bitcoin RNG hack that proves why dice still matter.

Jill celebrates Linux’s 35th birthday and Valve’s 30th anniversary with a look back at the milestones that shaped open source, gaming, and the Linux desktop.

Below are the full timestamps for this episode.

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:02:04 Community Feedback
00:18:28 Destination Linux Session Server
00:22:24 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:24:16 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:25:45 Black Hat Agentic AI Hype
00:38:01 AI Guardrails Fall Short
00:52:13 Linux Turns 35
01:04:25 Valve Turns 30
01:16:00 Closing Thoughts

About the show:
Destination Linux is a weekly show where Ryan, Jill, and guests share their passion for Linux and Open Source. Destination Linux is a show for all experience levels, whether you’re a beginner to Linux and Open Source or a long time user, this is the podcast for you. Destination Linux covers a wide range of topics from the latest news, discussions on Linux and Open Source, Linux distributions, Linux applications, security, privacy, AI, gaming on Linux, and unique in-depth interviews with Linux developers and leaders and much more.

Destination Linux website
https://deviantairwaves.com

Become a Patron
https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee
https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

Merch
https://shop.deviantairwaves.com

EFF x Destination Linux
https://eff.org/destinationlinux

Sandfly Security
https://sandfly.com/?utm_source=destinationlinux&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=player-page

We're joined by Craig Rowland of Sandfly Security https://deviantairwaves.com/sandflysecurity

Special Guest: Craig Rowland.

We celebrate Debian’s 33rd birthday, look at Discord’s newly increased upload limits, explore the lightweight MarkLite Markdown editor, and dive into one of Jill’s favorite new features in Linux Kernel 7.2: USB4STREAM, a retro‑cool way to transfer data directly between machines.

Ryan covers the growing conflict between GrapheneOS and Fairphone, examining what it means for privacy, repairability, and secure mobile devices.

Links From the Show
Sandfly Security – https://deviantairwaves.com/sandfly

Destination Linux Patreon – https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

Destination Linux Store – https://shop.deviantairwaves.com/

EFF x Destination Linux – https://www.eff.org/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee – https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

Linux Kernel USB4STREAM – https://itsfoss.com/news/linux-usb4stream-protocol/
Linux Kernel USB4STREAM – https://www.phoronix.com/news/USB4STREAM-In-Linux-7.2
Debian 33rd Birthday – https://www.phoronix.com/news/Debian-33-Birthday

Debian Announcement Archive – https://wiki.debian.org/DebianHistory?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=Debian-announcement-1993.txt

Discord Upload Limit Update – https://alternativeto.net/news/2026/8/discord-doubles-free-upload-limit-to-20mb-and-unifies-size-checks/

MarkLite 1.1.0 Release – https://mikechilson.com/blog/MarkLite-1.1.0-Released

GrapheneOS vs Fairphone Discussion – https://nitter.net/GrapheneOS/status/2040887784253141142
GrapheneOS vs Fairphone Discussion – https://clubic.com/actualite-604786-murena-e-os-interview.html
GrapheneOS vs /e/OS Analysis – https://codeberg.org/divested-mobile/divestos-website/raw/commit/c7447de50bc8fadd20a30d4cbf1dcd8cf14805a0/static/misc/e.txt
Android Comparison – https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm
GrapheneOS Device Discussion – https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/24134-device

*Timestamps: *

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:01:23 Jill Goes to Vegas
00:23:54 Community Feedback
00:27:59 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:29:48 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:31:48 USB4STREAM Arrives
00:36:49 Debian Turns Thirty-Three
00:44:52 Discord Loosens Upload Limits
00:51:30 Lightweight Markdown Editing
00:56:31 GrapheneOS Versus Fairphone
01:12:18 Closing Thoughts

We kick things off with a critical look at Healthcare Data Security. With the recent Navia benefit solutions breach affecting millions, we discuss why companies are demanding sensitive data they clearly cannot protect—and why it’s time to push back on providing Social Security numbers.

Then, we break down the FCC’s official ban on foreign-made consumer routers. This move has effectively frozen the release of next-gen hardware like Wi-Fi 7 in the U.S. market. We explore the implications for your privacy and why Open-Source firmware (OpenWrt) and DIY hardware (OPNsense/pfSense) are now the ultimate safeguards for your digital sovereignty.

Jill also returns with Part 2 of her SCaLE 23x highlights, featuring heartwarming reunions with Linux legends like Jon “Maddog” Hall and John Robinson (developer of Window Maker), plus a look at the Ubuntu Academy project.

Finally, we cover the latest in Linux Gaming and AI, including Steam Client updates, VR gaming improvements in GE-Proton, and how TurboQuant is revolutionizing AI memory efficiency.

Set your phasers to "Open Source" and join us for a "Plus Ultra" level of geekery!
Timestamps

[00:00:00] Welcome to Destination Linux

[00:04:43] Community Feedback

[00:18:13] Sponsored by Sandfly Security

[00:21:34] Personal Security Stories

[00:28:25] The Social Security Dilemma

[00:34:20] Navia Data Breach

[00:40:07] Highlights from SCaLE 23x

[00:51:42] FCC Bans Foreign-made Routers

[00:57:02] Building Your Own Router

[01:04:44] Steam Client and SteamOS Updates

[01:09:08] VR Gaming in GE-Proton

[01:16:46] TurboQuant Improves AI Memory Efficiency

[01:19:34] Closing Thoughts and Sign Off

References

Community & Tools

FreeDroidWarn Solutions: https://github.com/woheller69/FreeDroidWarn?tab=readme-ov-file#solutions

Sandfly Security (Sponsor): https://deviantairwaves.com/sandfly (Use code DESTINATION50 for 50% off Home Edition)

Navia Healthcare Data Breach: https://lifehacker.com/tech/navia-data-breach-social-security-numbers

SCaLE 23x Photo & Video Gallery: https://imgur.com/a/ZzVIzSA

Jill’s Treasure Hunt (Eee PC/Window Maker): https://youtu.be/AQ5b1pLNSUc

The Privacy Breakthrough: Ryan’s prediction comes true as Motorola and GrapheneOS announce an official partnership. We discuss what this means for the "ThinkPhone" line, the end of Pixel exclusivity, and the future of de-Googled mobile devices in the enterprise and government sectors.

Hardware Innovation: Nate takes us through the Lenovo ThinkBook Modular AI PC. With a detachable secondary OLED screen and swappable I/O tiles, is Lenovo finally taking a page out of the Framework playbook? Plus, we look at the "AI" marketing fatigue and the potential for Linux compatibility on this unique form factor.

The Policy Battle: Zeb dives into the heated debate surrounding California’s AB 1043 and its impact on Linux distributions. We examine the cautious responses from Canonical and Fedora, and the "ultimatum" issued by community members on the Ubuntu mailing list regarding age-verification code.

Smarter Updates: Jill explains how Ubuntu 26.04 "Resolute Raccoon" is splitting its massive 600MB firmware package into 17 vendor-specific pieces to save your bandwidth and reduce server strain.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:02:20 Community Feedback: The "Algonet" and the Death of the Old Internet

00:16:36 New Patron Shout Out

00:19:20 GrapheneOS & Motorola Partner Up: The End of Pixel Exclusivity

00:30:00 Lenovo ThinkBook Modular AI PC: Detachable Screens & Swappable I/O

00:43:00 Age Verification Drama: Ubuntu and Fedora’s Legal Crossroads

01:15:00 Ubuntu 26.04 Firmware Split: Faster Updates for Everyone

In This Episode:
The Return of Zeb: We welcome back as a guest the an OG of the show to talk about the current state of the Linux desktop.

Nextcloud Chaos: Ryan and the crew discuss the journey of moving back to open-source tools and whether the self-hosting struggle is worth the reward.

Wayland Check-in: Is it finally ready for primetime? We look at the progress and the remaining hurdles for the year ahead.

GeForce NOW on Linux: It’s finally (almost) official! We dive into what this means for the future of AAA gaming on the Linux desktop.

Intel’s Open Source Cred: From firmware changes to driver shifts, is Intel losing its status as the "Gold Standard" for Linux users?

Zeb’s Gaming Gauntlet: We wrap up with game reviews specifically chosen to "welcome" Zeb back in the most chaotic way possible.

Timestamps
00:00:00 Intro: New Year, New Linux, Same Zeb

00:02:38 Going Back to Open Source Tools (Nextcloud Chaos)

00:06:50 Community Feedback: AI vs. Human Creativity

00:29:44 Sponsor: Sandfly – Agentless Linux Bodyguard

00:32:31 GeForce NOW on Linux: Official at Last (Almost)

00:44:41 Is Intel Losing Its Open Source Street Cred?

00:58:55 Game Reviews Crafted to Torture Zeb

01:07:37 Thanks Zeb: OG Captain Back on Deck

01:09:01 Outro: Happy New Year!