With the relay gossip model, most can run their own relays, use them and it will all just work.

Is this what Damus is trying to do?

Snort, Iris, Like and maybe others support gossip now. Damus and Primal will at some point this year.

Sorry I meant what @will is currently working on with The Relay is in The Phone and if it's more than just gossip. Yana is another client that currently uses gossip.