Some Kind Words

From a listener:

For me, the People You Don’t Know podcast just finished. Up until today, when I saw the one video episode, I was not aware that this was a finished work (one with a definite ending point that had come and gone).

The form of the show was one that clearly became more polished as it went on. I understand that that process of editing took a long time to sort out, and must have been an unwelcome stress on top of your other obligations and projects. That being said, I have to say I appreciated said form and said polish (as it came to be), as well as the unique role the podcast played among podcasts. I hope there comes a time in the future where you take a serious interest in the project again and pick it back up. I thank you for the episodes past, appreciate all you put into it, and hope to enjoy War Rocket Ajax (which you, I am told by you, are also involved in).

I am saving a few episodes, including the final episode, for my personal archives of entertaining, informative, and/or otherwise meaningful audio material.

Good luck in the future. I hope to enjoy War Rocket Ajax; I hope you enjoy it, and any other endeavors you are -currently- involved in. Thank you again for “The People You Don’t Know”.

Wow, what can I say? I’m incredibly moved by this email, and responded with the following, paraphrased:

I started PYDK as a way to shine some light on people I thought were fascinating, as well as surround myself with creative individuals who’d continue to spark me to do more art. I guess to that effect, I accomplished my goal as I now have a circle of creative types who keep me grounded and dreaming simultaneously, and have propelled me to higher heights. I’m so glad others have enjoyed it as much.

The sad truth is that a show like PYDK could only exist as a podcast, and probably wouldn’t ever be at all profitable, which isn’t to say that that’s the only reason to do anything; but ironcially, people would never know what to do with a show that focuses on people you DON’T know (i.e. sponsor it), as I even talked to some people in public radio about the show’s potential, and received the warmest response from people who made radio, but the same resounding sentiment about the business-side: sponsors will never want a part of a show like that for the reasons stated above, and for that reason, no programmer would ever pick the show up or want something similar. So the only future the show had was something akin to a celebrity interview show, and I decided that doing that on War Rocket Ajax, a show focused on comics but could also easily bring in other cultural guests, satisfied that creative source in me.

…

Maybe someday, in the future when I don’t have to do this full-time job crap, I can bring back PYDK. By then, maybe it would work out in a different way. Who knows, with the way that media is changing daily.

Seriously, to everyone who listened and enjoyed it: thank you so much. Words like this keep me going on nights (like tonight) when I sometimes wonder if all this craziness is worth it. And to everyone who remains a friend because of PYDK, thank you so much for being in my life. You guys keep me going, I mean that.

Goodbye

Thanks for the support, and a great ride everyone. Remember to tell your stories, and listen for everyone else’s.