Supporting ’Casts

It's the end of what was a rough year financially for most of us. But as you dig into your wallet to wrap up your giving for 2008, consider supporting your favorite podcasts. Most of them are run on a shoestring, and few of them (yet) have advertising to cover their costs. I *love* that many of my favorite podcasts have no commercials, and that I still don't have to pay for them. Total. Golden. Age.

But I also know if I'm not paying for them and advertisers aren't paying them, the podcasts might eventually be gone.

If your favorite podcaster asks you to consider financial support, kick in a few bucks. I've personally donated about $250 to my favorite podcasters and organizations, including The Moth, This American Life, RadioLab, and The Sound of Young America. I'll go through my lists again before December 31 and see if there are others that merit a PayPal boost.

The great thing is that it really doesn't cost much. This American Life asks people to send $1. RadioLab wants a few more bucks. And another of my favorite podcasts, Filmspotting, which I'll review later, encourages gifts in $10 increments.

Help encourage your favorite podcaster to stay on the air by voicing your support not just with your reviews on iTunes or your blog, but with your dollars, too.