I am a student of words. In fact, words are my stock and trade. I couldn't imagine my life without a deep passion for words. Words can build you up, and certainly knock you down. When I was a kid, words really bothered me - I took every word out of everyone's mouth literally and personally. Eventually, my grandmother told me that I need to let words just roll off of me like water on the back of a duck, and that works for me. Once in a while, words still bother me.

             Three years ago, I first learned of podcasts. The first podcast that I listened to was C.C. Chapman's Accident Hash. I then got hooked on numerous other shows, including the Daily Source Code and Pacific Coast Hellway. After seven or eight months of listening to shows, I had the "eureka"" realization that I too, could be a podcaster.

             C.C., Mark, and even Adam, all answered my emails regarding how to set up a show. They didn't know me. I was only a "mere listener." However, they all spent a ton of time with my questions, and after the show was born, provided me space and opportunity to help promote my show. I was ultimately offered a contract from Podshow, and nearly immediately accepted it. While I have my issues, I have not regretted it for a single day. Let's be more honest, I always have issues about something, whether it be work, home, or even a hobby like podcasting. However, these issues have never been deal breakers. I just like to complain - I'm good at it.

             As Spring turns to Summer, it must be hunting season again, as the forest is once again full of Podshow hunters. I can't really understand it. Proving once again the theory that no good deed goes unpunished, Podshow is taking a great deal of abuse over a 60-second advertisement that they are placing at the top of its programming for a promotion for people to go to a web page to do surveys about Podshow's quality. The irony is that in an effort to "suck less", Podshow has opened the door for the renewal of every complaint that everyone has ever had, about every aspect of Podshow, and that's unfortunate.

             Let me join in the chorus regarding the 60-second ad. It is indeed too long. It tends to be repetitive, and I don't like it. However, Podshow has already started to roll them back. Does this satisfy the masses? Of course not.

             The quixotic enigma known as Comic Strip Blogger occasionally has some insightful comments on the Daily Source Code. More often than not, he is unjustifiably inflammatory. I certainly can't get a handle on whether his demeanor is nothing more than shtick, but he certainly can be entertaining. Nonetheless, he recently said that the only way that someone succeeds at Podshow is by becoming a "Podshow Whore", and this bothers me.

             I'm a whore? I've been called a lot of things. Certainly, as a lawyer, over the years and at other jobs, I've represented clients that I did not like or believe in, but I strapped on my heels and my party dress and sashayed through the process of representing the undefendable position. However, I'm a whore in my personal life, too? I think not.

             The biggest misperception of Podshow is that it is somehow it is a public entity. Podcasts should somehow flow like water and electric. Maybe it's because there is never been a true definition of what the "Revolution" that Podshow is promoting really is at its core. For most podcasters and listeners, including myself, the revolution is about sticking it to the RIAA and MPAA, and creating creative content that challenges the status quo. However, this definition of what podcasting can be is always going to be conflicted with the cold, hard, economic realities of maintaining a network, acquiring advertisers, and making a successful business model. Say it ain't so, Odeo.

            Like any website tied to a business, its easy to poke holes. I have problems with Google. I have problems with myspace. I even have problems with msnbc.com and cnn.com sometimes. Maybe because podcasting has allowed the playing field to be flattened, i.e. that everyone's voice is equal that frustrates people. There are ton of suggestions on how to fix Podshow, many of them are right on the money, and hopefully the signal-to-noise ratio is low, and those suggestions are filtering through. It's a three year old company. Have you ever tried to talk to a three-year old? Now imagine a three-year old pumped up on venture capital like steroids, having had drank a couple of lattes and a box of chocolate cookies. That's what it's like sometimes dealing with Podshow. If you are patient, persistent, and occasionally annoying Podshow generally not only responds but will share some of their cookies with you. I never understand when I read that people have had problems getting in contact with a Podshow representative. Maybe, I've had good luck, but generally, if you push the "send" button often enough to enough people, eventually someone responds.

             The second misperception of Podshow is really a fault of some of its early advertising. It is unlikely that very many people, including myself, are ever going to be able to "quit their day job" by podcasting. I hope I'm wrong; it's a beautiful fantasy. However, this set the bar way too high, too early. Can you make a nice supplemental income from podcasting? Can you get some name recognition, and maybe some bands to send you free music? Absolutely. For me, little gestures like these have meant far more, and have been more fun, than embarking on a second career.

            I've been the "Musicologist"on the Daily Source Code now for about a year. I'm not quite sure how the position even evolved into what it is now. As best as I can recall, Adam was looking for music submissions for the show, and I sent a few. It slowly morphed into a regular thing, and I'm honored that Adam thinks that I have good taste in music. With his background, he certainly has had more exposure to the music industry than I will ever have. I still have never talked to Adam, but he's been more than gracious with his time and counsel with me. I even had back-and-forth emails with him in the hours prior to the birth of my daughter. As a listener of the show, it still amazes me to have developed that kind of relationship. At the end of the day, I am still just a fan. Maybe someday when he comes to New York, I can convince him to take the PATH train into Joisey for some paella in Newark's Ironbound section.

          Beat up Podshow all you like, it's the only game in town. Maybe someday, market forces will provide Podshow with real competition. Someday maybe, Podshow, will be forced to update their timetables, update the PMN, or fix some of the controls on the Podshow page, or do some of the numerous housekeeping tasks that litter the blogosphere. I agree that many of them need to be done immediately to help further the art and attract new users. However, Podshow has done more in three years to advance and mainstream podcasting than anyone else, and I suspect will continue to do so. It is too simplistic to characterize Podshow as "evil" and let that be the end of discussion. Companies like Podshow do good and bad things, and people need to stop taking things so darn personally. I have literally gotten hundreds of bands to join the Podsafe Music Network. I have never promoted the Jersey Toddshow as part of my "Musicologist" segment. I have done both these things because podcasting is bigger than my show or myself, and rather than spending righteous fury criticizing Podshow, what have you done for podcasting lately that didn't benefit you personally? Those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, or take showers.

         I have some really rewarding experiences, and made some life-long friends from all over the world as a result of podcasting, and from being affiliated with Podshow. I continue to make new friends and acquaintences every day. From a dark basement, I have been able to be part of a movement that hopefully has affected a lot of lives, and that is pretty inspring. I have certainly enjoyed appearing on the Daily Source Code and numerous other Podshow shows. However, I'm a fan of podcasts. I'd pretty much appear on anyone's show if they merely asked.

     It may make me promiscuous, but I'm certainly not a whore.