http://libertyconspiracy.com/

“Against the Grain” was canceled yesterday by WTPL. The general manager, for whom I hold no animosity, explained to me that the show was just “too intellectual and too controversial” to attract advertisers. There will be a longer explanation on tonight’s podcast, but essentially he said that my program is trapped in a small market, and the kind of thing that sells in a small market is non-controversy. As an example, he told me that for a week, the morning team tried to talk about the View Tax, and got no calls. Then, at the end of the week, they happened to ask “where is the best coleslaw in the area?” and the phones lit up. Jim Whedon is the GM, and he’s a nice guy. He thought that I needed to get to a larger market.

This comes at a time when the podcasts for the program have become very popular, reaching number 4 among political podcasts at Podomatic, and acquiring 1700 subscribers on Podomatic alone in just three months. Over that period, the global internet reach has brought in 18,000 non-subscriber “listens”, in addition to the subscribers. This is remarkable to see in a few months time.

Given the rise in awareness of the show, I’ve spoken to some good friends and fellow liberty-lovers, and have decided to continue, to expand the shows intellectual content and intensity and spread the program on the web.

Here is what will happen, and I’ll need help from you, if you want to join in:

Tonight’s program will be the last copy of a “broadcast” program. Next will be the internet-only shows for members of and visitors to the Libertyconspiracy. On the website, we have a link that allows people to contribute to the Conspiracy. There, people can offer monthly subscriptions that help pay for hosting of the audios. Starting now, we will begin creating material not only for the visitors to the site, but even more for the supporters. With these funds, we can create a true free market audio-visual think tank, with material that can be downloaded that one cannot find on the regular site — sent out to personal e-mail addresses of contributors — (including written material, non-fiction on political philosophy and political economy, as well as fiction, and extra audio files). All of the information will soon be posted on the site for everyone to see.

Right now, consider hitting the contributions link and getting involved. The website will expand into more homes and onto more iPods with more contributors, and we’ll strengthen our influence in the US and around the world. It’s pretty interesting to see how people all over have been listening to the show, and now, since I won’t be constrained, I can go full bore with freedom and not worry about offending any politician who is a neighbor of the station! (Not that that ever stopped me, but it probably affected sales!)

Talk to you soon, I hope! — G!

I’ve met Gardner several times. He’s a really great guy and I’m saddened to see him lose the position at WTPL but it looks like he and  Jason Osborne of Sakal/CAI have completely taken advantage of the new situation. For those who enjoy Free Talk Live I highly recommend checking out the Gardner Goldsmith experience if you’ve not already. I also recommend AMPing FTL and becoming a co-conspiritor of the Liberty Conspiracy. You’ll get misc perks and help some of the biggest media personalities reach out to more and more people.

You can hear more about what happened and what is planned on the Friday 19th, 2008 Free Talk Live show. Gardner was on at the beginning of the show.