Some thoughts on the future of this podcast (shared in a recent episode and reproduced here for your reading pleasure):

Back in July of this year I finally set out to do something about my itch to produce an alternative perspective on news and opinion our community, and the Richmond News Review was born. It's been an amazing experience thus far – I've learned so much about producing a quality audio show, I've made great connections with people who share a desire for this kind of information, and I've had a lot of fun. It's also been difficult at times – the investment of time and money has been constant or even increased as I've tackled new segments, while the incentives in the form of feedback from listeners have been on the decline. While I have felt and still do feel the support of my core audience throughout, I do have to evaluate the sustainability of this effort, especially in the light of all the other projects I am taking on.

With those thoughts in mind, then, it's my plan to significantly scale back the production schedule of the Richmond News Review. What that most likely means is that it won't come out on a weekly basis, but instead only as news, events and opinion in our community support a roundup in this format. And that includes your letters and feedback too – when your e-mails and voicemails start piling up, I'll know it's time to start recording again. The door also remains open for receiving those tangible forms of support – if you want to write for the show, produce a segment, or give us money, you know where to find us and any such contributions would make it a lot easier to get new episodes out the door.

To be clear, while I'm prepared to accept the possibility that the demand for the RNR may never quite feel like enough of a justification for the time required to produce it, I don't believe citizen journalism and alternative forms of media have to subscribe to the "bottom line" thinking that dictates much of the mainstream media. When we see a need in our community for something that reflects our values, our diverse perspectives, and new ways of communicating with each other, then we'll support it and hold it up. For me, whether that comes in the form of a bright future for the Richmond News Review, some other podcast or journalism project, or something else entirely, I'm happy to have been a part of that phenomenon in some way thus far. And I thank you for your part in making it happen.