EP Metacast #3
Published by SFEley on 11 Mar 2008 at 12:28 am.
43 Comments.
Filed under Bonus, Podcasts, Site News.
The third “state of the podcast” address. Full text of an earlier draft can be found on our forums.
Closing music is “Ya Famous?” by George Hrab. Used with standing permission. Be sure to check out the Geologic Podcast as well.
Robin Sure on 11 Mar 2008 at 4:17 am: 1
I was going to leave a ‘hope it’s all okay’ comment, but from the sounds of it, you have a handle on everything. I’m glad to here the podcast will continue. Keep up the good work. Oh, and don’t forget: have fun!
oddpod on 11 Mar 2008 at 12:55 pm: 2
in steave we trust!
Don F. on 11 Mar 2008 at 1:33 pm: 3
I’m glad things are on an upswing for you, and I hope things continue to improve. I’m very excited to hear that the escape pod community will be able to lend a hand in the future, and I look forward to a time when I can afford to offer financial support as well. I didn’t realize just how important escape pod is to me until you mentioned that there might have been a missed week and I was filled with dread! Long live Escape Pod!
ew3 on 11 Mar 2008 at 2:38 pm: 4
well done dude. youve got my admiration and respect
Niai on 11 Mar 2008 at 5:40 pm: 5
Steve. I just wanted to say I respect you for what you said, and the way you said it. well done.
Stephen Gideon on 11 Mar 2008 at 6:11 pm: 6
Steve, I found the podcast just about 2 weeks ago, and it’s the highlight of my week. I edit podcasts at work for internal communications, and I am a graphic artist, so if you need anything I’ve love to help out. I ran a sci-fi zine about 10 years ago online and would love to contribute to the community once more.
Buddy Brannan on 11 Mar 2008 at 8:24 pm: 7
Hey, it’s more Steve (and Anna and Alex) fan mail! I hate “me too” posts, but. … Yes, to all the previous comments. I personally have tremendous respect for you; to come to the community so forthrightly shows, not guts, but just how much faith and love you’ve invested in us all, not to mention the respect you have for this community you’ve built. And you have it back from us, in spades. Keep on doing what you’ve done so well these past few years, my friend. What you do makes a difference to us all. Thanks Steve.
AmberBug on 11 Mar 2008 at 8:55 pm: 8
So glad the ‘cast didn’t suffer along with you. :The show must go on” and all that babble. Honestly Glad as a pig in well.. yeah that Mr. Steve has gotten himself picked up. I Like the new ideas and plan on supporting Escape artists with all I’m worth. You da’ Man Steve.
al saiz on 11 Mar 2008 at 10:12 pm: 9
I’ve been listening since show one when you had all those mike noises and I suggested that you place a mouse pad under the mike stand. That seems like eons ago.You’ve come a long way and are still the best. I am excited about your new directions and will be looking for the best way for me to offer support. For know I hope a small cash gift will serve as a bit of encouragement. Best Wishes.
Nora on 11 Mar 2008 at 11:32 pm: 10
As cliche as this is: <3! Thanks for telling us stories.
Merlyn on 12 Mar 2008 at 4:33 am: 11
Things sound like you have a plan and things may be rough but I have no doubt you will recover. It is hard to loose what you thought was your dream job but every thing happens for a reason and in it’s own time and now you know what you want it is just a matter of time. (Still the ego needs some healing time trust me I can relate)
ComputerKing on 12 Mar 2008 at 6:24 am: 12
Good Going, Steve. Purpose, Direction, Ambition. That’s what I hear in you. Go be a F*&^ing professional. I salute you.
Meike on 12 Mar 2008 at 12:09 pm: 13
Steve,
you sound like you got your act together. Keep your head up high!:)
In Germany we say something like “God, please bless the gaze back and the step towards the future”.
Thank yous and greetings from half around the world
Meike
IWByte on 12 Mar 2008 at 2:34 pm: 14
Thanks for keeping us posted - always good to know what’s going on behind the stories.
Keep up the good work.
Codenexus on 12 Mar 2008 at 7:55 pm: 15
Wow you have my respect for this episode.
I am looking forward to escaping for a long time to come.
Kevin on 12 Mar 2008 at 11:35 pm: 16
I’m sorry to hear that things have been rough lately, but happy that you’ve weathered the storm and come through more focused and committed than before.
You certainly have plenty to be proud about. I’ve enjoy your podcasts for well over a year now and there’s no way I would’ve thought about doing my own if you hadn’t blazed the trail.
All-in-all, a very inspiring metacast.
Keep having fun.
Scott on 13 Mar 2008 at 12:51 pm: 17
Wow, talk about a post that kicks me in the behind to get my own writing/podcasting/other side projects in gear. You and everyone involved in Escape Artists are inspirations to those of us who haven’t gotten things started. Glad good things are going to keep coming and not just good but better!
Carole McDonnell on 13 Mar 2008 at 3:43 pm: 18
Hello, president of Escape Artists. Very hopeful human metacast. Good luck. Ah, i love a committment to a great cause. -C
Anca on 13 Mar 2008 at 5:40 pm: 19
Wow Steve, it sounds like you’ve just gone through your own 40 days in the desert (or perhaps 45 years?). I’m glad you made it through to the other side with a plan and goals that you can really get excited about. I’m looking forward to the next year!
Craybe on 14 Mar 2008 at 5:07 am: 20
ALL HAIL ELEY! ALL HAIL ELEY! You are a god amongst podcasters
al saiz on 14 Mar 2008 at 11:50 am: 21
“Craybe on 14 Mar 2008 at 5:07 am: 20
ALL HAIL ELEY! ALL HAIL ELEY! You are a god amongst podcasters ;-)”
Amen to that. This podcast has been about quality from day one!
Richard in Macon GA aka "Mainframe" on 14 Mar 2008 at 1:18 pm: 22
Thanks, Steve, so much for so many months of awesome sci-fi/fantasy/horror short stories. Podcasts like Escape Pod are the future of the short story anthology, thanks for leading the charge with the best and the brightest. I’m sure we all look forward to seeing what comes next.
Gabbleduck on 14 Mar 2008 at 4:22 pm: 23
A year ago I never thought I could make a living doing what I love. That is, until I started introducing myself as a copywriter instead of a marketing person who writes on the side. Dreams have a way of falling into place.
Escape Pod kept me entertained after I quit my job and had nothing to do, and now it keeps me sane every week as the projects pile up.
What you do is important.
john on 15 Mar 2008 at 12:41 am: 24
hearing this story reminds me of another story. the one about the bridge that called to people. a person might have had a perfect life with people around them the loved or admired them. they were happy or so it was told that way. and out of no where is the bridge. warnings unheaded one by one they showed up with a rope, tied a specific knot and hurled themselves off it’s height. except in this telling of story the character was saved by somebody that knew him who then had to take his place in the noose….
the story seems to make more sense in your context, Steve. I won’t explain the bridge, the rope and the hurling or how it relates to your life. however, I will say this, I’m not putting my own neck in the noose just to save you. but I will send a donation.
want to hear it: pseudopod #46 The Hanging at Christmas Bridge
a. b. c. on 15 Mar 2008 at 3:12 pm: 25
It takes a big man to admit that he’s in over his head or not managing. With the comment in the earlier episode about the worst day of your life, I’d feared that Anna had left you or that your boy had been hurt, and am relieved that I was wrong. I believe I speak for many fans of your podcast show when I say that we are proud of you for taking the steps to get help, and hope that the help provides confort to your weary spirit. You have built something meaningful to many people, and are appreciated for that.
I look forward to Podcastle and whatever other projects are in the works. Now that I am in position to contribute again, I will try and do so more regularly.
a. b. c. on 15 Mar 2008 at 3:13 pm: 26
P.S: Have fun.
foshizzle on 15 Mar 2008 at 3:56 pm: 27
I just found Escape Pod a month or two ago and listened to I-don’t-know-how-many stories (fanatically) before finally catching up. Escape Pod is awesome because I’m exposed to different types of science fiction and authors; all in the comfort of my car, cleaning house or, every once in a blue moon, at the gym. At first I thought that Steve should charge a monthly fee but then I had to rethink that. Keeping it free is great because it attracts more listeners, it certainly did me. I’m fully addicted now and sneak peaks at the forum while at work, more than often leaving my 1-cent. I don’t want it to stop so I signed up for the monthly donation to keep it going. I introduced my husband to Pseudo Pod and I can’t wait for PodCastle!
andrea on 16 Mar 2008 at 2:00 pm: 28
OMG, I was selfishly hoping things weren’t so bad that we wouldn’t hear any more of Anna’s wonderful readings. I’m gainfully employed again and hope to send a donation sometime. I feel bad about getting this much free entertainment [you're right up there with fresh Battlestar Galactica episodes] tv cable is gone and not much missed but to miss your podcasts would hurt.
Anyway, thanks for offering other ways to help. I’ve already praised your podcast and left links in our yahoo scifaiku group [you've bought two stories from one of our members, btw], and tell anyone who shows an interest in SF about your site [SF fans are like an underground community in a sports crazed world]. Your bookmarks are a great idea, I’m going to approach my local privately owned store with it - they specialize in SF and Fantasy.
I had another thought, not being very computer savvy [my son is but this is spur of the moment] would it help if you add a click support button for people to add to their webpage? or should we simply use your web address as an url link under a personal email tag? If it’s to get your name out to people who already love SF then maybe it’s something simple we can all do right away.
I sincerely wish you all the very best with this project, and yes, you all are very good.
Arkayanon on 16 Mar 2008 at 5:18 pm: 29
I’ve been listening to Escape Pod since “Start the Clock” was still available and just today I’ve caught up, so I have come to feel like you are a friend, and yes, I, and others care about your well-being.
That said, I only wish my life was two years in advance of where it is now as I plan on going to the other side of the country early next year to get training and certification on ProTools in LA. Man, if I had the means, I would do sound work for nothing. I enjoy this podcast, and its kin that much. So, when I get everything learned and all the materials, I’ll be coming back seeing if there’s anything I can do.
TCLP 2008-03-16 News (Comment Line 240-949-2638) « Command Line on 16 Mar 2008 at 6:11 pm: 30
[...] the intro, a request for help on behalf of Escape Pod. Listen to Metacast #3 for more details or just head over and donate if you like what you [...]
Chris Radcliff on 18 Mar 2008 at 10:49 am: 31
Just wanted to join the chorus of support. Escape Pod makes my life a little better every time I listen, so thank you and thank you and thank you for producing it (and keeping it alive).
Giving early access as a perk for subscribers is a great idea. It got me thinking about a subscription…
Jacob on 18 Mar 2008 at 9:28 pm: 32
Steve, Wow, now that’s why I listen. It’s for the since of hope and the inspiration you bring to the questions of person that I am faced with. Way to put your-self out there, it’s got to be one of the bravest things I’ve ever hear…now, you can’t even get that in fiction! Thanks
Mitch on 19 Mar 2008 at 10:47 am: 33
I just finished listening to story #3 in the “Metacast” story series. I liked the “Union Dues” series better, but this one was still fun.
I really think that after the “Edward Bear” story, this one should have been called “Steve Eley and the Very Bad Day”. It’s easier to keep individual stories in a series straight when there’s more than just a number. But enough with the nit picking…
Anyway, I liked the character development in this one, and the flawless continuity from the last Metacast story. I am really digging the Steve character- he’s very well written. The introduction of the “Production Staff” characters may lead to some good spin-off stories. Can’t wait for those! The upbeat ending was nice, and really does lend itself to a sequel.
All in all this story was very good & realistic, as far as alternate reality stories go.
Mitch on 19 Mar 2008 at 1:09 pm: 34
I’ve been thinking about this too long to keep from jotting it down. Anyone else notice that The Eley has some parallels with Edward Bear?
In the spirit of having fun, and recognizing that humor is sometimes the best medicine….
EB: Ever perky “Hello, I’m Edward Bear!” SE: Ever perky “Hellllu, and welcome to Escape Pod!” (Side note: Does anyone else say this out loud with Steve after hitting “play”?)
EB: Got the little red wagon to the top of the hill. On time, despite huge obstacles. SE: Gets Escape Pod out, on time, every week, despite huge obstacles.
EB: Started out in a Nursery, gets exposed to far more people than he ever dreamed. SE: Escape Pod is #2. Globally. Planet wide. #2 for the species. Yeow.
EB: Understated, calm and collected “I’m afraid I’m a bit of a mess.” Even when doing his Van Gough impression, it didn’t slow him down. SE: Meta #3.
EB: Makes friends everywhere he goes. Universally liked. SE: Did I mention that EP is #2, world wide?
EB: Isn’t the idea of a robotic toy that breaks out of a locked room full of dead children a bit creepy? SE: PseudoPod.
Michael King on 21 Mar 2008 at 6:16 am: 35
Glad you’re doing well, my friend. Josh Roseman told me about the Meta in advance… I just have not had much time to follow on and send you a note.
On a semi-related note, I’m close to ready to do a podcasting feature on 11Alive.com, focusing on Escape Pod. I’ll be in touch soon.
Rog on 25 Mar 2008 at 10:38 am: 36
In addition to all the above, thanks to Anna for sticking with it, supporting Steve and helping be the power behind the throne.
Greg on 27 Mar 2008 at 8:12 am: 37
Hey Steve…
Thank you for sharing the things that are going on in your life. I’m glad that you continued the thing that you love - escapepod.
I have been having issues with both my job and my life of late and can empathize - hearing about your troubles made me feel for you rather then feel sorry for myself. Thanks and I wish you well.
Though I have not started into podcasting - I do not yet feel I have anything to contribute to the community - I would love to do things to help get the word out and have been. I would dig doing more…so contact me and I’ll contribute in some way…..
I wish you well….
technogal on 28 Mar 2008 at 12:28 pm: 38
Somehow I missed downloading the Metacast when it came out and was wondering how Steve was after listening to “Union Dues” on the way to work this morning. I had listened to Edward Bear and was very worried, wondering what had happened. Somehow, Steve has the ability to come across as a friend on the podcasts, and many of us start to think of him as such. So I went to the website too in hopes to find out what was going on.
My hat’s off to you. It takes a lot to admit that you need any type of help, and that you handled some major aspects of your life incorrectly. Funny, I am also just coming out on the other side of that also and can relate. Simplify and prioritize have become my words this week.
Good luck, and thank you so much for sharing your life with us. Keep doing what you have been put on this Earth to do!
TurboFool on 1 Apr 2008 at 4:43 pm: 39
This is my very first comment on your site, but listening to this metacast today made me decide to jump in.
I got a Zune for my birthday this year, February 1st. I hadn’t really done this whole “podcast thing” everyone was going on about, but since such a focus of the new Zune was on podcasts, I decided to start getting into them. And I found some darn good podcasts that I really enjoyed. Anyway, somehow I located Escape Pod (considering I’ve listened to Polyamory Weekly, it might have been due to a plug from CunningMinx, or maybe I just found it on the Zune site), subscribed, and listened to the three most recent episodes up to that point. I then immediately reset my subscription to download oldest-to-newest, ten at a time.
I’ve been listening to between two and six episodes a week ever since, and I’m nearly caught up mow. This is the main reason I refrained from commenting sooner, as I wanted to jump in on the more current episodes.
Steve, I can’t quite express enough to you just how much Escape Pod has meant to me over the last couple of months. It’s entertained me through one of the most stressful times periods I’ve dealt with in years, and distracted me from long drives for an employer I’ve been quite a bit less than happy with. It’s made every bit of difference to me, and the few days I was stuck with the car without the MP3 jack had me pretty antsy. I don’t know what I’m going to do when I DO catch up and have to wait a week for each new episode. Maybe Podcastle will help a little with that.
I also want to thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us. I enjoyed every minute of this metacast nearly as much as the stories. I’ve grown to feel like I know you in some small way through listening to you fill us with images and ideas and thoughts over the last couple of months, so for you to open up to us about the hardships in your life means a lot. And I can’t thank you enough for making us a priority despite everything you were going through. Friction was, indeed, one of the greatest works I’ve heard on Escape Pod, and I’m not sure it could have been timed any better. I’m glad to know your life is getting better. I’ve been through times in my life where I can’t make anything seem to matter, and everything slowly slips out of my control and I can’t get myself to do anything about it. Hearing you talk of that really resonated with me.
I’m also excited to learn about the future of Escape Pod and your company. Your dedication and hopes and plans drove me to levels of emotion that seem silly when listening to a guy on my car’s speakers talk about such things, but that just goes to show how much it means to me.
I just signed up for the subscription plan, and I hope to get more involved in commenting and the forums. This has become too important for me to be passive much longer.
I’ll link to you from my (rather uninteresting, for now) blog very soon, and I’ll make any efforts I can to help spread the word.
Also, congratulations on the level of downloads and influence you’ve reached. I felt like I was in on some small secret, but it seems I was wrong. Fantastic.
That’s enough of a comment for now. I’m looking forward to the future of Escape Pod and what you have in store for us. You and your work mean a great deal to many of us, so thank you.
Matt Moore on 8 Apr 2008 at 9:29 pm: 40
Perhaps it is just coincidence, or perhaps synchronicity, but your statement that it is time “to be a fucking professional about this” rang very true to me. I have been wresting with my job and the training demands it has, versus my fiction writing.
I went to my first convention this weekend, which reinforced the fact that I am a writer. Period. Everything else it to pay the bills. And Steve’s comment put into words what I have been trying to deal with.
Steve: Thank you. I will have fun.
Jeff Jamison on 14 Apr 2008 at 10:50 am: 41
Steve,
I agree with many of the comments previously stated and I want to thank you for your candor. I do not want Escape pod to go the way of one of my other favoirite podcast’s “The Best of the Left”. I wish I could support you with talent but alas my talents do not include sound editing or story telling. Instead I will spread the word and try to drum up donations.
Keep it going Steve, we all love what you do.
-Jeff
Mike Taylor on 24 Apr 2008 at 4:03 pm: 42
Just inspiring. Brought tears to my eyes as I listened to it on the tube. I’m so glad you ended up with wife, child & EscapePod - I was really worried from your previous comments that one or more of these might have been lost to you! You’ve also got the thousands of listeners whose lives you have so enriched with these podcasts. I count myself as one of them (from the UK). Mr Eley, may your ceaseless efforts continue to prosper and bring you the rewards and fame you deserve!
Michel Szurek on 2 May 2008 at 3:21 am: 43
just wanted to congratulate you not only for his meta cast but for the great and wonderful job you are doing for all your listeners around the world (even in France :-)). All the best for the future and b assured that on our side of the Atlantic we will do our best to spread the word and get you new listeners Best of luck for the new challenges