I continue to make dubious collage art that you can buy. That's not the point of this post, but it's still true.
First: Hello, Weirdos! Thanks to everyone who's moseyed on over from the podcast feed. I've added a new $2 Patreon tier to perhaps tempt some of you into supporting me with cash money. For now, that will get you access to a (currently very empty and quiet) discord where we can hang. Eventually it will allow you access to a bit, but not most/all, of the bonus content Jess and I are hoping to spin up. No worries if that's not what you're into! You can just keep supporting me emotionally.
Here's an update on the future of WT: Jess is officially a full-time content creator (GO JESS GO!) and we're hard at work with our legal counsel negotiating a fair contract to continue making Weirdest Thing together in 2024. Paid supporters are actively helping me to pay for my half of our incredible lawyer, which means you're actively lowering the chances that my voice and likeness will one day get sold to an AI firm and used to create a Weirdest Thing robot. Thanks!
If all goes according to plan, we'll be able to keep up our biweekly cadence after a short holiday break. I've got a small roster of former Weirdest Thing frequenters who have said yes to coming on as regular guest hosts, which is very necessary given how many people who used to be editors at PopSci are no longer employed by PopSci. I'll be paying them for their time, which I hope to eventually be able to cover with this here Patreon! So for those of you who have kept asking me to get Claire back in front of the mic: you have the power!!! Chelsey and Sara Kiley are also down, and Sandra might be able to pop on occasionally as well. Jess is also going to spend more time on the host side of the mic in 2024. Is there anyone else you want to hear from on a regular basis?
Okay, so I've not-so-subtly made the case for upgrading to a paid membership. Now I have a question! What kinds of things would you consider to be valuable bonus content? No ask is too big, small or weird! These can be Substack things or Patreon things. Tell me something that's related to me and what I do or Weirdest Thing more broadly, and what you'd pay monthly to get to enjoy that thing. I can't wait to hear your thoughts! Comment below.
Hello! I’m not an expert, but I do have a few subscriptions to Patreons. What do I subscribe for? It’s a combination of a feeling that I would be genuinely sad if the content creator stopped producing content, plus getting access to a Discord, plus getting access to weekly “unscripted, uncensored “ bonus shows, plus members only episodes either occasionally or once a month. Like I listen to a cinema podcast that does reviews of new movies in its regular feed, and retro movies voted by Patreons once a month. I listen to a podcast by a couple of expats in Bangkok - in the bonus show they talk about random stuff but interesting. I listen to a history podcast that goes ad free for Patreons at a certain level, and one bonus episode each season on a topic voted by Patreons. I don’t know if this helps but anyway here it is.