Podcast Schedule for 2020

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After nearly 7 years of weekly episodes, I need to make a change. For over a year, I have found it very difficult to keep up with a weekly release schedule.  As you know I have the original podcast and the archive podcast now. The original podcast has grown to the point of being a full time job and I just can’t find the time to continue at this pace.  To make matters more challenging, my schedule for  2020 will be much more busy than 2019. 

With the increased workload and the difficulties in raising funds this year, honestly, I got a little discouraged and I began to think it might be a good time to end the podcast. To go out on a high note so to speak. 

But, I couldn’t get used to that idea, I would miss the podcast and my wonderful listeners that I think of as friends.

So I began to consider alternatives. After months of thinking it through, I came up with another plan. I want to go to an every other week release of the podcast and make the episodes longer in duration.  

Beginning in January of 2020, I will do my best to produce at least 75% of the content you received in 2019 with new episodes released every other week.  I plan no more encore episodes in 2020 since over 325 episodes are available to listen to anytime.  

Therefore in 2020, I will have 26 new, longer episodes.  I would like to emphasize I am not cutting the podcast in half.  This is only a 25% reduction.  I plan on producing at least 75% of the content you received in 2019.

Here is how I determined the length of each episode so that you would receive 75% of 2019’s content.

The total new episodes in 2019 will be 45. Episode 328 will be the 45th and last new episode for 2019. Each episode is about 30 minutes long.  If you multiply 45 episodes by 30 minutes you will get 1350 minutes of content. In 2020, you should receive 75% of the content so I multiplied 1350 minutes by 0.75 which equals 1012.5 minutes.  That will be my target for 2020.  That content will be delivered in 26 episodes.  To determine the length of the episodes for 2020, I divided 1012.5 minutes by 26 episodes and got 38.94 minutes per episode. Then, I decided to round it up to 40 minutes. So instead of 30 minute episodes I will aim for  approximately 40 minutes per episode delivered every other week.  Of course, at times the episode may be longer.

So for 2020 I plan for 26 episodes of approximately 40 minutes which will give you 75% of the content you received last year.

I am making this announcement early in December to leave plenty of time for my donors to adjust or end their financial support if they wish.  I am very thankful for my financial supporters so I want them to always feel free to change or delete their support at any time.  If you are not happy with the podcast please do not support it.  I don’t want any support from someone who is not glad to do so.

I want to sincerely apologize for having to make this change but I think most of you will agree this is a better solution than ending the podcast altogether.  

Sincere thanks for your support over the years.

Mike

26 thoughts on “Podcast Schedule for 2020”

  1. Makes perfect sense. Your podcasts are top notch and really very very valuable.
    Thank you for making them. The break and re-alignment makes sense.

  2. Mike – Love the podcast! Can certainly understand the time contraints it places on you. Count on my support for whatever you can provide, it’s great listening to the content and make the commute to work much nicer. Best to Mrs. SRH, may you both have a great holiday season.
    Dave

  3. Thanks for continuing your Podcast. Fewer but with more content is fine w/ me. Have a great Holiday season.
    Terry A Beckham
    Birmingham Al

  4. Hi, any and all of your high quality, educational and entertaining content is greatly appreciated. My favourite time of the week, now fortnight, will continue to be much anticipated.

    Thank you!

  5. Sorry to hear you’re ramping production down, but I understand self-publishing can be discouraging. Your work is first rate and I wish it had a larger audience.

  6. Hi Mike
    This is your podcast to run as you see fit.
    I love listening to each episode and would happily digest an episode per day if I had a chance.(I have saved the last six for a trip I am taking to the far east over Christmas)
    But you are the one doing the hard work of researching, scripting and recording the podcast contents, and finding the time to do this must be very tiring. I know I could not do it.

    I am sure that I speak on behalf of many of your listeners when I say thank you for recording this history of mans greatest achievements at what ever rate of production fits in with your work life balance.

    A happy Christmas and New Year to you and your family.
    Dave
    Solihull England

  7. No need to apologize. Your podcast is outstanding and the volume of episodes is amazing. If dialing it back a bit is what is needed to keep the quality up, then by all means. Thanks.

  8. Mike,
    Whatever you find time to do will be fine with me.
    I’ve followed the space program since 4 October 1957 (I’d just turned ten), when my Dad and I went out into the yard to look for Sputnik 1. We didn’t see it but that didn’t dampen my interest.
    Since then I’ve read umpteen books, seen many TV docos and listened to various podcasts but SRH never ceases to hold my interest and bring me new facts about Man’s Greatest Adventure.
    I wish you and Mrs SRH a very happy and safe festive season and look forward to ‘SRH 2020’.
    Cheers from DownUnder,
    Rob

  9. Hi Mike,
    You do a fantastic job getting the podcast out every week at the moment and I’m not surprised it has turned into a full time job!I
    The quality of each podcast is always first class which is a reflection of the time you spend in preparing it.
    I fully support your decision to make each episode longer but dropping to fortnightly instead of weekly and I hope this will ease your workload. I often wait and listen to 2 or 3 episodes back to back rather than listen to them weekly, so your decision for this change will have less impact on myself than others.
    I’m so glad that you have not decided to call it a day and I hope that donor support continues and grows.
    I look forward to receiving more fascinating episodes into 2020.
    Keep up the good work!
    Merry Christmas and a happy less stressful New Year.

    Kind Regards,

  10. Thanks Mike! This is a top notch podcast and however, and whenever, it’s available I look forward to listening to it.

    All the best to you and your family for the 2019 holidays and new year.

  11. Mike you are doing such a great work. Set the pace as you need!
    Quality is over the top!

    Thank you very much for the hard work the passion to share this story.

    Godspeed SRH

    Guillaume from France

  12. I also wish to give my encouragement, Mike.

    This podcast is clearly a labour of love, and would not be the gem that it is if it were a chore for you.

    Please do whatever you feel necessary to keep it from being a burden.

  13. Hi Mike. I just wanted to say that I love your podcast and support whatever you need to do to continue producing it. I really look forward to and enjoy listening to each episode. The detailed accounts of each mission are truly incredible and I can only imagine how much work goes into each one. Thank you so much for all you do to provide us with the SRH podcast!

    I hope you and Mrs. SRH enjoy a Happy New Year in 2020!

    Best Regards,
    Pete