Topic: Podcasting 2 0

A donor from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, asks for advice on starting a hyper-local podcast to cover his town's controversial mayor. The hosts encourage the endeavor, suggesting that covering local issues is a powerful way to build community. They recommend using platforms like Nextdoor to find an initial audience and emphasize the importance of authenticity.

ProPublica journalist Lydia DePillis is criticized for an article lamenting the lack of "social control" over podcasting. The hosts argue that DePillis is advocating for the shutdown of speech she disagrees with and characterize ProPublica as an "anti-journalist" organization that opposes figures like Julian Assange and Edward Snowden.

The claim that alternative media infrastructure does not exist is challenged by the success of Podcasting 2.0 and the Podcast Index. Adam Curry is credited with recognizing the need for a decentralized directory to prevent the "future demise of podcasting" at the hands of tech giants like Apple, Google, and Amazon.

A listener-produced jingle titled "The War on Chicken" is played, followed by a parody of "Santa Baby" used for the show's knighting ceremony. The hosts discuss the creative contributions of their audience and the "regular donor" culture of the program.

Adam Curry disputes the credit given to Hollywood producer Dana Brunetti for creating the "Tip of the Day" segment. Curry clarifies that while Brunetti urged them to stop doing "happy news" stories, the actual concept evolved from listener Eli the Coffee Guy and had been present since the show's early episodes.

The hosts discuss the technical challenges of assembling the tribute episode, including a system shutdown shortly before recording. They reflect on the wealth of material provided by producers over the years, specifically mentioning the importance of their COVID-19 coverage during a period of widespread de-platforming.

Dame Pluma of Wailea, Maui, donated $333.33 and described her emotional reaction to hearing the news of John C. Dvorak's death while walking by the sea. She offered the traditional Hawaiian prayer of Ho'oponopono to the Dvorak family. The segment also features a humorous critique of Dvorak's poor pronunciation of Hawaiian words despite his California roots.

Sir Daniel Jay Lewis, a prominent figure in the podcasting industry, recalled hearing John C. Dvorak on TWiT in 2005 after iTunes "stole" podcasting. He admitted to initially being on the "wrong side of history" regarding Dvorak's departure from that network. Lewis concluded his note with a reading from Romans 10, emphasizing faith and salvation.

Dame Monica of Floyd's Knobs, Indiana, thanked John C. Dvorak for giving her a dame name based on her hometown. Bill Montanay of Mount Holly compared the show's future to a band that loses a founding member, noting it will always be a "different band with the same name." Christine Phelps described the show as her "comfort podcast" for chores and driving.

Sir James of Norway reflects on listening to the program since its 2007 inception, noting the joy of hearing John C. Dvorak's distinctive laugh. Jason Watkins and other younger listeners describe the show as a "kids table" where they could learn from the wisdom of their elders. The segments emphasize Dvorak's role as a "grumpy uncle" figure to the global audience.

BT Dave recalls a 1995 April Fool's article by John C. Dvorak about 2-bit computing that initially fooled him. John Doyle describes discovering the show in 2020 while searching for COVID-19 conspiracies on Google Podcasts. Doyle requests knighthood as the "Knight of the Sweet Old Fashioned" and honors Dvorak's preference for 2018 Costco Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dame Rebecca of Pinehurst and Sir Bates offer condolences, with Bates describing John C. Dvorak as a father figure who challenged listeners' thinking. John Straub recalls Dvorak's habit of trying to open seltzer cans quietly on air. Raul Aguilar mentions discovering the show via the "School Sucks" podcast, illustrating the interconnected nature of the independent podcasting community.

Marty McFly from Western Australia describes how the show inspired him to start his own podcast focused on food. He characterizes John C. Dvorak as a "grandfather I never had" and an anchor in a "sea of bullcrap." The segment highlights how Dvorak's media landscape changes paved the way for a new generation of independent creators.

Listeners from Western Australia, Illinois, and Wisconsin submit donations and personal tributes following the passing of John C. Dvorak. One donor recounts discovering the show during a wedding discussion on geopolitics, while another credits the program with inspiring a new food-related podcast. The segment includes a lighthearted debate regarding whether the host is technically a Boomer or the voice of Generation X.

Adam Curry opens episode 1888 of the No Agenda show with a solemn tribute to his late co-host, John C. Dvorak, who passed away on July 20, 2026. Curry reflects on their 19-year partnership, which began with conversations between London and San Francisco, evolving into a "Value for Value" model without traditional advertising. He describes the emotional bond and the unique "dance" of their unscripted performances that defined the "Best Podcast in the Universe."

Producer Dana Brunetti shares his journey of discovering the No Agenda show while building a ranch during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially familiar with Dvorak from Tech TV and Cranky Geeks, Brunetti was surprised to find him paired with former MTV VJ Adam Curry. He describes the show as a refreshing, "non-woke" alternative to mainstream tech media that led to a close personal friendship with Dvorak.

A classic clip features Dvorak offering cynical but practical career advice, suggesting that employees should ignore their supervisors' "bullcrap" while pretending to comply. Curry contrasts this with his own advice of finding a passion and getting paid for it. Curry credits Dvorak's business instincts for the success of the "Value for Value" model, which allowed Curry to transition into podcasting full-time.

Financial commentator Andrew Horowitz joins the show via a pre-recorded segment to discuss his 18-year partnership with Dvorak on the "DH Unplugged" podcast. Horowitz reflects on Dvorak's brilliance and their ability to disagree on-air without ever remaining angry afterward. He also humorously critiques Dvorak's "horrible" text messaging habits and all-caps corrections regarding show titles.

Andrew Horowitz shares memories of Dvorak attending his wedding and a particularly "creepy" Zoom Thanksgiving during the pandemic. The discussion turns to the future of Dvorak's various media projects, with Horowitz and Curry expressing uncertainty about how to continue without him. They encourage listeners to join the mailing lists for updates on the "next generation" of their broadcasts.

The hosts acknowledge Dvorak's massive reach across Tech TV, Wired, and various podcasts, noting how he successfully migrated audiences between platforms. In a lighthearted moment, Adam Curry officially "de-douches" Andrew Horowitz, a show tradition for long-time contributors. Horowitz expresses a sense of relief as they prepare to transition into the final segment of the memorial show.