If I Were A Rich Man

There are several podcasts and groups that I would like to support, if I were rich enough to pay for them.

Of course, I very much doubt that I will ever become a rich man. I can always dream.

Here is my list of people I would like to support. Given that this is a total fantasy list, then I will say that Iain the Multi-Millionaire would like to see these people become "full time" in their work so that they could ignore the other pressing needs of life and simply focus on their work in these areas.

I wonder, what would your list look like?

Science and Skepticism

The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe (website & podcast), by the New England Skeptics' Society [link]

Official description:
"The Skeptics Guide to the Universe is a weekly Science podcast talkshow discussing the latest news and topics from the world of the paranormal, fringe science, and controversial claims from a scientific point of view."

The people:
The SGU are Dr Steven Novella, Bob Novella, Rebecca Watson, Evan Bernstein, & Jay Novella.

Why I appreciate them:
The SGU podcast is educational, fascinating, packed with science news and discoveries, and just a really excellent listen overall. The crew are all very personable and they do a great service to the skeptical community. Podcasts like this provide excellent commentary on bogus beliefs and quack science claims.

Skeptoid (podcast): Critical Analysis of Pop Phenomena, by Brian Dunning [link]

Official description:
"Skeptoid is a weekly science podcast dedicated to furthering knowledge by blasting away the widespread pseudosciences that infect popular culture, and replacing them with way cooler reality.
Each weekly episode focuses on a single phenomenon — an urban legend, a paranormal claim, alternative therapy, or something just plain stupid — that you've heard of, and that you probably believe in. Skeptoid attempts to expose the folly of belief in non-evidence based phenomena, and more importantly, explains the factual scientific reality.
From the sublime to the startling, no topic is sacred, politically incorrect though that may be."


The people:

Skeptoid is hosted and produced by Brian Dunning.

Why I appreciate them:
Skeptoid is a fantastic source material for those who are wondering about a particular claim that might be popularly made or believed. It's short (8-15mins), deliciously sarcastic, well argued, and well supported by evidence. Curious about a bizarre claim that your friend told you about? Stop by and see what Brian uncovers about it; if you're brave enough you might learn something.


Bad Astronomy (website), by Phil Plait [link]

Official description:
"Phil Plait, the creator of Bad Astronomy, is an astronomer, lecturer, and author. After ten years working on Hubble Space Telescope and six more working on astronomy education, he struck out on his own as a writer. He has written two books, dozens of magazine articles, and 12 bazillion blog articles. He is a skeptic, and loves fighting misuses of science as well as praising the wonder of real science."


The people:
The 'Bad Astronomer' is Phil Plait.


Why I appreciate them:

Phil Plait is one of the most passionate astronomers that I could name. His work goes beyond his blog and into authorship as well as his up-coming foray into television with his Discovery TV series, "Bad Universe" (click for YouTube sneak peek). Phil originally started debunking famous hoaxes but has moved into general science education. He is an energetic and driven individual who really deserves to go far in this world.

Atheism

The Atheist Experience TV Show (TV & podcast), by the Atheist Community of Austin [link]

Official description:
"The Atheist Experience is a weekly cable access television show in Austin, Texas geared at a non-atheist audience. Every week we field live calls from atheists and believers alike, and you never know what you're going to get! Sometimes it can get quite feisty indeed! You don't want to miss it."


The people:
The AE hosts and co-hosts are Matt Dillahunty, Russell Glasser, Don Baker, Jeff Dee, Tracie Harris, Jen Peeples, and Martin Wagner.


Why I appreciate them:
The AE provides one of the best regular discussion shows that I am aware of featuring a rotating pair of atheist hosts willing to field any and every live caller about any topic on religion and atheism. Their debating and critical thinking skills are, combined, better than any others I have seen. Matt and Russell, and probably others, also do further work in the community such as hosting or attending debates and providing lectures on a range of topics. The are more than willing to discuss anything with any caller whether they simply have a question through to professional apologists wanting to debate a formal topic.


Atheist News (website & podcast), by Joe Prova and "Brother" Richard Haynes [link]

Official description:
"The Atheist News podcast is the official bi-weekly podcast of Atheist Nexus. For an hour, Joe Prova and his co-host, Brother Richard Haynes, serve you up news that is of interest to atheists, humanists, and skeptics spiced with a dash of humor, a pinch of sarcasm, and tonnes and tonnes of incredulity."


The people:

Atheist News is hosted by Joe Prova and Richard Haynes.

Why I appreciate them:
Joe and Brother Richard provide a humorous and sometimes sad glance at the recent news pouring in from the world of wacky religious occurrences. Good for a laugh, always interesting, and presented in a personable manner, this podcast is always fun. Joe and Richard both have their own need for money in their endeavours, so I imagine that a philanthropist would be putting money to an extremely dynamic cause if they supported these two.


American Freethought (website & podcast), by John C. Snider & David Driscoll [link]

Official description:

"The purpose of American Freethought is to serve freethinkers of every stripe: atheists, agnostics, skeptics, secular humanists, brights, rationalists, or whatever else you wish to call yourselves.  This publication casts a wide net.  In addition to perennial concerns like reason vs. religion and separation of church and state, it will also cover topics that any thoughtful reader should find interesting: science, politics, philosophy, the arts, and social issues.
You will find no agenda beyond promoting reasoned discourse as the best method for understanding reality and deciding how to live.  This is not an activist publication per se, nor is it a mouthpiece for any political party or special interest group."

The people:

The contributors are author and activist, John C. Snider, and A.A.I. advocate, David Driscoll.

Why I appreciate them:
As much as I enjoy their content, John and David are in themselves both personable and interesting guys. They provide a friendly approach to the topics, often sharing of their own personal lives as well as discussion both U.S.-relevant and worldwide issues. They do some very interesting interviews with authors and specialists and are both very skilled hosts.


Dogma Free America (podcast), by Rich Orman & assorted co-hosts [link]

Official description:
"From beautiful Aurora, Colorado, this is the Dogma Free America podcast. Your best source of information about religion, crazy dogma, freedom of speech, and the jackass of the week... and, on occasion, a really bad Southern accent."


The people:
This show is hosted by Rich Orman, with co-hosts varying between Flynn Owens, Rob Orman, and Jamye J.


Why I appreciate them:

I enjoy DFA because the hosts are friendly, have witty and often very dry humour, and banter about all sorts of amusing topics. The show provides a light-hearted mockery of all things wacky from the latest news events demonstrating crazy dogma.

Religion

Apologia Podcast (website & podcast), by Dr Zachary Moore & assorted co-hosts [link]

Official description:
"Apologia is a friendly forum for both theists and non-theists to come together in search of some common understanding. Rather than a contentious debate format, Apologia provides a setting in which all participants can discuss without confrontation."


The people:

Apologia is usually hosted by Dr. Zachary Moore, Rev. Kevin Harris, and includes a mix of theist and atheist co-hosts.

Why I appreciate them:
Apologia podcast usually provides an excellent, mutually beneficial, respectful, and non-confrontational discussion between atheists and theists on a range of important topics. A good testament to their positivity is that if, for schedule reasons, the show is hosted only by "one side" the discussion still remains balanced and fair. They tackle and acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of both sides of the discussion. I wish that more people could talk about issues as fairly, honestly, and comprehensively as these guys do on here.


Music

The Vocal Trance Session, by Sonnydeejay [link]

Description (unofficial): The Vocal Trance sessions is a weekly, 60-90 minute mix of trance music offered free by podcast.


The people:
This show is mixed by an artist, Sonnydeejay, from Brazil.



Why I appreciate them:
The Vocal Trance sessions provide a consistently high quality mix of trance music. The sessions are largely uninterrupted by any DJ talk-overs, are mixed well, and is usually a very excellent track-list. If you enjoy trance, particularly vocal trance, or are wanting to know more about trance then I would not hesitate to recommend this podcast.