Topic: Apple Podcasts

Greg celebrates the high ratings for a recent episode featuring Dr. Alexis Cowan and addresses listener feedback regarding information density. He reads the upcoming Higher Side Meetup calendar, including events in Alberta, Austin, Kansas City, and Auckland. Listeners are encouraged to use these meetups to connect with like-minded individuals in their local areas.

The Higherside Chats has experienced a decline in free listener numbers over the last 24 months, attributed to several industry shifts. Apple Podcasts changed its download tallying methods, resulting in 20-30% drops for many creators, while the post-COVID media consumption peak has leveled off. Additionally, the decision to stop uploading to YouTube removed a primary discoverability tool, preventing the show from replenishing listeners who naturally rotate out of the audience.

In response to the political climate following January 6th, Tony Merkel shifted more sensitive conspiratorial content behind a paywall to avoid platform censorship. He mentions that deep dives into MKUltra and Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA) are now primarily reserved for members. This strategy allows him to maintain a public presence on platforms like YouTube while protecting controversial guests.

Priority is being given to restoring RSS feed access for Plus members so they can use third-party podcast apps. Additionally, the show has been removed from the iTunes Store, and efforts are underway to recover the listing and reviews. The host apologizes for the delays, explaining that he is working with external developers to resolve these server-side issues.

Charlie Robinson provides information on where to find his podcast, Macroaggressions, and his books on various platforms including Spotify and Rockfin. The hosts discuss their struggles with social media censorship and the necessity of moving away from mainstream platforms like YouTube and Twitter. They exchange mutual appreciation for their respective contributions to alternative media and the "counterculture" spirit.