This is an excellent piece worth the attention of every independent audio drama podcast creator. It explains why the slickly produced DERELICT podcast is currently on hold and illustrates the drawback of high production values and professional casting. As J. Barton Mitchell explains, the pursuit of cinematic audio and engaging performances is expensive, requiring the bankrolling of podcasts built on such pillars to become dependent on outside funding. This, combined with an unforeseen event -- the COVID pandemic -- broke the back of DERELICT. It is interesting to hear how the DERELICT team is recovering with the FATHOM prequel and the takeaway insight here is this: smaller, less complex podcasts are better insulated from external pressures. And they can earn audience engagement if the content is solid.DERELICT was a fun ride even if it lasted one episode. But FATHOM is entertaining as well. Looking forward to hearing more, and we have our fingers crossed for the return of DERELICT.