A note on PTO's future
Added 2022-08-03 10:41:02 +0000 UTCHello everyone,
Firstly, I just want to give a huge thank you to you all for your support for the show. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to devote so much time to PTO and to have the opportunity to talk to so many interesting people through hosting the podcast. PTO began as a bit of an experiment and I hadn't anticipated that it would end up attracting a pretty large audience and supporter base given the nature of the show (among my favourite itunes reviews the show has had was one listener who described it simply as 'exquisitely dry'). That said, I've been struggling with work for several months - a combination of burnout and my (often not great) mental health. I've been working freelance in one form or another for about eight years and, as is often the case with people freelancing, I've ended up working excessively. It was not until a conversation with a friend a few weeks ago that I realised I hadn't taken more than a week off work for about seven years.
It feels a bit weird describing PTO as work - since as work goes it's extremely rewarding and interesting. But of course anything you do to (at least in part) pay the rent and the bills is going to have some of the character of work more generally - even if it's work of an unusually stimulating kind. I'm therefore going to be taking a few weeks off during August in the hope that I will be able to work a bit more productively once I return.
Unfortunately, because I'll be taking this time off there won't be any patron-only episodes for the rest of the month. There will though continue to be some of the regular episodes (which have been prerecorded) plus more of the sessions from the Progressive Economy 2022 conference. I'll be back in September and I hope to try and make up for the brief hiatus. Amongst other projects, a series on China is in the works and there will be a live PTO panel discussion at The World Transformed festival in Liverpool. There will also be more regular episodes of Interregnum with Richard Seymour.
Anyway, thank you again for your continued support. I'll be back with more episodes of the show in September.
Best wishes,
Alex
PS I'd also like to take this opportunity to ask you who you would like to see on the show (or who you would like to hear more from) - please comment below with your suggestions. Thanks!
Comments
thank you!
Politics Theory Other
2022-09-02 07:39:49 +0000 UTCYes! I've actually tried once - the interview had to be in person and we couldn't align dates. But I may try again.
Politics Theory Other
2022-09-02 07:39:26 +0000 UTCThank you Emily! That's very kind of you, and my apologies for the slow reply. Thank you also for the suggests - I'll put them on the list! :)
Politics Theory Other
2022-09-02 07:38:22 +0000 UTCthank you Michael!
Politics Theory Other
2022-09-02 07:37:27 +0000 UTCHope you're enjoying the break, Alex. Well-deserved!
Michael Browne
2022-08-27 17:28:44 +0000 UTCThank you so much for all your work on this fantastic show!! The best politics podcast out there; unusually well researched, with a combination of theory and practice that's just my speed. Also love your unassuming, non-ranty, unpatronising style, as well as the subtlety of your questioning, such a breath of fresh air. Sorry to hear that you've been struggling and so glad that you're taking leave, no explanations needed. In the future, would love guests on to talk about commoning care (e.g. Camille Barbagallo, Manuela Zechner). Anything on politics of mental health would also be very much appreciated (e.g. Micha Frazer-Carroll on her upcoming Pluto Press book).
Emily Dyson
2022-08-23 21:33:17 +0000 UTCjust occurred that something with Darian Leader might be interesting, given your previous interview with Bruce Fink
andrew
2022-08-14 16:57:09 +0000 UTCPlease take a break! No explanation necessary. I'd like to hear a discussion on US left, eg DSA. Cheers
Kirit Patel
2022-08-14 12:32:22 +0000 UTCEnjoy your well-earned break and please disregard any pressure felt to "make up" lost time. Forget about it and feel better soon.
Colm O' Callaghan
2022-08-08 18:27:12 +0000 UTCEnjoy your break!
Jon Hegerty
2022-08-07 19:33:37 +0000 UTCReally glad that you are taking the time off to rest. We will all be here when you get back!
Eleanor Janega
2022-08-07 16:07:23 +0000 UTCMake like the French, skip town! See you in September!
Steve Bowbrick
2022-08-05 18:01:11 +0000 UTCRest up man, everyone deserves a break over the summer!
Aydin Dikerdem
2022-08-05 12:55:30 +0000 UTCPTO is a gem of a podcast, and you should be very proud of its consistent quality - but it's not worth your health! Take it easy, I hope you enjoy your time off :)
Matthew Yates
2022-08-04 20:53:25 +0000 UTCP.S. one slightly left field suggestion for an interview - Tyson Yunkaporta, looking at global systems (politics, theory, other) from an indigenous perspective..
nellerino
2022-08-04 19:41:06 +0000 UTCHey Alex, a much deserved break, do take your time. Thanks for all the efforts so far. PTO is one of the few podcasts that I've kept listening to over many years!
nellerino
2022-08-04 19:38:52 +0000 UTCThank you all so much for the very kind comments! It's much appreciated :)
Politics Theory Other
2022-08-04 18:08:44 +0000 UTCTake your time! We’ll still be here
Arron
2022-08-04 13:20:25 +0000 UTCHi Alex, No apology necessary for taking a break. It's natural and people should do it on a regular basis. Some time away from any routine usually leads to enhanced creativity and productivity. Enjoy yourself and we'll look forward to your return 😊
ActUp4Good
2022-08-04 07:03:47 +0000 UTCTake care of you, Alex. No need to make it up to us, or apologise. Have a good break. The world will still be going to hell and in need of quality analysis from PTO whenever you're good to restart.
Peter Gartside
2022-08-04 04:08:34 +0000 UTCI've got plenty of PTO to catch up on. Enjoy your well-deserved break, and thanks for all you do x
Juliet
2022-08-03 22:37:28 +0000 UTCA well earned rest! I hope you take the time you need. Thank you, I love this podcast . Kojo Koram & Mariana mazzucato!!
Lewis
2022-08-03 21:17:43 +0000 UTCHi Alex ~ Enjoy your break and be good to yourself! PTO is totes amazeballs!!
Des
2022-08-03 17:19:01 +0000 UTCHave a good break Alex, sounds like you really need and deserve one. No apologies needed by the way. As for guests, more James Meadway,, Adam Tooze, Paolo Guerbaudo please. Adolf Reed Jr and Cedric Johnson would be great. Also, it would be good to hear on intellectual currents in the trade union movement here and everywhere.
Paul Barnsley
2022-08-03 17:10:10 +0000 UTCHello Alex Thanks for the update. Please take as much of a break as you need. I love PTO dearly but your health is much more important. And as a patron I'm not bothered at all about patron only stuff. Will support anyway. And one of the many things I value about it is the dry humour. I reckon the 'dry' comment came from a humourless MF.....that being said it's wonderfully miserable and it's maybe my Scottishness but I would urge you not to compromise on that...... Rest well and hasta la vittoria etc
RL
2022-08-03 17:05:04 +0000 UTCHave a good break ... you deserve it. Looking forward to the next podcast whenever you feel up to it but not until you are properly ready.
Sue Davies
2022-08-03 15:58:52 +0000 UTCHi Alex, thanks for your message - you don’t have to justify a holiday at all, though!! Have a wonderful break - and take as long as you want! Your podcast is absolutely terrific and a few weeks of a break won’t do it any harm whatsoever! Hope you’ll have a lovely time!!
Caroline von Taysen
2022-08-03 15:12:56 +0000 UTCRest up and thank you for all you're doing. I hope you come back soon but whatever you do, I hope you find a way to thrive.
Julian Wilson
2022-08-03 13:37:31 +0000 UTCHave a good break - you deserve it! Agree with above commenters that PTO remains essential listening for its breadth of topics, density of insight and excellent interview style (much welcome respite from hosts who think we want to hear them laugh at their own jokes!). When back, I'd love to hear Richard discuss the eco-socialist/degrowth debate more fully!
James Morrison
2022-08-03 13:15:19 +0000 UTCI’m always delighted at the high quality of the show. Please get some rest. Burnout sucks.
Richard Mischook
2022-08-03 13:14:38 +0000 UTCRest up Alex, take as long as you need!
Sam Wetherell
2022-08-03 13:03:12 +0000 UTCAlex, that sounds exhausting. I'm really glad you are taking a (long-overdue) break - and I really hope that you factor holidays into your working year from now on - I'm quite sure that's a basic worker's right! And thanks for all your brilliant work on the podcast - still the best out there in my view.
Marie Moran
2022-08-03 13:03:11 +0000 UTCJust wanted to add to all the above - enjoy your well earned holiday. PTO is consistently the best lefty podcast around, + most of that is down to your good Qs + unassuming interview style!
Tony Onions
2022-08-03 12:58:17 +0000 UTCEnjoy your break Alex, well deserved! +1 on an interview with Jay Jordan
Angus Finlayson
2022-08-03 12:28:51 +0000 UTCThanks for all you've done Alex, I've listened to the show for ages and recommend it it to everyone. Hope you manage to get a decent break x
Joe rigby
2022-08-03 12:17:13 +0000 UTCPlease rest up and thank you for your (much too) hard work!
chal ravens
2022-08-03 12:05:46 +0000 UTCTake care Alex, enjoy a well-deserved break
Lorcan Mullen
2022-08-03 12:04:46 +0000 UTCReally hope you have a good break and time away - thanks so much for the work put into the podcast, it's become an amazing resource, and strikes a great balance between in-depth analysis and succinctness that few others manage. Hope to see you at TWT later this year and finally put a face to the voice!
Jack Kellam
2022-08-03 11:48:33 +0000 UTCtake all the time you need, alex! begone with you, and enjoy!
Duncan McHale
2022-08-03 11:47:51 +0000 UTCHi Alex - terrific show. Take a very long and hopefully enjoyable break. You’ve more than earned it. More shows with Richard Seymour plse. Thanks for all your hard work. Russ (Roger That on Twitter)
Russell Child
2022-08-03 11:42:51 +0000 UTCHi Alex, Have a great break.Sounds really well deserved. I love the show (as do a number of my family) and I always listen as soon as I get the notification. Absolutely it is 'exquisitely dry' and we need much more like it. Guests are consistently informative and I find your questioning wonderfully incisive. I look forward to hearing from you in September. I'm sure the China series will be really worthwhile. Best wishes, Simon
Simon Garrood
2022-08-03 11:32:29 +0000 UTCPodcasters, like everyone else, deserves vacations. Enjoy your break.
Abdulla Faraz
2022-08-03 11:07:39 +0000 UTCHave a great break and look after yourself! The podcast continues to be excellent and essential listening! I'd love to hear more about anarchist responses to ecological breakdown and the creation of responses to that. People such as the artist/activist Jay Jordan who has been involved in the ZAD in France.
Jonathan Atkinson
2022-08-03 11:05:11 +0000 UTCHave a lovely break & relax as much as possible. I'm very happy about the series on China & more episodes with Richard. Can we have Sophie Lewis on again soon, please, as her new book will be out in September. Have a brilliant time!🌟🌌💜xxx
Jane Pickering
2022-08-03 11:00:13 +0000 UTCThanks for everything you do Alex! Enjoy your well earned break. Excited for the China series. Would love to see more on African politics. Particularly on Ethiopia, there's a really interesting history there and also the current crisis has not been covered enough in the Western media. Re: the history, I'd recommend Ian Scott Horst as a guest.
Jamie Sims
2022-08-03 10:59:57 +0000 UTCYes, please take a long and well deserved break! (There's a good podcast to be had in the freelance leftist creative industry and our relationship to work, but don't think about that now!)
Justin Hancock
2022-08-03 10:51:05 +0000 UTCSuch a thorough explanation really isn't necessary. You have every right to take a holiday dude! Enjoy and recharge your batteries 🌻
Matt Ew
2022-08-03 10:48:17 +0000 UTCThank you so much for the astounding effort you put in Alex. I have learned so much from your podcast and I envy your skill at producing such compact and incisive interviews. I hope you rest up well and I think many of your listeners would be glad to support the show over an annual break that you’re well entitled to (how can we be leftists if we can’t fund a break for one of our finest teachers?). Best wishes - Ali Broz Tito
Ali Khan
2022-08-03 10:45:37 +0000 UTCEnjoy your break!
Ewan Rothnie
2022-08-03 10:44:08 +0000 UTC
