I'm Paying for a Popcorn Addiction
Why do I keep going to the movies? Content and Delivery.
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Why I’m This Close to Canceling My Regal Subscription
I’ve got this Regal Cinemas subscription where I can watch unlimited movies for $20 a month. I signed up because the location near my house is one of the lowest in sales. I've gone multiple times on a Friday night and been the only one in the theater. The thought of losing the ability to watch a movie on a big screen is what keeps me coming back. After all, some movies like Top Gun, King Kong, Star Wars, etc., are made for the big screen.
But here’s the catch:
While the delivery is top-notch (big screen, IMAX audio), I can’t remember the last movie that left me inspired enough to talk about it. Wicked was a standout, but the recent ones? Not so much. I saw Riff Raff with Bill Murray and Pete Davidson, and Last Breath with Woody Harrelson—neither were bad, but neither were great.
As a podcaster now, my perspective on movies has shifted. I view them differently than I did 20 years ago.
As we know, good stories are all about transformation. In Riff Raff, it’s clear pretty early on that the "Sissy" kid is going to do something brave, and by the halfway point, I’m just waiting for the climactic scene. I don’t know if that's the movie’s fault or mine as a podcaster, but I often leave the theater thinking:
I could’ve waited to see this at home.
So why am I still paying $20 a month to see movies that aren’t bad, but aren't great either?
Here’s what I think:
Nostalgia. Will we have the option to watch movies in a theater 20 years from now? Or will everything just be streamed straight to our living rooms?
I also miss the shared experience of seeing a movie with a crowd—the laughs, the gasps, the collective energy. The problem is, the largest crowd I’ve seen a film with recently is nine. Most of the time, I’m the only person in the theater, which leads to me walking around during the movie to “get my steps in” because… why not?
And let’s talk about the popcorn. I love it. Even though I know the "butter" is definitely not butter. At this point, it’s basically mystery liquid in a pump. But here's the kicker: I’ve got a sweet deal on the movie subscription, but I’m still paying $13 for a small popcorn and drink. It feels like I'm getting ripped off, even if the movie is free.
Then there’s the pre-movie experience. Remember when it was just trivia, mind games, and fun ads? Now, it’s just a parade of commercials telling me how going to the movies is the best way to experience a film.
News flash: I’m already here. You don’t need to sell me on it.
And after all those commercials, there are more commercials before we finally get to the previews. By the time the previews start, I wish the movie would just begin.
I used to be the guy who’d get there early to catch all the previews, but now? The endless stream of commercials has killed my excitement. If the movie starts at 7:40, I’m showing up at 7:40. You’ve lost me.
Ultimately, there are two key things that make content great: Content and Delivery. Right now, the movie industry is failing on both fronts. The content is forgettable, and the commercials are ruining the movie-going experience (Irrelevant commercials, even through an IMAX sound system, are not a great experience). I’m honestly “this close” to canceling my subscription and settling for microwave popcorn and surround sound in my living room.
If you’re also struggling with your popcorn addiction, use the coupon code V4RG7VHH at Regal Movies to get a free month. But honestly? I’m not sure it’s worth it anymore.
New Podcast Launch! Voice of Greece
A new podcast from a member of the School of Podcasting (so this is thing now in the newsletter). Join Sotiris on Voice of Greece as he takes you on an immersive journey through Greece’s rich history, legendary tales, breathtaking landscapes, and mouthwatering cuisine. Each episode blends storytelling, travel tips, and culinary traditions—bringing the spirit of Greece to life, one episode at a time.
Check it out at https://voiceofgreece.com/seven-reasons-greek-stories-are-so-good/
Podcasters Happy Hour
March 24th at 7 PM ET
This month, instead of learning new technology, we will spend the whole time networking with each other. These are always fun and I end up meeting someone I’m glad to know.
My Latest Content
School of Podcasting (Follow)
Newsletters Part 2: How to Start a Newsletter Without Losing Your Mind with Paul Gowder
Ask the Podcast Coach (Follow)
Navigating Tax Season for Podcasters
Your Podcast Consultant (Follow)
Why Aren't More People Listening to Your Podcast?
Using Newsletters To Grow Your Podcast (Video Version)
Stuff That Caught Me Eye
Captivate - No Payments Until April
Captivate (the media host I use the most) is having a sale where you can sign up today and not pay until April. (this is not an April fool’s joke).
New Podtrak P2 From Zoom Ties two USB Mics into One Unit
I love my Zoom Podtrak P4, but Zoom just released the P2 that enables you to plug two USB mics into the unit (and connect a phone to do remote recording). It has built-in noise reduction, compression, and some settings to boost your voice. It’s tiny, and can even run on batteries. I can’t find the manual to see if it’s a 32-bit float, but if you wanted to do a quick videocast, this would be an easy way to do it. The part that caught my eye? It’s $99. I have an email to their marketing team to see if I can get more info.
I Bought the Onvocado Pop-Up Builder
Avocado is on App Summo, right, not for $59 (lifetime). It’s so simple and powerful and gives you great insights. Here is a very casual first-time look at me using it. It’s normally $57/month. Check it out.
Adding Functions To Your Website with No Coding
Elfsite is a site that has 90+ Widgets you can add to your site. For me, I needed an event calendar for my site (and I’m not using WordPress - I’m using Podpage). There is a free version, but I went with the $5/month. They have some pretty cool toys.
ViralSweep is a similar type of tool (adding functionality to your website). In this case I heard about someone using it for contests and giveaways. The smallest price is $49/month, but doubling your email list with a powerful giveaway might be worth it.
New Finding/Being Guests Resource
Talks is yet another website hoping to help bring together podcasters with guests. I like that I can see when a show last published an episode. There is an Essentials package for $9/month or a Pro Package for $27/month (yearly prices are cheaper). If you want to kick the tires, there is a free version for 1 connection a month.
What’s Coming In The Future
Running Your Podcast as a Business
This episode has been taking forever. I am appalled at the lack of customer service and general communication with some of the companies I wanted to spotlight. I’m glad I decided to go through the “Profit First” process before applying it to my show and dealing with companies.
I’ve also got an interview with someone who helps other people get booked on podcasts and she explains how many podcasters are blowing it when it comes to podcasts.
Tweaking Some Stuff
I’m making some changes to the front page of the School of Podcasting. In the past I would get everything set, and then publish the new version. To keep the pressure on me, I’m publishing changes to the live site. If I dislike it, I must get back on the horse and keep riding. The old version was 100% a sales letter. This is more of a “Why you should work with Dave” concept. It’s FAR from done, but it’s an interesting experiment. See the progress.
Need Help With Your Podcast?
Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned podcaster, the School of Podcasting can help. Helping podcasters is what I do, and I’ve been doing it since 2005
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