FAQ

General

What is Stimulated Boredom?

Stimulated Boredom is a weekly hosted internet talk show and podcast that discusses politics, news, history, science, social issues, music, movies, gaming, technology, current events and many other general interest topics.

Is Stimulated Boredom a “professional” program?

Not in the sense of terrestrial (AM/FM) radio. Stimulated Boredom is 100% user generated content that is recorded, produced and maintained solely by the host, Dana. The program is done in his free time and is available via multiple channels, including the website, iTunes, iPhone & Android apps, RadioTime, MediaFly and many others.

How long has Stimulated Boredom been around?

The show began in February of 2005.

Where is Stimulated Boredom heard?

The program has listeners in all 50 states and over 100 countries. ‘SB’ listeners are a diverse mixture of ethnicity’s, sex, political leanings, opinions and cultures from around the World.

How often is a new show produced?

Stimulated Boredom is a weekly program. Generally each new show is available no later than Monday, however most new shows are launched over the weekend, as recording is usually done on Friday nights. The show is always available “on-demand” via iTunes (including hundreds of past shows), the “Listen Now!” or “This Week On Stimulated Boredom” pages, Radiotime, Mediafly, mobile apps, RSS feed and many others.

How long is each show?

Each week’s show is roughly 2-4 hours in length, spread out over 1-2 individual segments. The program used to be 12-15 hours a week, however a guy has to have a life, so it was reduced to a (much) more manageable time frame!

Is the show censored?

No. Since the FCC does not regulate internet radio or podcasts, freedom of expression is not stifled as the show approaches the most relevant (and often times controversial) topics of the day, in addition to interesting and entertaining historical discussion and opinion.

“Uncensored” does not necessarily translate to “profane”, but that opinions and comments (including language) are not influenced by FCC regulations or sponsors and therefore can be truthful, direct, honest, impassioned, conversational and thought provoking.

Why the name, ‘Stimulated Boredom’?

It is a purposeful oxymoron. The name of the program is exactly what it suggests; a place to have your mind stimulated when you are bored, through discussion of a wide range of topics, ideas and opinions. It never takes itself too seriously, but at the same time covers relevant and important issues in a conversational tone that is accessible, entertaining and easy to understand.

Whether it is a complex and detailed discussion of The Big Bang Theory, WWII, Stem Cell research, Natural Selection or Socio-economic policy…or a lighter topic such as movies, music, relationships, technology or video games…each topic is discussed in such a way that the listener comes away with a clear understanding and/or new opinions and ideas to consider for themselves.

Listening

How do I listen to the show?

There are a number of ways to hear Stimulated Boredom, all of them free! For the most up-to-date and popular options, please visit the “Listen Now!” page.

Whether directly through the website, podcast, direct streaming or through mobile apps…there is sure to be an option that works best for you and how you like to listen.

How often is the show updated?

Weekly. I generally record the show on a Friday or Saturday and upload shortly after, however my promise to listeners is that there will always be new material available no later than Monday morning each week…unless, of course, I am taking time off.

How many people listen to the show?

I put the number at roughly in the tens-of-thousands per week.

I can track the amount of downloads of the podcast or when people play the show through the site, but since it is available on so many services, that can be very time consuming.

So, with the show starting in Feb 2005 (and constantly growing), all 50 states and over 100 countries tuning in (streaming or downloading the podcast), a safe estimate is in the tens-of-thousands per week. This assumes the addition of new listeners per week and that not all existing listeners tune in every week…but I hope they are!

Can I pause / fast forward / rewind the show?

Yes! Whether you are downloading / listening to segments via iTunes, the apps, the Stimulated Boredom website, RadioTime, MediaFly or any of the other available options, you have complete control.

What do you play when you take a week off from the show?

From time to time I do need to take a break from the program (hey, I still have a personal life!). In those cases, the previous week’s show will remain available on the site (“This Week On SB”) until a new show is added, therefore I encourage listeners to take advantage of the time off to get caught up on past shows they may have missed. :)

Occasionally I will swap out segments on the, “This Week On Stimulated Boredom”” page with a listener requested segment or perhaps another past segment that relates to a current event.

In the case of a “Best Of” show, any segments from past shows that I would play during time off are already available on-demand via the podcast.

Host

Who is the host with the most?

For more information on the host, please visit the, “Meet The Host” page for a Quick Q&A that discusses the origins of the show and other information about Dana

Why did you start the show?

How else am I going to build my cult intended for World domination (cue maniacal laughter)?

The short answer is that I am a student of debate, have an opinion on just about everything, am a passionate person on many topics, have an over-active / accurate bullshit meter and am a major conversationalist. I enjoy hearing the opinions of others, sharing my own and have been told that I have a way of explaining complex issues that is entertaining, accessible and easy to understand (well, my Mom said that, but it still counts!).

Much of what I have done throughout my life has involved public speaking, being ‘out front’, working with people and being extroverted. Many others have said that people tend to stop and listen whenever I talk due to the manner / presence in which I speak (then again, I pay those people). I can also easily ‘read between the lines’ very quickly on most issues. I have been described as, “Knowing a little about a lot…and a lot about a little”.

After the 2004 election, I was so frustrated by the political process and games being played, that I decided to take my opinions and frustration from the dining room table to the airwaves…wanting to provide a resource for people to see through the spin, BS and sponsored / influenced opinions…and provide a more independent voice to discuss, entertain and educate people by discussing both sides of an issue and sharing my opinion for others to consider for themselves.

The show simply evolved from there to start including my other topics of interest and personal passion: history, science, social issues, news, music, movies, gaming, life, technology, careers and anything else I have an opinion on (which pretty much includes everything). :)

I put a premium on accuracy, as well as making it clear when discussing my personal opinion on a subject. My ultimate goal is for people to be entertained, educated and come away with a better understanding of a new or old subject, something to consider when formulating their own opinion and armed with new knowledge for their next conversation.

What is your political affiliation?

I am a registered & staunch ‘NPA’ (No Party Affiliation).

I am neither liberal, conservative, libertarian, moderate or progressive. As should be the case with any intelligent human being who is contemplating the complexities of domestic, foreign and social issues, I am in fact all of these descriptions…the adjective that best describes my stance is wholly contingent upon the individual topic or issue…not a broad based and naïve acceptance of all of the planks of a particular parties platform or ideology. However, let there be no mistake, as I am a deeply opinionated and passionate person who stresses being informed and seeing all sides of the debate, including the right and ability to change my mind! A virtue that appears to be lost sometimes in today’s ‘my team versus your team’ political environment…

I have voted for both parties.

Do you get paid to do the show?

No. I do the show because I love it and am passionate about the topics I discuss and the people that it reaches and influences. If it were not for feedback and emails from listeners all over the World, I may have stopped long ago…they (you) are the driving force.

I do, however, pay monthly fees to cover royalties and all other show expenses (i.e. hardware, software, microphone, time etc) are all out of pocket. The purchase of show merchandise or the mobile apps help to defer the cost. Other than that, I do not collect a penny for doing the show. I equate it to the time people will dedicate towards a hobby they are passionate about…if you love it, it’s easy to do.

I have been offered numerous radio and advertising opportunities thanks to SB, however the caveat is (in my opinion) the unwanted influence of FCC regulations and advertising sponsors that can stifle a show such as Stimulated Boredom. I feel terrestrial radio constricts creativity, honest and impassioned opinion, as well as unrestricted debate. Being a very direct and opinionated person, that would drive me crazy. I do not want any external forces beyond my control to have any influence over content.

Ideally, I would look at a satellite radio opportunity (of which I have had discussions with XM), as they are also not regulated by the FCC, being a paid service.

How do you talk to yourself for hours on end without a co-host?

What, you can’t hear the voices in my head too?

I’ve tried 2 co-hosts in the past, but admit that I am a very disciplined (pls see: stubborn) person when it comes to working on something I care about and wanting things to be done a certain way. To keep doing this every week for years, it has to be on a schedule that listeners can rely / count on and distractions must be ignored to ensure the show is done. As a result, the idiosyncratic nature of working with others had me putting the show off while I dealt with moods, schedules, arguments over show length and topics of discussion (I preferred more content, to their desire for less) or simple laziness.

My mind works in tangents, therefore once I grasp onto a subject, my brain is flooded with information as I talk and before I know it hours of recording have been filled. Some of this is due to also discussing multiple sides of an issue (the way my brain naturally works), so in a way I do have a co-host. :) Besides, when you are passionate about what you are discussing, filling hours of time talking about it is never hard.

However, the show does have guest hosts on from time to time. Whether it be a personal friend, author, college professor or other folks that bring insight to a particular subject or are simply great conversationalists to help me entertain the listeners.

After years of doing Stimulated Boredom, what keeps you coming back / motivated every week?

Simple. The Listeners. You keep listening and I’ll keep talking. :)

I don’t think the listeners fully understand the motivational effect that they have on me when I read their emails. Whether it is getting turned on to a subject matter for the first time, running for office because of the show, comments about understanding a topic better because of the program, hearing about the show being added as recommended listening at universities or just simply being entertained…one email from a listener can invigorate me, even if I originally didn’t feel like doing a show one week, I can read an email from a listener and immediately get “jazzed up” to turn on the mic.. I know it sounds cheesy, but that is my honest answer.

To get emails from all over the World tells me that the show is reaching people and serving a purpose…I STILL get a kick when a new listener writes in to say they found and love the show. :)

Hell, the show even helped ME fulfill a dream of mine by getting heavily / directly involved in a political campaign from a strategic level. I have been invited to participate in national strategy calls, I trained volunteers and learned that those I trained knocked on the doors of over 150,000+ households in my city etc. I have given speeches at colleges, participated in panel discussions, sat in living rooms discussing politics with those who wanted to learn more…so it’s a two-way street.

But like I said, you tune in, I talk. That is the deal we have and it works pretty well me thinks.

Are you really as handsome as you sound?

How embarrassing (*feigned humility*) …but yes, yes I am.

Website

What else can I do on the website?

Stimulatedboredom.com is the ‘hub’ of the program, where you can access all other show related options. The new website was designed specifically with interactivity in mind. It is a place where you can go daily / weekly for new content, interesting blogs, book / music / movie reviews and other ways to stimulat your boredom outside of the talk show. Whether it is a follow up to a discussion on the show, or anecdotes, opinion pieces, new videos or interesting articles…the website is intended to supplement and help to support the underlying principle of the show, to entertain and to educate.

This includes: participating in the blogs by commenting, providing your own opinion or sharing it to social media channels; finding the YouTube companion channel, become a Guest Writer for the website (post your own blog) and allow others to comment and/or respond, listen to the show, email the program with comments/questions/suggestions for show topics, follow Dana / the show on Twitter, purchase show merchandise, get details on each week’s topics of discussion, find information on the host, pin your location on the listener Guestmap, subscribe to the show on iTunes and more.

Basically everything you need relating to the show…but with a lot more added content. :)

There is even a mobile version of the website if you direct your phone’s browser to stimulatedboredom.com, to make reading & commenting on blogs easier and to make navigation of the site easier and more optimized for an ‘on-the-go’ mobile experience. You can also toggle the mobile version on and off, should you rather want your phone to display the full web version of the site. Currently it is defaulted to display the mobile version, unless you choose otherwise.

Where can I find the most recent updates relating to the show?

By viewing the ‘News Flash’ widget at the top-left of the website. This is where I will post the most recent updates relating to the show; if I am taking a week off, if a new blog / video / show as been posted (you can also subscribe to the blog RSS for updates), any relevant changes or additions to the site, if a new poll has been added and more.

I want updates on the show, is there a mailing list?

Yes, thanks for asking! There is a handy-dandy mailing list subscription box at the bottom of this page. Simply enter your name and email address, make sure ‘subscribe’ is chosen and hit ‘go’. From that point there are a few quick confirmation steps to ensure it is YOU that wants to subscribe and not someone entering your information.

You can also ‘unsubscribe’ (and break my heart in the process) by going through the same procedure and choosing ‘unsubscribe’.

What is the mailing list used for?

Rest assured that by subscribing to the mailing list, you will NOT be inundated with trivial / daily updates, as I do not like to receive a deluge of emails from sites that I like either!

The mailing list is ONLY for sharing important updates to the show or website, requests for listener feedback on topics I will be discussing on the show, polls, getting information before any other listeners, contests, listener challenges etc. I probably send roughly 1 or 2 a month. :)

Also, the mailing list is used ONLY for Stimulated Boredom and your information will NOT be shared with anyone else. Unless needed for blackmail purposes…naturally.

Other

I really like the show and know that Dana spends money from his own pocket (not to mention time!) to do the show and entertain us. Is there a way to help support the show?

Yes! Thanks for asking, it’s as if I wrote the question myself. ;)

You can help support the show in a number of ways:

First: Buy show merchandise or the mobile apps! Everything from mugs, hats, clothes, coasters, bags etc…all showing support for Stimulated Boredom! I make a percentage of all sales, which in turn go towards my costs for doing the show. Also, the iPhone & Android apps are only a one-time purchase of $1.99 each, which also includes all future updates, upgrades and new feature additions. Although Stimulated Boredom is always free to listen to through many avenues, the cost of the app helps to cover development costs and are a great way to support the program and an independent broadcaster!

And Second: Promote the Show! Tell your friends & family, share blog articles on Twitter and Facebook (there is an option to share at the bottom of every blog), share the YouTube promo video by posting it to your Facebook / Twitter and other social media pages or blogs, add the podcast player to your website, rate the station etc. Every bit of exposure helps to reach more people and demonstrate your love of independent opinion, content & broadcasters! Help get the word out so the show continues to grow based on listener support from around the world. :)

Can I buy Stimulated Boredom merchandise?

Yes! Everything from hats, mugs, mouse pads, coasters, shirts, clocks, computer bags and tons more! Just visit the Show Store…and thank you in advance for supporting the program through buying some SB “schwag.” :)

I receive a percentage of all sales, which I put towards the production of the program to keep it going. In addition it shows your support for independent radio, talent and opinion…which in turn makes you sexier, thinner and more attractive to the opposite sex. :)

Where do babies come from?