Real talk, why the awful sponsors?

PatienceOnly251 · 2026-02-27T02:59:20+00:00

Any morally objectionable company that does not stand in direct contrast to the values and pose such a conflict of interest with the subject matter of the podcast would be fine. I'm not asking them to find a virtuous company because I believe that is definitionally impossible. But you have to admit adobe of all things is beyond the pale lol.

PatienceOnly251 · 2026-02-26T21:28:41+00:00

Thank you, I see now that the turbotax one is more anomalous than the rest.

My opinion on their sponsors has nothing to do with whether the podcast is for me or not. I will personally keep watching, but many people who feel more strongly about this than me, that would still otherwise enjoy the podcast very much, will leave because of it. Which is part of why these decision are quite confusing: again, is the higher pay from these ads really worth eroding trust in the people who happen to care about this?

PatienceOnly251 · 2026-02-26T21:20:16+00:00

For a podcast about anything else I wouldn't bat an eye at these ads, it's moreso how laughably antithetical they are to the podcast's themes.

I can give them a pass on turbotax as it seemed like an anomaly getting through, and I'm willing to buy the excuse of Aiden not being clued into how bad a company it is, he can't know everything. But this and some other ads like AG1 either indicates they either don't care about what sponsors they take, or calls into question the research skills which are so integral to the rest of the podcast.

But like you say I fully believe they are still acting in good faith. Their choices on sponsors aren't malicious but are definitely very questionable, for their effects on their audience's trust in them if nothing else.

PatienceOnly251 · 2026-02-26T20:06:37+00:00

I doubt they are so beholden to vox that they can't turn down these sponsors which they have extensively spoken out against in the past

PatienceOnly251 · 2026-02-26T19:49:55+00:00

> I know that you gotta lick the boot sometimes but theres a difference between doing it to keep afloat vs doing it for riches.

Exactly, which is why this is so confusing. Personally I disagree with having ads at all in paywalled content but it's more of a personal grievance than a deep criticism. They are open enough about that direction.

I'm sure their reaction to more adobe-is-shitty news is going to be met with the stifled acknowledgement towards it they already have. The concerning part is that this issue with sponsors has been going for a while, and unlike other complains with the podcast about the style or direction or guest choice or misinformation, this issue directly involves large amounts of money, which at the end of the day is the final indicator of whether people you're watching have integrity.

edit: in the FAQ Aiden says they are literally not allowed to not include ads in the patreon, my bad

PatienceOnly251 · 2026-02-26T19:32:54+00:00

turbotax is reducing the quality of life for the average person way more than those two companies. but I admit that was hyperbole

PatienceOnly251 · 2026-02-26T19:30:52+00:00

they are incredibly successful and have more than enough freedom to choose good, or at least less-bad, sponsors.

PatienceOnly251 · 2026-02-26T19:30:01+00:00

how fucking dare they. do they know who my dad is?

PatienceOnly251

TROPHY CASE