Here we are, almost 3/4 of the way through 2026 and only one post this year. I have been completely focused on the podcast/video channel called Health Declassified, which I co-host with Kathleen Beauvais. In this post, I look at perseverance, the sunk cost trap, and moving on.
After 6 years and close to 1100 episodes, we have decided to take a break. For the last few months, we have been publishing one long and two or 3 three short episodes each week. That’s a lot of research, recording, editing, and promoting for little financial return.
I have always preached determination, perseverance, and striving in the face of adversity. My book is all about it, with a chapter devoted to perseverance. But at some point, one has to question the wisdom of continuing to devote many hours each week to a project that is not attracting enough views, subscribers or downloads to generate sufficient revenue to cover costs, let alone any revenue for the publishers.
Questions
Has the podcast (both audio and video) wave crested? It’s certainly not a scientific study, but, I am hearing more people saying they are no longer listening to or watching podcasts than I am hearing of people starting to listen or watch. I am hearing that from both younger generations and boomers.
We have increased our number of subscribers, viewers, and hours watched on YouTube over the last 9 months; this has put us in the top 25% of all YouTube channels for several weeks, but it is not enough to generate revenue. The threshold for sharing advertising revenue is high; at our recent improved rate of growth, it would take us another year to cross it. In February 2027, YouTube will raise the bar even higher.
The Sunk Cost Trap
With so much time – 6 years – a few thousand $ invested, and good growth in the previous 9 months, it was easy to justify continuing and hoping the situation would magically improve. Exactly the sunk cost trap that causes investors to hold onto declining stocks when all the indicators scream “SELL”. When an investment of time or money shows no real signals of generating a positive return, it is the emotional investment that keeps us from stopping the drain on energy and resources.
Another old adage comes to mind. “When you are in a hole, the most important thing to do is to stop digging.”
The Benefits
It’s been 3 weeks now that I have not felt the pressure of meeting deadlines to record, edit and publish 3 or 4 videos, one audio version and a newsletter each week. I have not had to spend hours on social media promoting them, nor have I had to research topics and information to use for the show.
It’s been a great relief. Most days, after my early morning walk, I spend the rest of the morning in the office, deal with emails, catch up on reading, and long-ignored accounting tasks. Most afternoons, I am in the garden, cutting wood or working on various projects. At last, I have dusted off my guitar and discovered how badly my basic musical skills have deteriorated.
I actually feel as though, at the age of 76, I have retired. It has been great, but it’s not enough.
What Next?
Kathleen and I make a good team, we want to continue working together. Our first project will be to change the format of our newsletter and start publishing it again every week. It will focus on health and healthy living, but without the links to the weekly videos and audios. We will be promoting some health products that we believe are good for us and our followers.
We will be publishing weekly posts about health and healthy living on Health Declassified. You can subscribe to the newsletter there.
I will be publishing posts here. These will be a mix of observations, commentary, and a contrarian look at current events.
