This plane wasn't safe to fly

Raising $100,000 for the audio documentary *Our Beloved Medium* requires a strategic blend of historical research and compelling fictional narratives to capture sponsor interest. While the project aims to preserve the integrity of the audio medium, the industry’s current push toward video-centric content creates a challenging landscape for independent creators. Securing funding involves navigating a numbers game, where building rapport with industry players like Buzzsprout and RSS.com proves as vital as the financial outcome itself. By integrating a fictional radio station, WFYZ, into the documentary’s structure, the creators differentiate their work from celebrity-led podcasts and address broader themes of media consolidation and the survival of independent storytelling in the streaming age. This approach allows for a nuanced exploration of radio history while maintaining a distinct, engaging format that resonates with potential backers.