@chipotle I think podcast advertising money has dried up quite a bit, so this development is understandable.
I noticed about three months ago that the quality of advertisers has decreased on a lot of the podcasts I listen to, as well. CBD oil and online ED medication sales might be legal, legitimate businesses these days but they remind me of spam email more than podcast advertising stalwarts like Stamps.com and Audible.
I have not decided to pay to subscribe to any of my favorite podcasts yet, mainly because the value per dollar isn't really there for me, and I don't feel flush enough to be a "patron" right now. If my favorite podcasts start fading away, though, I will change my mind on that.