Dr. Andrew Thaler: 10 Years of Crowdfunding Success on Patreon
Release Date: 05/31/2024
Coastal Economy and Tourism Are Being Put at Risk by Offshore Oil Drilling
How To Protect The Ocean
Coastal Economy and Tourism face a serious threat as the US government moves forward with a plan to open more than one billion acres of ocean to offshore oil and gas drilling, a decision that could impact beaches, fisheries, tourism jobs, and coastal communities for decades. This episode explains why this proposal matters now and how it could reshape life along the coasts of California, Alaska, and the Gulf of Mexico. Offshore oil drilling is often framed as an economic benefit, but this conversation reveals a very different reality. Pete Stauffer from the breaks down how tourism, recreation,...
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Wikie and Keijo Orcas: The Breakthrough That Could Save Them, Or Come Too Late
How To Protect The Ocean
Wikie and Keijo Orcas are the last two captive orcas in France, and a major government decision may finally give them a path out of concrete tanks, but the clock is ticking. France has officially backed the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia as their future home, yet this announcement does not mean an immediate rescue. In this episode, we break down what France’s move really means, what still has to happen, and why these two orcas remain in limbo despite years of public pressure. Whale Sanctuary Project Nova Scotia represents one of the most ambitious attempts to move captive whales into...
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US oil and gas drilling: How This Plan Could Put America’s Coasts at Risk for a Generation
How To Protect The Ocean
US oil and gas drilling is once again at the center of a high-stakes decision that could shape America’s coastlines, marine life, and coastal communities for decades. This episode asks a critical question: should the U.S. lock itself into new offshore drilling just as climate risks and ocean damage are accelerating, or is there still time to choose a safer path for the ocean and future generations? Offshore drilling impacts go far beyond fuel production, and Oceana campaign director Joseph Gordon explains why oil spills are not short-term disasters but long-term crises. One of the most...
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Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents: The Hidden World Beneath the Pacific That Shapes Life on Earth
How To Protect The Ocean
Deep sea hydrothermal vents reveal a hidden world where life thrives without sunlight, forcing scientists to rethink how ecosystems can exist in extreme heat, pressure, and darkness. Nearly two kilometers beneath the Pacific Ocean, superheated fluids erupt from the seafloor at Endeavour, creating environments that challenge everything we thought we knew about life on Earth and how it survives. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are not isolated deep ocean curiosities, they actively influence the chemistry of the entire Pacific Ocean. In this episode, scientists explain how minerals and iron released...
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Climate Solutions for the Ocean: How Restoring Kelp Forests Could Change the Future of the Seas
How To Protect The Ocean
Climate Solutions for the Ocean are urgently needed as warming seas, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse accelerate faster than most people realize, and one of the most powerful tools may be hiding just beneath the waves. In this episode, Andrew Lewin sits down with Scott Bohachyk, Director of Seaforestation at Ocean Wise, to explore how kelp forests function as underwater life support systems for the ocean, supporting fisheries, stabilizing coastlines, and helping ecosystems recover from climate stress. Kelp forests have declined by up to 50 percent globally, with some regions losing...
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Tree-Free Products Are Disrupting Big Industry and Saving Thousands of Trees
How To Protect The Ocean
Tree-Free Products are disrupting industries that have relied on the same wasteful materials for more than a century, and the shift is happening faster than most people realize. In this episode, we explore how Emerald Ecovations produces over 370 sustainable alternatives without cutting down a single tree, dramatically reducing carbon emissions, water use and ocean-bound pollution. Ralph Bianculli shares why legacy companies resist change and how younger decision-makers are pushing corporate purchasing toward genuine sustainability. Sustainable business is more than a buzzword; it is the...
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Mass penguin die off explained, the shocking truth behind why African penguins are disappearing and what it means for our future
How To Protect The Ocean
Mass penguin die off explained, a crisis that wiped out ninety five percent of some African penguin colonies, raises a heartbreaking question: how does a thriving species fall to fewer than ten thousand breeding pairs and almost no one sees it happening? This episode uncovers the chain reaction that pushed an entire population toward collapse, from vanishing sardines to the brutal timing of the molt that left tens of thousands of penguins starving. One of the most emotional discoveries in the research was that more than sixty thousand penguins died simply because they did not have enough body...
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Marine Wildlife Victory: Why New Protections for Manta Rays and Sharks Change Everything
How To Protect The Ocean
Marine Wildlife Victory raises a powerful question: what does it take to finally protect some of the ocean’s most threatened giants, and why did it take this long? In this episode, you will hear how manta rays, devil rays, and several shark species faced years of intense pressure from overfishing and international trade, and why the world finally agreed they needed stronger protection. The emotional turning point comes when we uncover that manta ray gill plates were so valuable in global markets that populations were declining faster than conservationists could respond. Shark Conservation...
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Northern Right Whale Hope Story: Why the Population Finally Rose and What It Means Next
How To Protect The Ocean
Northern Right Whale crisis: For years, scientists and advocates have watched this critically endangered species decline due to ship strikes, fishing gear entanglement, and rapid ocean change. This episode asks a crucial question: Does the first population increase in years signal real recovery or just a temporary pause in a long-term crisis, and what must change now to keep that number rising? Whale conservation stories: Oceana campaigner Nora Ives brings clear insights into how monitoring efforts and shifting whale behavior shape our understanding of their future. She explains how...
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What’s behind your canned tuna? The shocking truth supermarkets never tell you
How To Protect The Ocean
Supermarket tuna raises a disturbing question: What’s behind your canned tuna? In this episode, you uncover the hidden human cost of the global tuna industry, including the devastating story of fisherman Deby Putra Bunanda, whose health collapsed after months at sea supplying tuna for major supermarket brands. His experience reveals a deeper and darker truth about forced labor, long deployments without oversight, and the human suffering behind one of the world’s most common foods. The surprising emotional insight: Bunanda returned home barely able to walk or speak after seven months at...
info_outlineDr. Andrew Thaler, a deep-sea biologist, and expert in utilizing crowdfunding for marine science projects, shares his success in funding side projects through platforms like Patreon, Kickstarter, and experiment.com. Over the past 10 years, he has raised $50,000 for various initiatives involving 3D printing, ROV technology, and sampling bottles.
Tune in to learn how Dr. Thaler's crowdfunding campaigns have made a significant impact and gain valuable insights for funding your marine conservation projects.
Andrew Thaler's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Andrew_Thaler/posts
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Crowdfunding platforms like Patreon and Experiment.com have been recognized as valuable tools for funding side projects in marine science and conservation, as discussed in a podcast episode featuring Dr. Andrew Thaler, a deep-sea biologist. Dr. Thaler shared his successful experience using Patreon to fund various projects, including the OpenCTD, research papers, and aid missions to countries affected by natural disasters.
Dr. Thaler stressed the importance of cultivating a dedicated audience and engaging with them through platforms like Twitter and Patreon. He noted that Patreon enabled him to raise funds for projects that traditional sources might overlook, such as high-risk pilot studies and creative media endeavors.
The benefits of Experiment.com were also highlighted as a platform that combines foundation support with crowdfunding, making it easier for researchers to secure funding for their scientific projects.
The podcast episode also addressed the challenges of using social media platforms for crowdfunding, noting the evolving landscape. While platforms like Twitter were once effective for promoting campaigns, their effectiveness has diminished in recent years. Dr. Thaler emphasized the importance of direct outreach to potential supporters, engaging with communities, and utilizing traditional platforms like email to promote crowdfunding efforts.
In summary, the episode showcased how crowdfunding platforms like Patreon and Experiment.com offer researchers and conservationists an alternative funding source for their marine science and conservation side projects.
Maintaining support on crowdfunding platforms like Patreon requires engaging with your audience and providing regular updates on your projects. Dr. Andrew Thaler, a deep-sea ecologist and conservation technologist, shared his experience with Patreon, emphasizing the importance of transparency and communication with supporters.
Dr. Thaler keeps his patrons informed through his blog, Southern Fried Science, rather than posting private content on Patreon. By sharing updates on his projects, research findings, and activities, he ensures his supporters are aware of how their contributions are being utilized, building trust and keeping patrons engaged.
Additionally, Dr. Thaler highlighted the significance of providing value to patrons through perks like custom stickers. Introducing a sticker campaign on Patreon significantly increased his funding and engagement levels. By offering tangible rewards and involving other artists in creating unique stickers, he enhanced the overall experience for his supporters.
Furthermore, Dr. Thaler stressed the importance of personal interactions and one-on-one conversations in securing support for crowdfunding projects. Many of his donations came from in-person conversations and direct outreach efforts, establishing connections with potential supporters and leading to long-term commitments.
In conclusion, maintaining a strong relationship with your audience, providing regular updates, offering valuable perks, and engaging in personal interactions are key strategies for sustaining support on crowdfunding platforms like Patreon. By fostering a sense of community and transparency, creators can cultivate a loyal and supportive fan base for their projects.
Building partnerships and engaging with other creators on platforms like Patreon can be a valuable strategy to connect with communities interested in supporting your work. Dr. Andrew Thaler, a deep-sea ecologist and conservation technologist, highlighted the importance of interacting with other Patreon creators who produce similar creative media. Subscribing to other creators and engaging with their content can establish connections within communities sharing an interest in your work.
Dr. Thaler emphasized utilizing Patreon as a social network to connect with like-minded creators. While some campaigns may not yield significant financial returns, engaging with other creators can lead to valuable partnerships and collaborations. By interacting with fellow creators on Patreon, you can tap into existing communities interested in supporting your projects.
Moreover, Dr. Thaler mentioned that in-person conversations have been instrumental in securing donations for his projects, underscoring the importance of building personal connections and engaging directly with individuals to garner support for your work. Actively reaching out to potential supporters, whether online or in person, can expand your network and connect with communities aligned with your goals and interests.
Overall, building partnerships and engaging with other creators on platforms like Patreon can not only help access funding but also foster a sense of community and collaboration within your niche. By actively participating in the Patreon community and forming connections with other creators, you can enhance visibility, attract supporters, and establish meaningful relationships contributing to the success of your projects.