Put your money where your ears are. That's the phrase above the donation button on IT Conversations, a listener-supported collection of audio programs and interviews produced by Doug Kaye.

Not only am I a listener, but I believe in the vision. In fact, I believe in the visions and opportunities that podcasting and other forms of rich-media publishing can bring--not only to the media landscape--but to our own individual lives and communities.

So, I'm setting aside and splitting $1000 from my paid-to-blog side gig to give back and support a couple things I believe in: IT Conversations and the podcasting community.

The first $500 is going to Doug Kaye's IT Conversations. As you may know, Doug is exploring the business model opportunity for his show and there's a fantastic discussion on how IT Conversations might support itself. One such idea is by donations. Doug is aware of my intentions.

I will put the second $500 into the podcasting community or specific podcasting causes. Since this is certainly a subjective idea, I am looking for an open discussion of ideas on what could benefit the most. Ultimately, the final decision is mine, and I am fully aware that not everyone may be happy with the outcome. However, I hope that by fostering an open public discussion within the podcasting community, I will be able to make a wiser and more popular decision.

Finally, let me go on record by saying that I am not an investor and these funds are not 'investments' in the traditional sense. I'm not seeking a return.

I simply believe in what we're all doing.

"Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work." - Vince Lombardi