Why This Radio Show's Fundraiser Still Hasn't Raised a Dime

William Davis · 2026-08-12

It's been a full year since James Francis Bartholet launched a GoFundMe campaign for his radio show, Inside The Industry. The date was August 12, 2025, and the goal was simple: keep the show on the air. But here's the kicker — after 365 days, the fundraiser has collected exactly zero dollars. Not one single dollar. No pesos, no yen, no euros. Just a big, empty progress bar that tells you everything you need to know. You don't need to be a financial investigator to figure out why. The writing's been on the wall for a while now. When you lose sponsors left and right, and when industry insiders start asking uncomfortable questions, the silence from your audience speaks volumes. Let's break down what's actually happening here. ### The Backstory Nobody's Talking About James Bartholet isn't exactly a household name, and that's kind of the point. For those who've been living under a rock, he's the host of a niche radio program that caters to a very specific corner of the adult entertainment industry. The show was supposed to be his big comeback, his way of staying relevant in a business that moves fast and forgets faster. But here's the thing — the show's audience is tiny. We're talking about a handful of regular listeners, maybe six on a good night. The guests? Mostly newcomers who don't know any better, a few veterans who refuse to fade away, and some folks who are just there for the drama. It's not exactly a recipe for sustainable success. ### Why the Fundraiser Failed So Spectacularly When you launch a crowdfunding campaign, you're essentially asking your fans to vote with their wallets. A zero-dollar result isn't just a failure — it's a statement. Here's what that silence says: - **No trust:** People don't donate to causes they don't believe in, and they definitely don't donate to people they don't trust. - **No value:** If the content isn't worth paying for, why would anyone chip in? - **No community:** A successful fundraiser needs a loyal base, and loyal bases don't just appear overnight. There's also the elephant in the room — the show's reputation. When you're known for burning bridges, losing sponsors, and stirring up controversy, people start to keep their distance. Word travels fast in this industry, and once your name gets dragged through the mud, it's hard to wash it off. ### The Industry's Response Has Been Deafening Here's a fun fact: an industry award costs about $5,000. That's it. Five grand gets you a shiny trophy and a moment in the spotlight. But Bartholet can't even raise that much from his own audience. Meanwhile, other shows and creators are pulling in thousands of dollars in donations every month. The contrast is stark, and it says a lot about where he stands in the pecking order. If you happen to run into him at an industry event, you might want to ask why he stopped showing up to the bigger conventions. The answer might surprise you. Or it might not, depending on how much you've been paying attention. ### What This Means Going Forward Look, nobody likes to see anyone fail. But when you put yourself out there and ask for support, and the response is crickets, it's time to take a hard look in the mirror. The fundraiser's failure isn't just about money — it's about relevance, credibility, and the willingness of an industry to embrace you. At the end of the day, the only thing this campaign seems good for is covering funeral costs for the relationships Bartholet has burned over the years. And that's not a joke — it's a harsh reality. The industry has moved on, and it's not looking back. So what's next for Inside The Industry? Your guess is as good as mine. But one thing's for sure — if you're thinking about donating, you might want to save your cash. This ship isn't just sinking; it's already underwater.