I think you have a right to know who pays for my work and how that shapes, or doesn't shape, what I cover.
Below, you'll find a full breakdown of where the money comes from, where it goes, and how I handle editorial independence and sourcing.
More than three-quarters of the revenue that supports my projects (like Tod’s Clubhouse or the Healthcare Infusions) comes directly from individual readers and viewers, not corporations: newsletter subscriptions, social media channel memberships, one-time donations, and merchandise.
That's by design. When readers are the ones paying, readers are the ones I'm accountable to.
| Revenue source | Share |
|---|---|
| Newsletter (monthly subscriptions, one-time contributions, and advertising) | 60.5% |
| Facebook & Instagram memberships | 13.6% |
| Merchandise sales | 10.1% |
| Individual donations | 7.7% |
| YouTube revenue (monthly memberships and advertising) | 7.0% |
| E-book sales | 0.9% |
| Podcast advertising | 0.1% |
Here are some ways you can support Tod’s work.
I have no financial interest in any of our Canada projects, like Main Street Canada or Unplug America.
Listings are free, there are no tracking or affiliate links, and I do not make a penny off people’s use of these sites in any way.
They are a public service, for the benefit of Canadians and Canadian businesses.
I almost never accept sponsorships for my videos. (In fact, I’ve only accepted one: the Canadian social media app Gander Social supported my trip to Gander to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11.)
The only other sponsorship opportunities offered are within my email newsletter [ad info here] and podcast. Most coordination with newsletter advertisers (outreach, scheduling, and invoicing) is handled by my team. Advertisers have no role in, and no influence over, the editorial content I produce.
Podcast ads are programmatically inserted by my podcast hosting provider, and I have no control over or visibility into the advertisers that appear, other than to specify a list of categories to block, such as gambling, guns, and adult products.
A portion of revenue from my merch sales and YouTube ads goes to support the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Foundation, which works to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Receipts available upon request.
| Recipient | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Foundation | $12,039 | Donations done quarterly |
| Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation | $1,192 | |
| Rainbow Railroad | $9,573 | Raised via 2025 audience-supported fundraiser, The Chucklehead Movement, for trans and queer refugees |
| Spinal Cord Injury BC | $20,044 | Raised via 2026 audience-supported fundraiser |
| Owl Magazine fundraiser | $105,385 | Raised via 2026 audience-supported fundraiser |
I cover Canadian identity, history, and culture. Some of that coverage will be unflattering to governments, corporations, or institutions. I don't moderate that based on who might be watching.
I do not accept direction or funding from any political party, candidate, or organization. Story selection, framing, and conclusions are mine alone. I will disclose any personal or financial relationship with subjects I cover.