But, you are 210% correct that most listeners do so in a way that they cannot be involved with the podcast. I think we are all guilty of that at some time or another. I usually download podcasts onto my iPod and listen while I walk or driving to work. Neither activity is conducive to sending an e-mail, calling in, or writing a comment.

I know more and more hand-held devices have internet capabilities but sometime we are too connected. A walk in the neighborhood should be about the walk. It shouldn’t be about hopping online. Similarly driving to work should be focuses on safely driving.

I don’t grudge anyone listening while they’re disconnected and naturally people forget what they wanted to say when they get re-connected. All we, as podcasters, can do is keep podcasting and initiate communication with our listeners. I share…force my friends to listen and then get feedback. I discuss content with gamers at my FLGS and in turn have great face to face conversations. I’ve lost count of how many times that has resulted in great content for a podcast.

I think, barbalet, you have hit the nail on the proverbial head. The issue of showing up is a big problem in podcasting, and elsewhere, but there are ways around it that podcasters must take. The onus is on us and not the listeners. That said it is still nice when listeners take a few moments to let us know they exist. Otherwise we’re just people talking to our computers. It wasn’t so long ago that people got sent away for talking to inanimate objects.