As an aside:

> Before we go any further: I hate to ask you to do this, but I need your help — I'm up for this year's Webbys for the best business podcast award. I know it's a pain in the ass, but can you sign up and vote for Better Offline? I have never won an award in my life, so help me win this one.

What does it mean to canvas people to vote for you without any suggestion that you have - actually listened to the podcast?

Goes as far as to undermine the award if there's a suggestion you've received votes from people just because you were good at marketing people to vote for you. Seems to confuse savvy business practice with that of an award for merit.