It's pretty easy to go listen to the podcast on Iheart radio if you really want to listen. IMO he didn't do a great job explaining why he was leaving. He made it clear he was not planning on this at all until a few weeks ago. Kept saying they wouldn't let him put out his own message to represent RAGBRAI on the Carson King thing. The message he wanted out wasn't strong support of King, just wanted to basically say the stance of the Register does not represent the stance of RAGBRAI. Kinda of felt like he was talking a lot about how he thought the backlash was going to damage the ride a lot. He had zero issues with anything prior to this when dealing with the Register.
Based on the interview it feels poorly explained and very reactionary. I feel like he's been planning this far longer than he was saying in the interview. The timing and plan seem very calculated to me.
Wow...I only caught the end of he conversation, but either you didn't hear the entire interview or you only heard what you wanted to hear.
That fact he often worked unpaid due to the budget crunches the Register would find itself in that caused him and his staff to get laid off periodically.
The fact that he will now be able to better assist small pass-through towns with hosting. Mentioned logistically things like porta poddies as well as local charities benefiting more. Things he wasn't allowed as much influence before.
The fact that the end of RAGBRAI was rumored over the last few years so there were always questions on how long it would last.