I logged on to the Discord server once or twice, trying to figure out what it is. Apparently it's a chat room. Not a chat board. You interact in real time. That doesn't work well for me. I like the in-depth discussion that can happen on a chat board, where you can post a word or several paragraphs, or even pages, and read other's posts at your leisure and respond after pondering. And a discussion can continue over time. And if I get tired of it I can drop out. A chat room is too much like a bus stop where people come and go and the conversation just rambles. Though Steve did say he'd answer questions if he happens to be at the computer.
I don't get the ads. But I've heard them because once or twice there was a glitch and the ad version was posted before the ad-free episode. I agree that ads are annoying and undermine their credibility, but it is the accepted way to pay for content. If only 2% of listeners pay, then ads are the way to pay the bills. I think it's a fair choice: Pay for the content, or you have to use the skip-forward button or listen to the ads.
I get other podcasts that give you ads even if you donate. They are usually annoying as hell. With one glowing exception. Ross & Carrie manage to do ads that are actually fun to listen to. Maybe that's because of Carrie's personality. But another of my favorite podcasts, Sawbones, makes their ads so annoying I have to jump for the skip-forward button every time they come on. Even if they're advertising the same stuff. If you could bottle Carrie Poppy you could make a million dollars. I wish I could invent a religion and get enough acolytes that she and Ross would come investigate, so I could meet them.