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Although it is possible to create mathcasts with software like Microsoft Word, specialized math software, or other tools that generate text or images most of us have found Annotation software like Smart Notebook software, Blade NotateIt, or Microsoft OneNote to be extremely helpful.

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Some of the Best ... (All prices are US Dollars)

Recommended tools

VoiceThread on the web - Annotate on images of problems you upload to VoiceThread using colored pens.

SMART Notebook software (free for users of SMART products like their new $399 - $699 Airliner wireless slate). Windows/Mac. The best annotation & lesson creation software available. The $399 price is the educational cost. BTW: The Airliner is a modified Wacom Bluetooth graphics tablet - it has a tethered pen and a programmable strip of icons. 

Microsoft ? (especially OneNote 2007)
(<$100 for educators & students). For Tablet PC users and Windows users with graphics tablets. Very nice organizational tool which can serve double-duty as annotation software for mathcast making. OneNote 2007 is especially powerful for mathcasting as it includes a whole set of drawing tools. 

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TalkAndWrite TalkAndWrite Skype plug-in (Free version; professional version - about $30 US)  Use for online collaboration or for mathcasting. 

Blade Software's NotateIt (About $30). Windows 98 and after. Excellent annotation software. Version 3.0 includes screen recording (wmv files for Windows Media Player or conversion to other formats by TechSmith Camtasia Studio) and the ability to embed movies in NotateIt files.

Microsoft NetMeeting's Whiteboard (free) - Comes with Windows 98 and after. OK software. In Windows XP it's a bit hidden - Click Start - Run - Type conf.