# The Podcast Setup
> Explore the world of podcasting with The Podcast Setup: your go-to resource for discovering innovative podcast setups, sharing your own, and staying updated with our newsletter.
Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts.
Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`).
## Pages
### About The Podcast Setup
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/about/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:57:45.000Z
Learn, share, and discover other podcast setups from podcasters around the world!

Our weekly newsletter highlights a podcast setup from our community. We’ll explore the hardware, software, and the reasons why podcasters love…podcasting. Please share our newsletter with your peers!

**How can you participate?**

Sign up for the free newsletter, login to the website, and you’ll be able to send your information through he form.

Please be as detailed as possible when you fill out the form. Take your time taking photos of your podcast setup. The better it looks, the more viewers you will attract!

**How can you support The Podcast Setup?**

Thanks for asking!

You can help us by signing up as a free newsletter reader and sharing our content on social media with your podcasting peers.

There are two ways to support us monetarily: Assist & Impact annual memberships.

The Assist pledge is a small annual fee that helps us keep the lights on. We’ll return the favor by giving you a shoutout in our newsletter after you make the pledge.

The Impact pledge earns you the ability to share a podcast of your choosing on our support page. This is a great way to show off your contribution to the newsletter and lead our readers to discovering your show.

**Who’s publishes this site?**

The Podcast Setup is published by [Matt Medeiros.](https://craftedbymatt.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

Say hi on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/mattmedeiros?ref=thepodcastsetup.com).

Subscribe to our [YouTube channel.](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxZuTmxtKNxNxc28y1sEckw?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### Contact
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/contact/
Last updated: 2025-09-23T18:29:59.000Z
Would you like to be on the podcast? Perhaps share your own podcast setup with others?   
  
The Podcast Setup is a great place for free promotion of your podcast! Get in touch, or just to chat with me. 

**Twitter/X:** [@mattmedeiros](https://twitter.com/mattmedeiros?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

**LinkedIn:** [Matt Medeiros](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

**BlueSky:** [Matt Medeiros](https://bsky.app/profile/matthewmedeiros.bsky.social?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) 

**Mastodon:** [Matt Medeiros](https://podcastindex.social/@mattmedeiros?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
## Posts
### My Goals for Podcast Movement 2026
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/my-goals-for-podcast-movement-2026/
Last updated: 2026-09-02T12:30:15.000Z
I’m headed to [Podcast Movement 2026](https://2026.podcastmovement.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), and I’ve been thinking less about what sessions I need to attend and more about what I actually want to get out of the trip.

Mostly, I want to meet people.

I’ve been working in and around podcasting for years, and there are people in this industry I’ve known online for nearly a decade. People whose podcasts I’ve appeared on, people I’ve interviewed, and people I’ve worked alongside without ever actually meeting in person.

Podcast Movement feels like a chance to finally change that.

I want to connect with people I already know, meet some new ones, and have real conversations about where podcasting is headed.

That feels especially important right now.

Podcasting keeps getting pushed toward more video, more social content, more clips, more platforms, and now more AI. There are plenty of opportunities in all of that, but I’m interested in talking with people about what actually matters.

What makes a show worth listening to?

Where does video really help?

How is AI actually improving podcast production?

And how do we keep podcasting from becoming unnecessarily complicated?

I’m also looking forward to talking more about the work I’m doing professionally in podcasting and with Podcast Setup — helping people make better decisions around the tools, technology, workflows, and strategy behind their shows.

But the real goal of the trip is simple:

Meet people I’ve known online for years. Have good conversations. Learn what others are working on. Share what I’m working on.

See you there!

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

[Learn more ](https://ghost.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### Spotify and YouTube Are Not Great for Podcasting
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/spotify-and-youtube-are-not-great-for-podcasting/
Last updated: 2026-08-17T20:24:08.000Z
In my latest episode, **“Spotify and YouTube Are Not Great for Podcasting,”** what I really mean is that they’re not necessarily great **for podcasters**.

From a technology, distribution, and audience-building perspective, both platforms are incredibly valuable. They’re two enormous vehicles for getting podcasts into the ears—and increasingly the eyeballs—of an audience.

That part is great.

The problem is that Spotify and YouTube aren’t really in the podcasting business. They’re in the advertising business. And in order to sustain those businesses, they have to continue building walled gardens, controlling distribution, and finding new ways to extract more value from the content flowing through their platforms.

## Spotify, skippable ads, and the walled garden

On the Spotify side, I talk about some recent reporting from James Cridland at Podnews around Spotify allowing users to [skip certain](https://podnews.net/article/spotify-threat-ad-skipping?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) inserted podcast ads.

Now Spotify is also [**selling** advertising that **cannot** be skipped.](https://podnews.net/article/spotify-unskippable-ads-and-auto-skips?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

On the surface, the whole thing feels strange. Spotify can determine which ads you can skip, which ads you can't skip, and how advertising behaves around a podcast that the company itself may not have created or produced.

According to James, Spotify is able to do this because of the terms and agreements users accept when using the platform.

And that's exactly the larger issue.

Once podcast consumption moves inside these giant platforms, the rules of podcasting start becoming the rules of the platform instead.

## YouTube has a different kind of power

When James originally talked about Spotify skipping podcast ads, plenty of people pointed out that YouTube Premium already removes advertising for paying subscribers.

There is an important difference: YouTube still shares a portion of Premium revenue with creators.

But we're also seeing YouTube continue to tighten its grip on monetization and how revenue gets distributed to creators.

There's another part of YouTube's ecosystem that I don't think gets discussed enough in podcasting: **you can simply pay YouTube to promote your own videos.**

A podcaster can upload an episode and then use YouTube's built-in promotion tools to stimulate views and potentially grow subscriber counts.

That's dramatically different from traditional podcasting.

You can't go into Overcast or Pocket Casts, hand them some money, and suddenly guarantee yourself a massive influx of plays and followers.

Sure, podcast apps can feature shows. Podcasters can purchase advertising. There have always been ways to promote a podcast.

But the sheer scale of YouTube—and the fact that the promotion mechanism exists inside the same platform where your public numbers are measured—creates a very different dynamic.

Suddenly, views and subscriber counts can be accelerated with money.

And those same numbers can later become part of the pitch used to sell advertising and sponsorships.

## That's not what makes podcasting great

This is ultimately why I say Spotify and YouTube aren't great for podcasting.

It's not because podcasters shouldn't use them. I absolutely think you should distribute your show wherever your audience wants to consume it.

It's because these platforms have fundamentally different incentives.

They can manipulate how audiences are reached. They can change how advertising works. They can squeeze monetization. They can introduce pay-to-promote mechanisms that dramatically affect the numbers everyone uses to judge success.

I'm also not pretending there's some simple thing Spotify or YouTube could change that would suddenly fix everything.

The media landscape is massive, competitive, and expensive. If you're operating at the scale of Spotify or YouTube, you're probably going to make aggressive decisions in order to generate aggressive amounts of revenue.

Podcasting has traditionally worked differently.

Building an audience is hard.

Building relationships is hard.

Selling sponsorships is hard.

And strangely enough, that's part of what makes podcasting so valuable.

There isn't always an algorithm waiting to hand you an audience. There isn't always a button you can press to manufacture another 100,000 views.

You have to make something worthwhile, earn people's attention, and build relationships over time.

That's what makes podcasting great—and incredibly challenging—all at the same time.

**Watch or listen to today's episode, “Spotify and YouTube Are Not Great for Podcasting,” now on** [**Spotify**](https://open.spotify.com/show/033PEuxNyeGlr7ouLUY0fU?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) **and** [**YouTube**](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTEc2GuPH7yY&ref=thepodcastsetup.com)**.**
### Your Podcast Needs Community
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/your-podcast-needs-community/
Last updated: 2026-08-06T14:32:13.000Z
In a world obsessed with chasing vanity metrics like downloads and followers, podcasting can quickly start to feel discouraging.

Read your favorite article about growing a podcast or ask your favorite chatbot, and most of the advice is built around numbers moving up and to the right.

But at what cost?

For most independent podcasters, the real goal is to make an impact on the people listening. More downloads alone will not create that impact. Building genuine relationships and cultivating a community might.

[Your podcast needs community - Matt Has A Podcast About PodcastingBuilding a community around your podcast is more important than ever.Year after year, it seems like something new is squeezing the podcasting industry. Even as podcasts become more popular, creators continue to face a growing number of external ch…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/icon/favicon-67300d7d-a075-42c3-8165-c76f573e5aec.ico)Buzzsprout![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/thumbnail/Matt-20has-20a-20podcast-20about-20podcasting-20cover-283cbe8d-1929-49e1-9308-3ef05c782271.jpg)](https://www.buzzsprout.com/2623703/episodes/19593854?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

## **The community trap**

If you are anything like me, you overthink everything.

When podcasters decide to start a community, they often get stuck on the technical details. Which platform should you use? What should the landing page look like? Should access be free, paid, or part of a membership?

Those questions can distract you from the most important one:

**How is my podcast delivering value to at least one person in the audience?**

Can you answer that question confidently? Can you evaluate each episode based on how well it connects with another person, rather than how well it feeds the vanity metric loop?

That is where community begins.

## My Number One Tip for Starting a Podcast Community

Do not overthink it.

Once you believe a community could support your podcast, start with one person.

Add a simple call to action at the beginning of your episode inviting a listener to schedule a one-on-one virtual conversation. Ask why they listen, what challenges they are facing, how your content helps, and what else you could do to support them.

That single conversation will teach you more than launching an empty community platform and guessing what people want.

Avoid building something complicated before you understand the people it is supposed to serve. Otherwise, you may spend your time creating discussions, resources, and content based on assumptions rather than real conversations.

Start with one person. Learn from them. Then share what you learn with many.

That is how I plan to build a stronger community around this podcast.

[You can start by booking a time to talk with me.](https://savvycal.com/mattmedeiros/podcastsetup?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### Matt Has A Podcast About Podcasting
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/matt-has-a-podcast-about-podcasting/
Last updated: 2026-07-30T14:14:15.000Z
I launched a new podcast!

I'll give you a minute to guess the topic… yup, podcasting.

An obvious fit for this newsletter, and a subject I only scratched the surface of with Breaking Content, a show that lasted four episodes.

You might be thinking: does the world need another podcast about podcasting?

Every podcaster asks themselves that question, no matter the genre. Does the world need this new thing? Far be it from me to hold back your creative endeavors. If you want to launch the thing, even with [all that competition](https://thepodcastsetup.com/10-tips-to-survive-the-ai-slop-war/), more power to you. In fact, I encourage it.

The challenge is finding the hook that grows an audience around your show. What's the premise? What's the format? How do you package the whole thing?

For Matt Has A Podcast About Podcasting, the premise is simple: we're in this together. Podcasting isn't easy, there's no fast path to monetization, and the tech changes fast. I'm here to share what I'm uncovering and learning along the way.

The format is mostly a monologue from me, with some guest appearances. But like any creative process, all of that could get thrown out the window — [I turned my last show into a video game](https://thepodcastsetup.com/i-turned-my-podcast-into-a-video-game/), so anything's possible. I'll adapt to what the audience wants and how I feel about the work I'm shipping.

**Why now?**

My friends at Buzzsprout reached out about producing a video on [HLS video podcasting](https://thepodcastsetup.com/why-apple-hls-video-podcasts-matter/) — Apple's move to bring video into the open podcast ecosystem instead of leaving it locked inside YouTube and Spotify.

When Alban asked if I could make the video, I saw a chance to test Buzzsprout's HLS feature and launch the new show on their hosting at the same time, so I could get more familiar with the platform. They've always been in my [top three host recommendations](https://thepodcastsetup.com/3-best-podcast-hosting-companies-to-start-a-podcast-with-in-2026/), and I've studied them for years. Now I get to put them through their paces.

**What is a podcast?**

Every year I hear podcasting is dying. I also hear it's growing faster than ever and trusted more than ever as a media source.

The RSS feed is an elusive technology. It's old, it's confusing, [it can't be contained](https://thepodcastsetup.com/why-marco-arment-is-wrong-about-podcasting-2-0/). Big tech hates that — though to be fair, it also makes podcasting hard for the average person to wrangle, too.

My definition of a podcast doesn't require RSS. It requires ownership and portability. If you can take your show and your audience with you, you're podcasting, feed or no feed.

If there's a podcaster in your life, send them the newsletter and the show. Search for [Matt Has A Podcast About Podcasting](https://matthasapodcast.buzzsprout.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) wherever you get your podcasts.
### I Turned My Podcast Into a Video Game
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/i-turned-my-podcast-into-a-video-game/
Last updated: 2026-06-19T12:45:09.000Z
The age of AI continues to deliver countless efficiency gains for podcasters.

Tools like [Descript](https://thepodcastsetup.com/tag/descript/) once held the lead position in AI-assisted editing, amazing us all with the automated removal of filler words. Now competitors like [Riverside](https://thepodcastsetup.com/riverside-vs-descript-why-i-use-riverside/) offer nearly all of the same editing tools with a better native recording experience.

Creating [podcast cover art with AI](https://thepodcastsetup.com/workshop-using-chatgpt-claude-design-for-podcast-cover-art/) can save you a bunch of time if you don't have the budget to hire a human.

But what about creating a discovery experience for your podcast? Something that goes beyond automated AI clips or social posts to win over new followers of your show?

In this video, I'll explain how I built a game for [Agency Action](https://agencyactionpodcast.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), a podcast that I publish as part of a tiny [podcast network](https://thewpminute.com/podcasts/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) I own.

## Why did I create a game out of my podcast feed?

It's getting harder to stand out from the crowd in an era where podcasts continue to dominate the zeitgeist.

Saying the word "video" at a podcast conference might part the crowd like Moses did the sea. There's no faster way to reopen the "what is a podcast?" debate than speaking that word.

While pundits continue to argue over audio vs video (myself included!), I wanted to focus on the experience of the content. Something that went beyond the feed or the YouTube channel.

At the core of Agency Action, we aim to deliver an educational experience for the audience, so the challenge was to deliver that in a new way. One that could reach new listeners to grow the show, and one that could enhance the dedicated listenership we already have.

Agency Action Replay takes in new episodes every week and turns them into a fun 8-question educational game styled like a retro arcade machine. It's a lightweight experience that gamifies each new episode as an educational challenge.

## Why the RSS feed is important

RSS feeds give us portability and a standard to operate from.

In the podcast world, we say it gives us the freedom of distribution. Anyone with an RSS reader or dedicated podcast app can ingest the feed to play your content. But in the coding world, it also means we can build on it or extend it.

Thanks to the transcript tag, I was able to easily analyze each episode's content and turn it into a new level.

Every Tuesday when a new episode is published, my system ingests the feed and transcript file and creates a new 8-question "level" for the player to interact with. If I didn't have transcript files readily available in the feed, building a weekly automated workflow would be much more cumbersome, even with AI.

### The technical stuff

I won't get too deep into how I built the game, because it doesn't really matter to the end goal, which is encouraging you to think about creating new experiences around the RSS feed.

In this example, it was a game based on the transcript. Earlier this year, I made a searchable directory of trends and keywords based on [Podnews Weekly Review](https://thepodcastsetup.com/building-the-podnews-weekly-report-2025-what-ai-taught-me-about-podcastings-hidden-opportunities/). Don't overlook the value of your content and the backlog of information you've accumulated.

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

[Learn more ](https://ghost.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### Workshop: Using ChatGPT & Claude Design for Podcast Cover Art
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/workshop-using-chatgpt-claude-design-for-podcast-cover-art/
Last updated: 2026-06-08T16:45:13.000Z
One of the hottest topics in podcasting right now is the use of AI generated audio.

The industry is grappling with the ethics and disclosure around putting an artificial human voice in your ears. Is the content any good? Do listeners like it? Should you tell them?

But producing a podcast is more than just the audio file. Cover art, chapter art, and other promotional graphics are key to setting the brand of your show.

Just like with audio, there are shortcuts to making AI generated artwork, and we've all seen the examples. On one hand, I'm glad small businesses are producing more marketing material for their Instagram feed. On the other, I keep seeing the same flyer design over and over. The same gradient backgrounds. The same isometric illustrations. The same vaguely 3D blob behind a sans-serif headline.

I'm not sure exactly how this affects user trust or the weight of a company's brand, but seeing the same design across multiple businesses has to have some psychological impact on marketing and advertising.

And here's the thing about podcast cover art: that square thumbnail is the only visual a potential listener sees in their feed. It's your entire visual brand to most listeners. Generic AI artwork in that slot is a different decision than using AI for a sales deck or a blog header.

I'm sure at some level the major audio platforms are scanning for AI generated episodes, but still not penalizing the creator like we see with [YouTube](https://www.tubebuddy.com/blog/youtube-ai-demonetization-how-to-spot-risk?ref=thepodcastsetup.com). If that happens, scanning cover art and chapter art would be the obvious next step. It's the lowest hanging fruit for tagging a podcast as AI generated.

In my workshop video, I'll walk through using ChatGPT and Claude to create cover art for your podcast, and I'll work through the pros and cons of each, with a twist of how to produce more unique designs that aren't just shipped on auto pilot.

At the end of the day, you should think about three things: the impact AI has on your brand, how scalable this approach actually is for your show, and whether the output works for your audience.

Otherwise, you could just hire a human.

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

[Learn more ](https://ghost.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### Why Apple HLS Video Podcasts Matter
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/why-apple-hls-video-podcasts-matter/
Last updated: 2026-05-11T13:29:07.000Z
In my latest video, I’m taking a closer look at Apple’s move into HLS video podcasting and why I think it could be an important shift for creators, podcast hosts, and the broader podcast app ecosystem.

What makes this different from simply uploading video podcasts to YouTube or Spotify is the potential for a more open approach. With HLS video, podcast hosting companies can begin supporting video in a way that works through RSS and can potentially extend beyond one closed platform. That matters because podcasting has always been at its best when creators have more control over where and how their shows are distributed.

If you’re a podcaster, [podcast hosting company](https://thepodcastsetup.com/3-best-podcast-hosting-companies-to-start-a-podcast-with-in-2026/), app developer, or just someone following the evolution of podcasting, I think this is a space worth paying attention to. Apple Video Podcasts may still be early, but it could become a meaningful new frontier for video in the open podcasting ecosystem.

## Here's what happened in the video

Don't have enough time to watch my video? Here's the scoop.

### 1\. Apple’s support for HLS video could push podcasting toward a more open video ecosystem.

In the video, I talk about why HLS is different from a simple one-to-one upload to YouTube or Spotify. Those platforms are powerful, but they keep the experience largely inside their own ecosystems. HLS video has the potential to give podcast hosts, apps, and creators a more flexible way to distribute video across the broader podcasting market.

### 2\. Independent podcast hosting companies are starting to support video distribution.

Buzzsprout launching video distribution to Apple Podcasts feels like an important milestone. Transistor is also preparing support, and I expect more independent, RSS-first podcast hosts to explore this direction. To me, that’s exciting because it means video podcasting does not have to be limited to the major closed platforms.

### 3\. HLS video could create new opportunities for creators, apps, and podcast websites.

If more hosting companies and podcast apps adopt HLS, creators could have more ways to present video shows across apps, websites, and directories. I also share a few resources in the video for anyone who wants to follow what’s happening with HLS video support or experiment with the technology themselves.

## Watch the Full Video

Watch the full video for my complete breakdown of [**Apple Video Podcasts**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49ymWzNI0EQ&ref=thepodcastsetup.com), why HLS matters, which podcast hosts are already moving in this direction, and what this could mean for the future of open video podcasting.

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

[Learn more ](https://ghost.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### 10 Tips to Survive the AI Slop War
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/10-tips-to-survive-the-ai-slop-war/
Last updated: 2026-04-24T12:45:38.000Z
I want to draw some parallels between what I’m seeing in the software and marketing industries and today’s podcast space.

I know, it’s a bit of a leap, but it makes sense in my head, and perhaps you’ll nod along — if not, let me know.

AI is shifting the software and marketing landscapes at breakneck speed.

The term "vibe coding", which might be synonymous with AI-generated podcasts, has exposed the cracks in the system.

My entire career has been rooted in web hosting, web development, and technology that enables everyone from individuals to larger organizations to do business. It could have been a simple website or a full-blown app. It wasn’t just a practice; it was an economic activity.

**Profits were made and kept—well, until AI started leveling the playing field.**

At the time of this writing, a skilled power user like myself can leverage AI to build systems that otherwise cost tens of thousands of dollars. If you’re in the services industry, you can no longer hide behind technical jargon and past accomplishments.

As agencies and freelancers all leverage similar tooling, the leverage shifts. If you’re not 100% invested in the solutions and the industry you service, constantly thinking + deploying new solutions to your problem alongside customer problems, you’re in for a short ride.

**What does this mean for podcasting?**

Podnews recently reported that [the rise of AI podcasts](https://podnews.net/update/ai-slop-overtakes-humans?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) is surpassing human-generated podcasts. This is a clear indication that there are “creators” exploiting the massive advantage AI gives us: slop factories.

These slop factories create competition for your handcrafted podcast, whether you like it or not. They create more noise (literally!) in the popular content categories. They flood social and promotional spaces to generate more traffic to sell ads. Most importantly, they risk burning out a potential listener of yours.

**And there’s nothing you can do about it.**

I’ll be blunt: Only the [podcasters that care](https://thepodcastsetup.com/is-the-podcast-industrial-complex-dead/) will survive.

Those stuck in the middle who don’t absolutely have a passion for the content they are creating, don’t have a strong promotional plan, and lack a connection to their audience — it’s time to wrap it up.

You’re not getting pushed out by the slop factories, you’re just going to have to be 10x better to stand out from the sheer volume and rise in competition doing the same.

It means you’ll have to get better in all areas for your podcast to survive. The late Todd Cochrane constantly reminded us to get our own .com and treat the podcast like a business. That rings true more than ever.

**Well, there's *something* you can do.**

1. Get more deliberate with your content.
2. Reframe your podcast premise if you have to.
3. Reshape the podcast to meet whatever time commitment challenges you have.
4. Find balance between content production and promotion.
5. Treat the podcast brand like you would a business.
6. Hire help to offload the parts of the business you don’t have time for.
7. Have a monetization plan if investing dollars back into the show is critical.
8. Leverage AI in the areas that can help you most, but don’t sacrifice content integrity.
9. Don’t be afraid to partner with others.
10. Don’t be afraid to throw it all away and reset.

Innovators are going to come out on top on the other side of this. I’m not saying it’s over or that you need to fully adopt AI across your stack, but that you are planning to compete with others who are.

The formula to growing a podcast hasn’t changed, it’s just more important than ever.

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

[Learn more ](https://ghost.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### 3 Best Podcast Hosting Companies to Start A Podcast With In 2026
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/3-best-podcast-hosting-companies-to-start-a-podcast-with-in-2026/
Last updated: 2026-01-07T13:45:27.000Z
Is starting a new podcast part of your resolutions?

Kicking off the new year with a new podcast is a great choice. If you’re looking for the best podcast hosting company for your show, I might be able to help.

I’ve been podcasting for around 15 years. I also spent a chunk of my professional career working at a podcast hosting company (not listed here) and still spend a lot of my time reviewing and assessing what podcast hosting platforms actually provide for their customers.

There isn’t one perfect podcast hosting company I can point to. Many of them cater to a specific type of podcast creator. In this breakdown, I’m highlighting my three favorite choices.

I’m assessing these through the lens of someone who wants to treat their podcast seriously.

Maybe this podcast is part of your brand’s marketing initiatives. Maybe you want to add an audio layer to the content you already produce. 

Either way, the options below can support the needs of a growing business or brand.

## The 3 Best Podcast Hosting Companies for Starting Your Podcast

As mentioned earlier, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for podcast hosting.

Each platform offers a different experience depending on the type of podcaster you are. The three options below are great for anyone taking podcasting seriously. This isn’t just a hobby or an experiment, it's a podcast that represents you or your brand!

### What You Get Across All Three Hosts

- Strong customer support across the board.
- A robust set of tools for podcasters.
- One-click distribution to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more.
- Support for [Podcasting 2.0 features](https://thepodcastsetup.com/tag/podcasting-2-0/) and active participation in the podcasting ecosystem.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-05-at-4.19.28---PM.png)

## Transistor.fm: The Great All-Arounder

[*Sign up for Transistor*](https://swiy.co/podcast-setup-transistor?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) *(affiliate link, it supports us!) or use a* [*clean*](https://transistor.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) *link.*

This is where I host most of my personal and professional podcasts. I’ve been using Transistor for the last four years, and it’s been rock solid. The support is excellent, and the feature set fits my workflow perfectly.

### Key Features

- Simple, fast, and easy to use.
- Helpful when problems actually matter.
- Great for podcasters just getting started.
- Clean embeds for your website.
- Run sponsorship campaigns across episodes.

**Podcasting 2.0 support**

- Funding tag for donation links
- [Transcript](https://thepodcastsetup.com/how-transistor-fm-makes-podcast-transcripts-easy/) tag with AI-generated transcripts
- Person tag for hosts and guests

You can watch this series of videos where I walk through setting up a new Transistor account on my YouTube channel.

My Transistor.fm Playlist

If you host multiple podcasts or like to experiment with new shows, Transistor’s pricing makes it easy and affordable.

If you want a reliable, all-around podcast host, **Transistor.fm** is my top pick.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-05-at-4.19.35---PM.png)

## RSS.com Hosting: From Free to Cutting Edge

[*Sign up for RSS.com.*](https://rss.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

There’s no better way to start a podcast than starting for free. RSS.com now offers [a free plan](https://thepodcastsetup.com/rss-com-launches-free-podcast-hosting-plan/), which is perfect for niche or local podcasts.

I often recommend RSS.com to podcasters who want to move from another host and need deeper features. Their analytics are especially strong and useful for brands and advertisers.

I also host *Our Beloved Medium* on RSS.com, and it’s been a great fit.

### Features I Appreciate

- Deep insights for serious podcasters.
- PAID Ads: Monetize without selling ads yourself.
- A strong commitment to podcasters through The RSS Space.
- Unique Podcasting 2.0 tags
  - Live Item tag for live audio
  - Soundbite tag for short audio clips

Launching a free plan at the end of 2025 shows a real commitment to helping new creators succeed.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-05-at-4.19.42---PM.png)

## Buzzsprout: Easy Monetization, Easy Podcasting

[*Get started with Buzzsprout*](https://buzzsprout.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

Buzzsprout is one of the largest podcast hosting companies in the industry, yet it’s still run by a small, thoughtful team.

Every host I’ve recommended genuinely cares about podcasting and podcasters. Buzzsprout has been a champion of both for many years.

While I haven’t personally hosted a podcast there, I’ve used their paid ad network to promote *Crew Collective*, a podcast I produce at my full-time job. I also know many podcasters who’ve had great success with the platform.

### Features That Stand Out

- Designed for beginners.
- In-house production tools: Magic Mastering and Cohost AI simplify production.
- Listener support (like Patreon) and dynamic ads through their network.

If you’re brand new to podcasting and want an easy path to monetization, Buzzsprout is a strong option.

## Spotify and YouTube Are Not the Podcast Hosting Companies You Want

If you’ve spent any time listening to podcast professionals, you know one of the biggest debates right now is a simple question: *What is a podcast?*

Over the last year, YouTube has become the industry’s darling of podcasting. But [YouTube isn’t the savior of podcasting](https://thepodcastsetup.com/youtube-is-not-the-podcast-savior-youre-looking-for/). 

YouTube wants you to start YouTube channels. While they offer a “podcast” option, it mainly exists to categorize episodes so they appear in the YouTube Music app.

Spotify tried a similar approach years ago when they acquired exclusive rights to *The Joe Rogan Experience* and made a massive push toward gated, premium content.

When people say you need an RSS feed, it can sound like a techie clinging to the past. But having a proper RSS feed is both an [insurance policy and an access strategy.](https://thepodcastsetup.com/podcasting-bajillion-point-oh/)

It protects you from platforms changing the rules, throttling reach, or altering algorithms overnight. It also ensures your audience can always access your content using their podcast app of choice, not just Spotify or YouTube.

Even if platforms change, your audience can still listen anywhere.

That’s why your RSS feed should come from a dedicated podcast hosting company.

## It’s About Features *and* Fit

Choosing a podcast hosting company can feel overwhelming.

You’re never quite sure if a platform will support your workflow or provide the help you need. The good news is that all three options here are solid choices.

Podcast hosting isn’t just about features. It’s about fit.

- Want to host multiple podcasts with a strong feature set? **Transistor.fm**
- Want deep analytics, a free plan, and cutting-edge features? **RSS.com**
- Want a turnkey solution with built-in monetization? **Buzzsprout**

[You can start a 14-day free trial with Transistor](https://swiy.co/podcast-setup-transistor?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) (aff. link) or explore free plans from RSS.com and Buzzsprout.

Have questions about starting your podcast? Feel free to contact me.

**Go podcasting!**

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

[Learn more ](https://ghost.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### Why Ghost is Great for A Podcast Website
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/why-ghost-is-great-for-a-podcast-website/
Last updated: 2025-12-14T13:30:02.000Z
I'm a huge fan of WordPress.

The world's most popular Content Management System (CMS) is what puts food on the table for my family. I produce [3 podcasts](https://thewpminute.com/podcasts?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) and two [YouTube](https://youtube.com/@wpminute?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) [channels](https://youtube.com/@wpminutepodcasts?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) about it. 

But it's not always the best solution for a podcaster. Especially if you're a podcaster that doesn't have the time or the need to learn & scale a site of which WordPress has the potential to handle. 

Ghost, which is what powers this website, is a fantastic alternative. 

In today's video, I highlight some of my favorite features Ghost provides and why they might work for you!

## Why Ghost? 

Like podcasting, Ghost is an open source solution. 

I think if you're investing in your [RSS feed](https://thepodcastsetup.com/is-the-podcast-industrial-complex-dead/), staying away from platform lock-in from the likes of [YouTube](https://thepodcastsetup.com/youtube-is-not-the-podcast-savior-youre-looking-for/) or Spotify, opting for your own "dot com" on an open platform makes really good sense. 

While you might think it appeals only to techies or a more cult-like follwing, what you realize in the longterm is that open platforms give you more freedom. Freedom to move your content/data around, freedom to shape the experience, and freedom to decide if you want to play nice with other tech giants. 

I encourage you to watch the video above to hear me go deeper into the following points, but here they are for brevity sake. 

1. **Ease of use:** This is the clear reason to choose Ghost over any other platform. It's a blog and a newsletter in one – and they make the whole thing a breeze to manage.
2. **Hosting:** You can host your own version of Ghost on your own servers or opt to sign up to Ghost hosting, which is quite affordable compared to other platforms.
3. **Analytics:** This buckets into the ease of use part, but I do give it a special call out because the Ghost team presents it so seamlessly that you don't have to think critically about it.
4. **Payment/Subscribers:** I did forget to mention this in the video, but Ghost comes with built-in membership to the newsletter (and website content) with payment options built in. Obviously this is a massive win for podcasters that are seeking to monetize their publication.

Some drawbacks worth mentioning:

1. **Learning curve:** Like everything else, there's a small learning curve. Albeit, this is the easiest platform for publishing a blog and newsletter I've ever used. You still might need a weekend to get comfortable with it.
2. **Integrations/Plugins:** If you're coming from the WordPress world, Ghost is nowhere near as "off the shelf" extensible as what you're used to. They have a solid set of integrations like any other SaaS offering, but if there are business critical apps you need your site to talk to, be sure to check their integration page first.
3. **Themes:** Another double-edge sword. They have great looking themes you can choose from, but you're not dragging and dropping any layouts here. You have the choice to toggle some style and layout options, but if you're used to an Elementor or Wix style approach – you won't find that here.

## Conclusion

You can't go wrong with Ghost if your main objective is to build a newsletter and home base for your podcast content. 

You can signup for free and take it for a spin before you fork over any hard earned sponsorship money. DM me on LinkedIn if you have any questions, I'm happy to help. 

*I'm sponsored by Ghost, but am under no direction to write this article, nor did the team at Ghost have any input. These are all of my own thoughts as a Ghost customer, and a fan of WordPress! ;)* 

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

[Learn more ](https://ghost.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### Building the Podnews Weekly Report 2025: What AI Taught Me About Podcasting’s Hidden Opportunities
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/building-the-podnews-weekly-report-2025-what-ai-taught-me-about-podcastings-hidden-opportunities/
Last updated: 2025-12-02T01:46:46.000Z
Every year I like to run a fun, slightly nerdy experiment using AI to analyze something happening in the podcast world. 

This time, I decided to break down a full year of [Podnews Weekly](https://weekly.podnews.net/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) episodes and turn them into an interactive research dashboard. It is called the [Podnews Weekly Report 2025.](https://podnewsweekly.thepodcastsetup.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) 

Disclaimer: 

This project is not endorsed by Podnews, Podnews Weekly, James Cridland, or the great Sam Sethi. 

Everything inside the report was generated and researched with the help of AI. I used Claude Code to build local Python scripts, spaCy NER for entity recognition, Python 3, Chart.js, Tailwind CSS, and a lightweight Worker-based setup for hosting references. All data originates from the transcripts included in the Podnews Weekly RSS feed, and I have cited everything back to the original source. This is not definitive research. It is an AI-assisted exploration.

With that out of the way, let us talk about what this project really shows. Because this experiment is not just about Podnews Weekly. It is about what AI and open podcasting standards unlock for creators.

## AI Opens New Doors for Podcasters

The biggest takeaway from building this report is that AI does not need to power massive web apps or change how listeners consume podcasts. Sometimes the most valuable use case is much smaller. A micro app. A lightweight tool. Something that enhances how audiences interact with your content.

That is what this report is. It is not a listening experience. It is an interactive way to explore a year’s worth of conversations. A visual snapshot of the topics, people, and companies that shaped Podnews Weekly throughout the year. And it did not require a huge tech stack. It required:

- Python 3
- spaCy for NER
- Chart.js
- Tailwind CSS
- Claude Code to assist in writing and structuring the logic
- A willingness to experiment with data I already had

This is a great example of what podcasters can build today. You do not need to launch a full SaaS product. You can create small tools that make your show more dynamic, more engaging, and more useful.

By the way, you can get the [source code on Github.](https://github.com/thewpminute/podnews-weekly-report?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

## Your Episode Archive Is More Valuable Than You Think

Podcasters move fast. You record, publish, promote, and get ready for the next episode. But when you zoom out and look at the totality of your work—especially with transcripts—your archive turns into something much more valuable.

Your content becomes a dataset.  
Your conversations become analyzable.  
Your show becomes a research resource.

For this project, I analyzed roughly 57 episodes. Once laid out in charts and trend lines, it became obvious how much depth lives inside a consistent publishing habit. This matters even more in today’s AI-centric world. Tech companies ingest written and video content to power their models. They do the same with podcasts.

So the question becomes:  
Why shouldn’t podcasters also benefit from their own data?

This is where open standards matter. RSS matters. Independence matters. If your feed is portable, your data is portable. When your data is portable, you can build your own tools and your own experiences on top of it. Dashboards, research apps, companion tools, community features. It all becomes possible.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-01-at-8.39.49---PM.png)

## Podcasting 2.0 Makes This Even Better

[Podcasting 2.0 ](https://thepodcastsetup.com/tag/podcasting-2-0/)dramatically improves what creators can build because of its structured tags. Transcripts, people, funding, chapters, location, and more are available in the RSS feed itself.

Podnews Weekly uses Buzzsprout, which supports the transcript tag. That meant I did not need to transcribe anything. A small Python script could fetch every transcript, and spaCy handled the entity extraction.

Because of that, the dashboard can display:

- Guest photos via the person tag
- Chapters from the chapter tag
- Keyword frequency over time
- Episode-level summaries and visual cues

If I wanted to extend this further, I could add modal popouts, embedded players, interactive timelines, and more. And I would not need to reverse-engineer anything. The data already lives inside the RSS feed.

This is what makes Podcasting 2.0 so compelling. It opens the door to richer experiences that do not rely on proprietary podcast apps.

## Why This Report is Important

The dashboard allows anyone in the podcast industry to step back and see a larger narrative. You can compare how often certain companies, topics, or people appear across the year. You can see when certain themes spike. It becomes a simple, visual way to trace trends and understand how industry conversations evolve over time.

For analysts, creators, or platform builders, this context can be valuable. It highlights the shifting focus of the podcast ecosystem.

### A Searchable, Structured Archive

Because the report indexes every transcript, you can search across the entire year of episodes from a single place. If you want to know when a technology, platform, or trend was mentioned, the Transcript Search feature makes that easy.

Clicking into any episode brings you deeper into the source material. The result is a condensed research archive that saves you time and makes it easier to study conversations that might otherwise blend together.

### Context for Strategy, Development, and Analysis

If you are building podcast tools, advising clients, buying ads, or producing shows, this type of data can help you understand the broader landscape. You can see rising interest in things like video podcasting or programmatic ads. You can identify when certain companies show up repeatedly and when they fade out.

None of this replaces traditional research. But it gives you directional clarity, which often matters just as much when you are making strategic decisions.

### A Resource for Anyone Deeply Invested in Podcasting

For people who follow the podcast industry closely, this dashboard offers a way to browse, compare, and revisit a year’s worth of insights from Podnews Weekly. It is a lightweight, fast, easy-to-digest way to stay informed.

And because it is built on open standards and your own content, it reinforces a larger point about the value of accessible podcast data.

## Final Thought

This experiment is about showing what is possible when podcasters take ownership of their content and look for ways to extend the experience beyond audio.

As we close out the year, I hope this inspires you to experiment with your archive and build something interesting with your own content. Your episodes contain more value than you think.

If you explore the report, let me know what stands out. And stay tuned for more experiments at The Podcast Setup!
### RSS.com Launches Free Podcast Hosting Plan
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/rss-com-launches-free-podcast-hosting-plan/
Last updated: 2025-11-24T17:11:51.000Z
RSS.com just launched a free podcast hosting plan, and I wanted to share what it includes because I think it solves one of the biggest objections I hear from aspiring podcasters: "It's too expensive to get started."

Full disclosure: RSS.com are friends of mine and they sponsor one of my shows, [Our Beloved Medium](https://ourbelovedmedium.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com). But this free plan is legitimately useful, especially if you're thinking about starting a podcast in 2026 and don't want to drop money on hosting before you've even recorded episode one.

## What's Included in the Free Plan

Here's what you get without paying a dime:

- **Unlimited episodes** — No artificial caps on how much you can publish
- **Free podcast website** — A basic site for your show
- **Episode scheduling** — Plan your releases in advance
- **Automatic distribution** — One-click submission to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other directories
- **Promotional tools** — Help people discover your show
- **Podcasting 2.0 features** — Pod roll recommendations, funding tags, and value-for-value streaming
- **Enhanced email privacy** — Protects your email address in your RSS feed
- **Location tagging** — Tag where your podcast is recorded or what it's about for local/niche discovery

The main limitation? **Podcast analytics are capped at 90 days** instead of the extended history you'd get with their paid plans.

## Who Should Use the Free Plan (And Who Shouldn't)

If you're a hobbyist or someone just trying to get something off the ground, 90 days of analytics is plenty. Honestly, if you're obsessing over analytics beyond 90 days, you're probably running a business or trying to sell ads. At that point, you should be paying for hosting anyway.

RSS.com's middle-tier plan bumps you to 180 days of analytics, adds AI transcripts, and includes programmatic ad insertion. That's where you want to be if podcasting is part of your business strategy or you're using it for brand building at your organization.

But if you're just testing the waters? Or you've been putting off starting because of costs? The free plan removes that excuse.

## Setting Up Your Free Podcast (Quick Walkthrough)

I signed up for a free account just to see what the experience is like. Here's the process:

1. **Create your podcast** — Add your show name, description, and category
2. **Upload cover art** — Use something like [Canva](https://canva.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) to create your 3000x3000 pixel cover image (Canva is free for basic designs)
3. **Start uploading episodes** — The dashboard is clean and straightforward
4. **Distribute to platforms** — One click to submit to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other apps

The interface is one of the things I appreciate most about RSS.com. Everything is where you'd expect it to be.

## Analytics and Monetization Features

Even on the free plan, you get basic analytics showing where people are listening and what apps they're using. It's not the deep data you'd get with a paid plan, but it's enough to know if your show is resonating.

For monetization, **programmatic ads aren't available** on the free tier. But you can still use:

- **Donation and funding tags** — Add your PayPal or Stripe link, and any podcast app that supports the funding button will display it to listeners
- **Value-for-value streaming** — If you want to accept Bitcoin micropayments (sats) from listeners using compatible apps

Just paste your payment link into the dashboard, and you're set. Any app that supports Podcasting 2.0 features will display your funding button automatically.

## Why Podcasting 2.0 Features Matter (Even If You Don't Know What They Are Yet)

RSS.com includes several Podcasting 2.0 features in their free plan:

- **Funding tags** — Let listeners support you directly through their podcast app
- **Pod rolls** — Cross-promote other podcasts you recommend
- **Location tags** — Help people discover local or niche shows
- **Value-for-value** — Alternative monetization through streaming micropayments

If none of that makes sense right now, that's fine. The point is these are forward-looking features that give you more control and flexibility as a creator. RSS.com supporting them on the free tier shows they're thinking about independent creators, not just extracting maximum revenue.

## The Bottom Line

Starting a podcast in 2026 doesn't have to mean spending money on hosting before you've proven the concept to yourself. RSS.com's free plan gives you everything you need to launch, distribute, and even monetize a show.

The stuff that's not free? Your time. You still have to create the content, whether that's scripted monologues or interviews. But the infrastructure is there, ready to go, for zero dollars.

If you know someone who's been putting off podcasting because of costs, point them to [RSS.com's free plan](https://rss.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com). It's a solid way to get started without financial commitment.

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

[Learn more ](https://ghost.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### Why Marco Arment Is Wrong About Podcasting 2.0
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/why-marco-arment-is-wrong-about-podcasting-2-0/
Last updated: 2025-11-13T21:53:57.000Z
I’m coming off a bit of a cold this week, but I still wanted to share some thoughts after reading a [Reddit thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/overcast/comments/1otrmdc/podcasting%5F20/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) from Overcast creator Marco Arment about Podcasting 2.0\. Marco has been a hugely influential indie developer, but I found myself disagreeing with several parts of his take on the [Podcasting 2.0](https://thepodcastsetup.com/tag/podcasting-2-0/) movement and the open-source spirit behind it.

With my background [in the WordPress world](https://thewpminute.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), I see a lot of parallels. Open ecosystems move forward because communities experiment, share ideas, and build on top of shared foundations. Nothing is mandatory, and no one is required to adopt every proposal. That freedom is exactly what keeps innovation moving.

In the video that accompanies this post, I break down Marco’s comments, why I think they’re missing the broader context of open podcasting, and why Podcasting 2.0 continues to matter as more major apps adopt its tags.

Want to share your podcast setup? [Contact me!](https://thepodcastsetup.com/contact/)

#### Video Transcript

Why Marco Arment is wrong about open source

\[00:00:00\] Hey, it's Matt from the podcast setup.com. Got a bit of a cold. Bear with me one day. I'm gonna start an official podcast for this channel. I won't just be doing these one-off media blitz and, uh, standing on my soapbox, but that's what, uh, that's what the love of podcasting is for. I wanna highlight. A Reddit thread, uh, in the Overcast Reddit, uh, which I'm not a member of.

Um, I don't use Overcast. I used to way back in the day when it was the only indie option, uh, compared to or against, uh, apple Podcast offering, which was very thin and weak back then. But of course, podcasting wasn't as mature and as popular as it is today. Marco Armand, the creator of, uh. Overcast, uh, this is his Reddit and his thread on podcasting 2.0, talking about some of the tags that he wants to, uh, adopt into the software.

Uh, as you know, I'm an advocate for Podcasting 2.0\. As you might also know, I spend a lot of time as a, uh, developer \[00:01:00\] advocate for WordPress in the greater WordPress space, which has a lot of similarities to podcasting. They're both open source when we're talking about RSS publishing and where you can host a podcast and they're both community driven, like podcasting 2.0.

WordPress has a massive community. These two things are, or these two communities, these two projects are not unique in open source. That's how a lot of open source stuff. Works. We have open source code backed by maybe a commercial company, and a lot of that support comes from people in the community who give their time developing, advocating, marketing, integrating, adopting, reviewing, creating security patches, et cetera.

So that is the lay of the land. If you don't quite understand what podcasting 2.0 is, but you should know what Podcasting 2.0 is, especially if you're a pod news listener. Um, apple keeps adopting some really cool features from podcasting 2.0, like chapters and \[00:02:00\] transcripts. They're continuing to enhance the.

Apple Podcast app, uh, and it's quite a fantastic app actually. My daily driver right now is Pocket Cast. Um, but I have a set of podcasts that I listen to on Apple podcasts so that I can continue to, um, test drive and dog food what Apple's doing, especially when it comes to adding these tags. So I want to give Marco credit, of course, for leading the charge of Indie podcast app development.

And really sort of setting the groundwork for an alternative, um, in the Apple ecosystem so many years ago. But I think that's the issue is that it's these resting on these laurels of so many years ago where he has a very opinionated view on adapting to podcasting 2.0, and that's totally fine. Setting the stage for this stuff.

That is the beauty of open source. In WordPress world, there are many solutions to the same problem. There are developers \[00:03:00\] creating software to solve form, contact forms, and form entry data. That's my day job at Gravity Forms, we have a lot of competitors, both free and commercial. Third party, away from E, from WordPress.

It is totally fine to have many solutions. In fact, that's what drives innovation and awareness of open source stuff, right? Uh, especially in the lens of, of WordPress and, and podcasting. So it's great that he wants to adopt these tags and enhance overcast, and that is the beauty of what Podcasting 2.0 has brought to.

I'll call the industry is a ragtag set of people who are building really cool stuff on top of the RSS feed and enhancing what is possible. For podcasters, for listeners, for hosting companies, and heck, the greater \[00:04:00\] advertising and commercial side of podcasting at large chapters and transcripts, obviously being the most, um, the most powerful of solutions to come out of this movement.

So let's just dive into this Reddit thread really quick and I'm gonna quote some of the stuff from Marco and I'll link this up, uh, wherever you're watching or listening to this so you can read the whole thread. Marco says, the podcast namespace season and episode tags are supported in the current beta.

He's talking about overcast. I'm. Working on some others, including person chapters and transcripts. Fantastic person tag, great. Sort of enhances that visibility of who the host is, who's been on the show, et cetera. Very like really good chapters. Again, apple just adopted chapters and you can, and pockets and many other apps.

Have had chapters for a while. This is giving the listener the ability to skip ahead and find the chapters that they wanna listen to in your long format show, including cover art to those chapters. Very, really, um, or chapter art to those chapters. Fantastic \[00:05:00\] transcripts. We know the obvious thing here. Um, and he continues to say, I'd like to set the expectation accordingly, though there are some tags like those above that add useful metadata in many contexts that I look forward to supporting.

I don't see enough benefit or viable path to publisher adoption to justify supporting many of the tags or mechanisms. It's fine, like you don't have to. It's the beauty of the open source. You have it, you build on top of it. Think of the Linux kernel and how it. Uh, is is the heartbeat of, uh, Linux desktop applications.

You don't need every package. You don't need it to do every single way. I have no plans to support their cryptocurrency feature or anyone else's. It's too messy. It's outside of my expertise. I don't wanna get involved with many, uh, that people's money. That's fine. Like we've moved past that debate and I think where Marco.

Maybe just is unaware 'cause he is not spending time listening to the podcasting 2.0 podcast or the pod news weekly. Like people just get stuck in value for value in cryptocurrency. Oh my God. \[00:06:00\] Like that's the thing that just like they hear it and they immediately go, I don't want any part of this. I've talked about this ad nauseum.

It is looking at an alternative payment source. It doesn't have to be crypto, it can be the funding tag, which is literally a text field that says, if you wanna support me, click this button, click this link. It can go to PayPal, it can go to Stripe, it can go to my WordPress website, it can go wherever, but people just get bogged down in like podcasting two point.

Cryptocurrency. It's not more broadly. I'm gonna continue with his, with his comment here more broadly. I do have a bit of philosophical pushback on any pressure to adopt podcasting 2.0 proposal. Uh, this was not a standards body collaborating with podcasters podcast app makers and podcast listeners to get widespread agreement on a set of proposals.

It's some people who had some ideas and publish them. And \[00:07:00\] while I respect the people greatly, there are some great ideas within, and they gave it a name Podcasting 2.0 that suggests. Or they gave it a name Podcasting 2.0 that suggests a level of authority and inevitability that I do not agree with. I'll adopt the parts that make sense for Overcast to adopt and there are some good ones there.

But Podcasting 2.0 is not a standard in bold that anyone is obligated to adopt. It's a list of proposals. I'm always gonna prioritize features that I believe, uh, will have significant benefits to my customers. Some of those podcast namespace power, but the most won't be. And I like my set. I like to set my own roadmap.

Lemme start with that tail end. Absolutely. As an indie developer, yes, you should. That's how everybody should work. Open source gives, I feel, to the commons. You have this set of things that you can pull from and adopt into your own software. It could be one, tag all the tags. It's your prerogative to, to serve customers the right way.\[00:08:00\]

What I just completely disagree with and what I, I keep hearing over and over again as if podcasting 2.0 and the folks behind it are just constantly pushing onto people to, to do this or not. There could be another podcasting 2.0 that comes out. There could be, as Marco puts it, uh, a, a set of, uh, suggestions, um, and not obligated to adopt.

These are not standards. Yes. I understand that, and maybe there's another movement that comes up and comes up with a whole set of their own tags that could exist too. WordPress, Drupal, right. You know, any other indie app that's alongside of Overcast exist because somebody said, I want to do it this way, but this whole thing of like.

This was not a standards body collaborating with podcasters. Podcast app \[00:09:00\] makers. Podcasts, listen to get widespread agreement on a set of proposals. I mean, I use Overcast early on. I, I dunno, I feel like it was 10 years ago when I started using it. Has it been around that long? Did Marco start with asking everyone here's how it should be done?

No. What we're talking about is a guy who has had a very successful app who. Like the leading indie app probably on Apple Podcasts, right? And maybe even across, if you compared it to Google or um, uh, Android, you know, probably the most successful. And it's easy to look back and go, well, I'm at the top of the hill now.

No one's really asking or collaborating with me. I have a chip on my shoulder. And these podcasting 2.0 guys, like, they're, they're trying to like push this agenda. This is not how open source or innovation works. Marco, did he ask everybody? When I make this overcast app, I am going to ask, uh, everyone, \[00:10:00\] uh, all these podcast hosting companies, what the best way is to ingest RSS feeds, uh, and cash, uh, episodes.

I worked at a podcast hosting company for three years. I didn't hear from Marco once when I was at that company, right? Innovation does not start with this heavy set executive style, big organization, corporate style approach. Okay. Yes, it could be, but a lot of people, I'm sure, like Marco was sitting in a cafe and he was like, I think I'm gonna make a podcast app.

I don't like what Apple has to offer. I will make my own and I am going to launch it into the world. This is innovation. This is how a seed is planted and grown. I don't understand how somebody who's an indie developer who's not working at a giant corporation. It just has like this, this \[00:11:00\] distaste for a, a, an open source movement.

Is it because you don't like what I'll call the two founders of the project? Is it because there's this disagreement with, because cryptocurrency was there and, oh my God, if you're in that, I don't want any part of it. And guess what? It's totally fine if that's what Marco, how Marco is voting. But if it's just like all these steps weren't followed for innovation.

No one was collaborating. I mean, get involved. This is the biggest issue I see in the WordPress side is when people complain about what's happening with how WordPress is developing. And I never see anyone get involved with the community talks, with the developer, talks in the meetings, in the meetups, get involved.

And if you're too busy, you're too busy. But also don't get on the soapbox and complain that no one's talking to you. Indie developers that stifle open source innovations or communities \[00:12:00\] or like push it down because it wasn't done in like this practice, the standard practice kind of way. It drives me nuts.

That's why I'm here ranting about it. And, uh, I'll wrap it now because we've, we've gone on too long and I have a meeting to get to. he says, like, again, I'll repeat it while I respect the people greatly and there are some great ideas within that. Gave it the name podcast, it suggests a level of authority, inev in, in an inevitability that I don't agree with.

Podcasting 2.0 is not a standard. It's not a standard. And it's open source. I mean, no one is saying it's a standard, but when, if Margo just steps back for a moment and goes, like, if he's gonna keep saying, no, I'm not gonna do this. No one's, no one's making me do this. But also at the same time we see Apple adopting it.

Maybe Spotify doing some stuff. Maybe in the future, maybe YouTube does something, probably not. Maybe it does. And then we have all these other indie developers building on top of it. That's fine. if you don't wanna adopt it.

All right, let's wrap this video up. It's just because, Nope. Alright, let's just wrap this video up. It just really gets under my skin when. Somebody who is an indie developer, which I would classify in that more like open source kind of community, I'm sure he's an open source advocate. I mean, he's publishing a podcast app, ingest RSS feeds.

There must be some affinity to open publishing, an open distribution that Marco likes. He seems to be a very intelligent person, very successful in terms of this space. So I give him all the credit there. I just simply cannot understand when people. In the podcast space, in the people who probably advocate for an open web can also just be so \[00:13:00\] adamant against another open movement.

It's fine if you don't wanna adapt to it or adopt, uh, the suggestions. It's just when you sort of punch down on a group of people who are also innovating, just like you did in the beginning. Maybe still today, it doesn't make sense to me. We're all in this same boat. We're not the Spotify or the YouTubes, and I'm, I'm not even gonna throw Apple into that mix because they've been adopting some of these tags.

What more could we ask for? So. It's been another, uh, another episode. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave 'em in the comments below. Leave 'em on the blog post where you're listening to this or watching this. Leave 'em on the YouTube channel and one day I'll have a podcast. It's Matt from the podcast setup.

Join the newsletter for free. Let me, uh, let me interview you about your podcast setup. Go to the podcast setup.com. Thanks for watching.

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

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### How Transistor.fm Makes Podcast Transcripts Easy
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/how-transistor-fm-makes-podcast-transcripts-easy/
Last updated: 2025-10-17T15:39:11.000Z
Transcripts do more than make your podcast accessible. 

They make your show easier to search, quote, and share. They give listeners new ways to engage with your content, whether that’s following along in a player, finding a specific segment, or scanning your episode for quick insights.

In this post, I’ll explain why every podcaster should be adding transcripts, the real benefits behind them, and how [Transistor.fm](https://transistor.fm/?via=podcastsetup&ref=thepodcastsetup.com) makes the whole process simple.

💡

Links to Transistor are using my affiliate link. If you signup, it helps support the work I do. If you'd prefer not to use my link, just visit Transistor.fm directly.

## The Benefits of Podcast Transcripts

There are many reasons to include transcripts with your podcast, and it starts with accessibility. Here are three key benefits that make transcripts worth adding to every show you produce:

**1\. Accessibility for All**  
Transcripts make your podcast available to everyone, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. They also help people who prefer reading, who want to skim an episode, or who are in a setting where listening isn’t practical. 

Providing transcripts ensures no one is left out of your audience.

**2\. Better Listener Experience**  
Modern podcast apps like [Apple Podcasts](https://thepodcastsetup.com/apple-podcasts-embraces-the-crazy-ones/), [Pocket Casts](https://thepodcastsetup.com/unlocking-podcasting-2-0-pocket-casts-features-you-cant-miss/), [TrueFans](https://thepodcastsetup.com/truefans-fm-the-future-of-podcasting-2-0/), and Fountain now display live transcripts as an episode plays. This interactive feature lets listeners follow along word for word, jump back to specific moments, or find key insights more easily. 

It enhances the overall experience and makes your content feel more polished.

**3\. Improved AI Searchability and SEO advantages**  
Having transcripts available online means search engines and AI tools can understand what your episodes are about. 

This helps your show appear in search results when someone is looking for topics you’ve covered. Even if the SEO impact is small, it builds a stronger foundation for discoverability and long-term reach.

## How to Get Transcripts Into Your Podcast

There are plenty of ways to generate transcripts. 

Tools like Descript and [Riverside](https://thepodcastsetup.com/riverside-vs-descript-why-i-use-riverside/) include built-in transcription. Apps like [Whisper Transcription](https://thepodcastsetup.com/ai-tools-i-use-for-podcasting/) for Mac let you drop in an audio file and automatically get a transcript back.

But each of these adds extra steps to your workflow. You still have to export the file, edit it, upload it, and attach it to your podcast host. It’s not difficult, but it does add friction.

That’s where [Transistor.fm](https://transistor.fm/?via=podcastsetup&ref=thepodcastsetup.com) stands out.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-17-at-11.32.54---AM.png)

Transistor's Transcription Window

## Why I Like Transistor’s Built-In Transcripts

Transistor recently rolled out an automatic transcription feature powered by AI, and it’s a perfect example of how podcast tech should work: simple, affordable, and designed for creators.

Here’s what makes it great:

- **Affordable pricing:** About $1 per hour of transcription credits
- **Automatic workflow:** Transcripts are created directly inside your Transistor dashboard
- **Clean interface:** Easy to read, edit, and manage transcripts without any clutter
- **Speaker recognition:** It detects who’s talking, which saves you from reformatting
- **Team-friendly:** You can grant permissions to others to review or edit transcripts

It’s not competing with a full editing suite like Descript or Riverside. It focuses on doing one thing really well: *making transcripts simple and integrated into your publishing flow.*

## Quick Start: How to Add Transcripts to Your Podcast

If you’re ready to add transcripts to your podcast, here’s how to get started:

**Step 1: Check Your Podcast Host**  
Look for a transcription option in your current hosting platform. If it doesn’t support [Podcasting 2.0](https://thepodcastsetup.com/tag/podcasting-2-0/) transcript tags, consider switching to [Transistor.fm](https://transistor.fm/?via=podcastsetup&ref=thepodcastsetup.com), which handles it automatically.

**Step 2: Create or Import Your Transcript**  
Use tools like Descript, Riverside, or Whisper Transcription to generate a transcript. You can upload that file directly to Transistor or let Transistor’s built-in AI handle it for you.

**Step 3: Review and Publish**  
Once your transcript is processed, edit for clarity, fix speaker names, and publish. Apps like Apple Podcasts and Pocket Casts will display it automatically, enhancing the listening experience for your audience.

## The Bottom Line

Transcripts make your podcast more engaging, searchable, and accessible to a wider audience. When your host handles them automatically, like Transistor.fm does, you remove the friction that often keeps creators from adding them.

If your current host doesn’t support transcripts, it might be time to switch. Visit [Transistor.fm](https://transistor.fm/?via=podcastsetup&ref=thepodcastsetup.com) using this link to help support the Podcast Setup.

Your listeners will appreciate the added effort, and your podcast will be better for it.

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

[Learn more ](https://ghost.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### Riverside Overtakes Descript as My Podcast Production Tool of Choice
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/riverside-vs-descript-why-i-use-riverside/
Last updated: 2025-09-23T18:21:16.000Z
After 18 years of podcasting and countless hours spent in various editing suites, I never thought I'd say this: I'm moving away from Descript for podcast production. As someone who's been using [Descript](https://thepodcastsetup.com/descript-in-2024-a-veteran-podcasters-perspective/) for years and genuinely loves the platform, this decision didn't come lightly. But the reality is that Descript seems to be falling out of love with podcasters, pivoting heavily toward AI, video, and avatar creation as they chase bigger enterprise markets.

Meanwhile, [Riverside](https://riverside.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) has been quietly building exactly what podcast producers need, and they're executing it better than anyone else right now. Where Descript has become increasingly clunky and unfocused, Riverside offers a streamlined, podcaster-first experience that respects both my time and my workflow.

Here are the four key reasons why Riverside has won me over:

## 1\. **Lightning-Fast Performance That Keeps You in the Flow**

Riverside's transcript editing is simply snappier than what I've experienced elsewhere. Everything feels more responsive, from basic cuts to timeline manipulation. When you're working with long-form content or multiple layers (which is most podcast editing), this performance difference becomes a game-changer.

The timeline work is particularly smooth, which has always been a pain point in other editors. I can get through edits faster, which means more time for the creative aspects of podcast production rather than waiting for the software to catch up. It's the kind of performance improvement that you don't realize you needed until you have it.

## 2\. **Thoughtfully Designed AI Tools That Just Work**

Riverside takes a "powerful but simplified" approach to AI features that I absolutely love. Instead of wrestling with precise numerical values, I get intuitive controls: "better," "best," or "least" for pause removal. Smart, balanced, cut, or mute options for filler words. There's less critical thinking required for routine tasks, which keeps me focused on the bigger picture.

The "Smart Mute" feature alone is worth highlighting. It automatically mutes tracks when someone isn't speaking, which should be a no-brainer feature for any interview-style podcast. These aren't just AI features for the sake of having AI; they solve real workflow problems that podcast producers face every day.

## 3\. **Automatic Content Creation That Saves Hours**

One of Riverside's standout features is how it handles clip creation. After recording, Riverside automatically creates clips, shorts, and longer segments without any prompting from me. No multi-step workflows, no compositions to manage, no waiting around. You finish recording, and your content is ready to review and publish.

For busy podcast producers juggling multiple shows, this automation is a massive time-saver. I can focus on the creative decisions rather than the mechanical process of identifying and creating clips. The quality is consistently good, and the variety gives me plenty of options for social media and promotional content.

## 4\. **A Clean, Purpose-Built Interface**

Riverside's interface stays laser-focused on podcast production. Everything is where you'd expect it to be, and the design language is consistent throughout. There's minimal mental overhead in figuring out where features are or how to accomplish basic tasks.

What I appreciate most is how the interface doesn't try to accommodate every possible use case. It's what I call "intelligently simplified": powerful enough to handle complex edits, streamlined enough that I'm not fighting the interface. The learning curve is gentle, and experienced editors can dive right in without feeling overwhelmed by options they'll never use.

## The Bottom Line: Hoping Riverside Stays Focused

While I'm genuinely excited about what Riverside is building for podcasters, I do have one concern about their future direction. Their recent announcement about adding podcast hosting feels like potential feature creep. Podcast hosting involves analytics, Podcasting 2.0 features, advanced website integration, and distribution management. When companies try to do everything, they often end up doing nothing particularly well.

My hope is that Riverside continues to excel at what they do best: making podcast production efficient, intuitive, and enjoyable. Right now, they're winning by staying focused on their core users. The podcasting community needs tools that understand our specific workflows and challenges.

For fellow podcasters considering Riverside: it's not perfect (their export workflow could use some refinement), but it's the most podcast-focused production tool I've used. Sometimes the best choice isn't the one with the most features. It's the one that does what you actually need, efficiently and well.

The switch from Descript wasn't easy, but Riverside has earned its place in my production workflow by simply being better at the things that matter most to podcast creators.

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

[Learn more ](https://ghost.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### Why We're Moving Back to Ghost
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/why-were-moving-back-to-ghost/
Last updated: 2025-08-27T15:29:12.000Z
After 18 years in the WordPress ecosystem—building client solutions, hosting [WordPress podcasts](https://thewpminute.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), and working for Gravity Forms—you might wonder why I'd choose Ghost for The Podcast Setup. It's not because WordPress isn't capable. In fact, it's quite the opposite.

WordPress can do anything, and that's exactly the (my!) problem.

## The WordPress "Problem" For Me

When you've worked with WordPress for 18 years, you can build whatever you want, and that's *my* problem...

I spend time adjusting layouts instead of writing content. 

I update plugins instead of recording episodes. 

WordPress gives me endless options, so I use them. It delays the real goals I need to achieve with the finite time I have to commit to publishing here. 

For The Podcast Setup, I need to publish content and grow (launch) the podcast. WordPress makes me want to tweak and configure, Ghost just gets me to publish.

From a business perspective, I need a tool that is hyper focused on the newsletter features, with a simple blogging experience. I login, I see the stats and subscriber count. If I want to turn on payments, it's easy. 

On WordPress.com, that lightweight laser focused experience just isn't there. For The WP Minute, I use [Kit](https://kit.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) which is far more robust of an email solution, because the business requires it.

Anyway, here are my reasons for going back to Ghost :) 

## My 3 Reasons For Using Ghost

I still love WordPress and I think it's a tool that some users can grow into when their business or brand requires it. For now, Ghost will help me with streamlining publishing.

### 1\. Guardrails That Actually Help

Ghost puts up guardrails that WordPress doesn't. There are no granular design tools to lose hours in. No endless plugin ecosystem to explore. No point-and-click editor for the entire website that invites constant tweaking.

These limitations aren't restrictions—they're liberations. Ghost boxes me in and keeps publishing easy, which forces me to focus on what actually matters: getting ideas out of my head and onto the page.

When I use Ghost, I can get in, publish my thoughts, and get out. That's exactly what The Podcast Setup needs right now.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/08/CMS-Minute-Branding-2.png)

### 2\. The Sponsorship Story (And What It Taught Me)

About a year ago, I pitched John O'Nolan, Ghost's founder, on sponsoring a new podcast called [CMS Minute](https://www.cmsminute.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com). This was my reaction to the WordPress trademark controversy and uncertainty in the community. I wanted to explore content management options beyond WordPress.

I interviewed several CMS founders and recorded episodes about their platforms. The content was okay, but something wasn't clicking. As months passed, I realized I was creating "inside baseball" content—too technical, too niche, too reactive to current events rather than genuinely helpful.

The content grew stale. I'd spent months spinning my wheels on creative ideas instead of serving an actual audience need. Sound familiar? It's the same productivity trap that WordPress can create, just in content form.

Meanwhile, I kept getting questions about podcast setup, hosting, and strategy. People still need basic guidance on starting and running podcasts. The word "podcast" has never carried more cultural weight or marketing value than it does right now.

That's when it clicked: podcasters need practical solutions, not technical deep-dives. They need platforms that help them build their brand hub without getting in the way.

### 3\. Better Alignment for Real Needs

Ghost and podcasting actually make perfect sense together. Podcasters need a central hub for their brand, a place to publish written content that expands on their episodes, and an easy way to build an email newsletter. Ghost does all of this really well.

More importantly, it does it simply. No learning curve that takes months to navigate. No need to hire a developer for basic functionality. No plugin compatibility issues or security updates to manage.

As someone who consults in the podcast space and works for a podcast hosting company, I see this need constantly. Podcasters want easy. It's hard enough to create great audio content, book guests, and grow an audience. The last thing they need is a website that demands constant attention.

## Ghost vs. WordPress: The Right Tool for the Right Job

Let me be clear: WordPress isn't going anywhere in my world.

 I'll continue building WordPress solutions for clients who need that level of customization and power. WordPress is fantastic when you need unlimited flexibility, complex functionality, or highly custom designs.

But for a podcast brand that needs to focus on content creation? Ghost provides everything necessary without the distractions.

WordPress gives you infinite possibilities. Ghost gives you focused productivity. Both have their place, but for The Podcast Setup, productivity wins.

## Building Your Content "Database"

There's another consideration that's becoming increasingly important: owning your content in an age of AI. 

Large language models are trained primarily on text found on websites. If you think of your website as your personal database—your biography, your expertise, your unique perspective—then having an easy way to consistently add to that database becomes valuable.

Ghost and WordPress excel at this. 

But as I turn my attention on podcasters that want easy solutions, the publishing workflow of Ghost is effortless, which means you're more likely to actually publish. Every blog post that expands on a podcast episode, every insight you share, every piece of your expertise that you document becomes part of your owned content repository.

In a world where AI is learning from the web, the content you own and control on your own domain matters more than ever.

## What's Next for The Podcast Setup

Moving forward, The Podcast Setup will be sponsored by [Ghost](https://ghost.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) throughout the rest of the year. (Thanks to John O'Nolan and the Ghost team for supporting practical podcast education—even if John doesn't know I'm doing this yet!)

I'll be creating tutorials on getting started with Ghost for podcast websites, exploring Ghost v6 features that make publishing even simpler, and showing how Ghost can serve as the central hub for your podcast brand.

If you're comparing Ghost to WordPress or another platform you've been thinking about leaving, let me know what specific questions you have. I'm happy to share what I learn as someone who knows both platforms well.

## Choosing Simplicity Over Possibility

Sometimes constraints breed creativity and productivity. Sometimes the platform that does less helps you accomplish more.

WordPress will always be there when you need its power. But if you're a podcaster who wants to focus on creating great content rather than managing a complex website, Ghost might be exactly what you need.

The goal isn't to build the most feature-rich website possible. The goal is to grow your podcast and media brand. Choose the platform that helps you do that, not the one that gives you the most ways to procrastinate.

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

[Learn more ](https://ghost.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### When Big Money Breaks Audio
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/when-big-money-breaks-audio/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T19:07:21.000Z
Last week, 110 people lost their jobs at Wondery as Amazon restructured the podcast company it acquired for a reported $300 million just three years ago. The layoffs, which primarily hit the narrative podcast division, came with a familiar corporate euphemism: "strategic reorganization." For those in the audio industry watching from the sidelines, it felt like déjà vu. Another casualty of what happens when venture capital logic infiltrates creative media.

The parallels between podcasting's current crisis and the startup world's boom-bust cycles aren't coincidental. They're structural. Just as venture capital creates "zombie startups" that burn through funding rounds without ever reaching profitability, the podcast industry has created zombie productions: massively funded shows with Hollywood-sized teams that were never designed to make money, only to justify continued investment.

## The Inflation Problem

When COVID hit, big entertainment companies saw podcasting as the next frontier. Netflix, Amazon, Spotify, and others poured hundreds of millions into the space, creating what industry insiders call the "podcast industrial complex." Like VCs chasing the next unicorn, these companies threw money at celebrity talent deals and sprawling production teams, assuming scale would translate to profitability.

Just like startups that raise endless funding rounds while burning cash, podcast companies kept expanding overhead without building sustainable business models. Wondery's mandate to reach profitability by year-end (the ultimatum that led to layoffs) mirrors the reckoning overfunded startups face when investors finally demand returns.

The problem isn't that podcasting can't be profitable. It's that the industry adopted entertainment production models requiring massive teams to justify their existence within corporate structures. But does any podcast really need writers, researchers, fact-checkers, multiple producers, sound designers, marketers, and executives? That's building a television production team for an audio medium that might flourish with a fraction of the overhead.

## Chasing the Wrong Solutions

Faced with audio-first economics failing at Hollywood scale, the industry's response has been predictably myopic: pivot to video. [Spotify boasts that video podcast consumption has grown "20 times faster than audio-only consumption,"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/wondery-podcast-amazon-youtube-pivot-1236337837/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) while [YouTube's billion monthly podcast viewers](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/wondery-podcast-amazon-youtube-pivot-1236337837/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) have become the industry's north star.

This pivot reveals the fundamental misunderstanding driving the industry's problems. Video isn't solving profitability issues. It's creating platform lock-in that benefits YouTube and Spotify while constraining creators. Unlike open RSS feeds that allow podcasts to exist anywhere, video platforms trap content within their ecosystems.

The rush to video feels like an admission that the industry couldn't make big-team audio work, so they're chasing the next shiny object rather than questioning whether their approach was fundamentally flawed.

## The Road Not Taken

What if the problem isn't that audio can't be profitable, but that podcasting doesn't need the production infrastructure big media assumed it required? While Wondery laid off 110 people, countless independent podcasters continue building sustainable audiences with teams of one to three people.

Consider what audio actually demands versus what the industry built around it. Does a compelling interview show need multiple producers, or one exceptionally skilled host who can conduct great conversations and understand their audience? Does an investigative series require a newsroom-sized team, or a smaller group of experienced journalists who can wear multiple hats? The medium's intimacy might actually suffer under committee-driven production.

Audio's strength has always been its intimacy and efficiency. The best podcasts create deep connections between hosts and audiences without requiring massive production budgets. Instead of hiring bigger teams to justify bigger budgets, perhaps the medium called for smaller, more talented teams where each person could command higher compensation while maintaining creative control and sustainable economics.

## The Reckoning

The human cost of the Wondery restructuring cannot be overlooked. 110 talented professionals lost their jobs, many passionate about audio storytelling and dedicated to the medium's potential.

Yet there's opportunity hidden in this industry upheaval. The word "podcasting" has never been more culturally relevant, even as big media pivots toward video. This mainstream awareness represents untapped potential for the open podcasting ecosystem that operates outside platform silos.

The rush to video represents yet another massive investment in locked-in platforms with uncertain returns. Companies are doubling down on the same venture capital logic that created the current sustainability crisis, just with cameras added.

What the industry spent years chasing was a mirage of television-scale success instead of building on audio's inherent strengths. In trying to make podcasting into something it wasn't, we may have temporarily forgotten what it could be.

For podcast professionals, the path forward is clearer than industry headlines suggest. While big media retreats from audio-first content, the cultural cachet of "podcasting" has never been stronger. This creates a unique opportunity to double down on what made the medium revolutionary: open distribution, direct creator-audience relationships, and creative freedom that comes from not being beholden to platform algorithms. Now is the time to lean into open podcasting and prove that focused, passionate creators can build lasting businesses while platforms chase their next big bet.

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

[Learn more ](https://ghost.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### Inside the Podcast Setups of Buzzcast Hosts: Gear, Lessons, and Budget-Friendly Tips
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/inside-the-podcast-setups-of-buzzcast-hosts-gear-lessons-and-budget-friendly-tips/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:42:32.000Z
**If you're just starting your podcast or thinking about upgrading your setup, there's no better place to learn than from podcasters who do it every day.** The team at Buzzsprout not only builds one of the most popular podcast hosting platforms but also runs *Buzzcast*—their flagship podcast that dives deep into the world of podcasting tools, trends, and tips.

In a [recent episode](https://buzzcast.buzzsprout.com/231452/episodes/17523130-the-best-podcast-gear-setup-for-any-budget?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), hosts **Alban Brooke, Jordan Blair, and Kevin Finn** pulled back the curtain on their own podcasting gear. From $70 USB mics to $800 low-profile boom arms, they covered everything—while also giving listeners a crash course in what really matters for good audio.

Here’s a breakdown of what they use, what they recommend, and how you can choose the right gear based on your own context and budget.

## What Is Buzzsprout and Buzzcast?

**Buzzsprout** is a podcast hosting platform trusted by over 100,000 podcasters. Whether you're brand new or managing a massive back catalog, Buzzsprout helps creators publish, promote, and track their shows with ease.

**Buzzcast** is the behind-the-scenes podcast by the Buzzsprout team. It covers the latest in podcasting news, product updates, marketing advice, and occasionally deep dives like this one into equipment and workflows.

## The Big Takeaway

> “The thing I want is a good recording… It’s a bonus to have a nice mic that looks cool. But in the end, I just want to get a really good recording that sounds good enough that Magic Mastering cleans it up and I’m good to go.”  
> —Alban Brooke

While it's easy to get overwhelmed by gear, the key message from the Buzzcast crew is this: **You don’t need fancy equipment to sound great—you need reliable gear and good mic technique.** That said, if you *enjoy* tinkering with audio tech, there’s plenty to explore at the pro level.

## Gear Breakdowns: What the Hosts Actually Use

#### Alban Brooke's Setup

**At home:**

- **Microphone**: [Earthworks Ethos](https://amzn.to/4l2VcXl?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) — “It’s probably one of the most beautiful microphones I’ve seen.”
- **Boom Arm**: [OC White Ultima Low Profile](https://amzn.to/3GWYm0I?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- **Audio Interface**: [Rodecaster Duo with built-in EQ and de-esser](https://amzn.to/4kZLGnI?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- **Headphones**: Apple EarPods — “It just feels better in my ears.”

**On the road:**

- **Microphone**: [Samson Q2U](https://amzn.to/3H3YIma?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) — “The $70 thing you can buy on Amazon… the exact same one we bought 10 years ago. And it still works.”

#### Kevin Finn's Setup

- **Microphone**: [Earthworks Ethos](https://amzn.to/4l2VcXl?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) — “It is a condenser mic, but it actually works really well. It’s more like a dynamic than a condenser.”
- **Boom Arm**: [OC White Ultima Low Profile](https://amzn.to/3GWYm0I?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- **Interface**: [Rodecaster Pro II](https://amzn.to/4lQ6VJW?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) — “More than I need, but… work paid for it.”
- **Headphones**: [OneOdio A71](https://amzn.to/4o3jFyd?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) — “$30 from Amazon. Comfortable and cheap.”

#### Jordan Blair's Setup

- **Microphone**: [Shure SM7B](https://amzn.to/4mh7lsG?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) — “Notoriously gain hungry, so I used to need a Cloudlifter.”
- **Interface**: [Rodecaster Duo ](https://amzn.to/4kZLGnI?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)(white collection) — “The preamp built into it made it so that I don’t have to have a Cloudlifter.”
- **Boom Arm**: [OC White Ultima Low Profile](https://amzn.to/3GWYm0I?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) — “At first I was like, that’s too fancy… now I’m never going back.”

## Budget Starter Setup (Their Official Recommendation)

> “We’re saying just get some wired headphones and get this Samson Q2U and you’re good to go.”  
> —Jordan

### **Beginner setup:**

- **Microphone**: [Samson Q2U](https://amzn.to/3H3YIma?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) (USB/XLR hybrid)
- **Headphones**: Basic wired headphones
- **Cost**: Approximately $70–100

This setup has stood the test of time—literally over a decade—and works perfectly for remote recordings, beginners, and anyone who just wants to focus on content instead of cables.

When selecting a beginner setup, it's important to keep a few key factors in mind. Start with the **microphone**, as it significantly affects the recording quality. The Samson Q2U is an excellent choice because it offers both USB and XLR connectivity, allowing for versatility as you upgrade your gear in the future.

Next, consider **headphones**. Basic wired headphones will suffice for beginning podcasters, but look for a pair that is comfortable and provides reasonably accurate sound reproduction, enabling you to monitor your audio clearly. Avoid headphones that artificially enhance the bass or treble, as this can lead to misjudgments in editing.

Another aspect to keep in mind is **environment**. If you're recording in a noisy space, consider using soft furnishings or moving blankets to help reduce echoes and background noise. A simple portable vocal booth can also enhance your recording quality without breaking the bank.

Lastly, don’t forget about your **recording software**. Many free or low-cost digital audio workstations (DAWs) are available, such as Audacity and GarageBand. They offer user-friendly interfaces that make it easy for beginners to learn the ropes of audio recording and editing.

## Final Thoughts

Podcast setups come in all shapes, sizes, and price points. As the Buzzsprout crew reminds us, what matters most is that your gear works for your context—whether you’re recording from a treated home studio or a noisy hotel room.

If you want to spend $1,000 on your dream setup, go for it. But if you’re just getting started, the Q2U and a pair of wired earbuds can take you surprisingly far.

**Check Out Buzzsprout and Subscribe for More**

If you’re not already using [Buzzsprout](https://www.buzzsprout.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), it’s one of the easiest ways to launch and grow your podcast. And don’t forget to tune in to [Buzzcast](https://www.buzzsprout.com/146295?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for more behind-the-scenes podcasting wisdom straight from the pros.

Want curated gear guides, real-world setup breakdowns, and actionable podcasting tips delivered straight to your inbox?  

**Subscribe to the** [**Podcast Setup newsletter**](https://podcastsetup.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for more content like this.

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### Unlocking Podcasting 2.0: Pocket Casts Features You Can't Miss
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/unlocking-podcasting-2-0-pocket-casts-features-you-cant-miss/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:42:42.000Z
As a veteran podcaster, rabid listener, and novice app builder (shoutout to my own [Podcastpower.cc](http://podcastpower.cc/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)), I've tested countless players—from indies like [Fountain](https://fountain.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) and [TrueFans](https://thepodcastsetup.com/truefans-fm-the-future-of-podcasting-2-0/) to giants like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Music.

But [Pocket Casts](https://pocketcasts.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), from [Automattic](https://automattic.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) (the WordPress.com folks), is my daily driver. It's made huge improvements lately, blending familiarity, efficiency, and Podcasting 2.0 support. It's not perfect, but for anyone listening to more than 1 podcast a week, it's worth a look.

## Listen Anywhere, Anytime

First off, Pocket Casts nails accessibility like few others.

It's available on every platform that matters: iOS, Android, Apple Watch, CarPlay, and even a [robust web player.](https://thepodcastsetup.com/4-alternative-web-based-podcast-players/) As someone who bounces between devices—listening on my phone during commutes, switching to the web while working at my desk—this seamless sync is a game-changer.

It's syncing effortlessly as I move about.

The web version got a big boost in March 2025 when they made it free for basic listening. Sure, you'll need a Plus subscription (their pro tier) for extras like cloud storage and access to beta features, but even the free tier is more than enough for the most dedicated audio consumer.

I do wish the Car Play app had a bit more to it, but it does the job. I have no complaints navigating Pocket Casts no matter which device I'm listening on.

## A UI That Gets Out of Your Way

Pocket Casts shines in its sheer efficiency.

Load times are snappy, navigation is intuitive, and it doesn't bog you down with unnecessary fluff. The grid layout for your library makes scanning shows a breeze, and playback controls are right where you need them. Features like variable speed, trim silence, and volume boost let you tailor your listen without hassle—apply them globally or per-podcast.

Organizing content is mostly a win, too.

Episode filters help sort your queue, and the Up Next playlist keeps things flowing. It's worlds better than Apple Podcasts for managing a heavy rotation, where I often feel lost in a sea of tabs. Pocket Casts just feels *right*—familiar yet powerful, letting you focus on the content. As a daily app, that's gold; it respects your time and gets you consuming what you love.

## Embracing Open Standards: Leading with Podcasting 2.0

Here's where Pocket Casts really flexes for industry folks: its growing support for Podcasting 2.0 standards.

Automattic's DNA in open-source shines through, positioning Pocket Casts to compete with indies like Overcast while pushing the envelope.

- **Transcripts**: Full support via the Podcasting 2.0 tag, rolled out on mobile apps. If your host supports it (and if not, switch—Apple does too), transcripts appear inline, making episodes searchable and accessible. It's a boon for long-form shows, though I wish the display was cleaner— it feels tucked away like an iframe in show notes.
- **Funding Tag**: Added in June 2025, this lets creators include donation links right in the app. A Funding button ($) pops up on the podcast info screen, but here's my nitpick: it should be front-and-center on the playback UI. Imagine a podcaster saying, "Support us now!"—listeners are on the episode page, not digging through info. Make it like YouTube's super thanks, and it'd convert better.
- **Chapters**: Solid support here, including explorations into advanced Podlove and 2.0 formats. Jumping around episodes is effortless, boosting efficiency for busy listeners like me who juggle dozens of shows.

They also back Podroll for recommendations and have tools like OPML import for easy onboarding. In a world where closed platforms dominate, this open embrace could propel Pocket Casts ahead, especially as transcripts become table stakes.

These features aren't just checkboxes; they're thoughtfully integrated, keeping the app powerful without overwhelming. For podcasters, it's a signal: build with open standards, and apps like this will amplify your reach.

## A Few Hiccups: Room for Improvement

No app is flawless, and Pocket Casts has its quirks. First, those Podcasting 2.0 elements could use UI love—fewer clicks to clips, funding, and transcripts would elevate it. Transcripts feel buried, and funding isn't prominent enough during playback.

Second, as an Automattic product, there's that lingering concern: will they keep investing? When they acquired it in 2021, improvements lagged, but the past couple of years— with desktop v2.0 in 2024 and fresh 2.0 tags—show commitment. It fits their suite, but in a competitive space, I hope they don't get distracted by web-building woes.

Finally, Smart Folders, launched in April 2025, aimed to auto-group podcasts by genre (Comedy, News, etc.). Great idea, but in practice? It's a mess. It created way too many folders, hyper-specific categories that didn't make sense—like dumping business pods into comedy. Cleaning it up feels like a chore I keep putting off. Filters work better for manual organization, but Smart Folders need tweaking to avoid overwhelming users.

These aren't deal-breakers—feedback can fix them—but they're why it's not *the* perfect app yet.

## Why Try Pocket Casts? A Call to Fellow Podcasters

If you're a podcaster or industry pro stuck on defaults, check out Pocket Casts.

It's efficient, multi-platform, and committed to open standards like Podcasting 2.0\. Automattic has turned it into a strong contender.

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

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### Is The Podcast Industrial Complex Dead?
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/is-the-podcast-industrial-complex-dead/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:43:18.000Z
When I set out to build [podcastpower.cc](https://podcastpower.cc/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), I wasn't just creating another podcast app. I was crafting a vision of what's possible when we embrace the full potential of [Podcasting 2.0.](https://podcasting2.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) In a digital landscape increasingly dominated by walled gardens and proprietary technologies, I wanted to demonstrate how open standards can empower creators and developers alike.

## The Power of Podcasting 2.0 Tags

At the heart of podcastpower.cc is a showcase of [Podcasting 2.0's innovative tagging system](https://github.com/Podcastindex-org/podcast-namespace/blob/main/podcasting2.0.md?ref=thepodcastsetup.com). These tags aren't just technical metadata—they're the building blocks of richer, more engaging podcast experiences:

- **Chapters**: Allowing listeners to navigate content with precision
- **Funding**: Creating direct pathways between creators and their supporters
- **Transcripts**: Making content accessible and searchable
- **Person Tags**: Identifying speakers and guests for better discovery
- **Location Tags**: Adding geographical context to episodes
- **Live Item Tags**: Enabling real-time engagement opportunities

Each of these features represents an opportunity to enhance how we interact with podcast content, making the experience more intuitive, accessible, and valuable.

## Building Without Boundaries

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of developing podcastpower.cc was the freedom of development. By leveraging RSS as the foundation and enhancing it with Podcasting 2.0 capabilities, I could build without the constraints that typically hamper innovation in closed ecosystems.

This approach offers several distinct advantages:

1. **Creative Freedom**: No need to conform to platform-specific requirements or limitations
2. **Cost Efficiency**: Avoiding exorbitant fees associated with proprietary platforms
3. **Speed to Market**: Developing on my timeline, not waiting for industry giants to catch up
4. **User-Centric Design**: Building features based on listener needs, not platform priorities

## Beyond the Audio vs. Video Debate

While industry discussions often get bogged down in format wars (audio vs. video) or philosophical debates (open vs. closed platforms), podcastpower.cc aims to transcend these limitations.

The reality is that open standards allow us to incorporate the best of all worlds—rich media experiences without sacrificing creator freedom or listener choice.

## An Invitation to Innovate

My hope for podcastpower.cc goes beyond the app itself. It's an invitation—a challenge even—to fellow developers, creators, and podcast enthusiasts to think outside the box. What experiences could you build with these tools? How might you reimagine podcast consumption in ways the major platforms haven't considered?

The beauty of open standards is that they create a level playing field where innovation can come from anywhere. You don't need permission from a tech giant to build something revolutionary.

## Building the Future, Today

As podcasting continues to evolve, the gap between what's possible with open standards and what's available on mainstream platforms will likely grow. Rather than waiting for the industry to catch up, podcastpower.cc demonstrates how we can build the future ourselves, today.

By embracing Podcasting 2.0 standards, leveraging AI, and committing to open ecosystems, we're not just creating better podcast apps—we're helping to ensure that podcasting remains an open, accessible medium for expression and connection for years to come.

So go ahead, explore what's possible. The tools are available, the standards are open, and the only real limitation is our collective imagination.

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

[Learn more ](https://ghost.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### 4 Alternative Web-Based Podcast Players
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/4-alternative-web-based-podcast-players/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:43:01.000Z
In the world of podcast listening, Apple Podcasts and Spotify often dominate the conversation. Their massive user bases and marketing power can make it seem like they're the only options available. But the reality is far more diverse and exciting – especially when it comes to web-based podcast players where independent developers and smaller companies have created platforms with unique perspectives on what makes for an ideal listening experience.

Whether you want advanced Podcasting 2.0 features, tools for building a community, or a simple listening experience in your browser, these alternatives have focused on what is most important in the podcast experience, resulting in tools that cater to different needs and preferences.

Let's explore four web-based podcast players that demonstrate there's plenty of innovation happening beyond the walls of tech's biggest companies.

### Pocket Casts

[Try Pocket Casts](https://pocketcasts.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

Pocket Casts just rolled out their web version, and it's getting plenty of attention for good reason. It's snappy, loads quickly, and gives you a clean browser experience for podcast listening. The search works great – just type in what you're looking for, and boom, all the metadata you need pops right up. The basic playback is smooth and works without creating an account, which is perfect for casual listening. Just be aware that if you want the full experience with history tracking, bookmarks, and other goodies, you'll need to sign up.

Think of the free version as your gateway to Pocket Casts mobile app – search, discover, play, but not much else without committing to an account.

**Pros:**

- Snappy, fast-loading interface
- Clean, intuitive search functionality
- Basic playback without account creation
- Streamlined listening experience

**Cons:**

- Most features locked behind account creation
- Limited functionality in the free version
- History and bookmarks require sign-up

### TrueFans

[Try TrueFans](https://truefans.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

If Pocket Casts is a bicycle, TrueFans is a rocket ship loaded with every gadget imaginable.

This platform is leveraging everything [Podcasting 2.0](https://podcasting2.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) has to offer, and I mean everything. Person tags that display avatars and online presence? Check. Episode activity logs, comment sections, clip sharing? All there. Transcripts, chapters, live streaming capabilities? You bet. It can be a bit overwhelming how much is packed in here – exploring all the features would take days. While some capabilities require you to sign up (it's free to join), TrueFans is your go-to if you want to see the cutting edge of where podcasting technology is headed. It's not just a player, it's a platform.

**Pros:**

- Comprehensive Podcasting 2.0 feature support
- Rich metadata display with person tags
- Interactive features (activity logs, comments, clips)
- Support for transcripts, chapters, and live streaming
- Boosting/supporting shows functionality
- Free to join

**Cons:**

- Feature overload can be overwhelming
- Some functionality requires account creation
- Steeper learning curve than simpler players

### Goodpods

[Try Goodpods](https://goodpods.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

Goodpods has carved out its niche by focusing on the community aspect of podcast listening. If you're the type who loves to chat about episodes or join groups centered around your favorite shows, this is your jam. The interaction features like thumbs up/down and follow functionality create that social media feel around podcast content. It works smoothly on both mobile and web, making it accessible wherever you are. It might not have all the fancy Podcasting 2.0 bells and whistles of TrueFans or be as lightweight as PocketCasts, but that's not its goal – Goodpods is all about bringing people together around the content they love. For creators looking to build community around their shows, it's hard to beat.

**Pros:**

- Strong community-building features
- Group creation capabilities
- Interactive social elements (likes, follows)
- Works well on both mobile and web
- Great for creators wanting audience engagement

**Cons:**

- Fewer Podcasting 2.0 features than competitors
- Not as lightweight as minimalist players
- Prioritizes community over pure listening experience

### Podcast Downloader

[Try Podcast Downloader](https://podcastdownloader.cc/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

Sometimes you just need something simple that does exactly what it says on the cover.

Podcast Downloader is that tool – an experimental project that lets you search for a podcast and download episodes directly to your device with a single click. Full disclosure, this is my app. I built it as an experiment to learn how to code with AI, but because I needed such a tool!

I spend a lot of time covering [WordPress news](https://thewpminute.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) and part of that is listening to podcasts. Being able to quickly search for an episode and download the file directly to my desktop to plop into Descript for editing is quite beneficial to me.

It shows just enough metadata to be useful (including value-for-value tags) without cluttering the interface. There's nothing fancy here, and that's the point. For podcast reviewers, content creators, or anyone who needs quick access to audio files without the frills, this stripped-down approach is refreshingly straightforward.

**Pros:**

- One-click episode downloading
- Simple, uncluttered interface
- Shows essential metadata
- Value-for-value tag support
- Perfect for content creators needing audio files

**Cons:**

- Experimental project status
- Very limited feature set
- Focused on downloading rather than streaming
- Basic UI compared to polished alternatives

## Innovation Beyond the Giants

While [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/browse?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) and Spotify both offer web-based podcast players, it's clear that some of the most interesting [innovation is happening](https://thepodcastsetup.com/apple-podcasts-embraces-the-crazy-ones/) outside these [walled gardens.](https://thepodcastsetup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/YouTube-is-not-the-savior.webp)

Each of these four alternatives brings something unique to the table – whether it's Pocket Cast's streamlined efficiency, TrueFans' embrace of cutting-edge Podcasting 2.0 features, Goodpods' community-centric approach, or (my) Podcast Downloader's no-nonsense utility.

The podcast ecosystem simply works better when it isn't dominated by just a couple of major players.

These web-based alternatives prove that innovation continues to thrive in the space, giving both creators and listeners more control over how content is presented and consumed. So next time you're looking to listen to your favorite show in a browser, remember – you've got options beyond the usual suspects, and trying something new might just change how you experience podcasts altogether.

Check them out, give them a spin, and see which one clicks with your podcast habits.

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

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### Podcasting Bajillion Point Oh
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/podcasting-bajillion-point-oh/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:43:37.000Z
I'm tired of seeing Podcasting 2.0's open-source approach dismissed for "not producing enough" or "lacking traction" compared to corporate closed-source solutions. [YouTube is not the savior we're looking for.](https://thepodcastsetup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/YouTube-is-not-the-savior.webp)

Open source collaboration should strengthen the entire industry, yet I consistently encounter sentiment—both intentional and unintentional—that dismisses[ Podcasting 2.0](https://podcasting2.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)'s efforts by either misunderstanding open-source principles or undervaluing the technology being developed.

By the way, if you're looking for a great resource *to* understand this stuff, check out Claire Waite Brown's [Podcasting 2.0 in Practice.](https://episodes.fm/1782535603?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

I will always defend open-source frameworks (See: My life in [WordPress](https://thewpminute.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)) when it comes to podcasting and publishing—these are too important to humanity's discourse to surrender to closed platforms. Surely there's more important things at

Centralizing distribution, monetization, and network effects of human-generated content within one or two platforms doesn't make for a sustainable market or a healthy content creator.

Yes, these platforms may offer improved algorithms, increased search visibility, and expanded listenership. I can't count the number of YouTuber's with 100's of thousands of subscribers who make "I'm done." "I'm burned out." or a host of other apology videos.

This is a steroid, not a solution.

I've created a video responding to Tom Webster's recent "[Podcasting 3.0](https://soundsprofitable.com/article/podcasting-3-0/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)" post on Sounds Profitable. While I encourage everyone to read Tom's piece, I strongly disagree with his sentiment around Podcasting 2.0.

What do you think?

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

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### NewPodcasts.net: A Free Promotional Platform for Podcasts Launches
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/newpodcasts-net-a-free-promotional-platform-for-podcast-launches/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:43:49.000Z
In today's crowded podcasting landscape, visibility remains one of the greatest challenges for creators. James Cridland, the force behind Podnews, has long been a champion for podcasters seeking to break through the noise. His latest initiative takes this support to a new level with the launch of [NewPodcasts.net](http://newpodcasts.net/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com).

## Expanding the Podnews Promotional Ecosystem

For years, James has offered podcasters the opportunity to promote new shows and seasons through the Podnews newsletter and podcast feed. This service has been invaluable for creators looking to reach Podnews' engaged audience of industry professionals and podcast enthusiasts.

NewPodcasts.net represents a significant evolution of this service, creating a dedicated interactive platform where potential listeners can discover, sample, and follow new podcasting content.

## Why Promotion Matters More Than Ever

In an era where podcast directories feature millions of shows competing for attention, finding effective promotional channels is crucial for podcasters. Even exceptional content can languish in obscurity without strategic visibility efforts. The challenge isn't just creating great content—it's getting that content in front of the right audience.

This is precisely where NewPodcasts.net steps in to address a critical need in the ecosystem.

## Key Benefits of NewPodcasts.net

The new platform offers several compelling advantages for podcasters:

**It's completely free.** In an industry where promotional opportunities often come with significant price tags, NewPodcasts.net provides valuable exposure without cost barriers.

**It leverages Podnews' established audience.** Submissions are promoted to Podnews' substantial newsletter subscriber base, podcast listeners, and website visitors—an audience already invested in podcast discovery.

**It enables the crucial "try before you follow" experience.** The platform allows potential listeners to sample episodes directly on the site before committing to a subscription, reducing friction in the listener acquisition process.

**It offers multiple discovery paths.** Users can browse the website interface, subscribe to the dedicated new podcasts feed, or encounter featured shows through Podnews' established channels.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/08/New-Podcasts-Submission-Screen.jpg)

## How NewPodcasts.net Works

The platform accepts submissions for new podcast launches, new seasons, and even trailers. Upon approval (James maintains quality control to ensure the platform remains valuable), submissions appear on the NewPodcasts.net website with playable audio and direct subscription links.

Featured podcasts receive additional exposure through mentions in the Podnews newsletter, the daily Podnews podcast, and the website. The platform integrates with Episodes.fm by Nathan Gathwright to provide universal subscription options beyond just Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

![](https://thepodcastsetup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/New-Podcasts-podcast-submissions-process.png)

## Getting Your Podcast Featured

To submit your podcast for inclusion:

1. Visit NewPodcasts.net and click "Add your show"
2. Provide details about your podcast, including a brief summary for promotional purposes
3. Select your preferred promotion date on the Podnews channels
4. Submit for approval

While James and his team review all submissions to maintain platform integrity, the service welcomes legitimate podcasting projects of all sizes and topics.

## A Valuable Addition to Your Promotion Strategy

NewPodcasts.net represents a free, straightforward opportunity to gain visibility for your new podcast or season. In combination with other promotion efforts, it provides an efficient way to reach potential listeners already interested in discovering fresh podcasting content.

For ongoing industry insights and promotional opportunities, be sure to subscribe to Podnews.net—the premier news source for podcasters. Join the newsletter and listen to the daily podcast or weekly roundup to stay informed about the latest developments in the podcasting world.

And don't forget: if you're looking for additional free promotion, visit [ThePodcastSetup.com](https://thepodcastsetup.com/start-local-by-liam/) to share your production process. By [completing the interview form](https://thepodcastsetup.com/podcast-setup-interview/) about your recording setup, software choices, hosting solutions, and lessons learned, you'll gain another opportunity for visibility within the podcasting community.

The podcasting landscape may be crowded, but with resources like NewPodcasts.net, gaining the visibility your content deserves becomes significantly more achievable.

🏆 PRESENTED BY GHOST.org 

Running a podcast business is tough. Publishing your site and newsletter shouldn’t be. Ghost makes it simple. Get your podcast website & newsletter live on Ghost today.

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### Podcasting in 2025: Why the Dedicated Will Define the Industry’s Future
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/podcasting-in-2025-why-the-dedicated-will-define-the-industrys-future/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T19:11:36.000Z
Podcasting is at an interesting crossroads. You’ve got people saying it’s “easier than ever”—plug in a budget microphone, edit a couple of clips on Descript, and voilà, you have a podcast.

But the bigger picture reveals that succeeding in this space requires more dedication now than ever before. It’s not just about hitting record and calling it a day. Real success in 2025 depends on creators willing to put in the work, maintain authenticity, and own their content in ways that set them apart.

Podcast outlook 2025

0:00

/456.620375

1×

Before we dig into these predictions, I want you to remember one core principle: podcasting, at its best, is about *trust-building* at scale.

If you take anything away from this, let it be the value of genuinely connecting with your audience, one listener at a time.

Also, thanks to Podnews Weekly, James Cridland, and Sam Sethi for [sharing this in audio form](https://episodes.fm/1542481043/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xNjM0MDA5Ng?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for their PWR Supporter predictions series.

### The Dedication Factor: Why Most Will Fail

> “For every hour of polished podcast content, you’re looking at about five hours of work.”

That single quote sums up why many who jump into podcasting will quickly jump out. The setup process—equipment, workflow, scheduling, editing, and distribution—requires significant effort.

Hobbyists who thought, *“I’ll just add a podcast to my content mix”* are likely to burn out, especially if they’re juggling it alongside other demanding platforms.

Meanwhile, celebrities who launched shows for a quick cash grab could find themselves questioning the return on investment. In the end, the creators who stay are those who grasp the true power of podcasting: building trust and maintaining authenticity over the long haul.

### The Video Trap: Why Your Boring Podcast Won’t Get Better with Video

Everyone wants a piece of the video pie—Spotify, YouTube, and every platform in between. The push to integrate video into podcasting seems like the “next big thing.” But here’s the truth:

> “Slapping a camera on your podcast won’t make it any better.”

If your content isn’t captivating in audio form, turning on a camera won’t magically change that. Yes, video offers another avenue for discovery, but it’s not a magic bullet for mediocre content. By all means, use YouTube for its search potential and broader reach, but don’t expect it to singlehandedly save your show. The foundation still rests on delivering content people genuinely want to consume—whether they’re watching or listening.

### Trust: The Real Currency of Podcasting

Podcasting’s greatest strength lies in its ability to build trust with an audience.

When someone commits to listening to your voice for 30, 60, or even 90 minutes, that’s an intimacy and engagement level that’s tough to beat.

As the market corrects itself in 2025, overall listener numbers may dip, but the quality of engagement will go up. That’s good news for serious podcasters. An audience of 5,000 (or even 500) dedicated listeners can be far more valuable than 10,000 passive downloads.

It’s not about collecting casual followers—it’s about forging a real connection that can’t be replicated by quick video clips or fast-scrolling social media feeds.

### Content Ownership Is Key

AI is reshaping the digital world, and content ownership has never been more critical. We’ve seen Google index our work, only to have AI platforms scrape it for their own purposes. Podcasters who rely on open RSS standards maintain control over their distribution and keep their creative output in their own hands.

By 2025, the most successful podcasters will be those who understand they’re not just pumping out content—they’re building a platform they own. An archive that’s theirs, an audience that’s not rented from a big-tech algorithm. This is why the RSS debate is so important.

It might sound technical, but at the heart of it is creative freedom and independence.

### Value for Value: Redefining Worth in Podcasting

The classic advertising model—25 bucks per thousand downloads—is on shaky ground, especially for dedicated podcasters with niche but loyal audiences. Here’s where value for value comes in. If you’ve built genuine trust with your listeners, that audience connection is priceless. Sponsors who understand this will pay a premium to reach people who actually make decisions and take action.

> “If the content is truly valuable, your audience is willing to give value back—sometimes in the form of dollars or Satoshis.”

Likewise, from the sponsorship angle, forward-thinking creators can flip the script. Don’t settle for standard CPM rates. Approach brands with the proposition that your audience is worth more because it’s truly engaged and aligned with what those sponsors are offering.

### A New Golden Age for Podcasting

As we head through 2025, the get-rich-quick crowd will likely drift to the next hot platform, leaving space for serious creators to thrive. Success won’t be measured only by download numbers but by the strength of your relationships, the authenticity of your content, and your ability to remain independent in an increasingly consolidated media landscape.

> “The question isn’t whether you can start a podcast; the question is, are you dedicated enough to build something that lasts?”

There’s a sense that we may need to step back and help people fall in love with podcasting again. Whether you’re looking to monetize through ads, streaming Satoshis, or unique sponsorship models, it all comes back to the core principle of delivering real value—and owning the connection with your audience.

### Ready to Stay Dedicated?

If you’re planning to be part of this new wave of podcasting—one built on trust, authenticity, and ownership—you’re in the right place. Commit to consistent quality, embrace the work, and never lose sight of why you started.

**Signup for my newsletter** for more insights, strategies, and behind-the-scenes looks at podcasting in 2025.

Remember: *It’s not about the show you start—it’s about the show you keep building*, together.
### Descript in 2024: A Veteran Podcaster's Perspective
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/descript-in-2024-a-veteran-podcasters-perspective/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T19:12:39.000Z
As a podcaster with over 15 years of experience, I've witnessed a lot of podcast tools come and go.

Today, I'm taking a closer look at Descript, a tool that has become a staple in the podcast (and now video!) creation community.

While [Descript](https://descript.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) has made significant strides in the right direction, there are still areas that could use improvement. Let's explore the current state of Descript and what it means for podcast creators in 2024!

## Performance Improvements: A Smoother Experience

One of the most noticeable changes in Descript over the past year has been its performance enhancements.

The application now runs more smoothly, with fewer hiccups and delays. This improvement is particularly evident when working with longer projects or more complex edits. The increased responsiveness makes the editing process more efficient and less frustrating, especially for those of us who spend hours fine-tuning our content.

Editing in the timeline, however, can still be a bit of a drag (pun intended.)

I don't have any real world benchmarks, but the overall feeling is much snappier these days everywhere but the lower 3rd of the app. If Descript is your first editing app as a novice podcaster, you probably won't even notice it. But having spent time in my other daily drivers like [Screenflow](https://www.telestream.net/screenflow/overview.htm?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) or [Davinci Resolve](https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) \-- it has some catching up to do.

## AI Features: A Double-Edged Sword

Descript's AI-powered features have been a major marketing point, and they continue to evolve.

Tools like filler word removal and gap reduction are incredibly useful for streamlining your content. However, some of the more advanced AI features, such as removing retakes and editing for clarity, come with caveats.

While these features can be helpful for short-form content, they fall short when working on longer projects. The lack of a historical view of revisions makes it difficult to track changes made by the AI. This limitation can be particularly problematic when collaborating with others or when you need to revisit earlier versions of your work.

At the end of the day: I might not trust AI all that much.

If I want to roll back major AI edits, or quickly scan how much of my project was modified by AI, I can't really get a sense of that impact.

Then there's working with, what I'll call, "important AI content" in a tiny little sidebar. It's not the place I want to spend time editing or revising the blog post I just had Underlord craft for me.

![](https://thepodcastsetup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/strikethrough-descirpt.png)

## Transcript Editing: The Core of Descript

The ability to edit audio and video through a transcript remains Descript's standout feature.

This approach to editing is intuitive and efficient, especially for those who are more comfortable working with text -- or editing a podcast with no prior experience. The improved performance over the last few months makes it easier than ever to fine-tune your content.

One technique I've found particularly useful is using strikethrough instead of deleting content.

This method allows you to keep potentially useful material in your script without it affecting the final output. It's a simple yet effective way to maintain context and preserve options as you refine your work.

This is where I'd like to see the AI edits evolve into, some sort of non-destructive revision feature.

## User Interface: Steps in the Right Direction

Descript's UI has seen significant improvements, with a more intuitive layout and easier access to key features.

The sidebar now provides quick access to layers, scene elements, and project assets. This reorganization makes it easier to manage complex projects and streamlines the workflow for adding various elements to your content.

However, the AI-generated content, such as show notes, still feels somewhat isolated. The lack of an archive or easy way to edit and save this content outside of the small sidebar panel can be limiting, especially when collaborating or refining the AI-generated text.

## Stock Assets and Multi-cam Editing: Expanding Possibilities

The inclusion of stock images and videos directly within Descript is a welcome addition, particularly for creators working on short-form content.

While it may not be as crucial for long-form podcasts, it does expand the possibilities for creating more diverse content within a single platform.

The automatic multi-cam feature for switching between active speakers is another standout addition. This is something I'm using on almost every interview podcast I publish. A real staple feature now. This tool significantly streamlines the editing process for interviews and multi-person podcasts, saving time and effort in post-production.

## File Management: A Major Pain Point

Despite the many improvements, file management remains a significant issue in Descript.

The inability to bulk delete projects or efficiently manage files across different devices can be frustrating, especially for creators with lots of projects.

I simply don't want to store old projects, or have them eat up harddrive space on over-priced Mac storage! I can assume why Descript wants you to store a bunch of content on their servers -- probably helps with upselling future storage plans OR training AI data -- but give us a select ALL delete option.

## Descript is a Powerful Tool with Room to Grow

Descript has made significant strides in becoming a more robust and user-friendly platform for content creators. Its unique approach to editing through transcripts, combined with powerful AI features and improved performance, makes it a valuable tool for podcasters and video creators alike.

However, there are still areas where Descript could improve, particularly in timeline editing, file management, and the integration of AI-generated content. As the platform continues to evolve, addressing these issues will be crucial in solidifying its position as a go-to tool for content creators of all levels.

For podcasters and content creators looking for an all-in-one solution, Descript offers a compelling package. Its continuous updates and improvements show a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of creators. While it may not replace specialized tools for every aspect of production, Descript's unique features and user-friendly approach make it a valuable addition to any content creator's toolkit.
### Funding tag: The easiest way to help podcasters get paid
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/funding-tag-the-easiest-way-to-help-podcasters-get-paid/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T19:13:33.000Z
There’s a very simple piece of “podcast technology” from the Podcasting 2.0 movement called the “[Funding tag](https://podcasting2.org/podcast-namespace/tags/funding?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)” that helps podcasters get paid.

If you’ve spent anytime unpacking the open source movement, you might have discovered its more advertised older brother feature streaming Satoshi’s — Bitcoin’s smallest denomination. It’s the real techie, but cutting edge, means for listeners to pay and support creators.

While V4V is the star of the Podcasting 2.0 show, it doesn’t define the entire stack of open features that podcast hosts and app makers can choose from.

The good news is, you don’t need to adopt all of Podcasting 2.0 to be a supporter. The funding tag should be the most agreeable tag to support after chapters & transcripts. It simply gives the podcaster a link which directs their listeners to a support page.

No bitcoin, not magic tech, and it needs more support from everyone across the podcasting space.

## The Funding Tag

A tag is just a bit of code that defines a place in your podcast’s RSS feed.

Much like there are tags that point to your podcast website or your author name, the funding tag does this without any *real* tech overhead or complexity.

You can place a link into the funding tag which points to your Patreon, PayPal, Stripe checkout, or whatever URL you deem as support.

In order for this tag to be useful, a few things need to happen:

1. Your podcast hosting company needs to support it.
2. Podcast apps need to support it.
3. Everyone needs to encourage it.

The welcoming part of an open ecosystem that makes up podcasting is that it spurs innovation like the tag itself.

The more challenging piece is getting people to pay attention to it. Most of this space has followed lockstep with Apple for the last 20 years, now with Spotify and [YouTube trying to shoulder their way to the head of the line.](https://thepodcastsetup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/YouTube-is-not-the-savior.webp)

Apple, Spotify, and YouTube have massive distribution and awareness factors. I don’t blame the app creators and web hosts for following them closely — they have our listeners attention.

Don't forget that open innovation and communication is what got us here.

## The challenges of an open source ecosystem

A few stars need to align to increase awareness and adoption of the funding tag.

Step 1: Check with your podcast hosting company if they support the funding tag in your podcast’s dashboard. If they don’t, ask them to support it, and point them to this article. I’ll even talk to them for you!

Step 2: Your favorite podcast listening app also needs to support the funding tag, while putting it front and center for the user to see. The app that does it the best will be the one that more podcasters will likely recommend to their audience.

**Can you spot the funding tag icons in these 3 iOS podcast apps?**

We find ourselves in a real chicken or egg scenario — while the weight of the advertising world bears down on us.

If no one is asking for it, podcast hosts won’t support it. If podcast hosts aren’t supporting it, podcast apps won’t build it in. If podcasters are defaulting to ads or more commercialized schemes, the whole podcast space ignores it.

Open choice to use the funding tag is powered by your grassroots movements.

## There’s nothing hard about this

I can’t reinforce this enough, especially for the old guard of podcasting and those that support more commercialized schemes: Using the funding tag is a vote for podcasters to say, “You can support the show by clicking the support button.”

A link that appears in their listener’s favorite podcast app. It takes them to a place to swipe a credit card, shoot over a Venmo, buy them a coffee, or become a patron. Establishing the highways that enable more podcaster support is not difficult. It’s a choice that podcast hosting companies and app developers will make.

In an open ecosystem, users can vote with their dollars and attention by using the companies that support the features they want.

#### Here’s a list of podcast hosting companies that support the Funding tag:

- [RSS.com](http://rss.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Transistor.fm](http://transistor.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Buzzsprout.com](http://buzzsprout.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Blubrry.com](http://blubrry.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Castos.com](http://castos.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [RedCircle.com](http://redcircle.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Cast Garden](https://cast.garden/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [PodHome.fm](http://podhome.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [SovereignFeeds.com](http://sovereignfeeds.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [RssBlue.com](http://rssblue.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [CastoPod.org](http://castopod.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Captivate.fm](http://captivate.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Oncetold](https://oncetold.us/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [JustCast.com](http://justcast.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [PodServe.fm](http://podserve.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

#### Here’s a list of podcast listening apps that support the Funding tag:

**iOS**

- [Podverse.fm](http://podverse.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [PodcastGuru.io](http://podcastguru.io/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Castamatic.com](http://castamatic.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [AnytimePlayer.app](http://anytimeplayer.app/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

**Android**

- [Podverse.fm](http://podverse.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [PodcastGuru.io](http://podcastguru.io/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [PodcastAddict.com](http://podcastaddict.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [AnytimePlayer.app](http://anytimeplayer.app/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [AntennaPod.org](http://antennapod.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [FocusPodcast](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=allen.town.focus.podcast&ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

**Web or PWA**

- [TrueFans.fm](http://truefans.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Podcast Index](https://podcastindex.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Podnews](https://podnews.net/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### Apple Podcasts Breaks Free from Apple Ecosystem, Launches Web Version
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/apple-podcasts-breaks-free-from-apple-ecosystem-launches-web-version/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T19:14:14.000Z
In a move that's set to shake up the podcast listening landscape, Apple has announced that its popular Apple Podcasts platform is now accessible via web browsers. This significant development means that for the first time, users without Apple devices – particularly Android users – can now search, discover, and listen to podcasts within the Apple ecosystem.

https://videopress.com/v/9RZfvoMV?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

## A New Era of Accessibility

The new web interface, available at [podcasts.apple.com](https://podcasts.apple.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), offers a seamless experience for podcast enthusiasts. Users can now search for shows, browse content, and even sync their listening progress across devices if they have an Apple account. This cross-platform accessibility is a game-changer, potentially exposing podcasts to a much wider audience.

## Breaking Down Barriers

As someone deeply involved in the podcasting world, I can't overstate the importance of this move in reducing friction for listeners. This will be a great way for people to search, discover, and have those first few moments of listening to a podcast, even if they're not using an Apple device. It might lead them to explore shows on their preferred platforms, but the crucial first step of discovery has been made much easier.

I tested this out by searching for "[Behind the Scenes: Our Beloved Medium](https://episodes.fm/1756788224?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)," a podcast I work on. It was readily available, demonstrating how this update can help expose more podcasts to a wider audience. Whether you're an [Android user](https://podnews.net/article/apple-podcasts-android?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), a Windows user, or someone not invested in the Apple ecosystem, you can now at least search and sample podcasts indexed by Apple.

**Features and Functionality**

The web version of Apple Podcasts offers several key features:

1. Search and discovery of podcasts in the Apple index
2. Ability to subscribe and follow shows
3. Syncing capabilities for Apple account holders
4. A simple, user-friendly interface

**Implications for Podcasters and Listeners**

For us podcasters, this update means potentially reaching a broader audience, including those who previously couldn't access Apple Podcasts. For listeners, it offers more flexibility in how and where they consume their favorite shows.

**A Step Towards Platform Agnostic Listening**

This move by Apple represents a shift towards a more open and accessible podcast ecosystem. By allowing non-Apple users to engage with their platform, Apple is acknowledging the importance of cross-platform availability in the increasingly competitive podcast market.

## Conclusion

While it's a seemingly simple update, the introduction of a web version for Apple Podcasts is a significant step forward in making podcast content more accessible. As the podcast industry continues to grow, moves like this that prioritize listener convenience and cross-platform accessibility will likely become increasingly important.

The launch of podcasts.apple.com marks a new chapter in podcast listening, one where platform boundaries become less relevant, and content discovery takes center stage.

As a podcaster and enthusiast, I'm excited to see how this development will shape the future of podcast consumption and distribution.
### Goodpods & Ripple.fm: Podcast Engagement with a Dash Of Community
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/goodpods-ripple-fm-podcast-engagement-with-a-dash-of-community/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:25:31.000Z
Podcasters are thirsty for ways to grow their shows and build community around their work.

The elusive "up and to the right" on your podcast dashboard isn't something that comes easy. I'd also argue that it's not the most important metric for measuring success in your podcast journey.

The old guard will brush off growth hacks or social media promotion tricks, in favor of deeper relationships with the audience and urging you to tirelessly improve your craft. In my opinion, there's no right or wrong way in podcasting; [do what suits you](https://thepodcastsetup.com/raising-100k-to-start-a-podcast/).

I like to be healthy — but damn, that pizza tastes good too!

Enter platforms like [Goodpods](https://goodpods.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) (and a once forgotten Podchaser) that build community around podcasts, with the promise of more exposure for all of your efforts. It's like a social network with a "groups" feature.

While Goodpods is "just getting started," a new contender enters the ring: Ripple.fm. Let's take a look at some of the features these two apps go head-to-head on.

## A bit of background

To be honest, I didn't think Goodpods was going to stay focused on the group and social aspects for too long.

I [reviewed them](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDstw7bjVRU&ref=thepodcastsetup.com) shortly after they launched at my old Castos job.

My biggest criticism of Goodpods (at the time) was around my own uncertainty of their focus on the podcaster. When they launched, they touted some celebrities on the homepage like Kim Kardashian and other Hollywood-esque shows — ehhh, not this story again.

I'd have wagered they would go up-market to grapple with big advertising money, but they haven't sold out yet.

It's a mobile listening and engagement app, a web app, and a community builder all-in-one. It's tough to even compare Goodpods to Ripple.fm, as my good friend [Brian Casel](https://twitter.com/casjam?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) has just opened up the doors to the platform last week. To say it's in its infancy stage is an understatement.

Ripple does ship with community building aspects, like comments per episode, a search feature, and an interesting private podcast feature.

Let's explore the core features.

## Podcast Community

Groups, community, chat, engagement, or *whatever* you want to call it.

The podcast world is fragmented, if not forgotten on this front. I'm not going to dive into the annals of Podcasting 2.0 in this article, but know that there are continuous improvements being developed to help standardize for app developers across the space.

Comments and groups were keystone features for Goodpods when it launched. Podchaser was on its way out, while Goodpods was filling that gap. New podcast apps are still scrambling to support this, while podcasters are left with only social networks for engagement.

Ripple.fm is also placing community building front and center with its ability to host comments on a per podcast basis.

Goodpods allows users to create their own groups that aren't necessarily attached to a podcast, but then gives users the ability to tag a podcast or a podcast episode within the group chat. Keeping in mind that Ripple.fm is still very early in the product cycle, I would like to see an episode tagging method.

The major advantage, aside from years of development, is that Goodpods is also a mobile listening app. While users are listening to your podcast, they can be communicating in the app. It's a nice touch.

## Discoverability

Another elusive challenge for podcasters: getting found.

It's the double-edged sword of a largely open source & openly distributed industry. The beauty of RSS is that any number of podcast hosting companies can serve you, to distribute your podcast to anyone around the world, all relatively at low costs. The challenge is that there isn't one search engine or algorithm that can help a podcaster get found.

Most users are defaulting to searching on Apple Podcasts or Spotify because that's where they are already listening.

YouTube is making another effort for podcasters, but that isn't the [savior podcasters are looking for.](https://thepodcastsetup.com/youtube-is-not-the-podcast-savior-youre-looking-for/)

The [Podcast Index](https://podcastindex.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) exists as a web front-end search for end users, with a back-end for app developers to tie into — but you still need the app to be popular.

One shared effort from both Goodpods and Ripple.fm is the ability to see followers of podcasts and the shows they are engaged with.

Your podcast growth will still largely come from word of mouth, so having a network-effect feature like this carries that social proof new listeners are looking for.

"If Jane likes The WP Minute WordPress News podcast, and I like WordPress, perhaps I'll follow the podcast too."

Again, Goodpods takes discoverability a step further by spanning across all aspects of the platform like People, Groups, and Podcasts.

## Finding your Podcast's Home Base

At the end of the day, I think you should craft a precise strategy around leveraging either of these platforms respective of where you want to solidify your podcast's community.

Neither platform will give you a highly functional or customizable community platform, like if you were hosted on Circle or your own Slack/Discord group. Neither will allow you to take payments like if you were running your own Buy me a Coffee page. You don't "own the audience" as if you were grabbing email addresses for your ConvertKit newsletter.

Having said that, of all the alternatives I mentioned, neither are keeping the listener as close to the podcast listening experience as possible. Especially since Goodpods is the whole shebang when it comes to listening, discovering, commenting, etc.

They can serve as a great intermediary for new shows just getting off the ground, or you might find them as interesting hot spots to curate a specific "entry point" into your greater marketing efforts. Maybe your call to action is to engage in the groups or chat threads, and then take it to the next step by signing up for a newsletter.

Either way, I'm excited to see where Ripple.fm finds its footing in the podcast space, and I'm still cheering for Goodpods to continue to make improvements, like their latest [distribution integration in Spotify](https://x.com/GoodpodsHQ/status/1813712452472943051?ref=thepodcastsetup.com).

Leave a comment below. Where are you building and growing your podcast community?
### Episodes.fm: A New Way to Promote Your Podcast
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/episodes-fm-a-new-way-to-promote-your-podcast/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:26:16.000Z
“Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts.”

How many times have you said that as you close out your podcast episode or during the mid-show break? And when it comes to sharing on your favorite social media site, which link do you share? Apple? Spotify? RSS?

If you want to give your audience the ability to *really* choose where they love to listen to podcasts, you might want to spend some time promoting your podcast episodes through [Episodes.fm](https://episodes.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com).

It’s a fantastic utility for podcasters being built by podcast industry veteran [Nathan Gathright](https://x.com/nathang?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), also known for his most recent [work on Steno.fm.](https://thepodcastsetup.com/steno-fm-a-showcase-for-podcasting-2-0-and-the-future-of-audio-consumption/)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/08/playing-on-episodesfm.jpeg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/08/searching-on-episodesfm.jpeg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/08/sharing-on-episodesfm.jpeg)

## Simple by Design

The approach to [Episodes.fm](https://episodes.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) is quite simple.

**Key Features**

- Fast
- Free
- Great for sharing podcast listening app links
- Share your entire podcast or individual episodes
- Playback podcast episodes
- Automatically identifies links by visitor's operating system

Look up your podcast, copy the link, and share it on social media. Or punch into an individual episode, if you’re promoting your most recent production. It’s that easy. So what’s the catch?

The magic happens behind the scenes where the platform recognizes which device your listener is on and serves up those important podcast app icons for them to click on. For example: If you’re on an iOS device, Episodes.fm will only show apps available to that audience — like the Apple Podcasts app or Overcast. Same goes for Android devices or when accessing through a browser on your desktop.

Gone are the days of you having to link every single podcast app on your website, or wonder if you have the most up-to-date list of listening choices for your audience. Episodes.fm handles all of that overhead and critical thinking, so you don’t have to.

All of your podcast app links in one place!

A single source to search/promote your show, with all the listening icons to click, what more could you ask for as a podcaster trying to provide the best experience for your listener?

## Where I’d like to see Episodes.fm improve

Nathan’s new brainchild doesn’t come with a lot of baggage. There’s not much (yet) for me to write an in-depth review on, let alone, nitpick at.

**The listening experience is fast, but too thin, in my opinion.**

I don’t know about you, but I often find myself pulling up a browser to listen to new episodes I’ve just discovered on social or to quickly go back in the archives of one of my favorite shows to recap something important to me.

Am I the odd one for listening to podcasts while working?

Either way, I’d love to see the player experience enhanced a bit. Skip forward and reverse, playback speed, and overall more real estate given to the timeline to scrub around an episode. Chapter support would be the icing on the cake.

**Give me a lightweight playlist.**

Easier said than done, I’m sure. It also adds a host of other considerations, but a simple session-based history of episodes would do the trick. The next time I pull up Episodes.fm in my browser, I’d see the last handful of podcasts I searched. This would make an already efficient system, even more so.

**Copy link to platform before playing (desktop)**

Something that would be more of an easter egg on desktop view would be the ability to copy a direct link to a specific platform. For instance, if I’m on my laptop browser and click the Spotify icon, it automatically brings me to Spotify. And since I’m on desktop, perhaps I’m working on my podcast website or writing a blog post where getting quick access to a specific platform link is what I need to embed into a page, not the action of listening.

## Give it a try!

It’s still early days for [Episodes.fm](https://episodes.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) and I fully expect Nathan to improve and enhance the overall experience of his latest project.

With no user-login, bloated options, or pay wall to use the service — give it a try!

It’s only making the subscription or “follow process” (whatever we’re calling it these days) easier for our audience and us as podcasters.

![](https://thepodcastsetup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/episodesfm-on-mobile.jpeg)
### MikeHero DSP: A Tiny Device That Changed My Podcast Forever
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/mikehero-dsp-a-tiny-device-that-changed-my-podcast-forever/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:26:57.000Z
The Audiosigma MikeHero DSP is the best piece of podcast equipment I've purchased since my desktop mounted boom arm.

No other device has operated with such simplicity and elegance — leaving as big of an impact on my podcasting production as these two PCB boards bolted together. While I feel compelled to remind you that few things in life are perfect, and surely the MikeHero DSP could benefit from additional bells and whistles, its simplicity is exactly what makes this device so great.

It's not the small portable form factor with a single USB-C for connection or the clean yet powerful gain of the XLR connection, the MikeHero DSP shines by getting out of the way. Plug it in, tap a few buttons based on your recording environment, and it gets out of your way.

I spent $700 on a Rodecaster PRO II that is now a paperweight, if paperweights were the dimensions of a shoebox.

Aside from one of the soundboard pads being dead on arrival, I was never quite happy with the Rode unit. Sure, it sounded better than my previous PreSonus Audio Interface with the range of mics I would use — SM7B, Heil PR-40, and Samson Q2U — but it was never a "wow!" experience.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/08/mikehero-buttons.jpeg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/08/mikehero-top.jpeg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/08/mikehero-usbc-1.jpeg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/08/mikehero-xlr-port.jpeg)

I'd invest so much time constantly fiddling with it. Changing profiles, adjusting the "big bottom", attempting to dial in my noise gate. Is there new firmware? How can I use the pads to change my multi-cam setup? Wow this thing feels like it's overheating!

None of that baggage exists on the Audiosigma MikeHero DSP. At less than half the price for a solo podcaster, if $289 is within your budget, I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up for your podcast.

I should probably tell you what kind of podcaster I am, if it’s not obvious already: The non-audio engineer type.

I use Descript to edit my shows because I’m busy.

My recordings often change environments: Home office, real office, on the go at events, and occasionally from the couch because I have 3 young boys where summer/school schedules can get crazy.

It means I’m not laboring over the sound design, or running plugins in my audio editing app. I want something to sound good enough at the source without adding more to my podcasting editing workflow. It’s the sweet spot this device hits.

I wanted to make a big pros and cons list, but since I’m not a hardware reviewer or a deeply technical audio engineer, I’ll try and wrap things up here:

**The good**

- It’s size is super portable especially for onsite recordings
- Doesn’t get in the way of your desk like a Rodecaster PRO does
- Makes a good mic sound great
- Has one USB-C connection for power and connection
- Connects to phones and computers without extra software
- Has 4 primary audio “settings” including Denoise, Limiter, Depop, EQ
- Has a mute button
- Can plugin headphones
- Easily toggle loopback (PC audio)
- Easily toggle dynamic vs condenser mics

**The bad**

- The size might be too small. In some instances the weight of the XLR cable alone can pull it off your desk
- It doesn’t seem like a device you can bang around or just toss in the bag. The components are largely exposed to the environment, so you do have to handle with care
- The little toggle switches also seem brittle, again, handle with care
- The price of $289 could be high for beginners with one microphone
- There’s no software to control settings on your computer — like saving profiles.

## Conclusion

The MikeHero DSP is a device I will recommend to anyone starting a podcast.

I will recommend it alongside a $75-$99 XLR mic versus spending $399 on a SM7B or some other overhyped mic. If you want to improve the quality of audio recording, in suboptimal recording environments with a dead-simple device interface — this is the one for you!

I might need to invest in the PodMobile next!

[Get the MikeHero DSP.](https://audiosigma.com/mikeherodsp/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### Raising $100k To Start A Podcast
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/raising-100k-to-start-a-podcast/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:27:20.000Z
How much does it cost to start a podcast?

If you’re doing a monologue, talking about your life’s work, you could probably start a podcast for next to nothing. You can even get a free hosting account from a podcast hosting company like [RSS.com](https://rss.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) (they sponsored my latest project, more on that later!) to get you up and running.

Grab your phone, sit yourself in a closet and hit record on the voice memo app — it could be that easy.

For my personal podcasts, which are largely in the entrepreneur or b2b category, I’ve spent thousands on software & hardware over the years. Mics, soundboards, cameras, editing apps, hosting, lighting — it can add up really quick.

Truth of the matter is, if I were starting a solo podcast from scratch my first year might cost me around $600 with everything I need to get started. Microphone, [Descript](https://descript.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) subscription, and a podcast hosting account.

I’m the host, producer, editor and marketer. I don’t need sound design or voice acting. Nor do I need fresh artwork for every episode or custom music. I don’t have a production team. I’m not spending anything on marketing or promotion.

But Now I’m faced with a new challenge: As Executive Producer on [Our Beloved Medium](https://ourbelovedmedium.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) which will require more people, more resources, more time — I’ll need a lot more than $600 — I’m thinking over $100,000 dollars.

### Is $100,000 the bare minimum for a professionally produced audio documentary?

My friend [Stuart](https://x.com/smallleaguestu?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) and I are in the early days of building out the costs for [Our Beloved Medium.](https://x.com/smallleaguestu?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

We worked together at a previous company, we’ve designed shows, quoted audio projects, and delivered quality work to clients in a professional setting. We have a sense of what a great podcast should cost, but the forecast is a always little cloudy when it’s yours.

**Back of the napkin math on costs we’re assuming and why we set the $100,000 goal:**

- Research & writing
- Editing & production
- Sound design (including original scores)
- Voice acting
- Marketing & promotion
- Is there any left over for us?

While the $100k goal might sound really high compared to the production of a solo show, we know this is the bare minimum we need to produce this 6-part documentary.

We’ll adjust as we continue to work on this project, which we’ve set to launch in Summer 2025\. If we raise enough money, we’ll invest more in areas like sound design and voice acting. If we’re not reaching our goal, we’ll scale back on areas like original music or script depth.

Editing time, production time, paying voice actors, hard costs like a marketing budget — $100,000 is just the start, and might barely get this bird flying, but we’re excited for the challenge!

### Raising $100,000 for Our Beloved Medium

We started with a [Buy Me a Coffee page](https://buymeacoffee.com/obmpodcast?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), which allows donors & sponsors to help support the pre-production of the show.

Donors can get access or services directly from Stuart and I. You can purchase us a digital coffee and donate for as little as $5 or you can [“hire” us to help you with your podcast](https://buymeacoffee.com/obmpodcast/e/261874?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) with Podcast PowerUp donation.

Brands can help [sponsor an episode by purchasing directly](https://buymeacoffee.com/obmpodcast/e/261876?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) on the page for $2,500\. RSS.com, a fantastic hosting company, was the first to dive in and support our work.

**Now the real work begins.**

As Executive Producer, I’m hitting the streets chatting with colleagues and brands in the industry to help us with this initiative. We like to think of [Our Beloved Medium](https://ourbelovedmedium.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) as a love letter to radio and how it has impacted us over the course of history — eventually delivering us into podcasting.

Sponsoring OBM has strong brand synergy with businesses in podcasting and radio. We’re grabbing some of the most impactful moments in history that shaped radio as a storytelling medium, packaged in a professionally produced 6-part audio documentary. If you or your brand want to align with this type of storytelling, I’d love to chat with you about it.

We will need a major sponsor to help push us towards our goal of fully funding the project, and I’ll be sharing in that journey here on this newsletter. Thanks for your continued support, [contact me with any questions or media inquiries.](https://thepodcastsetup.com/contact/)
### YouTube Is Not the Podcast Savior You’re Looking For
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/youtube-is-not-the-podcast-savior-youre-looking-for/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:27:59.000Z
Google is not the podcasting savior youre looking for

0:00

/616.751

1×

Google+  
Google Wave  
Google Reader  
Google *cough* podcast app

All shutdown by Google, which incase you’ve forgotten, owns YouTube.

That list only scratches the surface of the once innovative products laid to waste by the juggernaut. There’s an entire archive outlined in the [Google Graveyard](https://killedbygoogle.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) if you’d like scroll though.

“We want to make YouTube Music the ultimate destination for podcasters and fans alike” Rene Ritchie wrote in the post [Shaping the Future of Podcasts with YouTube.](https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/shaping-the-future-of-podcasts/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

Let me get this straight: The future of my podcast lies in the hands of a video-first platform where my content is distributed through a music app, backed by a company that has the track record of shutting down services on a whim…including their own podcast app?!

Long live independent RSS.

## Platforms are not on our side

Have we not learned our lesson over major platforms pulling the rug out from under us?

Rewind the clock back to the days of Facebook Pages where you were encouraged to grow your 1,000 fans, only to see the organic reach topped out at 5% of that number, but chucking $20 into the system would earn you a healthier 38% reach. Internet gambling.

Twitter adoption was largely built off the back of numerous apps that designed unique custom user experiences until their API was either shutdown or the cost of using it was too high to sustain the business. And this was pre-Elon.

Google has recently waged war (again) on their content creators that rely on search for the livelihood of their business, causing a drought in traffic with a hit to revenue small that publishers rely on. Go spend what you have left on ads.

YouTube creator payouts are at an all time low, with a ghost in the machine that tanks your stats from [invalid traffic](https://x.com/robertoblake/status/1784235689275490411?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) which YouTube hasn’t said much about. I’m earning 1/3 of what I made from a few years back, with 3x the views and a considerably higher volume of published videos.

YouTube, or any major platform, is not the savior we’re looking for.

But, I get it, podcasters are a tired bunch. Producing, recording, editing, promoting — rinse and repeat that 100’s of times for a slow uptick in listens — it’s tough.

Before you know it, you too are telling people to smash that subscribe button on your “podcast.”

## Why does YouTube work?

Rene Ritchie says, “YouTube's secret sauce is our recommendations. They help people discover something new or go deeper on what they love, while helping podcasters reach new audiences only found on YouTube.“

Emphasis on the only found on YouTube part. The beauty of open RSS publishing is that audiences can be found wherever they listen to podcasts. It’s simple math that open distribution has access to more humans than a single closed off platform.

There’s no denying that YouTube search is great. Videos are appealing, hovering over an appealing thumbnail is…appealing. You just don’t get that experience from the fragmented podcast industry.

I agree, the experience for searching audio isn’t as engaging or even comprehensive.

It’s why we have efforts like open source [Podcasting 2.0](https://podcasting2.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) and the [Podcast Standards](https://podstandards.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) project. Efforts underway to [streamline the experience](https://thepodcastsetup.com/apple-podcasts-embraces-the-crazy-ones/) across the board albeit with much shallower pockets than the competition. It’s going to take time.

You don’t know it yet, but these open source movements from collaborators who actually care about podcasting, will be the heroes for the audio space when the dust settles in a few years.

If you put the features aside, YouTube also has two other key elements going for it: It’s familiar and it’s easy. That’s why YouTube is working for the tired podcaster.

You’ve spent so much energy making a show, now we’re going to ask you to work 5x harder to get discovered. And that’s where they get you.

## It’s Time You Understand RSS

I’ve been podcasting for over a decade and spent nearly 3 years working at a podcasting hosting company. I’ve answered the question of “how to start a podcast” 100’s of times.

I know it’s complicated. I know RSS isn’t sexy. But you must look around and see the walls closing in on content creators.

Look at what happened when Spotify tried owning podcasts — an audio-first platform!

Joe Rogan, the largest podcast in the world is back to open publishing — through RSS and YouTube. Gating content only works for so long. It was more advantageous for Joe Rogan and his ad deals to be openly accessible everywhere than it was to be stuck in a walled garden of Spotify.

Follow the money. Now, the industry is letting YouTube waltz right in and become synonymous with podcasting.

Podcasting is hard, you have to treat it like a business, and you have to roll up your sleeves to build trust in an audience that will tune in every week. There is no algorithm or DIY ad network that acts as a steroid for artificial growth.

And this is the empty promise YouTube is putting in the face of podcast “executives” looking from the top down. Put aside that old run down RSS feed, come get this fresh new algo for your show!

YouTube-first podcasts are largely dominated by celebrities, athletes, or comedians that are “in the business.”

Equipped with a stable of managers, ad buyers, or production crews. What you’re not seeing is the inflated business of Hollywood behind the scenes. B-List celebrities are being sold at a premium per listen than you or I could only dream of.

Those brands being represented by the same buyer agencies also caught up in the inflated traditional ad business. It’s a true house of cards.

Don’t sleep on the fact that many of these podcast hosts also have a primary income from their real jobs. Be it acting gigs, comedy shows, or sport analysts on a TV network — if they need multiple streams of revenue — so do you and I.

Remember, Google mutilated their Feedburner product (RSS) and killed their Google Reader product (RSS) and their podcast app (RSS)!

Why? Because RSS is open and it’s a protocol they can’t inject their ads into. I mean, I’m sure they can, they just can’t do it as effectively and at scale. And how could Google back RSS? That would send a signal to the entire market that openly distributed content is good.

But it is, for you and me, not for big ad monetized social media platforms.

Your RSS feed is the calling card you can hand to someone to subscribe to your content. Not just a podcast, but your blog, or your newsletter. Platforms don’t want you to know about RSS or encourage the use of it — because it takes you out of the algorithm and the chance for them to sell ads against you.

Imagine a world if RSS had thrived and you knew your friends RSS feed, just like you knew their email address or website URL. There would be a lot more choice, more apps to experience content, you’d have more focused content feeds, less ads, less abusive algorithms — it would be a better place.

When podcasters and audience listeners start to say that YouTube channels are also podcasts, open RSS loses ground to a centralized platform. It’s that simple.

## In The End

You have to decide what kind of experience you want to craft for your audience. Balance that with the work and effort needed to make a series of content successful. Whatever success means to you.

Weigh your time, energy, and creative bandwidth on audio vs video. Even if “YouTube podcasts” are trending right now, don’t make yourself do video. Audio experiences are just as effective, especially when you’re not trying to force a medium of content you’re not comfortable with.

Choosing YouTube isn’t wrong, I love my YouTube channel for publishing [WordPress tutorials](https://youtube.com/@wpminute?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), but I also know that I’m locked in there. I don’t have control over that audience, so I funnel viewers to my newsletter and then deeper into my audio podcast experience.

Having a podcast appear as video on YouTube and as audio on your own feed is perfectly okay. If the shoe fits, wear it.

What we don’t want is a fleet of podcasters throughout the industry throwing up their hands in defeat trading in freely available RSS feeds in favor of a YouTube channel. And I certainly don’t want to hear from podcast industry experts touting YouTube as the savior of podcasting — discovery be damned!

YouTube has crushed 3 major RSS products already, and while they are supporting RSS feeds for audio now, the proof is in the pudding for how long it will last.

Open RSS allows you to freely move about the internet, gaining access to anyone that can paste your link into their listening app. It’s a particular freedom no other content creators on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram can do.

**Don’t let YouTube swallow up another piece of the open web.**

Go podcasting!
### Earth Care Show by Sarah Christie
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/earth-care-show-by-sarah-christie/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:28:53.000Z
Hey there, podcast fans!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Sarah Christie, the host of the Earth Care podcast, and let me tell you, her setup and approach to podcasting are truly inspiring. Sarah's on a mission to make climate change an approachable conversation for everyone, and her bite-sized episodes are perfect for listeners who want to stay informed without interrupting their daily routine.

In this article, we'll dive deep into Sarah's gear recommendations, time-saving hacks, and the unique perspective she brings to the world of podcasting. Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, you won't want to miss the valuable insights Sarah has to share.

So, get ready to take notes and discover how the Earth Care podcast is making a difference, one episode at a time!

---

Meet Sarah

## Earth Care

![](https://thepodcastsetup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sarah-podcaster-edited.jpeg)

![](https://thepodcastsetup.com/wp-content/themes/rockbase/assets/images/icons/stars.webp)

"Earth Care is an interview based podcast where we have climate conscious conversations in a not-so-overwhelming way."

Sarah Christie

Host, Earth Care Podcast

[Listen to Earth Care](https://www.earthcareshow.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/08/Sarah-Podcast-Setup-1-1.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/08/Sarah-Podcast-Setup-2.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/08/Sarah-Podcast-Setup-3.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/08/Sarah-Podcast-Setup-4.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/08/sarah-podcaster-edited.jpeg)

## Tell us more about your show

Earth Care is an interview based podcast where we have climate conscious conversations in a not-so-overwhelming way. The name is an extension of “self-care” because ultimately we can’t live a healthy life without a healthy planet. Host, Sarah Christie, is on a mission to make climate change an approachable conversation for everyone! All interviews are bite-sized and feature new climate experts, heroes and entrepreneurs with their take on how we can save the planet.

## Why do listeners subscribe to your show?

Earth Care interviews are short form. The intention is for listeners to have time to squeeze an episode into their busy schedule without interrupting their daily routine. If a listener is running to the grocery store, they can throw on an episode, feel engaged in a climate action conversation and get back to their day.

Conversations surrounding the climate crisis, at times, can be overwhelming and alienating. It's difficult for the average person to find intentional time in their already busy life to learn about a topic that may add to their stress. With that in mind, Earth Care interviews are kept light, casual while still delivering necessary information.

## What makes your approach different from others?

My professional background is in Top 40 radio where we are trained to get to the point quickly and keep things moving. I've taken that same approach with Earth Care to make the best use of the listeners' time.

Additionally, Earth Care isn't targeted toward climate experts and professionals who are already in the environmental space. Instead, the interviews are for individuals who know about climate change, concerned about the state of our planet but may not know where to begin with climate action and engaging in related conversations — like me, before I created Earth Care!

I launched this podcast because communicating, interviewing and broadcasting is what I decided would be my main climate action. My background isn't in environmental sciences or sustainability. Earth Care is a chance for the listener and I to learn together!

## What do you hope listeners gain from listening to your show?

My hope is that anyone listening to Earth Care with feel a sense of climate hope. Additionally, they'll understand that their voice is not only welcome in the climate space, but needed!

Earth Care interviews have ranged from climate action in your kitchen, at school, at the beach, all the way to Antarctica! We've met guests who are scientists, youth activists, teachers, small business owners, social media influencers and more. There truly is a path for everyone when it comes to climate action.

I hope listeners feel empowered to integrate action into whatever path they see fit!

## What does your podcast legacy look like?

An introductory to climate action for every type of person. If you're too busy for a beach clean up, let me find an episode and guest that would better suit your lifestyle.

A place where listeners can look to for climate hope and to feel energized about protecting our planet.

## What's the best piece of advice you have for other podcasters?

Ask for help! Earth Care is currently a one woman ship.

There have been times where it has felt like a second full-time job which robs all of the fun and energy out of it. It wasn't until I spoke with other podcasting friends about their workflows that I realized how many time saving resources I wasn't taking advantage of! Someone in the podcasting world has likely already solved a problem that might be holding you back. It's worth taking time to research and ask for help.

## The software you use

- Riverside for recording audio and video online with guests
- Final Cut Pro for editing both video and audio
- Veed.io (free account) for adding captions to videos for social media

## The hardware you use

- Blue Yeti stereo microphone
- Two Lume Cube Broadcasting Kits (I used to use a ring light but I wear glasses and you can see the ring reflection in my glasses, so it was time to change it up!)
- Jabra Noise Cancelling Headphones
- MacBook Pro

## What makes this all work for you?

This set up doesn't require a ton of space which is great because I'm working in a tiny corner!

I purchased a fold out plastic table for $30 for my gear during podcast recordings. I added tape markers onto the floor and table so the space and framing would be consistent in each interview. Once they're done, I can fold everything up and tuck it away without taking up all of the space in the room.

The Lume Cube Broadcasting Kit has been fun to experiment with, especially since I also record in a poorly lit room. I wouldn't recommend these for distance, they do have to be quite close to see the effects. They're also portable which is great if you're doing any filming outdoors.

The Blue Yeti mic seemed to be the one most recommended and budget friendly when I first started looking into a mic set up. I have no complaints! I rarely have to do more than a few post audio adjustments on it because the sound quality is quite consistent.

I'm new to using Riverside this year and so far love it! It provides a handful of features that make all of the post work with podcasting a lot easier for a one-person team.

I'm especially a fan of Riverside's ability to resize your video depending on where you'll be sharing it with the click of a button -- that has saved me A LOT of time!
### TrueFans.fm: The Future of Podcasting 2.0
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/truefans-fm-the-future-of-podcasting-2-0/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:29:40.000Z
If you’ve been hearing about this [Podcasting 2.0](https://podcastindex.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) thing over the last few years — or even few months — you might be wrestling to wrap your head around it.

Terms like: V4V, Sats, boosts, and bitcoin might even scare you away from wanting to go deeper. I don’t blame you.

Podcasting is already hard enough. There were 90,000+ episodes published in the last 72 hours according to the podcast index. The thought of jumping into a pool that size to carve out your own audience can be overwhelming.

There there’s producing the show, editing, promoting, outreach — now we’re going to ask you to roll up your sleeves (even higher) and learn some of podcasting’s most bleeding edge technologies, at least where RSS is considered.

Say hello to [TrueFans](https://truefans.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), a platform that is building the Graphical User Interface (GUI) around Podcasting 2.0.

## TrueFans: The Content Consumption & Monetization Platform

I’m old enough to remember when it was called PodFans.

The brainchild of [Sam Sethi](https://www.linkedin.com/in/samsethi/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), veteran in the radio and podcast space, co-host of [PodNews Weekly](https://weekly.podnews.net/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) with James Cridland.

A transition that really shows you that Podcasting 2.0 is a lot more than a podcasting technology. Backed with the core concept of Value-4-Value, Sam and his team aren’t just on the bleeding edge, but hanging on for dear life at the tip of the rocket ship as propels off the launch pad.

The TrueFans progressive web app has evolved so much, that the top navigation menu items now includes more than podcasts. You can also browse music with audiobooks & courses coming soon.

![](https://thepodcastsetup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/truefans-featured-1.png)

If you thought the team was iterating at break neck speed with the supporting Podcasting 2.0 tags — I’m anxious to see what else Sam can enable V4V on in the future.

In the interest of time, I’ll focus on the top 3 areas I think you can jump into with TrueFans to get a sense of Podcasting 2.0 without overcommitting yourself or changing your daily habit of a new podcast app.

Though, I do encourage you to try a new podcast app, more on that in a future video.

## Boosting/Streaming Payments to Podcasters

The best thing about Podcasting 2.0 is its support for instant micro-payments to podcasters.

You can pay your favorite podcast hosts by the minute as you listen to their show or send them one off “boosts” to show your support. A mix of money and messaging. It’s a fantastic route of podcast monetization with a unique layer of interactivity between the audience and the podcaster. Nothing like this exists on mainstream media platforms.

The worst thing about it? Payments are made using Bitcoin’s smallest denomination of payments called Satoshi, passed over the Lightning Network, with users needing their own digital wallet to convert fiat to digital tokens.

If you have no idea what I just said, therein lies the issue.

I’m not here to debate Bitcoin versus Dollars, Programmatic ads vs V4V Boosts — the concept most of the industry is trying to solve, be it ad tech or the Podcasting 2.0 boardroom is: How to get podcasters paid.

![](https://thepodcastsetup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/alby.png)

> "think of Alby as like your PayPal account. They broker the conversion of your dollars into Bitcoin, and store it in your wallet."

[Like this ARticle? Boost it!](https://getalby.com/p/mattmedeiros?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

One of the first steps when joining the TrueFans platform is to set up your profile with an [Alby Wallet](https://getalby.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com).

From a fifty-thousand foot view, you can think of Alby as like your PayPal account. They broker the conversion of your dollars into Bitcoin, and store it in your wallet.

It’s like when you go to an arcade, you no longer drop coins into the games, but you swipe a pre-paid card with your funds on it. Swipe, and the game lights up.

Now you’re ready to experience the boosting and streaming to your favorite podcasters — all while managing it in the TrueFans app. TrueFans even gives you some free sats to kick things off. The more you setup your account, the more you earn.

There’s very little at risk, sans the learning curve.

## Get the Experience LIVE!

*“Did you hear me on the radio?!”*

Remember how excited people would get when they called in to a live show? I still have newspaper clippings from articles I was featured in. Oh how the times have changed.

Another advantage TrueFans has for newcomers exploring the space is the fact that you don’t have to swap your favorite podcast app — yet.

I totally get it, I still use PocketCasts for some podcasts that I listen to, and I dabble in a mix of other Podcasting 2.0 apps — including TrueFans — when I’m listening to shows that support the new tags.

A great way to experience this new relationship between you the listener, and the podcast host, is to listen to a show live with a boost.

Every Friday, the [Podcasting 2.0 guys stream their show live](https://truefans.fm/podcasting-20?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), and it’s a great way to test this interaction. If you want to experience it yourself, tune in and boost them to let them know you’re listening.

They do a great job of dynamically interacting with the audience.

The bigger the boost, the bigger the reaction. Like that “hey, I’m on the radio!” Reaction I mentioned earlier. It’s a small window into the experience you can forge with your own audience.

TruFans gives you the ability to do the boosting, write your message, and they even keep a history of your actions. With an additional layer of gamification, you can “Foursquare” your way to the top of the leaderboard.

I’m really dating myself with that one…

There are social podcast apps like [GoodPods](https://goodpods.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) that build groups and community over comments, but I don’t know any other platform that fuses the Podcasting 2.0 methodologies to a social interaction layer.

Load up your wallet with $20 and experiment. See how you might apply this with your own podcast.

![](https://thepodcastsetup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/truefans-music.png)

## Music and So Much More

There’s still so much more to cover that TrueFans unlocks for both the listener and the podcaster — even musicians.

With TrueFans, you can browse V4V enabled music artists and interact with them, just like your favorite podcasters.

Imagine if you could do that on Spotify or Apple Music?!

It’s easy to joke about the Bitcoin fanatics, but imagine how far your $1 Dollar donation would go in the “real world?”

After payment gateways, merchant fees, and platform taxes you’d be lucky if your favorite artist received twenty-cents. With micro-payments using Bitcoin in Podcasting 2.0, the trade-off is doing the math to convert sats to dollars and a branding issue.

The exciting part is Sam Sethi and his team are seeing this future and making a big bet that this is where the market is headed. Apple Podcasts just supported the transcript tag for their podcast player, imagine if you could buy Bitcoin in your Bank Of America account.

My next tip is to spend some time exploring what else the app can do. Browse into a single podcast episode and see the features, buttons, and dials you play with including:

- Boosts
- Recommendations
- Leaderboards
- Soundbites
- Chapters
- Clips
- Transcripts
- and more

If you’ve been shrugging off Podcasting 2.0 because you think it’s just a wild fantasy — well, isn’t that how all tech starts?

No one ever thought they’d have electricity running to their homes, a computer on their desk, a computer in their hand, or a computer strapped to their face.

Okay, maybe that last one is still a tough sell, but Podcasting 2.0 isn’t a tough sell and TrueFans is doing its part to make it a reality.

Start an account today and see what you’ve been missing inside the future of podcasting!

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2025/08/truefans-home.png)
### 5 Ways to Craft a Podcast Intro
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/5-ways-to-craft-a-podcast-intro/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:31:04.000Z
The great thing about starting a podcast? There are no rules. The bad thing about starting a podcast? There are no rules.

When I’m asked, “How should I start the intro of my podcast?” I can’t help but press the :shrug: emoji symbol.

Who am I to tell anyone how to craft their art?

This whole industry is largely a subjective creative endeavor which leads to a collection of over [400,000+ active podcasts](https://podcastindex.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) over the last 90-days. No one podcast is (or should be) the same. Choosing how you intro your podcast is a creative endeavor that may evolve over time.

The advice I’m sharing today is pulled from my 12 years of podcasting, mostly in the business/marketing space. Take that for what it's worth!

Branded podcast intro 1

0:00

/35.735542

1×

Call to action podcast intro

0:00

/31.268583

1×

Premise podcast intro

0:00

/35.735542

1×

Scripted cold open podcast intro

0:00

/169.482458

1×

Unique sonic branding podcast intro

0:00

/10.814708

1×

## **How should you intro your podcast?**

Using this equation: *(Podcast Goals \* Audience) / Current Phase*

Easy right?

Let me explain how that equation floats around in my head, and how I’ve applied it to the many podcasts I’ve been a part of.

### Starting with a Call to Action or Presented by your Brand

When in doubt, always fall back to your podcast goals.

For many of us in the business category, we're all familiar with the term Call to Action. It could be signing up to an email list, a course, or selling a product. If you’re stuck creatively, you can lean on your CTA to be *the* thing you need to get across in your intro.

> Here's a sample of a podcast intro that focuses on a Call to Action from my former [Matt Report](https://mattreport.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) podcast.

You’re probably not going to blow anyone’s socks off with what some might consider a "sterile intro," but given how difficult tracking podcast ROI is, looking at the amount of email signups you get per month kills two birds with one stone.

Often, an intro might be about branding.

> Here's a sample of a branded podcast intro I produce for the [Breakdown](https://breakdown.transistor.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) podcast.

Allowing listeners to hear, on repeat, that the podcast is brought to you by a certain brand. This is where brand sentiment might be even more important than a cut and dry call to action. This is an experience, that is aligned with/or associated to, the bigger brand.

### Stating the Premise; Grow Awareness

You might be in the launch phase of your podcast, where you’re still growing awareness and discovering who the audience is.

Instead of a hard CTA, you’re leading with the premise of the show + giving the listener a reason to follow your podcast. The most common type of podcast intro I've heard. The most common I'll produce, too.

> Here's a sample of an intro I do for the [WP Minute+](https://thewpminute.com/category/wp-minute-plus-podcast/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) which shares the premise of the show.

The challenge is to push yourself to find a great hook within your premise, and keep it as short as possible. Like when someone asks, “How long should a podcast be?” The answer is: as long as it needs to be.

### The Cold Open: Creating Emotion & Interest

Creativity is endless when you take this approach.

If you’re running a typical interview podcast, snagging a highlight clip from your guest and having that kick off your intro is about the easiest way to drop your listener into the action without going through the whole episode.

You can even combo that with a call to action intro that we discussed above.

If your show is mostly scripted, writing a monologue that sets the mood can evoke the emotion you’re looking for.

> Here's a sample cold open from [Obscure Ball](https://thepodcastsetup.com/obscureball-hosted-by-stuart-barefoot/) by Stuart Barefoot.

Or double down on emotion (an interest) with [sonic branding](https://www.akoustic-arts.com/blog/what-is-sonic-branding-and-how-can-you-make-the-most-of-it?ref=thepodcastsetup.com#:~:text=Sonic%20branding%2C%20also%20known%20as,customers%20link%20to%20your%20brand.), snappy and to the punch, the listener recognizes it every time they hit play.

> Here's the intro to [Breaking Content](https://breakingcontent.co/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com). It's a simple sonic brand which evokes a mysterious emotion headed into each episode.

## **Make it Your Way**

Hopefully these examples kickstart your creative side, or at the very least, get you unstuck from your podcasting "writer’s block."

There’s no right or wrong way to start your podcast intro. Do what works for you and your audience. Remember, what really hits today will most likely change over time. As your podcast goals shift, audiences dip in and out, you might find yourself creating a new intro every year!
### Apple Podcasts Embraces the Crazy Ones
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/apple-podcasts-embraces-the-crazy-ones/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:31:57.000Z
Transcripts are [now available](https://podcasters.apple.com/support/5316-transcripts-on-apple-podcasts?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) in the Apple podcast app.

The highlight of this story? Apple is using the [Podcasting 2.0 RSS tag](https://github.com/Podcastindex-org/podcast-namespace?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) to load transcripts, which other indie podcast apps and podcast hosts, have been using for years. While it’s just a tiny part of a much more robust RSS offering, this is a huge win for open publishing.

RSS is like the glue between your podcast and your listener.

A central file that houses the information about your podcast, where it’s hosted, and with every upload you make, it updates your listeners and directories that you’ve got something new to share. RSS is an unsung hero, not only in podcasting, but for the web.

A clumsy, but powerful open standard that big companies like Google and Spotify [don’t want you to focus on](https://www.theverge.com/23778253/google-reader-death-2013-rss-social?ref=thepodcastsetup.com).

“Why empower our users to broadcast their podcast to the entire world, when we just want them to stay in our app?!” Is how the boardroom meeting might go.

Podcasting 2.0 is an open source movement that embodies the crazy ones to push RSS forward. Where people can [gather ‘round the camp fire](https://podcastindex.social/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) and discuss what’s needed to push the boundaries of podcasting outward, for the betterment of the entire industry.

Techie? Yes. Hard to understand at times? Sure. Cutting edge, with lower adoption? Certainly.

I imagine this to be how people felt when they toyed with the idea of wiring electricity to every home in the 1800’s or when Steve Jobs envisioned a Personal Computer in every home. Whacky and inconceivable.

Kudos to Apple for making a tiny leap into Podcasting 2.0.

If you want to dive in head first, checkout [Podcast Index list of apps and hosts](https://podcastindex.org/apps?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) that support the technology.

> Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes.  
>  
> The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo.  
>  
> You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things.  
>  
> They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.  
>  
> Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.  
>  
> [Apple Think Different ad](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRwldMYkKdA&ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
### Relaunching The Podcast Setup Website
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/relaunching-the-podcast-setup-website/
Last updated: 2025-08-19T23:32:47.000Z
For the last year this website was hosted on the open source [Ghost](https://ghost.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) platform.

For those of you that don’t know, I’ve held a 15+ year career in the WordPress space. From running my own agency, to hosting the leading [podcast covering WordPress news.](https://thepodcastsetup.com/the-wp-minute-by-matt-medeiros/) If you’re a non-technical person, having dipped your toe in WordPress, you could probably count the number of times you wanted to throw your laptop. More on that later.

However, I’m happy to announce that this website is now hosted on [WordPress.com](http://wordpress.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com). Quite a bit different than self-hosting your own WordPress install with a trusted web host.

**Why did I pick WordPress.com versus self hosting my own WordPress.org version?**

Email lists and newsletters.

The one thing podcast hosts don’t provide audio creators with are the means to build an email list and publish a newsletter. Hosts like [Transistor](https://transistor.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) allow me to connect to places like Mailchimp and ConvertKit, but as a die hard WordPress advocate, I wanted to see what WordPress.com has to offer. They've been touting their "Creator" features for a while, lets see if it lives up to the hype.

## WordPress.com vs WordPress.org

If you’re not familiar with the industry, WordPress.com is developed by [Automattic](http://automattic.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), a commercial entity started by Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder of the open-source version of WordPress which is found at [WordPress.org.](https://wordpress.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

Emphasis on the .org in that paragraph.

I won’t dive too deep into the rabbit hole of the pros/cons of self hosting WordPress versus paying for a $300/year business account at WordPress.com, but it boils down to me wanting to see how Automattic serves creators like us through their product suite of hosting, Jetpack, and their newsletter service.

The good news is that if you do pay for a business account like mine, you can run WordPress plugins that have been approved on the platform, much like you would in your self-hosted website. That means I can use [Gravity Forms](https://gravityforms.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for my intaking the podcast setups I’m publishing here on this site.

**Bonus**: *My day job is at Gravity Forms helping with the product, marketing, and publishing the Breakdown audio podcast.*

Gravity Forms helps me streamline the publication and newsletter building funnel on WordPress.

And that’s what I missing from Ghost.

Ghost is a fantastic open source publishing platform, and I encourage you to look at that platform if you’re non-technical and you want something as an alternative to more commercial platforms like Substack or even "Twitter bro" favorite, [Beehiiv](https://beehiiv.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com). (I'm testing the platform on another project, [Breaking Content](https://breakingcontent.co/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com).)

On Ghost, I found myself stitching together a few difference services in order to intake user generated content, and get it posted to Ghost.

With WordPress + Gravity Forms, I can have you [send me your podcast setup](https://thepodcastsetup.com/podcast-setup-interview/) through the form, and all of that data is piped right into a new WordPress post, drafted, ready to publish!

The Podcast Setup is a side project for me, the more automated and hands-off I can achieve the more I can do on the promotional side of things.

## The Takeaway

I’m a huge fan of open source.

Not just because you can hack away at it and write or install code to add a deluge of functionality, but that your content is (hopefully) insulated from big platform politics.

The current landscape of newsletter platforms, social platforms, and YouTube channels increase our risk for loss of ownership.

Freedom to publish and distribute is the part I love about RSS podcasting.

Platforms like WordPress and Ghost open up the same freedom for your website and your blog posts.

Your content isn’t lost to an algorithm.

When you want to move, like I did, it’s a clean process. I encourage you to look at WordPress (or Ghost!) for your podcast website. Feel free to hit reply and let me know if you have any questions.

In the meantime, [send us your podcast setup](https://thepodcastsetup.com/podcast-setup-interview/) to share with our audience. It’s free!
### AI Tools I Use for Podcasting
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/ai-tools-i-use-for-podcasting/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:07:27.000Z
I've been on the fence about using AI for a while.

Every time I asked ChatGPT to write a draft to a blog post, or to highlight some nuanced areas of my career topic of 'WordPress,' it failed miserably – much to the chagrin of my Twitter timeline.

It seems everyone has a masterfully crafted AI workflow, while I'm over here losing braincells punching keys on my MacBook actually *thinking* about what (and how!) to write. Certainly I'm doing this whole internet thing wrong.

I won't bury the lede, even if you're an AI denier, but use Desript like a lot of other podcasters, you've been knee deep in AI for a while. (Don't forget, [OpenAI invested in Descript](https://www.descript.com/blog/article/all-new-descript-backed-by-openai-startup-fund?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), so there's even more AI coming into our do-it-all podcast editing app.)

So here I am, kicking and screaming into the future of podcasting with AI, wether I like it or not.

## Descript for editing

Descript solves a lot problems for podcasters:

- Transcriptions
- Filler word removal
- Audio improvements
- of course, editing!

That's just the tip of the iceberg. For better or worse, Descript is trying to be the *only* app a creator needs, audio and video.

If you haven't tried Descript in a while, it does a lot of these core functions a lot better now. A year, to two years ago, things were a lot clunkier. Removing filler words meant harsh cuts, repairing audio was tedious.

Things are a lot smoother now, even if the app still [updates 5 times a day.](https://x.com/PodcastSetup/status/1717280544138866879?s=20&ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

## MacWhisper app

If I don't need the editing power of Descript, I use the indie developed [MacWhisper app.](https://goodsnooze.gumroad.com/l/macwhisper?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

It's a one-time purchase, if you want the more detailed transcription options, or free if you'd like to simply try it out. The good news is, there are no other costs!

All of the transcription is done locally on your PC, which means you're not paying a cloud solution a fee to transcribe. It all depends on your local processing power, and what level of accuracy you require.

I like using this over Descript when I don't need to launch into a whole editing workflow or have a lot of files to transcribe that don't count against my monthly account limits.

## Claude.ai for show notes

One area ChatGPT that was (maybe still is) useless to me, is working with my podcast transcripts.

[Claude.ai](https://claude.ai/login?returnTo=%2F&ref=thepodcastsetup.com) was able to handle large 'Token requests' since it hit mainstream. This meant I could paste hour long transcripts into its prompt, while I could *maybe* get 8 minutes into ChatGPT. All with a more elegant interface, I'd say.

There's something about copy/pasting your transcript and having it appear as an icon, versus a wall of text, that feels much more satisfying. Like, here's the file, and here's what I need you to do with it. Clean and contextual.

I've also found the output, when requesting quality show notes, much better than ChatGPT 3.5 and 4\. I'm sure the race is on against OpenAI with Google's recent earmark of [$2 billion dollars.](https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/google-commits-2-billion-in-funding-to-ai-startup-anthropic-db4d4c50?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

Here's a common prompt I'll use:

> Please create comprehensive podcast show notes based on this podcast transcript between HOST and GUEST. Write out 2 - 3 paragraphs summarizing the episode, bullet point 5 of the most important takeaways, highlight two quotes that could go viral on social media, and list all of the URL's mentioned in the conversation.

I might add more to that prompt, depending on what my other goals are, but this serves me up a bunch of content as a framework that I can use to promote the podcast episode. It will help me think of titles and tweets that would work best for me.

Claude is powerful, and free!

## GPTs for a powerful podcast chat bot

GPTs are a powerful new function of ChatGPT that [lets anyone create a chatbot,](https://openai.com/blog/introducing-gpts?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) based off of the training data you provide it.

This could be specific instructions and contexts you write into the prompt field, or in combination with text based files you upload. The kicker is, they are opening this up to a marketplace effect, where other users can interface with *your* chatbot.

I produced a podcast called *Matt Report* which went on for over 350 episodes. It focused on interviews with WordPress entrepreneurs and professionals, that used WordPress as their core product offering. Digital agency owners, people selling WordPress plugins, it was all about how this was getting done in the greater WordPress ecosystem.

After transcribing and training my GPT on all of the episodes, I now have a very unique chatbot that my listeners can interface, even though I don't produce the show anymore.

Here's an example of how your own body of work can be much more valuable over generic search, or even generic AI responses. I asked regular ChatGPT to tell me about the popular plugin Gravity Forms, versus what guests have said about Gravity Forms over a decade of conversations:

Regular ChatGPT scoured the web to find reviews and blog posts, and built me a response that was much more 'commercial' feeling. It wasn't wrong, but it was much more data driven.

My chatbot gave a much more human response, and talked about Gravity Forms in the context of how it relates to someone's WordPress business – which is the goal of running my own GPT!

## Are you using AI in your podcast?

Let me know how you're using AI in your podcast.

Hit reply and let me know! If you're interested in sharing your podcast setup with the rest of the world, submit your application on the website [thepodcastsetup.com](https://thepodcastsetup.com/start-local-by-liam/)!
### Don't Skimp on the Mic: How to Pick the Right Podcasting Microphone as a Beginner
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/how-to-pick-the-right-podcasting-microphone-as-a-beginner/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:07:42.000Z
So you want to start a podcast but don't want to break the bank on equipment? The good news is you don't need to spend thousands to get good audio quality. But you also can't just rely on your laptop microphone or earbuds if you want people to actually stick around and listen.

The microphone is the most important piece of gear for any podcaster. Investing in the right external USB mic can take your podcast from garage quality to pro-level without spending a fortune. Here's what to look for as a beginner.

#### The Goldilocks Zone: Finding the Just-Right Mic for Podcasting

You'll want a USB microphone in the $50-100 range, like the popular Samsung Q2U. This hits the "goldilocks zone" for beginners - not too expensive but good enough quality to make a difference. Mics in this range provide a major upgrade from built-in laptop mics or AirPods while still being affordable.

Avoid the temptation to go cheaper with a sub-$50 mic. These might seem like a good deal but often have quality issues like background noise and poor recording capability. You want an entry-level mic but not the cheapest of the cheap.

On the flip side, you also don't need a $500+ professional-grade microphone as a beginner. Those are overkill and you won't get $400+ more value out of them. Start with an intermediate USB mic in the $50-100 range and upgrade later once your show takes off.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2023/08/matt-talking-mic.png)

#### Get That Mic Close to Your Mouth

Proximity matters when it comes to microphone quality. The closer you can get the mic to your mouth as the sound source, the better your audio will be.

This is why having a boom arm is so important. It allows you to maneuver the mic right in front of your face as you record. Leaving the mic sitting on your desk creates more distance from your voice, which equates to worse sound quality.

Boom arms run $35-100 depending on the model. Even cheaper options provide plenty of benefit though by getting the mic off the desk and next to your mouth. This simple step can drastically improve the recording quality.

#### Control the Environment: Room Treatment Basics

Even the best microphone will struggle in an echo-y room with no sound treatment. Hard, reflective surfaces cause reverb, background noise, and other issues.

As a beginner, you can tame room problems with some simple DIY treatment:

- Hang thick blankets on walls as makeshift sound dampeners
- Place foam squares in corners to absorb echoes
- Close windows and doors to minimize outside noise

You don't necessarily need fancy acoustic foam panels right away. Think creatively and work with what you have at home to control reverb and echo issues.

Better room treatment allows your voice to come through clean and clear, which keeps people listening.

#### Quality Audio Leads to More Listens

Here's the bottom line: audio quality matters. In the crowded world of podcasting, poor audio is an easy reason for people to skip your show and move on to the next one.

Investing in an external USB mic, boom arm, and basic room treatment shows you care about your listeners' experience. This will set you apart as an amateur podcaster and get more people to stick around and engage.

You don't have to go overboard on costs and equipment. Start with the basics recommended here. As your audience grows over time, you can upgrade to more advanced gear. The goal is listeners who stick around long enough to become loyal fans - and that starts with audio they actually want to listen to.
### 8 Great podcast newsletters for every podcaster
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/8-great-podcast-newsletters-for-every-podcaster/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:08:30.000Z
It’s no surprise that starting a newsletter for your podcast is a good thing. When I was Director of Success for a podcast hosting company, the first recommendation I’d make to new podcasters was to: ***Start a newsletter.***

If you’re new to podcasting, it can be a little lonely watching your download chart slowly tick up and to the right – or not move at all. New podcasters could lessen their stress if focused on growing newsletter subscribers versus their downloads.

I don’t know about you, but I’d trade 10 podcast downloads for 1 newsletter subscriber.

We’ll discuss the benefits and the technical details of starting one for your podcast in a future article. Today, I’d like to share with you some fellow podcasters that are running a newsletter in tandem with their audio & video content.

These newsletters are a **must** subscribe if you’re looking to go deeper in the podcast community.

[Subscribe to Global Podcast Editors](https://globalpodcasteditors.substack.com/)

**Global Podcast Editors**

This is a newsletter aimed at, you guessed it, podcast editors. While I’m not a professional editor, I do enjoy learning from this collective [Stephanie Fuccio](https://twitter.com/stephfuccio?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) has been curating over the last few years.

[Subscribe to Pod Chat](https://www.podchatnews.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

**Pod Chat**

One of my favorite podcasts about podcasting delivers the tips and tricks right to my inbox. [Danny Brown](https://twitter.com/DannyBrownCA?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) delivers industry knowledge in a digestible format for new (and veteran!) podcasters. *p.s. they are also a* [*supporter*](https://thepodcastsetup.com/supporters/)*.*

[Subscribe to Pod The North](https://podthenorth.substack.com/)

**Pod The North**

Back to back Canadians aren’t a surprise here when they are both putting out exceptional content! Don’t let the title fool you, while it’s premise is Canadian podcasting, [Kattie Laur](https://twitter.com/PodKatt?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) publishes thought provoking content for all podcasters.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2023/03/blkpod-logo-1.jpg)

[Subscribe to BlkPodNews](https://www.blkpodnews.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

**BlkPodNews**

BlkPodNews is the official newsletter of the Black Podcasters Association. Unlike the other newsletters I've highlighted, the newsletter is written and curated by a few writers. You can learn more about the team [here](https://www.blkpodnews.com/about?ref=thepodcastsetup.com).

[Subscribe to Podcasting Community](https://podcastdispatches.beehiiv.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

**Podcasting Community**

There’s a large podcast community on Discord, including the names I mentioned above. The newsletter helps pull some of the best content out from the group. Especially useful if you don’t have the time to engage every day!

[Subscribe to Podnews](https://podnews.net/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

**Podnews Daily**

A staple in keeping up with the audio industry news, events, and happenings. Every morning you can get a run down of the most important links you’ll want to click. [James Cridland](https://twitter.com/JamesCridland?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) is the editor along with the daily audio podcast. Maybe he’ll even publish video one day?

[Subscribe to The Squeeze](https://thisisthesqueeze.substack.com/)

**The Squeeze**

If you desire some additional hard-hitting reporting of the audio and podcast industry, look no further than The Squeeze published by [Skye Pillsbury](https://twitter.com/SkyePillsbury?ref=thepodcastsetup.com). Worth your time and support!

**The Podcast Setup**

Shameless plug…well, you’re here, aren’t you?! We publish podcast setups from podcasters around the world. You can fill out our interview form and get your podcast featured & promoted. It’s a great way to learn, discover, and help grow podcast awareness.

## Do you have a favorite podcast newsletter?

There are lot of podcast newsletter being published, I haven’t even scratched the surface with this list.

I hope some of these are new to you, and if you enjoy them, please subscribe and tweet/toot to their creators that you like the work they are doing. Message me your favorite newsletter, I’m on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/mattmedeiros?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) and [Mastodon](https://podcastindex.social/@mattmedeiros?ref=thepodcastsetup.com).
### Steno.fm: A showcase for Podcasting 2.0 and the future of audio consumption
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/steno-fm-a-showcase-for-podcasting-2-0-and-the-future-of-audio-consumption/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:13:22.000Z
I’m not ready to fire back at the audio pundits stating that podcasting is dead...again. Not today, anyway.

I’ll let new apps like [Steno.fm](http://steno.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), leveraging advanced RSS features of the Podcasting 2.0 open source movement, to do the heavy lifting for me. I look forward to [new podcast apps](https://podcastapps.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), like Steno.fm, increasing visibility that skeptics have been lacking. This will be beneficial to podcasters, listeners, and the industry as a whole.

Most mainstream coverage centers around the 2.5 million podcasts *on* Apple, or the streaming “innovation” of Spotify, few really spend their time covering a different flavor of indie: *developers helping Podcasting 2.0*.

## Who is behind Steno.fm?

[Nathan Gathright](https://twitter.com/NathanG?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), creator of [Pod.link](http://pod.link/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) and former Spotify employee, has been working on Steno.fm for a few years.

Like me, he was unlucky enough to be part of the *Great Tech Layoffs* that happened to, also, hit Spotify. (I worked for a podcast hosting company, not Spotify.)

Gathright did what any passionate product builder would do: He took to polishing up his side project. Making things a bit more formal in it’s approach, and [launching it](https://twitter.com/StenoFM/status/1626614985156698112?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) (again) to the public. [Read the announcement](https://blog.steno.fm/introducing-stenofm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) on their blog.

It's an app where you can search through podcasts that support the transcript feature, play episodes, and scour through the .srt files Gathright displays per episode.

Ticking all the right boxes for a lightweight listening and reading experience.

## Steno.fm isn’t alone in advancing podcasting

Gathright isn’t the only indie developer building unique web apps for podcasting. [CurioCaster](https://curiocaster.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) is another podcast listening app that works great in the web browser. Created by [Steven Bell](https://podcastindex.social/@StevenB?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), he’s constantly iterating on the experience to bring in many of the great Podcasting 2.0 features like live streaming, chapters, and value4value.

> Listening LIVE to [@adamcurry](https://twitter.com/adamcurry?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=thepodcastsetup.com), [@PodcastindexOrg](https://twitter.com/PodcastindexOrg?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=thepodcastsetup.com) and [@NathanGp](https://twitter.com/NathanGP?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=thepodcastsetup.com) on Podcast Index. Streaming payments §100 p/m SATS and boosting. [#gopodcasting](https://twitter.com/hashtag/gopodcasting?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=thepodcastsetup.com) [#podfans](https://twitter.com/hashtag/podfans?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=thepodcastsetup.com) [pic.twitter.com/KL3unENeUl](https://t.co/KL3unENeUl?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
> 
> — Sam Talks Technology (@SamTalksTech) [February 17, 2023](https://twitter.com/SamTalksTech/status/1626650314681028612?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

[https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js](https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

[Podnews weekly review’s](https://weekly.podnews.net/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) own [Sam Sethi](https://twitter.com/SamSethi?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) has been teasing us (I got a sneak peek behind the scenes!) with his upcoming app, [Podfans](https://twitter.com/JoinPodfans?ref=thepodcastsetup.com). He’s working on a way to bring podcasters and creators together through a more delightful way of monetization.

From my perspective, [Podnews](podnews.net) is the only podcast industry newsletter covering a lot of the activity in the Podcasting 2.0 landscape.

Most industry coverage views it from the money side: Advertising (like, big brand deals), big shows (like, shows that win awards), and big tech (like, Spotify).

I suspect the media are less interested in giving coverage to the developers who gather on [Podcastindex.social](https://podcastindex.social/home?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) or in a [GitHub repository](https://github.com/Podcastindex-org/podcast-namespace?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) as it likely won't result in many clicks.

I surmise that this corner of podcasting isn’t covered because there are so many in the industry that aren’t educated. Which is a shame because open source is right there for you to review. Spend some time chatting it up on Mastodon, or a few hours combing through GitHub issues. The action is there if you want to roll up your sleeves and dig in.

When you see the headline “Podcasting is dead” scroll through your social media timeline, let the author know they aren’t looking in the right places.

0:00/1×Playing a podcast with a transcript on Steno.fm

## Spoiled by Steno.fm

I’ve really enjoyed Gathright's minimalist approach to Steno.fm, an approach that sets it apart from something like a CurioCaster.

Steno.fm is a very intentional app. Or It could be that he hasn’t had the time to pour in all of the features he’s working on, though I do hope he sticks to a narrow list of useful bells & whistles.

The standout feature, albeit simple, is support for podcasts that ship transcripts in their RSS feeds. A Podcasting 2.0 feature that allows supporting apps to display an episode’s transcript into the native listening experience.

It’s quick and easy, allowing me to punch into an episode when I wanted to find something the host mentioned while I was out on a run. The experience isn’t overbearing, I can search/listen/read without hassle. There’s no bloated social features or logins that cause a lot of user friction.

Best of all: clean design.

New podcast apps won’t survive very long without good design. Something I hope to see more apps invest in soon.

## Turn up Steno.fm

Load up Steno.fm in your browser and take transcript search for a spin.

If you’ve never heard of Podcasting 2.0 features before, this is a delightful experience to see transcripts and *people* features in action. Their trending page is also powered by another open source podcast initiative, [OP3](https://op3.dev/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com).

Be sure to hop on the [mailing list](https://blog.steno.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), I’m sure Steno.fm will be shipping more features soon!

🎤

If you want to include transcripts in your podcast feed, switch to a podcast host that supports them. I recommend and use [Transistor.fm](https://swiy.co/podcast-setup-transistor?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) (aff. link) for starting a podcast.
### Live In The Feast with Jason Resnick
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/live-in-the-feast-with-jason-resnick/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:13:53.000Z
The first word that came to my mind about Jason Resnick was "*grit*."

He's a guy I've known for nearly a decade that hasn't given up on his passion to be a solo creator, developer, consultant, and so much more. Constantly evolving himself in the field – even learning on the job. His podcasts act as the glue to many parts of his brand + business plumbing.

His professional life sits at the intersection of automation and email marketing. His personal life is about being a great dad, husband, and (unfortunately) Chiefs fan. If you need help understanding the fast changing email marketing landscape, be sure to subscribe to Jason!

### Summarize your show for us

Live In The Feast is a seasonal podcast for freelancers looking to get out of the feast or famine cycle and stay in the feast for good.

### Why do listeners subscribe to your podcast?

Each season is about a topic specific to your freelance business, think Pricing, Getting Clients, etc. Each episode within the season features actionable takeaways for you to implement in your business immediately after each show.

No fluff, no pie in the sky dreaming, this is real-life examples and takeaways for you.

### What makes your approach to podcasting different from others?

I'm a no nonsense, straight-shooter type of guy and while I enjoy listening to folks chat on podcasts, when it comes to a business podcast, I always want to walk away with something that I can use right away to improve the business.

### What do you hope listeners gain from your show?

A takeaway or lesson that they can use, learn from, or be inspired from to take action.

### What does your podcast legacy look like?

Never thought about the legacy of me as a podcaster to be honest.

### What's the best piece of advice you have for other podcasters?

Just press record and get it out there. Don't compare yourself to the podcasters you listen to on a regular basis. If you haven't started, press record and publish.

### What software do you use to produce your podcast?

- [Audacity](https://www.audacityteam.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [GarageBand](https://www.apple.com/mac/garageband/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Zoom](https://zoom.us/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Descript](https://www.descript.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [SavvyCal](https://savvycal.com/?r=mattmedeiros&ref=thepodcastsetup.com) (get a free month using this link!)
- [Pipedrive](https://www.pipedrive.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- lots of Googl-ing.

### What hardware do you use to record your podcast?

- [Rode Podcaster mic](https://amzn.to/3Y9T6Ko?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Macbook Pro](https://amzn.to/3YdVLmg?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

### What makes your podcast setup work for you?

It's simple. I probably could upgrade a ton, but it works every time I push record and is something that I don't have to think about.

*Thanks for reading today's newsletter featuring Jason Resnick! If you enjoyed it and think others will too, please share on social media. Follow us on* [*Twitter*](https://twitter.com/podcastsetup?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)*.*
### There Are No Nice Guys hosted by Laura Coronado
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/there-are-no-nice-guys-laura-coronado/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:14:37.000Z
Laura Coronado combines her skills in marketing, fashion, and lifestyle to create a complete podcasting package.

I love the combo audience Laura has cultivated with her show. In one earbud, single women tune in to learn from other single women in today's dating scene. The other earbud? Men subscribing to learn how to be better suitors. There's something for everyone in today's edition!

**Some housekeeping**

I wanted to take a moment to thank my friends and colleagues that have helped me connect with others in the Audio industry over the last few weeks. I was [laid off by Castos](https://youtu.be/VCylaqHf0N0?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), which thrust me back into the job hunt scene. I'm very fortunate to have some great connections in the WordPress & podcasting space.

Special shoutout to [Steph Fuccio](https://twitter.com/stephfuccio?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for connecting me with others in her network and [James Cridland](https://twitter.com/JamesCridland?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for mentioning it on Podnews. I should be finding a new role soon. 🙏

If you know someone that is into discovering new podcasts & the podcast setups behind them, please share this newsletter with others!

### Summarize your show for us

There Are No Nice Guys is a podcast about divorce, dating, sex, and what happens when single women realize there are no nice guys.

### Why do listeners subscribe to your podcast?

It depends on the listener, but I think single women subscribe to my podcast because they want to know that other single women out there have the same dating experiences.

They want confirmation that they’re not crazy and to feel less alone. Men, both married and single, have told me that they subscribe because they want insight into single women.

### What makes your approach to podcasting different from others?

My approach is simply relatable and transparent. I am a single woman, just like my main audience. I share my stories, perspectives, and experiences boldly and with vulnerability.

I'm straightforward and I don't sugarcoat anything. Lastly, I'm not toxic and if I feel I'm being such, I honestly call myself out on it and tell my audience, *"Don't be like me!"*

### What do you hope listeners gain from your show?

The most important thing to me is that single women feel less alone. They're not crazy. Yes, dating apps are unsafe. Yes, dating is weird and messed up. Yes, it IS a red flag when a guy shows up to a date wearing cargo shorts and then proceeds to place his leftovers in his pockets. (That's a true story that happened to my friend who has been a guest on my show twice.)

All I want is for a listener to walk away knowing she's not the only one struggling. We're all in it together. I want my podcast to be a part of her support system.

### What does your podcast legacy look like?

Hopefully, my podcast is a part of the movement to remove the stigma of being single and inspire women to continue to increase their standards. A single woman is more likely to be happy alone than she is if she settles for someone who is beneath her standards.

There is data that proves that.

### What's the best piece of advice you have for other podcasters?

Take the responsibility and commitment you have for your audience seriously. Do your research. Learn how to pronounce your guests' names in advance of the interview. Provide content that has value. Don't waste your audience's time. Give them food for thought or information that empowers them.

### What software do you use to produce your podcast?

•Google Docs to write episodes  
•Gmail to communicate with guests and send interview questions in advance  
•[Zencastr](https://zencastr.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) to record online interviews  
•[Audacity](https://www.audacityteam.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) to record in-person interviews, solo episodes, and for editing everything  
•[Anchor](https://anchor.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for distribution  
•[WordPress](wordpress.org), of course, for my website. Hosted on [CloudFlare](cloudflare.com).

### What hardware do you use to record your podcast?

•[Lenovo ThinkPad](https://amzn.to/3R2NLSm?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)  
•[Focusrite Scarlett 2i2](https://amzn.to/3WF799g?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) audio interface  
•[Samson Q2U mic](https://amzn.to/3GX3ZIc?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)  
•[Auphonix](https://amzn.to/3XRNFPU?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) pop filter

### What makes your podcast setup work for you?

This set up works for me because it’s super simple, efficient, and economical.

*Thanks for reading today's newsletter featuring Laura Coronado! If you enjoyed it and think others will too, please share on social media. Follow us on* [*Twitter*](https://twitter.com/podcastsetup?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)*.*

*Become a supporting member,* [*get your podcast linked on our supports page!*](https://thepodcastsetup.com/supporters/)
### The Point After hosted by Kyle Maurer
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/the-point-after-hosted-by-kyle-mauer/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:15:09.000Z
I met Kyle back in his WordPress podcasting days.

From web technology, to playing Monday morning quarterback, Kyle has stayed true to his love for podcasting. He's the first creator (that I know of!) producing a private podcast to stay connected to his family. That's true love for the medium – and his family.

I hope you enjoy today's first edition in 2023!

### Summarize your show for us

The Point After is a weekly NFL discussion podcast

### Why do listeners subscribe to your podcast?

Our listeners enjoy our lively debates, bold predictions, and engaging format. We consistently have a queue of listener questions and occasional live callers, all bringing unique topics and hot takes to the table.

### What makes your approach to podcasting different from others?

Our focus is on our small but loyal audience of listeners. And we record face-to-face in a studio which helps us bring a high level of passion, energy, and chemistry.

### What do you hope listeners gain from your show?

We hope they're entertained and drawn into the drama of the NFL season.

### What does your podcast legacy look like?

For this, I can only think of my OTHER podcast.

My other show is a private podcast for only family and close friends. In that show I conduct detailed and deeply personal interviews with members of my family and inner circle to better understand their lives and perspectives.

It's been immensely rewarding and I love talking about it to anyone who will listen. Without question, it is one of the greatest things I have ever done.

### What's the best piece of advice you have for other podcasters?

Remember that it doesn't need to be a lifelong commitment. If you do ten episodes and call it quits, that is not a failure. That's a success. You made something and your audience can forever benefit from the content. Success isn't measured by number of episodes.

### What software do you use to produce your podcast?

- [Garage Band](https://www.apple.com/mac/garageband/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Castos](https://castos.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

### What hardware do you use to record your podcast?

- [RodeCaster Pro sound board](https://amzn.to/3XcXR4W?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Shure MV7 microphones](https://amzn.to/3Cth9LA?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

### What makes your podcast setup work for you?

I am fortunate enough to have unrestricted access to a four person recording setup. I helped a friend assemble everything and now we have a pretty decent studio for recording shows face-to-face. I love doing my recordings that way, especially after doing years of virtual shows.

*Thanks for reading today's newsletter featuring Kyle Maurer! If you enjoyed it and think others will too, please share on social media. Follow us on* [*Twitter*](https://twitter.com/podcastsetup?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)*.*

*Thank you!*
### Growing an email list for podcasts
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/growing-an-email-list-for-podcasters/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:15:29.000Z
I don’t know about you, but, I’m hooked on side projects.

Like this newsletter, tucked alongside a shelf full of other projects I’ve started over the last 20 years creating content for the commercial web.

As the holiday’s wind down, I’m reflecting on my body of work over the last year and seeing what I can do streamline my creation efforts. Both personally and professionally with my work at [Castos](https://castos.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com).

I’d love to know from you, how do you reflect on the work you do? Hit reply and let me know. If it’s okay with you, I’ll publish your response in the next newsletter.

### Why are newsletters important for creators?

How many times will social media platforms pull the rug out from under us?

I don’t need to sell you on the importance of RSS feeds for podcasting, or the connections we build with a dedicated listening audience. A newsletter, deepens that connection. When it comes to a database of subscribers, unless we’re doing subscription content, it’s the only list we’ve got.

I encourage everyone to start a newsletter along side their podcast. Even if you’re not trying to monetize your content, the serious creator should build multiple connections to their audience.

The next time a social platform has a mass exodus, flips the algorithm, or flat-out changes the rules — you’ll be prepared.

### Lessons growing The Podcast Setup

Leading with a newsletter, and not a podcast, has been an interesting experiment. Having a repeatable process, and a static format to the content, has proved useful for a side project.

*Let’s start with the wins:*

**Using Ghost has been helpful.** If you know my [other work](https://craftedbymatt.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), I’m a die-hard WordPress users. I mean, that’s what my other two podcasts and YouTube channels are all about. Having a limited, but focused platform to publish on has worked out well. Very useful if you’re a beginner, but I do believe with proper elbow grease, you’ll go further with WordPress.

**Unique, lightweight content.** Short-form content. I can’t tell if it’s my super power or just a crutch I’m leaning on these days. It’s worked for [The WP Minute](https://thewpminute.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com), and it’s working here, too. I’ve heard from others that “*The Podcast Setup is the content they wanted*” so I’ll take it as a win.

**A process to follow.** This is more for the busy content creator, but having a consistent format to follow for each newsletter is a God send. Combine that with user submitted content, and it makes publishing on Fridays a breeze.

*Time for the negatives:*

**Growth is slow.** Having said that, I probably wouldn’t be satisfied if I had 10,000 subscribers either :) Like most things, especially side projects, it’s a marketing and awareness issue. The more I can promote, and get the word out, the more growth I’ll see. But that’s the hard part, right?

**No sponsor…yet.** I’m pretty good at selling sponsorship on my other projects. But, it’s a bit chicken or the egg right now. I don’t have the time to promote and manage the newsletter, which leads to slower growth and less opportunity to sell a sponsor. *Pro tip: the sponsorship money isn’t for profit, I’d reinvest that right back into hiring someone to manage + write for the newsletter.*

**Personal frustrations in the hidden gem.** I’m forever hearing podcasters say they want to grow their podcast. This newsletter is free promotion for podcasters. It’s part interview + part geeky podcast tech stuff.

It’s a wine & cheese pairing, imo.

If I’m presented with free promo, I’m all over it. That hasn’t been the case for a lot of the outreach I’ve done. I’ve found it difficult to get a majority of my cold outreach podcasters to fill out the [interview form.](https://thepodcastsetup.com/apply)

I’ve also been underwhelmed with some responses to the interview portion of the newsletter. It’s your time in the spotlight, sell yourself and why people should subscribe!

**Needs more women podcasters.** That’s it. That’s the message. I want more women podcasters represented here. If you know someone that could benefit from free promotion, send them to [thepodcastsetup.com](https://thepodcastsetup.com/start-local-by-liam/)!

### What I hope you take away from this…

I’m hoping a little behind the scenes encourages you to think about starting a newsletter for your podcast, or side project. This stuff takes time, that I know.

I’m always looking for an inbox collab, if that’s you, hit reply and let me know. I’d love to know about what you do differently in your podcast’s newsletter.

Enjoy the New Year! Happy to answer any questions about podcasting, marketing, newsletters, WordPress, or tech - just hit reply and ask.

Cheers!
### LMSCast hosted by Chris Badgett
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/lmscast-hosted-by-chris-badgett/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:15:45.000Z
Chris is one of my long-term "WordPress friends."

I've known him as a listener and friend, through my Matt Report podcast. He has an amazing backstory as a software business owner. From explroing the snowy terrain of Alaska, to now running LifterLMS out of his home in Maine. If there's any podcast worthy of the *entrepreneur* category, it's LMSCast.

I hope you enjoy learning more about Chris and his awesome podcast studio in a cabin!

### Summarize your show for us

Learn about how to create online courses and training based membership sites from interviews with successful eLearning creators and the WordPress professionals that support them.

### Why do listeners subscribe to your podcast?

Listeners subscribe to increase their odds of succeeding with an education based online business or WordPress career in that niche.

### What makes your approach to podcasting different from others?

Our shows are organic conversations of about 45 minutes without small talk or fluff. Pure value.

### What do you hope listeners gain from your show?

Our listeners become better entrepreneurs by listing to LMScast.

### What does your podcast legacy look like?

Billions of learners will be impacted by the show.

### What's the best piece of advice you have for other podcasters?

Passion is required. Be consistent. Commit to the show for at least a decade if you're going to do it at all.

### What software do you use to produce your podcast?

- [WordPress](https://wordpress.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Soundcloud](https://soundcloud.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [PowerPress](https://wordpress.org/plugins/powerpress/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Zoom](https://zoom.us/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Screenflow](http://www.telestream.net/screenflow/overview.htm?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

### What hardware do you use to record your podcast?

- [Samson RXD wireless USB mic](https://amzn.to/3VZZ13E?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Logitech Stream Cam](https://amzn.to/3jdJej2?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Mac Mini](https://amzn.to/3huaoC3?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

### What makes your podcast setup work for you?

It's easy, high quality, and affordable. I can be up and recording in less than 30 seconds.

*Thanks for reading today's newsletter featuring Chris Badgett! If you enjoyed it and think others will too, please share on social media. Follow us on* [*Twitter*](https://twitter.com/podcastsetup?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)*.*

[*Support us and feature your podcast cover art + link on our website!*](https://thepodcastsetup.com/start-local-by-liam/)
### It's Called Culture hosted by Melissa Cole & Kelly Ferreira
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/its-called-culture-hosted-by-melissa-cole/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:16:17.000Z
It's an absolute pleasure to feature a podcast from my city.

Their show hits home with a lot of my childhood, and especially the stories from my *real* Portuguese friends growing up. They're doing a lot of things right with their podcast, pay attention to more than just their #podcastsetup.

Cheers!

*Listen to a recent episode:*

### Summarize your show for us

Millennial children of immigrants reflect on their intangible heritage.

Mel & Kel share stories, anecdotes, and historical information about growing up as first generation American millennials in the city with the nation's most dense Portuguese population.

### Why do listeners subscribe to your podcast?

Culture is a funny thing. It can make you feel connected to a total stranger.

It fascinates me how people living all across the world can share mannerisms, sayings, traditions, recipes, beliefs, and fears. Our listeners often tell us that we remind them of their family members and that our show feels like home.

### What makes your approach to podcasting different from others?

We are sharing our own personal stories (and those of our guests and listeners) across the backdrop of the immigrant experience.

This folk culture niche is not well represented by the existing catalog of podcasts, despite immigrants and their first-born children making up 25 percent of the US population and rising.

I’ve seen creators sharing this experience in other formats but I couldn’t find anyone doing so in this medium, which propelled me to create it myself.

### What do you hope listeners gain from your show?

In my 30s, I realized I had work to do to ‘unlearn’ ideas of guilt, fear, shame, and social norms influenced by ethnicity, religion, and media.

Armed with a sarcastic and humorous delivery even when handling the most sacred of topics, I continuously explore and challenge how to break-free from these ideas throughout the show.

Each episode also has a segment dedicated to specifically talking about mental health (the elephant in the room of our culture) and sharing best practices.

### What does your podcast legacy look like?

My podcast legacy is an entertaining collection of stories and discussions that preserve the past of our culture and help shape the future of it.

I am also eager to expand the show to include voices from other cultures — I bet our foreign parent upbringings are more similar than not.

### What's the best piece of advice you have for other podcasters?

Perfect is the enemy of the good. I’m a recovering perfectionist, so I struggled with this one myself.

My podcast would have never launched if I waited to feel ready. I told myself we were doing a practice run — hit record, gave editing a good college try, and then I decided to go ahead and put it out into the world with all of its imperfections.

Now, I simply try to focus on moving the needle to improve one thing each week. Done is better than perfect!

### What software do you use to produce your podcast?

- [GarageBand](https://www.apple.com/mac/garageband/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) (edit imported audio files)
- [Auphonic](https://auphonic.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) (post-production web service)
- [Anchor](https://anchor.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) (hosting)
- [Adobe Rush](https://www.adobe.com/products/premiere-rush.html?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) (video clips)

### What hardware do you use to record your podcast?

- [MacBook Pro](https://amzn.to/3UI4Lxp?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Audio-Technica 2100x Mic](https://amzn.to/3W61zwI?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [ATR2005 USB Mic](https://amzn.to/3YcN0tl?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Audio-Technica ATH-M20X Headphones](https://amzn.to/3PcTwMi?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- Adapters, stands, and lighting galore!

### What makes your podcast setup work for you?

My cohost and I live in different states and we originally would travel because we felt it was important to record in person together while we got our feet under us. I found that there was some minor mic bleed that made editing difficult because the audio, though recorded on separate tracks, was never truly separate.

We made the switch to remote recording via Zoom, which solved the bleed through problem, made for easier editing, and gave us the ability to easily record with guests.

The simplicity of our setup is what works best for us, but we ARE about ready to upgrade to a remote recording platform with better video quality.

I use a padded tablecloth to add cultural flair while minimizing the dreaded table tapping sounds. And my personal favorite but least practical part of the setup is the custom church pew seat -- all style, zero function!

*Thanks for reading today's newsletter featuring It's Called Culture! If you enjoyed it and think others will too, please share on social media. Follow us on* [*Twitter*](https://twitter.com/podcastsetup?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)*.*

*Thank you!*
### ObscureBall hosted by Stuart Barefoot
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/obscureball-hosted-by-stuart-barefoot/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:17:20.000Z
I have the absolute pleasure to work with Stuart on the [Audience](https://audiencepodcast.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) podcast.

He's taught me a lot about creating a solid production process for our team, and has made me appreciate great audio on a whole new level. I'm excited to share one of his personal projects with you today, and for you to discover a bit more about him as a podcaster.

Enjoy ObscureBall!

*Listen to a recent episode:*

### Summarize your show for us

A sports storytelling podcast.

### Why do listeners subscribe to your podcast?

For handcrafted storytelling about sporting events, history and figures.

### What makes your approach to podcasting different from others?

I focus less on making a podcast and more on creating a unique audio experience. I just so happen to release the audio via RSS.

More broadly, I take time, sometimes months and months to research, write, edit and produce stories. There's no release schedule. Episodes are released when they're done.

### What do you hope listeners gain from your show?

I hope they enjoy what they hear and come away with a new appreciation of the subject mater.

### What does your podcast legacy look like?

I just hope people know that I care about the craft of audio creation.

### What's the best piece of advice you have for other podcasters?

Make the show YOU want to hear.

### What software do you use to produce your podcast?

- [Adobe Audition](https://adobe-audition.en.softonic.com/mac?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Riverside.fm](https://riverside.fm/homepage?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

### What hardware do you use to record your podcast?

- [Mac Studio](https://amzn.to/3VsS76J?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [MacBook Pro](https://amzn.to/3uow70M?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Audio Technica 4040](https://amzn.to/3H4TtjC?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [m-Audio solotrack pre-amp](https://amzn.to/3F4ftJ8?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Zoom h1n](https://amzn.to/3EV917a?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- Custom isolation recording booth

### What makes your podcast setup work for you?

It's simple, convenient and effective.

*Thanks for reading today's newsletter featuring Stuart Barefoot! If you enjoyed it and think others will too, please share on social media. Follow us on* [*Twitter*](https://twitter.com/podcastsetup?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)*.*

*Thank you!*
### How I Built It hosted by Joe Casabona
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/how-i-built-it-with-joe-casabona/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:17:43.000Z
Joe and I go way back.

We once co-authored a podcast 101 e-book, co-hosted a livestream, and have been swapping podcast stories for the last 8 years. We both got started in the WordPress space, covering community & the business builders supporting it.

He's all in on podcasting now, and has some of the best podcast gear I've seen. Enjoy!

### Summarize your show for us

It's like getting free coaching calls from successful creators.

### Why do listeners subscribe to your podcast?

Each week they get actionable advice from successful creators on how to grow their online business and make more money.

### What makes your approach to podcasting different from others?

I'm not just telling stories. I'm trying to get actionable advice from my guests. Each episode can be viewed as a mini class or coaching call.

### What do you hope listeners gains from listening to your show?

Something they can implement *that week* that will help them with their creator business.

### What does your podcast legacy look like?

I hope I helped people grow and make money through my ability to conduct good conversations and be genuinely curious.

### What's the best piece of advice you have for other podcasters?

Don't copy other podcasters. Do what works best for you and your audience. That could mean doing a fortnightly podcast instead of weekly. It could mean starting with a 5-minute podcast or not doing interviews.

To figure out what's best for you and your audience, define your podcast's mission statement. Everything you do should be in service to that mission.

### The software you use for your podcast:

- Craft for idea capture and outlines
- [Descript](https://descript.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for recording solo shows
- [Riverside](https://riverside.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for recording interviews
- [GarageBand](https://www.apple.com/mac/garageband/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for recording ad spots (the settings are dialed in perfectly for my editor to just drop them in)
- [Calendly](http://calandly.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for scheduling with guests
- [Dropbox](https://dropbox.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for sending files to my team
- [Castos](https://castos.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) and [Buzzsprout](https://buzzsprout.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for hosting my shows
- [Canva](https://canva.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for creating episode graphics
- [Airtable](https://airtable.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for episode and project management

### The hardware you use for your podcast:

- Mic: [Shure SM7b](https://amzn.to/3TKJmTN?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- Interface/Mixer: [Rodecaster Pro 2](https://amzn.to/3EfZp6x?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- Camera (when I use it): [Sony a6400](https://amzn.to/3tDHB03?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) with fixed [Sigma f16 lens](https://amzn.to/3TKMgbq?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [DT 770](https://amzn.to/3UOMOOC?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) Pro monitor headphones
- [Mac Studio](https://amzn.to/3OjjflT?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for the computer
- [Stream Deck](https://amzn.to/3AppmQ3?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for variable automations

### What makes your podcast setup work for you?

I've gone through several mics and the Shure SM7b is definitely best for my voice. The Rodecaster Pro 2 makes getting the Shure dialed in really easy, which is why I move from an Apollo to that.

I was using a Cruise Ship when a row boat would do.

The camera is mostly for my YouTube channel, but I've been recording my video with my podcast lately, and having a good camera is super helpful. And for the Stream Deck, I have buttons that auto-configure my workspace, start timers and set the lights just right (including a recording light in my kitchen, so my family knows when I'm recording).

*Thanks for reading today's newsletter featuring Joe Casabona! If you enjoyed it and think others will too, please share on social media.* [*Follow us on Twitter*](https://twitter.com/podcastsetup?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)*.*

*Thank you!*
### Multitude
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/the-multitude-collective/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:18:11.000Z
Just a handful of editions in, and we're already breaking the rules...

Not a podcast; a podcast company. That's what we have on-deck for you today. Meet Multitude! A small group of creators coming together to make original shows, build community, shake up the ad sales model, and deliver some great audio experiences for some of the largest brands in audio.

I hope you enjoy their story!

### Summarize your show for us

Multitude is a podcast company made up of passionate people creating shows you can count on. Since 2017, our shows have tens of millions of downloads and hundreds of thousands of people who love them (and more than a few logo tattoos). Alongside the six (and growing) member shows we produce from our studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, we teach people and companies how to build shows that communities gather around.

Multitude currently supports 25 independent creators in making a living, and we are constantly adding to that number.

### Why do listeners subscribe to your podcast?

Multitude's shows are beacons for community. We always hear how podcasting is so intimate and it's right your ears so it's like your podcasters are your friends right next to you. We treat that incredibly seriously, and excitedly tell our listeners what we love in the hopes that they love it too.

Whether it's Dungeons and Dragons (Join the Party), mythology (Spirits), planets and worldbuilding (Exolore), the queer movie canon (Queer Movie Podcast), or games of all stripes (Games and Feelings), we are here with open arms.

### What makes your approach to podcasting different from others?

There is a ton of work that goes into a podcast that feels like a few friends talking. We collectively have decades of experience in audio from all sides: development and pre-production, editing and mixing, and the ability to make money for creators while maintaining the trust and respect of our audience.

Our hard work makes for really easy listening, and we pride ourselves on showing up for community week after week after week.

### What do you hope listeners gains from listening to your show?

Community! Acceptance! Welcomeness! Honesty! Humor! Information!

### What does your podcast legacy look like?

I didn't know it was radical to make a living in audio independently and not be incredibly toxic or unprincipled. And yet, here we are, trying to show folks that this is something they can do.

### What's the best piece of advice you have for other podcasters?

Just because something is successful doesn’t mean it’s good. There are no real rules in podcasting; if someone says so, they're trying to sell you something or justify a purchase they already made.

Make the choices that make sense for you and hold yourself to those standards.

### The software you use for your podcast:

- [ProTools](https://www.avid.com/pro-tools?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) (Various plugins like: Ozone 10 Advanced, Neutron 4, Nectar 3, Tonal Balance Control 2, Eiosis E^2 De-esser, Tokyo Don Labs Kotelnikov Compressor, Fabfilter, Slapper 2, Audio Ease, Speakerphone, Indoor, Altiverb 7, Brainworks bx\_digitalv3)
- [iZotope RX 10 Advanced](https://www.izotope.com/en/shop/rx-10-advanced.html?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- Conferencing software like Zoom and Google Meet
- [Piezo](https://rogueamoeba.com/piezo/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) and [Audiohijack](https://rogueamoeba.com/audiohijack/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) to sync audio.

### The hardware you use for your podcast:

- [RME Fireface UFX+ interface](https://amzn.to/3toXkQG?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [RME OctaMic XTC preamp](https://amzn.to/3O2nMJy?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [(4) Shure SM7b](https://amzn.to/3hDxDtb?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [(5) Warm Audio WA-87](https://amzn.to/3tpaT2E?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [(1) Zoom H3-VR Ambisonic and Binaural Recorder](https://amzn.to/3tlYn3F?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [(8) Stedman Proscreen Pop Filters](https://amzn.to/3URMgaz?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [(4) Rode Professional Studio Boom Arm](https://amzn.to/3O1hgSY?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [(4) Audio-Technica ATH-M20x headphones](https://amzn.to/3TtHizu?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

### What makes your podcast setup work for you?

We wanted a podcast studio for working audio creators: people who worked professionally in the field but didn't have a big company office to go to where they were recording. Also we had a lot of experience and were tired of recording in closets and under blankets, so we built our own thing. We got the Multitude office in the middle of 2019 which had a surprisingly large walk-in closet, and retrofitted it to become our studio. We covered the existing floor with Acoustik underlay, we dropped the ceiling, covered the wall with acoustic paneling and diffusers, and installed a window in the wall to serve as our engineer station. (If you want to read how we did it, we wrote about it [here](https://medium.com/@multitude/podcast-studio-build-ceb6183fc2e6?ref=thepodcastsetup.com).

Our Head of Production Brandon left New York City in February 2020 (yes, we know). Before that, he taught everyone how to use the studio and best practices for remote recording.

So when March 2020 rolled around and companies were struggling with Zoom and USB microphones, Multitude had been prepared for months. Now in 2022, we record almost all of our shows with someone remote. The key is getting everyone's sound not necessarily as perfect as the studio, but to be as similar as possible. When differences arise, we have incredible engineers use iZotope to smooth it out! Since everyone knows how to use a DAW and a microphone, there is no need for anything fancier than Zoom/Google Meet and recording locally.

Having a dedicated recording space is incredibly important to treating our jobs as Real Jobs. We made a space for ourselves when, classically, podcasters are required to record at home and deal with the random sounds your mic picks up. That shouldn't be the case for auido professionals people, and shouldn't be the case for our listeners.

The studio is open for anyone in Multitude at any time, and welcomes anyone in the NYC area who wants a podcast-first space.

*Thanks for reading today's newsletter featuring Multitude! If you enjoyed it and think others will too, please share on social media.* [*Follow us on Twitter*](https://twitter.com/podcastsetup?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)*. Thank you!*
### Tony Doe Podcast hosted by Tony Doe
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/tony-doe-podcast-hosted-by-tony-doe/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:18:45.000Z
I'd like to welcome Tony Doe to the Podcast Setup community this week.

He was one of the first few to jump on board and fill out the interview application without hesitation. He's a helpful voice in the Twitter podcast community, publishes his own podcast newsletter, and is also the [Nigerian Country rep](https://apva.africa/meet-the-team/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for the APVA.

I'm honored to share a bit more about him with you in today's newsletter.

**Listen to the latest episode**

### Summarize your show for us

..folks in the radio space and I chatting about radio and podcasts.

### Why do listeners subscribe to your podcast?

Informative entertainment. My guests have inspiring and humorous come-up stories. I hear the production is pretty cool too.

### What makes your approach to podcasting different from others?

Time in the radio space has taught me to ask relevant questions and get out of the way so the story can unfold. So I may be asking the same questions, but I'm guaranteed to get different answers, each and every time.

### What do you hope listeners gains from listening to your show?

Hope. There's a place for hard work, a place for smart work and the ability to recognise and maximise "grace" with one's skills and opportunities.

### What does your podcast legacy look like?

...An Audio biography of some of the greatest digital storytellers available on-demand. A reference point for classrooms, research papers and podcasts.

### What's the best piece of advice you have for other podcasters?

Ask yourself "why". Then go all out to fulfill that. Be patient, and willing to adapt. Join a community, and subscribe to newsletters, like mine \[podcast-related: this week in the podverse\].

### The software you use for your podcast:

- [Adobe Audition](https://www.adobe.com/products/audition.html?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Audacity](https://www.audacityteam.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

### The hardware you use for your podcast:

- [Samson CL7 condenser](https://amzn.to/3DAXcCr?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Shure SM58](https://amzn.to/3WxLEbN?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Behringer XM8500](https://amzn.to/3h6h5JU?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Focusrite Scarlett 2i2](https://amzn.to/3SY3vWg?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Numark HF125 headphones](https://amzn.to/3FHq6TW?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Startone audio scissor boom arm](https://amzn.to/3FNnPXk?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

### What makes your podcast setup work for you?

They're portable, nifty... can fit into a backpack if I need to go on the road. I leave the condenser mic at home and take the dynamic ones with me.

They're all pretty compatible with each other. My dream set-up involves Podmics running through the Rodecaster Pro \[the original\], or the NT - USB mini running through the Connect software on the laptop, lighter load

*Thanks for reading today's newsletter featuring Tony! If you enjoyed it and think others will too, please share on social media.* [*Follow us on Twitter*](https://twitter.com/podcastsetup?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)*. Thank you!*
### Feedback with EarBuds hosted by Arielle Nissenblatt
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/feedback-with-earbuds-hosted-by-arielle/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:19:09.000Z
If you've spent more than 5 minutes on Twitter pal'ing it up with other podcasters, chances are you've run into Arielle Nissenblatt.

You might even think her full-time job is to sit on the social media platform to be a helpful podcast mentor. Well, it kinda is? A large part of her time is leading community for Squadcast, so, it's like she's getting paid to hang out with us all day!

There's so much more to Arielle, and I'm happy to feature her this week!

Listen to a recent episode:

### Summarize your show for us

Feedback with EarBuds is a podcast recommendation podcast. Subscribe and listen weekly so that you never have to wonder where your next favorite show is coming from.

### Why do listeners subscribe to your podcast?

Podcast lovers listen in order to keep up with the latest podcast drops. Podcast creators listen to get a sense of products out there that can enhance their creative experience and to learn about shows to potentially collaborate with.

### What makes your approach to podcasting different from others?

Feedback with EarBuds is a solo podcast that incorporates voice clips from creators. It's streamlined with little to no fluff, just recommendations and podcast industry tidbits.

### What do you hope listeners gains from listening to your show?

I hope they finish each episode and feel excited to go check out at least one of the podcasts that we recommended that week.

### What does your podcast legacy look like?

I love the podcast space. I love it from the creator, consumer, and industry perspective. It's such an exciting and collaborative space to be in. I hope to continue finding collaborators and making audio magic happen.

### What's the best piece of advice you have for other podcasters?

Always be willing to experiment when it comes to podcast marketing.

### The software you use for your podcast:

- [SquadCast.fm](https://squadcast.fm/?ref=mattmedeiros)
- [Canva](https://canva.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Trint](https://trint.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Audacity](https://www.audacityteam.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

### The hardware you use for your podcast:

- [Shure MV7](https://amzn.to/3U9k7uW?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Macbook Pro laptop](https://amzn.to/3TXcQP0?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Vocaster 1](https://amzn.to/3WgR0bk?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

### What makes your podcast setup work for you?

I love the MV7\. My recording environment isn't super quiet but I always sound great because of this mic.

*Thanks for reading today's newsletter featuring Arielle! If you enjoyed it and think others will too, please share on social media.* [*Follow us on Twitter*](https://twitter.com/podcastsetup?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)*. Thank you!*
### Pod Chat with Danny Brown
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/pod-chat-with-danny-brown/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:19:55.000Z
When I began my "professional" career in podcasting for Castos, I quickly discovered Danny Brown as one of the most helpful voices on Twitter.

You could find him in Twitter Spaces, recommended resource tweets, and cruising the podcast community encouraging others to continue investing in their craft. It was an honor to be a guest on his podcast, Pod Chats, and I'm delighted to promote him here on the newsletter!

He was also the first podcaster to support us by promoting his podcast on our [Supporters page](https://thepodcastsetup.com/supporters/) – Thanks, Danny!!

## You love podcasting. It doesn't matter if you're a listener or podcaster yourself, when it comes to podcasting you're all in! Pod Chat is the show for you!

### Pod Chat hosted by Danny Brown

🎤

Hosted by [Danny Brown](https://twitter.com/DannyBrownCA?ref=thepodcastsetup.com). Subscribe to [Pod Chat](https://podchat.ca/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) the podcast and the [Instagram](https://instagram.com/thebrownsmuskoka?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) account.

Listen to a recent episode:

Where Next for Platform Exclusive Podcasts

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### Summarize your show for us

You love podcasting. It doesn't matter if you're a listener or podcaster yourself, when it comes to podcasting you're all in! Not only that, but you get excited hearing about all the cool things happening in the podcast space. Great - Pod Chat is the show for you!

From the latest tech and cool innovations, to the people driving the podcast industry forward, host Danny Brown has you covered. Listen in as Danny takes you behind the scenes of what's new in podcasting, what needs to be new, and who's going to make it happen. Released bi-weekly and available on all your favourite podcast apps, make Pod Chat your new favourite show when it comes to getting your podcasting fix!

### Why do listeners subscribe to your podcast?

To hear deep dive insights from leaders of the industry in every episode: James Cridland, Evo Terra, Arielle Nissenblatt, Mark Asquith, Bryan Barletta, Elsie Escobar, Tom Webster, and more. Combined with my intensive research and knowledge of the space (and my charming Scottish brogue, natch!), it's fast become a very popular show.

### What makes your approach to podcasting different from others?

I combine a lot of things - love of the space, love of the topics, my finger being on the pulse, and all the usual stuff podcasters tell you makes them different. But I also bring knowledge from inside the industry because of my job, and that, coupled with my super easy yet informed interview style, gets guests to be super relaxed and open up more.Oct 03, 05:48 PM

### What do you hope listeners gains from listening to your show?

That they can make the right, most informed decision around their podcasting goals. From the tech to use, to the sponsors to work with, to the trends to keep an eye on - it doesn't matter if you're doing this for personal use of business, Pod Chat will give you something you can action every single episode.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e5/b9/e5b94a26-40cb-4546-943e-153aba8164df/content/images/2022/10/Danny-headshot.jpeg)

### What does your podcast legacy look like?

That I only brought the best and most insightful people to my show, and that both guests and listeners left with total enjoyment and satisfaction of being part of a quality show.

### What's the best piece of advice you have for other podcasters?

Never stop learning. Improve your game every day, and strive to make your show something that people can't avoid listening to.

### The software you use for your podcast:

- [Captivate podcast hosting](https://www.captivate.fm/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Hindenburg Pro](https://hindenburg.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Accusonus ERA Bundle 6](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ERABun6Pro--accusonus-era-6-bundle-pro-audio-repair-and-enhancement-bundle?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Boomcaster remote recording](https://www.boomcaster.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Poddin.io for transcriptions](https://www.poddin.io/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Reel.so for audiograms](https://reel.so/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Canva for Artwork](https://www.canva.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

### The hardware you use for your podcast:

- [Shure SM7B dynamic mic](https://amzn.to/3eQ5IVH?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Elgato DX dynamic microphone](https://amzn.to/3gnUiZI?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Sony MDR-7506 headphones](https://amzn.to/3CQhN5m?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP](https://amzn.to/3DhV6by?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Elgato FaceCam](https://amzn.to/3TKD5YZ?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [MacBook Air 2020 M1](https://amzn.to/3CSD7Hp?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

### What makes your podcast setup work for you?

It suits my needs perfectly. The mic and interface set-up is perfect for my podcasting needs, since I only record remotely.

The mic is very forgiving at cutting out non-perfect recording environments, while the headphones allow me to capture any nuances in post-production. It's compact and sits very nicely on my workspace, without cluttering anything up (especially the LP arm, which folds away perfectly when not in use).

The complete set up gets me great sound from the off, and the editing options fine-tune that sound to make (for me) a great-sounding podcast that's easy on listeners' ears.

⭐

Thanks to our new [Supporter(s)](https://thepodcastsetup.com/supporters/):  
  
Shout out to [Steph Fuccio](https://twitter.com/stephfuccio?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for the support!
### Underrepresented in Tech with Michelle Frechette
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/underrepresented-in-tech-with-michelle-frechette/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:20:15.000Z
Really happy to be launching the first official Podcast Setup newsletter highlighting my friend Michelle Frechette.

Michelle is a powerhouse in community building *inside* the WordPress community. She co-hosts one of the most important podcasts in the WordPress/Web tech space, Underrepresented in Tech.

Hope you enjoy learning more about Michelle!

## Underrepresented in Tech was designed and built with the goal of demystifying diversity.

### Underrepresented in Tech by Michelle Frechette & Allie Nimmons

🎤

Co-hosted by [Michelle Frechette](https://twitter.com/michelleames?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) & [Allie Nimmons](https://twitter.com/allie%5Fnimmons?ref=thepodcastsetup.com). Check out [Underrepresented in Tech.](https://www.underrepresentedintech.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

Listen to a recent episode:

Underrepresented in tech

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### Summarize your show for us

Making the tech world a better, more inclusive space.

### Why do listeners subscribe to your podcast?

Allie Nimmons and I discuss the hard stuff about underrepresentation in WordPress and the greater tech community. People learn things they didn't know, and (hopefully) begin to make their part of the community more inclusive.

### What makes your approach to podcasting different from others?

We seldom edit anything. What you hear/see is how it went down. Nothing is scripted. We seldom discuss anything in advance except the main topic. Then we discuss is within 30 minutes or less. And we're not afraid to talk about the hard stuff.

### What do you hope listeners gains from listening to your show?

I hope that listeners are learning how to be more inclusive of all underrepresented persons and make the tech space not only diverse, but embracing of diversity and how inclusion make everything better for everyone.

### What does your podcast legacy look like?

Between all of the podcasts I've created or been involved in (WPCoffeeTalk, Underrepresented in Tech, WPMotivate, and This Week in WordPress), my legacy should be one of kindness, inclusion, and how to make the tech community a better place.

### What's the best piece of advice you have for other podcasters?

Just do it. Start with what you have. Then as you find your way, invest in better tech, hosting, software, marketing, etc. If you wait until everything is "perfect" you will miss the opportunity to be great now.

### The software you use for your podcast:

- [Adobe Rush](https://www.adobe.com/products/premiere-rush.html?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Audacity](https://www.audacityteam.org/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Castos](https://castos.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) (hosting and transcription)
- [Photoshop](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) & [Canva](https://canva.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for graphics

### The hardware you use for your podcast:

- [Blue Yeti microphone](https://amzn.to/3EHFTll?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Sony noise canceling headphones](https://amzn.to/3MLOQMx?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [MacBook Pro](https://amzn.to/3yFHGn6?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

### What makes your podcast setup work for you?

The most important thing for me with my setup is a comfortable chair and a good cup of coffee.

⭐

Thanks to our new [Supporter(s)](https://thepodcastsetup.com/supporters/):  
  
****Podchat** \- The people and tech of podcasting. [Listen to the podcast.](https://podchat.ca/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)  
Thanks to [Sam Sethi](https://twitter.com/samsethi?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for his support.
### The WP Minute by Matt Medeiros
URL: https://thepodcastsetup.com/the-wp-minute-by-matt-medeiros/
Last updated: 2025-08-20T16:20:37.000Z
Hey there!

As the publisher of this site, I'm happy to kick off the inaugural podcast setup post. I host a handful of podcasts, each with a unique "setup" to share. Today, I'd like to feature my (admittedly messy) home office podcast recording station.

Nestled inside my finished attic, it doesn't sport the best audio treatments, as my rented studio/office. I'll share that one in a different post.

Time to pop the champagne – here goes the first podcast setup!

Here's a recent episode as of this post:

### Why do listeners subscribe to your podcast?

Because they are too busy to keep up with the important news items happening in the WordPress world.

WordPress can be heavy on the developer speak, so we wanted to create something quick and easily consumable. You might not care that much about how the inside baseball of WordPress works, but you want to know about major changes happening to your favorite website builder.

### What makes your approach to podcasting different from others?

I'd say that the 5-minute-ish rundown is fairly unique in the WordPress podcast space.

Believe it or not, there are a lot of WordPress podcasts out there. The WP Minute is the only one that I know of doing short form + community contributed 1-minute audio clips.

Think of us as like public access TV.

We encourage our supporting members + community contributors to send us content to publish during our show. It gives people greater reach and/or exposure without having to build their own platform.

### What do you hope listeners gains from listening to your show?

I hope they get informed in a fun and interesting way.

WordPress powers 40%+ of the modern web. WordPress is an open source initiative, we hope that showcasing the big topics to a broader audience will encourage more people to pull a seat up at the table.

### What does your podcast legacy look like?

For me, it's about creating opportunity for my family and my audience.

I was lucky to grow up in a family that ran a local business for 40 years in our community. It taught me a lot about business and life. I hope my dedication to podcasting can lead to the same opportunities for my children.

I also hope the content I publish reaches people in a way that inspires, informs, and at the very least: entertains.

### What's the best piece of advice you have for other podcasters?

Get started yesterday.

Once you get started, don't get bogged down by all of the gurus advice or that you have to build an amazing show to get noticed. It's not that the advice is wrong or that you shouldn't listen at all, but to encourage to you learn organically.

To crawl before you run. To sometimes fail, so you can understand the art you want to create.

Buying a blueprint is fine, but it's someone else's plan – not yours.

### The software I use for my podcast

- [Castos podcast hosting](https://castos.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Descript](https://descript.com/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Hindenburg](https://hindenburg.com/products/hindenburg-pro/shop/?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Screenflow](http://www.telestream.net/screenflow/overview.htm?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)

### The hardware I use for my podcast

- [Rodecaster Pro 2](https://amzn.to/3SHNqUW?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Heil PR-40](https://amzn.to/3rrdnMT?ref=thepodcastsetup.com)
- [Audio-Technica m40x](https://amzn.to/3UX5HiX?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) headphones
- [Sony a7iv](https://amzn.to/3RwAyjm?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for streaming and recording video
- [Godox SL-60w](https://amzn.to/3BVSRsA?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for key lighting
- [Elgato Cam Link](https://amzn.to/3UQwo8S?ref=thepodcastsetup.com) for connecting my Sony to the computer

### Why does this setup work for you?

As I mentioned earlier, I host a bunch of podcasts. I'm often traveling between my home office and my rented studio. Having the Rodecaster Pro 2 to take between locations helps a bunch.

I also use two different computers and having a multi-platform solution like Descript to edit and collaborate with helps in that department. For quick work, Descript is usually the answer. When I need to be a little more involved or introduce more complex edits, Hindenburg helps me carry it that last mile.