# 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. Use `/llms-full.txt` for consolidated page and post context.
Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`).

## Pages
- [About The Podcast Setup](https://thepodcastsetup.com/about.md) - 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 parti…
- [Contact](https://thepodcastsetup.com/contact.md) - 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 LinkedIn: Matt Medeiros BlueSky: Matt Medeiros Mastodon: Matt Medeiros

## Posts
- [Your Podcast Needs Community](https://thepodcastsetup.com/your-podcast-needs-community.md) - 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 co…
- [Matt Has A Podcast About Podcasting](https://thepodcastsetup.com/matt-has-a-podcast-about-podcasting.md) - 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 podcastin…
- [I Turned My Podcast Into a Video Game](https://thepodcastsetup.com/i-turned-my-podcast-into-a-video-game.md) - The age of AI continues to deliver countless efficiency gains for podcasters. Tools like Descript once held the lead position in AI-assisted editing, amazing us all with the automated removal of filler words. Now competitors like Riverside offer nearly all of the same editing tools with a better na…
- [Workshop: Using ChatGPT & Claude Design for Podcast Cover Art](https://thepodcastsetup.com/workshop-using-chatgpt-claude-design-for-podcast-cover-art.md) - 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 th…
- [Why Apple HLS Video Podcasts Matter](https://thepodcastsetup.com/why-apple-hls-video-podcasts-matter.md) - 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 poten…
- [10 Tips to Survive the AI Slop War](https://thepodcastsetup.com/10-tips-to-survive-the-ai-slop-war.md) - 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 breaknec…
- [3 Best Podcast Hosting Companies to Start A Podcast With In 2026](https://thepodcastsetup.com/3-best-podcast-hosting-companies-to-start-a-podcast-with-in-2026.md) - 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…
- [Why Ghost is Great for A Podcast Website](https://thepodcastsetup.com/why-ghost-is-great-for-a-podcast-website.md) - 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 and two YouTube channels about it. But it's not always the best solution for a podcaster. Especially if you're a podcaster that doesn't have the t…
- [Building the Podnews Weekly Report 2025: What AI Taught Me About Podcasting’s Hidden Opportunities](https://thepodcastsetup.com/building-the-podnews-weekly-report-2025-what-ai-taught-me-about-podcastings-hidden-opportunities.md) - 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 episodes and turn them into an interactive research dashboard. It is called the Podnews Weekly Report 2025. Discla…
- [RSS.com Launches Free Podcast Hosting Plan](https://thepodcastsetup.com/rss-com-launches-free-podcast-hosting-plan.md) - 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…
- [Why Marco Arment Is Wrong About Podcasting 2.0](https://thepodcastsetup.com/why-marco-arment-is-wrong-about-podcasting-2-0.md) - I’m coming off a bit of a cold this week, but I still wanted to share some thoughts after reading a Reddit thread 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 Podcas…
- [How Transistor.fm Makes Podcast Transcripts Easy](https://thepodcastsetup.com/how-transistor-fm-makes-podcast-transcripts-easy.md) - 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,…
- [Riverside Overtakes Descript as My Podcast Production Tool of Choice](https://thepodcastsetup.com/riverside-vs-descript-why-i-use-riverside.md) - 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 for years and genuinely loves the platform, this decision didn't come lightly. But the reality i…
- [Why We're Moving Back to Ghost](https://thepodcastsetup.com/why-were-moving-back-to-ghost.md) - After 18 years in the WordPress ecosystem—building client solutions, hosting WordPress podcasts, 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…
- [When Big Money Breaks Audio](https://thepodcastsetup.com/when-big-money-breaks-audio.md) - 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…
- [Inside the Podcast Setups of Buzzcast Hosts: Gear, Lessons, and Budget-Friendly Tips](https://thepodcastsetup.com/inside-the-podcast-setups-of-buzzcast-hosts-gear-lessons-and-budget-friendly-tips.md) - 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 d…
- [Unlocking Podcasting 2.0: Pocket Casts Features You Can't Miss](https://thepodcastsetup.com/unlocking-podcasting-2-0-pocket-casts-features-you-cant-miss.md) - As a veteran podcaster, rabid listener, and novice app builder (shoutout to my own Podcastpower.cc), I've tested countless players—from indies like Fountain and TrueFans to giants like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Music. But Pocket Casts, from Automattic (the WordPress.com folks), is my dai…
- [Is The Podcast Industrial Complex Dead?](https://thepodcastsetup.com/is-the-podcast-industrial-complex-dead.md) - When I set out to build podcastpower.cc, 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. In a digital landscape increasingly dominated by walled gardens and proprietary technologies, I wanted to demonstrate…
- [4 Alternative Web-Based Podcast Players](https://thepodcastsetup.com/4-alternative-web-based-podcast-players.md) - 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 play…
- [Podcasting Bajillion Point Oh](https://thepodcastsetup.com/podcasting-bajillion-point-oh.md) - 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. Open source collaboration should strengthen the entire industry, yet I consistently encoun…
- [NewPodcasts.net: A Free Promotional Platform for Podcasts Launches](https://thepodcastsetup.com/newpodcasts-net-a-free-promotional-platform-for-podcast-launches.md) - 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 N…
- [Podcasting in 2025: Why the Dedicated Will Define the Industry’s Future](https://thepodcastsetup.com/podcasting-in-2025-why-the-dedicated-will-define-the-industrys-future.md) - Podcasting is evolving, requiring deeper dedication for true success beyond simple recording. Authenticity, audience connection, and content ownership are crucial. The industry may experience a shift towards meaningful engagement, favoring devoted creators over casual hobbyists. As trust becomes the
- [Descript in 2024: A Veteran Podcaster's Perspective](https://thepodcastsetup.com/descript-in-2024-a-veteran-podcasters-perspective.md) - 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 has made significant strides in the right direction, th…
- [Funding tag: The easiest way to help podcasters get paid](https://thepodcastsetup.com/funding-tag-the-easiest-way-to-help-podcasters-get-paid.md) - There’s a very simple piece of “podcast technology” from the Podcasting 2.0 movement called the “Funding tag” 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…
- [Apple Podcasts Breaks Free from Apple Ecosystem, Launches Web Version](https://thepodcastsetup.com/apple-podcasts-breaks-free-from-apple-ecosystem-launches-web-version.md) - 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, d…
- [Goodpods & Ripple.fm: Podcast Engagement with a Dash Of Community](https://thepodcastsetup.com/goodpods-ripple-fm-podcast-engagement-with-a-dash-of-community.md) - 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…
- [Episodes.fm: A New Way to Promote Your Podcast](https://thepodcastsetup.com/episodes-fm-a-new-way-to-promote-your-podcast.md) - “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 abi…
- [MikeHero DSP: A Tiny Device That Changed My Podcast Forever](https://thepodcastsetup.com/mikehero-dsp-a-tiny-device-that-changed-my-podcast-forever.md) - 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 compell…
- [Raising $100k To Start A Podcast](https://thepodcastsetup.com/raising-100k-to-start-a-podcast.md) - 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 (they sponsored my latest project, more on that later!)…
- [YouTube Is Not the Podcast Savior You’re Looking For](https://thepodcastsetup.com/youtube-is-not-the-podcast-savior-youre-looking-for.md) - Google is not the podcasting savior youre looking for0:00/616.7511× 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. T…
- [Earth Care Show by Sarah Christie](https://thepodcastsetup.com/earth-care-show-by-sarah-christie.md) - 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 ep…
- [TrueFans.fm: The Future of Podcasting 2.0](https://thepodcastsetup.com/truefans-fm-the-future-of-podcasting-2-0.md) - If you’ve been hearing about this Podcasting 2.0 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 eno…
- [5 Ways to Craft a Podcast Intro](https://thepodcastsetup.com/5-ways-to-craft-a-podcast-intro.md) - 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 industr…
- [Apple Podcasts Embraces the Crazy Ones](https://thepodcastsetup.com/apple-podcasts-embraces-the-crazy-ones.md) - Transcripts are now available in the Apple podcast app. The highlight of this story? Apple is using the Podcasting 2.0 RSS tag 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…
- [Relaunching The Podcast Setup Website](https://thepodcastsetup.com/relaunching-the-podcast-setup-website.md) - For the last year this website was hosted on the open source Ghost 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. If you’re a non-technical person, having dipped your…
- [AI Tools I Use for Podcasting](https://thepodcastsetup.com/ai-tools-i-use-for-podcasting.md) - 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 workf…
- [Don't Skimp on the Mic: How to Pick the Right Podcasting Microphone as a Beginner](https://thepodcastsetup.com/how-to-pick-the-right-podcasting-microphone-as-a-beginner.md) - 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…
- [8 Great podcast newsletters for every podcaster](https://thepodcastsetup.com/8-great-podcast-newsletters-for-every-podcaster.md) - 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 c…
- [Steno.fm: A showcase for Podcasting 2.0 and the future of audio consumption](https://thepodcastsetup.com/steno-fm-a-showcase-for-podcasting-2-0-and-the-future-of-audio-consumption.md) - 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, 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, like Steno.fm…
- [Live In The Feast with Jason Resnick](https://thepodcastsetup.com/live-in-the-feast-with-jason-resnick.md) - 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 t…
- [There Are No Nice Guys hosted by Laura Coronado](https://thepodcastsetup.com/there-are-no-nice-guys-laura-coronado.md) - 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 subscrib…
- [The Point After hosted by Kyle Maurer](https://thepodcastsetup.com/the-point-after-hosted-by-kyle-mauer.md) - 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…
- [Growing an email list for podcasts](https://thepodcastsetup.com/growing-an-email-list-for-podcasters.md) - 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 wh…
- [LMSCast hosted by Chris Badgett](https://thepodcastsetup.com/lmscast-hosted-by-chris-badgett.md) - 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…
- [It's Called Culture hosted by Melissa Cole & Kelly Ferreira](https://thepodcastsetup.com/its-called-culture-hosted-by-melissa-cole.md) - 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! L…
- [ObscureBall hosted by Stuart Barefoot](https://thepodcastsetup.com/obscureball-hosted-by-stuart-barefoot.md) - I have the absolute pleasure to work with Stuart on the Audience 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 discov…
- [How I Built It hosted by Joe Casabona](https://thepodcastsetup.com/how-i-built-it-with-joe-casabona.md) - 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…
- [Multitude](https://thepodcastsetup.com/the-multitude-collective.md) - 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…
- [Tony Doe Podcast hosted by Tony Doe](https://thepodcastsetup.com/tony-doe-podcast-hosted-by-tony-doe.md) - 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 Countr…
- [Feedback with EarBuds hosted by Arielle Nissenblatt](https://thepodcastsetup.com/feedback-with-earbuds-hosted-by-arielle.md) - 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 c…
- [Pod Chat with Danny Brown](https://thepodcastsetup.com/pod-chat-with-danny-brown.md) - 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 craf…
- [Underrepresented in Tech with Michelle Frechette](https://thepodcastsetup.com/underrepresented-in-tech-with-michelle-frechette.md) - 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 Tec…
- [The WP Minute by Matt Medeiros](https://thepodcastsetup.com/the-wp-minute-by-matt-medeiros.md) - 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 s…

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