[Misc] Advice on making podcasts?

[Han Solo]

I randomly searched some culture grants in Sweden last summer, applying with various more or less creative ideas.

Suddenly found myself in a position where I'm supposed to record and produce 8 podcast episodes interviewing "nerds", or more specifically "someone among the most knowledgeble on a particular subject".

I've had some loose talks. The most celebrated and most successful elephant carer in Sweden wants to be in. There's been some initial enquirys with a British porn collector. I have a guy who knows every ice-skating result since 1958 despite only watching the sports twice. The plan is to go deep levels of nerdery whatever the subject is.

The problem is I've never made a podcast. Well actually one, but that was a late night on ketamin 12 years ago:



..but that doesn't count.

I'm going to do what every good host does and shut up as often as I can, but other than that I'm a rookie -
What software do people use to record? Editing? (I'm sure I'll find something but there's a million options). Publishing platforms? Should you prepare your victi... guests with the subjects beforehand or just take them by surprise? And... everything else?

 

[PortuGull]

 

[Titanic]

Don't make it too long. People get bored easily.

 

[Ⓩ-Ⓐ-Ⓜ-Ⓞ-Ⓡ-Ⓐ]

I just love the fact that someone in Sweden, who's been granted financial support to produce a podcast series on caring for elephants, has come to our football forum for advice

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

I'd concentrate on your nascent YouTube career before you start progressing into other mediums.

 

[Guinness Boy]

I've had some loose talks. The most celebrated and most successful elephant carer in Sweden wants to be in. There's been some initial enquirys with a British porn collector. I have a guy who knows every ice-skating result since 1958 despite only watching the sports twice. The plan is to go deep levels of nerdery whatever the subject is.

Did he prefer to talk about that instead of accountancy?

Anyway, as a semi-regular guest on a podcast I'd say give the guest at least some advance idea of what you want from them. On Albion Roar it's easy because I've done the show loads and am a regular listener, and the format stays mostly the same. However, we still have a 'pre chat' about what we're going to cover before starting on the recording bit. Don't ask me how that works. I'm the guest, not the producer.

 

[chickens]

If your budget is zero, then Audacity is some free audio editing software that will do a job for you, or if you’re on Apple you could probably use GarageBand.

You do have to give some thought to kit/setup. You’re going to need at least one, but preferably two, microphones. Are you recording directly onto a laptop (so need USB mics, like the Yeti) and will these be field recordings (you’re visiting people at their locations so kit needs to be portable) or are they coming to you?

You’ll also need headphones for editing everything into shape, but I’m assuming you have those already. Good luck.

 

[LazDee]

I randomly searched some culture grants in Sweden last summer, applying with various more or less creative ideas.

Suddenly found myself in a position where I'm supposed to record and produce 8 podcast episodes interviewing "nerds", or more specifically "someone among the most knowledgeble on a particular subject".

I've had some loose talks. The most celebrated and most successful elephant carer in Sweden wants to be in. There's been some initial enquirys with a British porn collector. I have a guy who knows every ice-skating result since 1958 despite only watching the sports twice. The plan is to go deep levels of nerdery whatever the subject is.

The problem is I've never made a podcast. Well actually one, but that was a late night on ketamin 12 years ago:



..but that doesn't count.

I'm going to do what every good host does and shut up as often as I can, but other than that I'm a rookie -
What software do people use to record? Editing? (I'm sure I'll find something but there's a million options). Publishing platforms? Should you prepare your victi... guests with the subjects beforehand or just take them by surprise? And... everything else?

I produce and write about podcasts for a living. Ping me a personal message (if there is such a thing here) and I can get you started