Free guide
Starting a Podcast 101: Everything I Tell People Before They Record Episode One
No hype. No jargon. Just what works, from 17 years in broadcasting and producing podcasts since.
Start with the listener, not the mic
The question I get asked most is which microphone to buy. That's the wrong place to start. Before you think about gear or format, ask who you want this to change and what moment you want them to have while listening. Every good show starts with empathy, not equipment.
Sound professional without overspending
A solid, affordable mic is enough to start. I usually point people toward the Samson Q2U. Skip the studio setup until you've proven you'll actually stay consistent, since high end gear doesn't fix unclear messaging.
You're better off with a 30 euro mic and a clear sense of purpose than a 300 euro setup and no idea who you're speaking to.
Respect people's time
Nobody owes you an hour. Shorter, focused episodes build trust faster, somewhere between 15 and 35 minutes with zero filler. Keep your intro under 25 seconds and get into it. Do this right and you'll leave people wanting more, which is a far better problem to have than losing them halfway through.
It's not about you or the guest
Listeners care about what's in it for them. Start every episode by telling them what they'll gain, not who's talking. Skip the long intro about the show. Skip what you got up to this week. And never ask a guest to tell us about themselves, it's about as boring as podcasting gets.
Start with the question that hooks, one that's clearly tied to what the listener will take away.
Be authentically you
People listen for you, not a polished broadcast voice. Talk like you're sitting across the table from a friend. Skip the announcer mode lines, "hello everyone," "without further adieu," "let's dive right in." Try instead, "hey, hope you're doing well," or "you'll like this one." Perfection repels. Realness connects.
Work ahead, not under pressure
Record a backlog before you launch. Stay two episodes ahead at all times. Most podcasters panic record because they want to stay on schedule, and it shows. Consistent standards beat releasing for the sake of releasing.
These tips work for anyone. Your show shouldn't.
Your mic, your pace, your way into a conversation, that comes from someone actually hearing you. Four short calls. I build it around how you talk. Then you're done, for good.
What we cover, session by session
Session 1
Equipment and setup
What to buy and what to skip. The right mic for your space, not the most expensive one. Getting Riverside set up properly. A test recording so the first real episode isn't the first time you've used any of it.
Session 2
Hosting and interviewing
How to structure a conversation that sounds like you, not a format, whether you've got a guest or you're talking solo. Getting a guest comfortable before the mic even goes on. What to do when an answer runs too long or too short. How to close an episode so it actually feels finished.
Session 3
Basic editing
What actually needs cutting and what doesn't. Removing dead air and filler without losing the personality of the conversation. Getting your levels right. A repeatable workflow so editing stops being a four hour job every week.
Session 4
Publishing your episodes
Choosing a podcast host for your files and RSS feed. Getting your show live on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, the two places almost every beginner gets stuck. Writing episode descriptions that actually help. Knowing what "submitting to platforms" means in practice, so you're never guessing.
One payment. Then you're set.
Four short calls. Your own podcast, properly running, in your hands by the end.
Full package
€675
All 4 sessions
The complete path from zero to publishing your own podcast.
Single session
€150
Per session
For anyone who already has some of this sorted and just needs one piece.
Tell me where you're starting from and I'll let you know which sessions make sense.
Get in touch
Who you're learning from
I'm Bren Russell. 17 years in broadcasting across RTÉ, BBC and MTV, then several years producing podcasts independently for coaches, consultants, and specialists. I've taught this exact process to people who'd never touched a mic before.
In their own words
What clients say
"I'm new to podcasting and Bren has been an amazing resource helping me navigate it all. His production expertise has helped create a show better than I could have imagined."
Julie Williams, Healing Codes Podcast
"He is patient, highly supportive and instrumental in bringing my podcast to life. He simplifies the process and I know that every episode is in safe hands."
Finola Howard, Your Truth Shared
"I gave Bren the task to help us start our podcast and he went above and beyond the original outline. He showed us the kind of additional value he could add without us asking."
George Crawshaw, Remote Revolution Podcast
"Bren's attention to detail and understanding of the podcast landscape has meant that my podcast listenership is growing month on month."
Conor McCarthy, The First 10 Podcast