Episode 235: Why You Should Start a Podcast, And How to Actually Do It

Episode 235 Show Notes

Ever wondered if you should start a podcast? Spoiler: you probably should. Join Ish and Sacha as they unpack why podcasting isn't just about creating content - it's about developing a critical set of skills, building your personal brand, and creating a living, breathing business card that works while you sleep. From the power of editing to the legacy you'll leave behind, this is your blueprint for launching a podcast that matters.

Main Topics

• Why Podcasting Develops Critical Skills -- Discover how regular content creation forces clarity of thought, storytelling ability, and communication confidence that transfers directly to your meetings, presentations, and leadership
• Solo vs. Co-Hosting: Making the Big Decision -- The pros and cons of going it alone versus finding your podcast partner-in-crime - chemistry matters way more than you think
• The Technical Toolkit -- From Riverside.fm to dynamic ad insertion, learn the exact tools and platforms that make podcasting accessible 

Episode Highlights

• Why you should record 10 episodes before launching (not just one) and the psychology behind binge-worthy content
• The paradox of presence: why being fully engaged in conversation creates better content than obsessing over how you sound
• Why AI-generated content is making human-created podcasts MORE valuable, not less

Key Takeaways

Before You Launch:

• Practice with voice memos first - record 3-minute talks on topics you care about without editing
• Choose your format: Solo expert, interview-style, or co-hosted conversation
• Pick a niche but don't overthink it - start with what you know and what fires you up
• Batch create 10 episodes minimum before going live

Skills You'll Develop:

• Storytelling and narrative structure
• Clear, precise communication under time pressure
• Research and content curation
• Audio/video editing (which translates to social media content creation)
• Marketing and audience building
• Consistency and showing up (everyone can do a blinder once, but can you show up weekly?)

The Technical Setup:

• Platform: Riverside.fm for recording (remote-friendly, high-quality)
• Editing: Audacity or an AI-powered editing and transcription
• Hosting: Buzzsprout, Captivate, or similar for distribution
• Dynamic ads: Future-proof your content with dynamic insertion capabilities
• Equipment: Start simple - USB mic (or your phone), quiet space, consistent schedule

The Real Value Beyond Downloads

This isn't just about building an audience (though that's cool too). A podcast becomes:

• A forcing function for regular learning and content development
• A safe space to practice public speaking with the power of editing
• A living business card that works 24/7 across all your back catalogue
• An authentic connection point in an increasingly AI-saturated world
• A legacy document that captures your thinking, growth, and voice over time
• A weird but wonderful friendship deepening tool (five years and counting for Ish and Sacha!)

The Deeper Work: All the tools and techniques mean nothing without answering the fundamental question: What message do you have to share? Why are you here? What's the thing only you can say in the way only you can say it?

Find that answer. Then share it.