Better Podcasting

Have you ever considered self-hosting your podcast RSS and/or media? During this show Stephen and Stargate Pioneer talk about the controversial topic that is "self-hosting" your podcast. There are definitely both pros and cons to going this route and we'll discuss both along with best practices and also some hosting providers you can use. If you're about to launch your podcast, we sugges...

Stargate Pioneer and Stephen are pleased to have special guest Bandrew Scott (from his Podcastage YouTube Channel and The Bandrew Says Podcast) to get his insight on podcasting while learning about his history taking his hobby to a professional (or if you'd prefer "hobbyist plus") level. Topics include the difference between commercial/professional and hobby podcasting, how he manages hi...

SP and Stephen wrap up their guest arc by discussing ways you may have to adapt to your guest. BUT before we get there, let's take a moment to find out how one podcaster SAVED THEIR PODCAST with a little creativity. In this week's download we've got a hot topic posing the question about hobby podcast standards. Finally, we'll take your feedback about your week in podcasting. Do you have something...

Stephen and SP continue their arc discussion guesting - this time talking about setting expectations (both for your guest and for you). We also discuss some of the changes within the podcatcher world and what they mean for you. In Better Podback we take your feedback on what your first topic was, as well as where you get your source of podcast industry statistics. Finally, we'll close up the show...

Welcome to the first 2017 episode of Better Podcasting. We'll kick off our show this week discussing some of our more frequently downloaded episodes (have you checked them out yet?) and then of course we'll get right to the draw for our Audio-Technica ATH-M40X headphone give away! We'll also kick off our guest arc, this time discussing the considerations you have when preparing to accommodate a gu...

During our final episode of 2016, we continue on our discussion of our gear purchases of 2016 - this time with Stargate Pioneer's list. SP discusses not only his buys but also the decision factors that came with them. He's got quite the list, but some of them may make you think about some of the indirect changes you may make to keep up with your hobby. In Better Podback we'll close the year with a...

With this episode we officially begin a Better Podcasting annual tradition - closing our year talking our podcast purchases. While we believe you don't need a lot of gear to podcast, the reality is that we do seem to acquire a fair amount through the year; however, we do think through our purchases before we make them and we want to walk you through our decision process. This episode we'll run dow...

We know that last week SP teased you talking about free food samples, so we had to deliver this week! This show we share some actual samples of different styles of audio processing you may want to consider within post-production - including some that are "don't do this". We'll discuss noise reduction, audio gating, equalization, rough cuts vs soft cuts and even some deverb. In the Better...

We kick off our two part arc on Editing and this episode we're discussing a few methods you may use for your show. We'll provide some pros, cons and best practices to help you maximize these techniques. In the Better Podcasting Download we'll tell you why your Christmas break my be a bust for launching your podcast entirely. Finally, we'll take listener feedback about hitting up the podcast circui...

In the final installment of our planning 2017 arc, Stephen and SP discuss Podcast Infrastructure & Promotion Planning for the year. The crew have some considerations for you if you're looking at how to promote your show in 2017 including appearances, website changes, patreon and a few others. Since this episode was recorded on Black Friday, it would make sense for our Better Podcasting Downloa...

In part two of three of our arc on 2017 planning and this week we're talking software and structure. If you're looking to make some changes to your podcast software or even your entire show structure, we'll talk about some considerations you have. During this week's Better Podcasting Download Stephen finally wraps up his Shure SM7B vs Audio-Technica BP40 test. Take a listen and judge for yourself!...

This episode we'll kick off with two personal stories about how last week we took our own advice as hobby podcasters when personal struggles occurred in our lives this week. In our main topic this week we'll kick off our three part arc on Planning 2017 considerations you may have. This episode we'll discuss Hardware & Services. During our Better Podcasting Download we discuss how scientists ar...

During this episode Stephen and SP discuss some areas of consideration if you want to make a companion website for your podcast. Stephen and SP have some experience working side websites and they want to share it with you. In this week's Better Podcasting Download, Stargate Pioneer tells you about a recent experience with Facebook and why he really has little choice but to no longer be on it. Fina...

In our conclusion of the "Breaking the Backlog" arc, Stephen and SP discuss different ways to help you get caught up and move forward after getting behind in your podcast releases. Before we get there though, we'll debut our latest contest and we'll also take some listen feedback in How I Saved My Podcast, this week coming from THE Dave Jackson. During this week's Better Podcasting Downl...

There's a recent trend with some new podcasters - creating a backlog of podcasts (batching the podcast) before launching. This is an area that was very intriguing to both Stephen and SP when they first heard about it and this episode they'll discuss some pros, cons and best practices if your'e going to follow this concept. In the Better Podcasting Download this week, Stephen and SP share some rece...

Stargate Pioneer has developed a list of considerations and recommendations for hobby podcasters, he refers to this as his "Golden Rules of Hobby Podcasting." What better time for him to share this than for our 50th episode? In the Better Podcasting Download we discuss some recent reports of issues which should highlight why you may want to finally move off of Feedburner. Finally, we tak...

While Stargate Pioneer is away this week, GonnaGeek Network's Chris Ferrell helps hold down the fort to discuss some common next step considerations - including some challenges which SP, Stephen and Chris have all encountered. We'll discuss Double End Recording, Live Broadcasting and Video challenges and considerations. In this week's Better Podcasting Download, Stephen and Chris discuss why you d...

It's time, it's finally here. If you've been on the edge of your seat like the one and only Stargate Pioneer, waiting to find out the feedback in Stephen's Mic Shootout Blind Test - well you're in luck. In this episode Stephen takes you through each microphone reveal, sharing information on the feedback of the listeners, as well as SP's feedback and guesses. How many mics did SP get right? You'll...

In this episode Stephen and SP are going to boldly go where no podcast-about-podcasting has gone before... discussing the gasp CONDENSER MICROPHONE. For this episode we are going to temporarily put aside our solid recommendation that you podcast using a Dynamic Cardiod Microphone to discuss some methods on how those who do use Condenser Microphones can make it the best it can be. We'll share some...

This show Stephen and SP start off taking another HOW I SAVED MY PODCAST story. For our main topic we discuss different types of podcasts. We'll start of discussing some formats and why you may want to consider them, then we'll discuss another important part - the tone of the podcast and we'll discuss why it matters to know your podcast type. In this week's Better Podcasting Download we discuss so...

During this episode SP and Stephen discuss the pros and cons of both Explicit and Clean Podcasting. We discuss some considerations you may have before you pull the trigger and some methods on deciding which might save you some editing time later. In the Better Podcasting Download, we discuss the IAB Podcast Metrics September 2016 document, some of our favorite parts and how it affects you as a hob...

We kick off the show this week discussing the details of being a victim of a security hack/compromise and the resulting annoyance that followed suit. If you run a website or self-host, we've got some advice on how you can keep yourself safe and prepared. There's a jam-packed Better Podcasting Download(s) section where we discuss PowerPress's recent article about podcasting downloads vs streams and...

Stephen and Stargate Pioneer unveil a new show segment with plenty of listener interaction discussing “How I Saved My Podcast.” Join the show this time as Stephen, SP, Chris Ferrell, Sunkast and #Verified Cody Gough tell how they saved their podcasts from utter disaster. If you have a How I Saved My Podcast story please send it into Better Podcasting and we’ll talk about it on an upcoming episode....

During this show, Chris Ferrell joins us to wrap up the fun.... arc. We break the format this week to have a more round-table style discussion on some of the creative ways we've had fun over the years as not only podcast creators but also as podcast consumers. During the Better Podcasting download we update you on the latest developments in the Windows 10 Anniversary Edition Webcam Drive Issue sag...

So you've got Step 1 complete - you're now having fun with your hosts. Today we'll talk about Step 2, which making sure you have fun with your listenership. We'll run down some points which will hopefully help you reflect on your show and think about whether or not you can help your audience have more fun. In this week's episode we have a jam-packed Better Podcasting Download section. First up, we...