The Real Truth About Starting a Podcast in 2026

​​Starting your podcast can feel overwhelming when every choice seems expensive or technical. permanent. But don’t worry, we’ve got you! Today, we focus on the questions new podcasters are asking at the beginning. We start with real questions from co-host Sid Meadows about recording platforms like Riverside, working with editors, and choosing the right mic stand. Later, the conversation opens up into questions nearly every new podcaster wrestles with, including whether podcasting has to be expensive and what actually matters when you are just getting started. We offer grounded perspectives on tools, gear, video, audio, and budget without pushing one 'right' answer.

Episode Highlights:

[02:34] Upcoming podcast evaluation episode details

[05:36] Discussion on recording platforms 

[19:42] Choosing the right microphone stand

[26:48] Announcement of the Empowered Podcasting Conference video library

[29:18] Discussing financial investments in podcasting

[31:18] True or false segment on financial investment in podcasting

[43:08] True or false segment on YouTube’s role in podcasting

Links & Resources: 

Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠

Riverside: 

https://www.riverside.fm/?via=0676da

Rodecaster Pro 2: 

https://amzn.to/41h9yuN

Desk Stands for Microphones: 

https://amzn.to/47URBoh

Empowered Podcasting Conference Video Recordings: 

https://ironickmedia.com/courses/epc2025/

Home Studio Mastery Gear Guide (Junaid Ahmed's "Gear List"): 

https://homestudiomastery.com/gear-guide

To Have Your Podcast Considered For Evaluation, Please Complete This Form: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8-Xv6O6lrNPcPJwj3N0Z5Osdl-5kHGz_PiAU45U

Our upcoming podcast evaluation, Shared Delights (Wedding Crasher): https://open.spotify.com/episode/1pfvQbyTC2J4j7f07RlgTb?si=DAciGVe4TRqSeyq5Glnb3w

Shared Delights (Naked Eureka): 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gIMkfSyZDCZb07Jzzlx5p

Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and bring valuable content to the podcasting community.

Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w⁠⁠

Or Join us on Chatter: https://preview.chattersocial.io/group/98a69881-f328-4eae-bf3c-9b0bb741481d

Live on YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@marcronick⁠

Brought to you by⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠ 

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