A podcast is an audio programme that you can subscribe to and listen to on an app. They are like blogs as they focus on a particular topic. A podcast can be a solo effort but would work better as collaborative work. The length of podcasts varies from short 1-minute snippets to much longer in-depth pieces lasting hours. They also vary in frequency from daily to monthly.
Start a Podcast¶
There’s a podcast series for that! -> Research Podcasting Essentials
You don’t need fancy equipment or expensive software to create a podcast, but there are a few important elements worth planning before you get started.
Why do you want to start a podast?¶
Think about the main goal of your podcast. Is it meant to inform, inspire, entertain, raise awareness, or build community around a research topic? Your purpose will guide your content, guests, and overall direction.
You may also want to think about how your podcast connects to your broader initiative or project goals.
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Episode 1: Why start a research podcast?
What is the structure of your podcast?¶
A clear structure helps listeners know what to expect. Consider whether your episodes will follow a consistent format with an intro, discussion, interview, and outro. You might also want to create templates for show notes and episode scripts to make production easier and create consistency across episodes.
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Episode 2: Anatomy of a podcast
Who is your podcast for?¶
Define your target audience early on. Your podcast may be aimed at researchers, students, practitioners, policymakers, or the general public. Understanding your audience helps shape the language, tone, level of detail, and topics you choose for your episodes.
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Episode 3: Identifying your Audience and Defining your Podcast’s Purpose
Which equipment and technical setup are necessary?¶
You do not need expensive equipment to start podcasting. A simple setup with a laptop or smartphone microphone can work for beginners.
For higher-quality audio, popular USB microphones include Blue Yeti, RØDE, Shure, and Audio-Technica models.
For recording interviews, you can use platforms such as Zoom, Teams, Zencastr, or Riverside.fm.
For editing, beginner-friendly tools include Audacity (free and open source), GarageBand (free on Mac), and Hindenburg Pro or Riverside.fm. Some podcast hosting platforms also include built-in recording and editing tools.
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Episode 4: Equipment and Basic Technical Setup on a Budget
What style will your podcast be in?¶
Decide on the overall style and format of your show. Your podcast could be interview-based, storytelling-focused, documentary-style, conversational, or educational.
You should also think about the tone of the podcast — formal, relaxed, academic, or community-driven — and whether episodes will follow a scripted or more spontaneous format.
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Episode 5: Interviewing and Storytelling Techniques
How to get your podcast out there!¶
Choosing a hosting platform is an important step in publishing your podcast. Popular options include Buzzsprout, Podbean, Spotify for Podcasters, or self-hosting solutions with RSS feeds.
To help people discover your podcast, create engaging show notes, share episodes on social media, invite guests to promote episodes, and include useful resources and links for listeners. You may also want to release your podcast under an open license, such as CC-BY 4.0, to encourage sharing and reuse.
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Episode 6: Publishing and Promoting Your Podcast
Workbook to help you pull it all together¶
You can plan all these elements out using this workbook for starting your own podcast developed as a part of the Open Science Promotion and Advocacy of Research Knowledge (OSPARK) Bootcamp funded by the OSCARS consortium.