Foundations of Podcast Production

This unit introduces students to core podcasting concepts, basic gear and software choices, and early-stage production practices. Students will plan and produce short sample recordings, learn microphone and recording technique, and prepare assets (show art, show notes, interview requests) to ready a show for editing and promotion in later units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze common microphone types, recording devices (laptop and mobile), and budgeting trade-offs to select appropriate hardware for a specified podcast project
• Apply basic recording and editing workflows using Audacity (and/or Hindenburg PRO) to capture, trim, and export a 3–5 minute sample segment that meets specified kbps and noise-level criteria
• Demonstrate pre-production and interview preparation skills by creating a topic outline, interview request template, sound check checklist, and show notes draft ready for guest outreach
• Evaluate show presentation and promotion elements—show art, show notes, listener feedback strategies, and basic live or video considerations—and produce a short plan recommending improvements prior to full production