Podcasting has become one of the most authentic ways to share knowledge, tell stories, and build deeper connections with your audience. But before you press record, there are a few things you should know—especially if you're leading a remote team or managing a distributed company.
This guide will walk you through how to record a podcast with clarity and confidence. Whether you're starting one for your company or as a passion project, getting it right from the beginning can save you time, money, and stress later on.
Start With a Purpose, Not Just a Microphone
Before diving into the gear or software, start by asking yourself one simple question: Why are we doing this podcast?
Are you trying to:
Build internal culture and share wins across your remote team?
Share your company’s story with potential hires or partners?
Establish leadership in your niche by bringing industry insights to the table?
Defining your “why” keeps you focused when the to-do list gets long or the metrics aren’t moving yet. At Humanise, we’ve seen podcasting become a powerful tool for distributed teams to stay aligned, feel more human, and communicate more naturally across time zones.
Choose the Right Format
Not all podcasts are created equal. Choosing a format that aligns with your goal will make everything else easier.
Here are a few formats that work well for remote teams and founders:
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
| Interview-based | You invite guests (internal or external) and ask questions |
| Solo episodes | One person shares insight, updates, or lessons learned |
| Roundtable | Several team members chat around a shared topic or challenge |
| Mini-series | Limited episodes that go deep into one topic or initiative |
If you’re leading a distributed company, even a short monthly roundtable can go a long way in humanising your internal communications.
Don’t Overthink the Gear
There’s a temptation to overspend on equipment before you even know what works. Don’t fall into that trap. Here’s a simple setup that will get you started with professional-sounding audio:
Essentials:
Microphone: A USB mic like the ATR2100x or Blue Yeti is more than enough to start.
Headphones: Closed-back headphones (like the Audio-Technica M50x) help with monitoring.
Recording software: Free tools like Audacity or online platforms like Riverside or Zencastr work well.
If your team is fully remote, tools like Zoom or SquadCast can also do the trick, especially for multi-guest shows.
Create a Repeatable Workflow
Recording a podcast isn’t just about talking—it’s about planning, editing, and distributing consistently. You don’t need a full production team, but you do need a system.
Here’s a sample workflow you can adapt:
Plan your episode
Draft an outline or question list
Send your guest a prep email if it’s an interview
Record in a quiet space
Ask participants to mute notifications and use good mics
Edit the audio
Clean up background noise and remove awkward silences
Add an intro/outro (record these once and reuse)
Distribute and promote
Upload to a host (like Spotify for Podcasters or Buzzsprout)
Share internally with your team and externally on LinkedIn or your site
Consistency matters more than perfection. Don’t wait for the perfect episode—just make the next one better.
Recording Remotely: Tips from the Trenches
At Humanise, we’ve worked with founders and leaders who want to create podcasts that aren’t just content—they’re culture. Here are a few tips we’ve picked up:
Make it personal: Use real stories from your team. Celebrate wins, unpack failures.
Record asynchronously if needed: Don’t let time zones block good content. Use tools like Loom or Descript to record parts separately.
Transcribe episodes: This helps with accessibility and gives your content a second life as written insights.
Limit editing when possible: Keep the natural pauses and occasional stumbles. It makes the conversation feel real.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
You don’t need to be a broadcaster to make a good podcast—but avoiding a few key mistakes helps:
Trying to sound scripted: Audiences can hear the difference. Aim for conversational, not robotic.
Ignoring sound quality: Bad audio turns people off fast. Even a small echo can be distracting.
Forgetting your audience: Always return to who you’re speaking to. Is this useful for them? Would they share it?
Skipping post-production: Even basic trimming and volume balancing goes a long way.
Podcasting as a Culture Tool
Many remote leaders think of podcasting as purely external marketing. But internal podcasts are becoming a smart way to build culture in distributed teams.
Imagine a short bi-weekly episode where founders share company updates, celebrate wins, and answer team questions. It’s more engaging than a Slack message and more personal than a slide deck.
At Humanise, we help teams use storytelling, podcasting, and async content to connect on a more human level. Leaders who speak with their teams, not at them, build stronger cultures over time.
Wrapping Up: How to Record a Podcast the Smart Way
To sum it up, recording a podcast doesn’t require a studio or a production team—it requires clarity, consistency, and a human-first approach.
Here’s your starter checklist:
Define your “why” and audience
Choose a format that fits your goals
Keep the gear simple and effective
Build a repeatable workflow
Focus on stories, not scripts
Edit lightly and distribute widely
Podcasting is a powerful tool—especially for leaders navigating the challenges of remote work. Done well, it builds trust, showcases your values, and keeps your team aligned.
And if you’re looking to make your communication feel more human, we’re here to help. Explore how Humanise supports remote teams.