You’ve planned the show. You’ve got the gear. You’ve set up your space. Now it’s time for the part most people picture when they think “podcasting”: recording.

In this episode of Snohomish Podcast Playground, Trent walks through what to do before and during your recording session so you don’t end up rushed, stressed, or stuck with hours of painful edits.

What we cover

• Why you should block more time than you think (even for a “quick” 15-minute episode)
• The reality of recording: your raw session will usually be much longer than the final episode
• Pre-record checklist: test your gear, silence your phone, remove distractions, and confirm your audio is actually saving
• Why it helps to record a backup when you can
• How to calm your nerves and avoid the “100 miles per hour” problem
• What to do when you get tongue-tied: pause, reset, and re-do a sentence
• Why you should keep your episode flow/outline in front of you while recording
• A simple trick to stay audience-focused: keep a picture of your listener persona nearby
• The “playground” approach: try multiple intros and transitions, then choose what works in editing
• The 30-second rule: why your opening matters more than you think

The big takeaway

Your first recording isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning your voice, your pace, and your flow. Treat it like a test run, play with it, and you’ll get better fast.

Produced & Edited by: Olivia Blomberg
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/