Podcast University

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Are you ready to become a rockstar podcaster? This post will solve for many of the unknown variables you are unsure of surrounding the software and hardware you should use to create a blockbuster podcast. To keep it simple, mixers and USB interfaces are excluded. The tools that I use myself will be in bold.

Microphones

Blue Yeti USB Microphone ($110) and Mudder Mic Cover Foam Microphone Windscreen for Blue Yeti ($7, required for this mic)
Rode smartLav+ Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone for iPhone and Smartphones ($57, for my live presentations)
Audio-Technica ATR2100 and a foam screen

In-Person Interview Setup

Headphones

I have no problem plugging my old Apple headphones into my Blue Yeti mic or Zoom H5. Podcast equipment snobs might scoff at this, but it gets the job done. However, if you insist on investing in better headphones, here are a few options:

Recording Remote Interviews/Anything Over the Internet

Squadcast.fm ($20/month) - Records in lossless WAV, separate tracks recorded locally for each guest which results in impeccable audio quality, HD video, up to 3 guests, backups, friendly and responsive support. Worth way more than $20/month. (bonus: Squadcast doubles as a great tool for small video conferences. I use it for business meetings)
Zencastr (free to use up to 8 hours per month, $20/month after that) - Personally, I have not used Zencastr, but I know people who do and the audio quality is impeccable here as well. It's a pretty robust software. Benefits include separate tracks for each guest, records in lossless WAV, a soundboard for live editing, automatic postproduction, and Dropbox integration. As much as I want to use this tool, I can't because I find it extremely difficult to use and there is no video at all which makes it harder for me to establish and build rapport with my guests. I used to record on Zoom with no video in the beginning and, with my own anecdotal evidence, I have found that the difference is this: I don't usually become friends with my interview subjects beyond the interview while the people I have interviewed with video have almost all become my friends. Maybe it's just me though.
Warning: Only use Zoom (free) if you want to sound like a robot. The audio quality is bottom of the barrel and miscellaneous noises are hard to edit out because both guests are recorded on the same track. As of episode 66, I switched from Zoom to Squadcast and it has been one of the best decisions I've made for the podcast. Listening to my episodes recorded with Zoom is like nails on a chalkboard now.

Editing

Branding Assets

Smartmockups.com ($9-$14/month) - Create awesome mockups (like the featured image for this post and this, this, and this).
Write a book - Learn how to write a book with these 15 steps.
Photoshop or Canva to create featured images for each episode.
Headliner.app to create transcribed video clips for LinkedIn and Instagram stories for your guests to share, and thus, grow your show.

Scheduling

Calendly - Do your guests and yourself a huge favor and eliminate needless back and forth while agreeing on a time by using Calendly. There is a free version, but I insist on upgrading to Pro for $12/month.

Podcast Hosting

Website Hosting

Use https://www.who-hosts-this.com/?s= if you are curious as to what host a certain site uses.

Website CMS

Use https://whatcms.org/ if you are curious as to what CMS a certain site uses

WordPress.org (powers over 30% of the internet, for people who are serious about their brand) - Use https://www.themedetect.com/?s= if you are curious as to what WP theme a certain site uses.
Wix.com (the easy way out, highly unlikely to ever be found in search engines, for people who aren't serious).

Website Development

Need me to bail you out and help you gain clarity on how to create a blockbuster podcast, personal brand, and website? I'll take care of you: