What I Learned After 10 Podcast Episodes (Mistakes, AI & Podcast Growth)

What I Learned After 10 Podcast Episodes (Mistakes, AI & Podcast Growth)

In this milestone episode, I'm looking back at the biggest lessons, mistakes, frustrations, and surprises from my first ten episodes as a podcaster. From obsessing over hosting platforms and recording software to learning why community matters more than download numbers, this episode is an honest reflection on what it's really like to build a podcast from scratch. I talk about why there is no perfect podcast host, why every recording platform will eventually let you down, how research can become procrastination, and why publishing an imperfect episode will teach you more than spending another week planning. I also share how my views on AI have evolved, how I use it as a tool rather than a replacement, and why I believe your voice and experiences are still the most valuable parts of any podcast. Other topics include: • Why you don't need everything figured out before you start • The importance of building community over chasing downloads • Creating a workflow that actually works for you • Why podcasting is much more than just recording • Using YouTube as part of your podcast strategy • The realities of promoting a podcast • Collaboration, networking, and connecting with other creators • Learning to improve with every episode instead of chasing perfection Whether you're launching your first podcast, struggling through your first few episodes, or simply curious about the creator journey, this episode is a reminder that progress matters more than perfection. Thanks for being part of these first ten episodes. This is only the beginning. The Creator's Log is hosted by Carlos and documents the real-world process of building podcasts, learning new skills, making mistakes, and figuring things out one episode at a time. Follow me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/krpodlab/] and visit us at KRPodLab.com [https://krpodlab.com/]. Check out Dave's How to Podcast [https://howtopodcast.ca/] content. Check out the DJI2 microphone [https://www.amazon.com/DJI-Transmitter-Microphone-Intelligent-Cancelling/dp/B0CFZX3HGW/ref=sr_1_7?crid=Q4CUQ56ZY1I6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oSlaxYjGRMt73F2qW9JdXPboVboc-gShcVISJaBUcvy09-jdssuls2V9EPhHCiRuskgd_A6tIvlpjQfL9ylcCWdGSABebp3PklszsWz6pr8vXXhW4MwTHE28EO5dI8_3zUFAcvwb1dRL1xuxcASfLPb4TxdcPzfuk4cs5V8AjmKcJYXeGT90Sb055avm5CL-YLyo_lalQphmVVRKUvMUHRFu6qpoI-bxkVn0yMTeN7WZxyLk_zC9xfcxfwpsg9Pf6EQkl7yDWevX3mtbFGA8pdghLouyEyVmGFMFcnLAoqI.8onK8HvAF_gjma7-P1n0OToeM0EeDKPGixLuEfUyBHE&dib_tag=se&keywords=dji%252Bmic%252B2&qid=1781844942&sprefix=dji%252Caps%252C130&sr=8-7&th=1] and the Shure MV7+ [https://www.amazon.com/Shure-MV7-Microphone-Certified-Podcasting/dp/B0CTJ7PVN1/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=N1596ZOA9ETZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dGiZNF7RnisDvrJZ_IS_MyAG2nSPssPrbkbY1OnqwcRqfYyhhOeTbQZbXe6ao73YC0GuETiNCe1dM65LpJ3TkjSeDBoF8QxMTax9-oPnIYRQ2cuf1JbbHFNyux11oOiHSMr0RI4EiVE9WCruZx2o1Jxd9k-7im2b3nYL-pjIQXb39m92aQfWVPMfZLAqBzDWAtB-YHBF1z-kvraWk_OG0RgDg2XhOIykKXxkq4aCQ5MFk7v5Eq3pbs2uyL1IDDk8P4Voq_joYXtY2_sbcAfOlj2FRkvoXV49xUT_5SPoGnQ.n-C6nT86IkoG93hXaTIMMthx4Rj0PMyeuUSca7JUvoQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=shure%252Bmv7%252B&qid=1781844971&sprefix=shurem%252Caps%252C224&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1]. For free podcast hosting check out RSS.com [https://rss.com/?via=9e489f] and Descript [https://descript.cello.so/9C4wdTczrFL]for 50% off on recording software for two months!

How I Actually Use AI for Podcasting (Without Letting It Take Over)

AI is everywhere right now. Some creators see it as a threat, others think it's overhyped. In this episode of The Creator's Log, I share how I actually use AI in my podcasting workflow, and why I view it as an assistant rather than a replacement for creativity. From developing episode ideas and refining outlines to creating show notes, social media captions, thumbnails, and even building a podcast website, I break down the real ways AI has helped me save time while keeping my voice and creative decisions intact. I also talk about the mistakes creators make when relying too heavily on AI, why transcripts have become one of the most valuable tools in my workflow, and how I balance technology with the human side of podcasting. Whether you're launching your first podcast, growing a creative project, or simply curious about how AI fits into content creation, this episode offers a practical look at what works, what doesn't, and where the creator still needs to stay in control. In this episode: * How I use AI to brainstorm podcast topics * Creating outlines without scripting episodes * Turning transcripts into SEO-friendly show notes * Using AI for social media captions and marketing * Building a podcast website with AI assistance * Creating podcast artwork and thumbnails * The limits of AI in creative work * Why maintaining your voice matters * Balancing efficiency with authenticity as a creator If you've been wondering how AI can fit into your creative workflow without replacing your ideas, this episode is for you. Try Descript [https://descript.cello.so/9C4wdTczrFL] for 2 months at 50% off the Creator plan, and check out RSS.com [https://rss.com/?via=9e489f]for free! Build a professional website for your podcast with Beamly. [https://beamly.com?via=krloz89] Follow along at KRPodLab.com [http://KRPodLab.com] and connect with me on Instagram @KRPODLAB. [https://www.instagram.com/krpodlab/]

Overcoming The Pressure To Go Video | Video Podcasting on YouTube

In this episode Krloz discusses the growing pressure to add video to podcasts as platforms and communities promote it, while he questions whether video’s popularity matches audio-only numbers. He asks listeners about their batch recording process, sharing concerns about forgetting an episode’s central point during editing and the strain of recording many episodes. He explains why video could help his physical media/film podcast (showing covers, transfers, and hauls) but lists barriers: discomfort being on camera, lack of a “video” setup, steep learning curves in video editing, lighting and camera challenges, storage demands, added burnout from a one-person production workflow, and costs of hosting video (preferring free YouTube or Spotify over paid hosts like Captivate). He emphasizes taking baby steps, preserving identity, asking audiences how they consume episodes, and preparing for increased criticism on YouTube. In this episode: • The pressure creators feel to start a video podcast • My first experience with batch recording • Camera anxiety and learning to be on video • Video editing, lighting, and production challenges • YouTube vs traditional podcast platforms • Hosting costs and storage concerns • Creator burnout and promotion fatigue • Why I'm taking baby steps into YouTube • Staying true to your identity as a creator Try Descript [https://descript.cello.so/9C4wdTczrFL] out for two month at 50% off the Creator plan, and check out RSS.com [https://rss.com/?via=9e489f] for free! If you're navigating the same questions about video podcasting, I'd love to hear your thoughts. How do you balance growth, creativity, and sustainability? Follow along at krpodlab.com [http://krpodlab.com] and connect with me on Instagram @krpodlab [https://www.instagram.com/krpodlab/] 00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup 02:10 Batch Recording Experiment 03:22 Editing Fears and Workflow 06:13 Why Video Feels Necessary 06:52 Showing Physical Media on Camera 09:06 Face on Camera Discomfort 11:34 Podcast vs Vlog Debate 13:04 Influencer Pressure in Media 14:20 Video Editing and Lighting Hurdles 17:38 Thumbnails and YouTube AI Tools 21:08 Camera Anxiety and Procrastination 22:37 Where to Host Video Podcasts 25:12 Overwhelming Video Advice Online 28:16 Storage Costs and Burnout Risk 30:21 Promotion Burnout 31:20 DM Spam Etiquette 34:25 Notion List Pressure 36:52 Is Video Worth It 39:59 YouTube Algorithm Edge 43:29 Baby Steps Into Video 46:48 Keep Your Identity 48:12 Likes Addiction Trap 53:00 Criticism And Caution 54:18 Descript Discount Plug 55:54 Final Thanks And Outro

My Podcast Gets More Plays on YouTube Than Podcast Apps

One of the biggest surprises I've had while building The Creator's Log is that one of my episodes gained more traction on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thephysicalcut] than it did on traditional podcast platforms. In this episode, I talk about why every podcaster should consider uploading their episodes to YouTube, even if they're not creating a video podcast. I share what happened when I started distributing my audio-only episodes to YouTube, why discoverability works differently there, and how it changed the way I think about publishing content. I also walk through my simple workflow for optimizing podcast episodes for YouTube, including transcripts, thumbnails, SEO-friendly titles, descriptions, and hashtags. If you're an independent creator, podcaster; or content producer trying to grow an audience, this episode may help you rethink where your content should live. Topics discussed: • Why YouTube matters for podcasters • Audio-only podcasts on YouTube • Podcast discoverability and search • Creating SEO-friendly podcast titles • Using transcripts to improve visibility • Thumbnail strategy for podcast episodes • My workflow using RSS.com [https://rss.com/?via=9e489f], Adobe Podcast, Descript [https://descript.cello.so/9C4wdTczrFL], and ChatGPT Follow The Creator's Log [https://www.instagram.com/krpodlab/] for more conversations about podcasting, content creation, workflow systems, and building creative projects from the ground up. And check out our website at krpodlab.com [http://krpodlab.com] Listen to the episode mentioned of The Physical Cut [https://www.instagram.com/thephysicalcutpod/]: The Lost Episode [https://rss.com/podcasts/the-physical-cut/2880898]

Podcast Hosting Platforms (P.2): Captivate, Buzzsprout, Transistor & RSS.com

If you're starting a podcast in 2026 or thinking about switching hosts, this episode offers a real-world look at what each platform does well, and where they may fall short. In Part 2: I'm comparing four of the most talked-about podcast hosts for independent creators: Captivate, [https://www.captivate.fm/pricing] Buzzsprout [https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing?period=monthly&media_type=video&podcast_limit=5], Transistor [https://transistor.fm/pricing/], and RSS.com [https://rss.com/?via=9e489f]. In This Episode * Why Captivate remains one of the strongest growth-focused podcast hosting platforms * The AI assistant feature that almost kept me on Captivate * Customer support experiences and billing challenges * Captivate pricing, download limits, and podcast network options * Transistor's user-friendly interface and podcast website features * Buzzsprout's strengths for solo creators and mobile podcasters * Buzzsprout's podcast education resources and active community * Audio vs. video podcast hosting costs * Free podcast hosting options that still allow you to own your content * RSS.com [https://rss.com/?via=9e489f] features including unlimited podcasts, AI transcripts, and monetization Hosting Platforms Covered Captivate * Unlimited podcasts and episodes * Strong marketing and growth tools * AI-powered podcast assistant * Podcast network support * Monetization options * Download-based pricing structure Transistor * Clean and intuitive interface * Podcast websites and podcast networks * Advanced analytics * Dynamic ad insertion (higher-tier plans) * Unlimited podcast hosting Buzzsprout * Beginner-friendly podcast hosting * Mobile app support * Video podcast publishing * Strong educational resources * Active creator community * Transparent pricing RSS.com [https://rss.com/?via=9e489f] * Free podcast hosting option * Unlimited podcasts and episodes * AI-generated transcripts * Podcast websites * Listener donations and monetization * Podcast network support * Independent creator-friendly approach Key Takeaway The best podcast hosting platform isn't necessarily the one with the most features; it's the one that fits your workflow, budget, and goals. Other Resources Mentioned * Adobe Podcast [https://podcast.adobe.com/en] * Descript [https://descript.cello.so/9C4wdTczrFL] * Riverside [https://riverside.com/] Connect Follow the show on Instagram: @krpodlab [https://www.instagram.com/krpodlab/] Visit: krpodlab.com [http://krpodlab.com]