Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You): A How-to Guide from the First Family of Podcasting – The Essential Comedy Guide to Producing and Growing Hit Shows

by Justin McElroy, Travis McElroy, Griffin McElroy

From the #1 New York Times bestselling McElroy Brothers, creators of the hit podcasts My Brother, My Brother and Me and The Adventure Zone, comes a helpful and hilarious how-to podcast guide covering everything you need to know to make, produce, edit, and promote a podcast…and get rich* doing it! (*Results not guaranteed.)
Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy made their names as “advice giving brothers who have no business giving advice” (New York Times) on the hit podcast My Brother, My Brother and Me. But while they may not have the best relationship or workplace advice, they certainly make you laugh, and they do know a thing or two about podcasting.
In fact, the McElroy Brothers have spent the last decade making podcasts, including My Brother, My Brother and Me; The Adventure Zone; Sawbones; and more. From their start, independently producing and releasing the early episodes of My Brother, My Brother and Me, to their eleven currently available podcasts, the McElroys have become experts in creating successful podcasts. And now, they want to share what they’ve learned with you.
In Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You), the McElroy Brothers will walk you through the process of turning an idea into ear-candy for legions of fans, sharing their expertise on everything from deciding on an effective name (definitely not something like My Brother, My Brother and Me), what type of microphone to use (definitely not one from the video game Rock Band), to making lots and lots of money (spoiler: you probably won’t).
A must-read for anyone interested in podcasting, Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You) shares the keys to success as well as the mistakes to avoid and draws on the vast experiences of three of the funniest and most successful podcasters working today.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Humor, Self Help, Business, How To, Entrepreneurship

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 26, 2021

About the author

Justin Tyler McElroy is a co-host of My Brother, My Brother and Me. He is the oldest brother of Travis McElroy and Griffin McElroy, and son of Clint McElroy. Justin McElroy was a founding Editor-At-Large (meaning editor on the loose–an editor who cannot be contained) of Polygon (the video-game/ pop-culture site of Vox media). Justin and Griffin left Polygon in 2018, but implied they'd still appear in/contribute to video content.

Reviews

[Abby]

I don't have any interest in making a podcast, the assorted McElroy voices are just my personal self-soothing device of choice, and I get that that's a me problem.

[Ross Blocher · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, Everybody Has a Podcast (except you) is a great title. Technically not true for me, as I am one of those everybodies with a podcast, and mine just happens to live on Maximum Fun, the same network as the amazing McElroy family (the first family of podcasting). Come to think of it, I've had two of the authors appear on my show (we've got to get you on, Griffin!). Still, despite being explicitly excluded by the title, I thought it would be fun to see how the ever-entertaining McElroys explain the process of podcasting, given they produce so many.

It's all here: from coming up with an idea, to making sure you've got enough content and interest to sustain it, to finding the right co-hosts, to recording and equipment and editing and hosting and monetizing and merchandising and all the rest. There's plenty of good advice pulled from Justin, Travis and Griffin's experience, along with all of the important bigger-picture reminders that podcasting is a lot of work, and a labor of love. There were plenty of good reminders and ruminations for me as well. Best of all... Now I can stop typing up a mini-novel for people who ask me how to get started and point them to this book instead.

[Connor Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

The McElroy brothers are not experts, or so we’ve been told for more than 10 years across hundreds of podcast episodes. But experience is the best teacher, after all, and boy do those McElroys have some podcasting experience (see the aforementioned hundreds of episodes.
“Everybody Has A Podcast (Except You)” covers the introductory considerations of podcasting with approachable and actionable advice, delivered by way of a behind-the-scenes look at the McElroy family of products. This how-to/hosting-history hybrid thrives on the brothers’ personalities, which shine through in individual segments and commentary sidebars. Whether you’ve come for podcasting wisdom or the brotherly fun you’ve come to love, the McElroys deliver on both with their trademark charm.

Digital review copy courtesy of HarperCollins

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing, and as advertised. I don't have an inclination to make a podcast, so even though I like the McElroy's content, I'm not the target audience - though after reading this book I feel like I could make one if I wanted to. This book is thorough in scope and approachable in depth. It is an excellent resource for people trying to understand the basics of creating a professionally-sounding, well-constructed show.

Listened to an advanced copy on audio through Libro.fm.

[Renata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this! I'm an extant McElroy fan and someone who arguably sort of already knows how to do a podcast, but reading this still gave me a few tips and reassured me that I'm doing okay. It is written in an amusing way but it is first and foremost informative. I'd recommend it to someone looking to start a podcast (or improve their podcasting skills). Someone with no interest in podcasting but just a fan of listening to McElroy shows might not enjoy this--it is not a memoir or anything, it is truly a podcast how-to manual. (Which is what it's advertised as, to be clear.)

[Lydia Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone interested in podcasting, Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You) shares the keys to success as well as the mistakes to avoid and draws on the vast experiences of three of the funniest and most successful podcasters working today. A funny, entertaining and informative book that might not make you rich, but you never know.

[Brennan Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a little less “funny” and a little more “actionable advice,” which would be great if I hadn’t already thoroughly researched this topic. If you’re starting out podcasting though, this is an excellent guide!

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent primer on getting started in podcasting. I don't have any personal podcast projects in mind, but enjoyed spending some time with the McElroy goofiness.

[Sam Wescott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey, that was fun! I've been a long-time fan of many McElroy projects (currently listen to MBMBAM, Sawbones, The Adventure Zone and watch Monster Factory and old episodes of Awful Squad). I don't actually have any interest in starting a podcast of my own, but I'm really drawn to primers like these on the behind-the-scenes machinations of things I enjoy consuming. I listen to a LOT of podcasts and it's cool to learn things about mic choice and the pros and cons of different revenue streams that the content creators I enjoy have had to make decisions about.

And, good news, this was still a very interesting and funny book, even if you aren't intending to take any of the advice or use it as an actual how-to manual. Since I was already a fan of the brother's I found it very easy to settle into the rhythm of their jokes, especially since I listened to the audiobook and I'm used to absorbing their content audibly. I'm very, very curious if that tone came across as fully in print, especially to a reader less familiar with their style.

Honestly, the main thing I was worried about with this book was the blanket encouragement that everyone has what it takes to make a podcast and only need a boost to know how. I kinda think that the market is a bit glutted and that not everybody is interesting or charming enough to be a podcast host? Having opinions doesn't mean that they're worth other people's time and attention. The book got into that a little bit by constantly reiterating that the listener's time is important and that you have quality and ethical standards to meet to be worthy to ask them for that time. But I do think that the opening chapters could have used a little bit of honesty about really confronting whether or not the podcast you want to make is worth being made. Or maybe I'm just being grumpy. It's really not the McElroy brand to tell people that they might not be good enough to do something.

It's a practical book full of experienced voices offering useful advice. It's also a really interesting peek behind the curtain at how podcasts get made and how much effort the creator's you enjoy are putting into things. I'm still not interested in making a podcast, but I do think I'm more likely to go financially support the ones I listen to the most after hearing all the details about the work they do.

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks, Goodreads, for the giveaway copy I received! I’m a big fan of the McElroys in all their endeavors so I was delighted to get a chance to read this ahead of its release date.

The book has a lot of actionable advice for someone interested in starting a podcast and certainly some lessons that were learned through trial and error in their 10 years of weekly episodes. It’s written in a way that’s reminiscent of their own podcast with each chapter being steered by a brother and the other two popping in to add on or make a joke.

It is definitely geared toward comedy podcasting as that’s their main deal, but there’s a chapter on research as well (written by surprise guest Sydnee McElroy with commentary from Rachel and Teresa).

I’d recommend this to someone looking to start a podcast and especially someone who is already acquainted with the McElroys.

[B Zimp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes it's great to read a how-to book and realize this is something you don't want to do, before you get started. I doubt I'm cut out for podcasting, after reading this well-organized breakdown of what is required from prep, research, equipment, and marketing needs of a successful podcast.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am one of the readers who will be meeting the McElroys in this exact spot ten years from now wearing a red carnation. Which is to say, I have no intention of starting a podcast of my own. I read this book because it is always interesting to read real experts discuss their subject. From preproduction through color-coding microphone cables to the important question of what kind of yacht you should buy with all the t-shirt money you make from podcasting, this book is a deep look at a very specific corner of modern media.

Plus, it's written by these good, good boys. I particularly enjoy the layout of this book. Rather than writing collaboratively, each little section is written in the voice of one of the brothers. If another brother has something to say about the topic, a little pop up box with their face appears to add the tip or ask, "Has anyone out there ever dreamed of watching a grown man pull several paragraphs of legal-sounding text out of his ass? Keep your eyes on my brother as he does exactly that!"

This is a fun, light read, and it is also a serious, step-by-step guide to creating a podcast. If that is something you want to do, this book has everything you need to know to get started along with really good advice on where to look for deeper research or more detailed tips. If that is something you never intend to do, it's still a good book to read. Because it never hurts to know how things work.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally purchased this book not because of any private desire to start my own podcast, but because I have been a huge fan of the McElroy family and their products for several years. Coming from that perspective I can say definitively that while the book does contain some inside jokes and references, the brothers did an excellent job of compiling a genuinely informative guide using their 10+ years of expertise, and you do not need to be a fan of their work to appreciate what they have to say. The book takes its role as a how-to guide seriously, and this purpose is not sidelined for the sake of humor as I may have originally expected. The book truly does do what it says on the cover, walking the reader through the steps involved with creating and growing a podcast ranging from an explanation of how different microphones work to what services an advertising agency can provide. Ultimately, the book is full of information that is engaging and interesting, presented with the McElroy brand of humor that makes this an enjoyable read even for those who may not have heard of them or even podcasts before.

[Scott Huddleston · Rating 2 out of 5]

For context, I've been listening to the authors' podcast, My Brother My Brother and Me, for a number of years. I bought this book as a casual fan and because I was interested in the subject matter. If you're a fan of the McElroy family and their brand of goofy humour- you'll likely enjoy this book.

As a casual fan of the McElroy brothers, and despite this being a short book - this book wasn't as easy a read as I was expecting, largely due to how it was written. That's not to say I didn't enjoy parts of it, but overall, this wasn't a great read.

The book is written as though it was being spoken - which has the benefit of being able to clearly hear the voice whichever brother is writing that particular section, but it has the downside of being oftentimes grating and difficult to follow. I imagine it works better in audio form - which is the authors' specialty, but it translates to text very poorly.

There are a number of features which are questionable and break the cohesion of the book. Thrown in on every other page or so is a side-bar (which cuts across the entire page, often with a lot of blank space, as though it hasn't been formatted correctly), where another brother will chime in with some additional information or perspective... or, and more frequently, an insult towards the brother who is writing the section. This comes across... strangely, and disrupts the 'flow' of whomever was writing. The jokes fall flat and it's just a little strange.

Often, the authors will speak even more directly with the reader in a 'question and answer' kind of manner - but whilst also being meta in a kind of 'oh, you're reading a book'. There was one section where the reader was asked to close their eyes - then a paragraph followed by stating how that was silly and that they couldn't read if they closed their eyes. Whilst this is very on-brand for the McElroy sense of humour - it doesn't make for a good reading experience.

There is also a fair amount of profanity and slang, which for a non-fiction book is... unusual.

I don't want to discredit the authors' knowledge around creating podcasts and the podcast industry. Their track record is evidence that they know what they're doing, and for the most part - they back this up in their book. There are many practical tips for those who want to start a podcast. At the same time, however, the authors themselves discredited themselves and their knowledge by frequently stating that they don't know what they're talking about. Which I find somewhat ironic, considering that they speak numerous times about respecting their audience and the 'life minutes' their spending listening to them speak. Their half-baked chapters are lacking in depth and research (it's a book, you don't have the excuse that you were unprepared).

I did come away with a few ideas and new information. I personally found the information on hosting and publishing to be most helpful. However, if you're looking for more depth to understanding podcast creation and the industry, this book isn't for you.

If you're already a fan of the McElroy brothers and you're interested in a behind-the-curtain look into the world of podcasts, this is likely going to be an enjoyable read. You can clearly hear the authors' voices in their words and they generally employ their regular brand of humour.

If you're not a McElroy fan, haven't listened to a McElroy family podcast, or want a comprehensive or even slightly-beyond-surface-level knowledge on starting a podcast, this isn't the book for you.

Whilst I chuckled a few times while reading this book and gained a few pieces of knowledge - this book felt half-done. Whilst it does present a number of actionable points, I would have loved to see a little more polish and depth.

[Jessica L. Martens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m such a sucker for McElory content — something about their voices, in any format, is my specific brand of serotonin. That being said, this book had way more practical advice than I expected, and because I’m not particularly interested in starting a podcast there were chunks that felt very non-applicable. I was honestly surprised by how much sound information popped up in this book and I think it will be of actual use to its target audience. Regardless of the intention, this is still a fun, quick read with some good goofs. And the ending made me unexpectedly emotional because I guess I’m just crying at everything these days!!

[Grace W · Rating 5 out of 5]

(c/p from my review on TheStoryGraph) This was a very fun but very informative book for people who have thought to themselves "I could/should make a podcast." One of the things it for sure taught me is that I probably do not ever want to do a podcast, but that was more because I think I didn't fully realize how much you have to think about it. This isn't to say the book made me feel like I couldn't (if anything it made me realize it was possible if I wanted to do it) but rather I see how much you have to really love doing it for it to be worth it. And this family really loves it! It shows in every word on this book.

[Chris Massa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great starter guide and I could’ve given it 5 if it the Blue Yeti and Audacity weren’t recommended but that’s just me.

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio version great- entertaining and informative with a side of snark. I now know enough to convince my husband he should have a podcast.

[Bobby Pressly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these silly lads

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this thinking it would be like the nonfiction books of most other YouTubers/podcasters - fan service, gimmicky, or trying too hard for laughs. It was honestly, truly, a good book for helping people start to podcast. If you're a fan of one of their shows, there's interesting information in there when they use a certain show as an example of something, and their personalities shine through so you can tell who wrote each section. To be honest, as a TAZ listener, I missed having Clint's voice in there too.

[Brendan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a surprisingly practical how-to guide on how to podcast. There are jokes, asides, and ladles of charm, but it's really meant to teach you how to get started podcasting. If you are a member of the McElroy fandom who wants to start a podcast, this is the book for you! Everyone else...?

[Guinevere DelaMare · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned stuff! The book delivers on its promise.

[Christian Wermeskerch · Rating 3 out of 5]

An oddly informative take on podcasting. I expected mostly goofs, but instead Humor left the room so they could actually teach!

[Matt Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The McElroy family has most certainly earned the moniker 'the First Family of Podcasting.' 'My Brother My Brother and Me' begins with the warning that "their advice should never be followed" but I doubt that's true in regards to 'Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You).' As someone who already has a podcast, but is still establishing a larger audience, I found the book incredibly insightful. Sure, a lot of the book falls under the heading of "review" for someone who has already released a slew of episodes, but even the chapters on recording and preparation were full of 'why haven't I thought of that?!" moments.

If you're fans of Justin, Travis, and Griffin, you'll also be pleased to hear that their comedy and personalities don't disappear when translated to the page. While instructional in nature, the book is full of laughs and will be enjoyed by both anyone passingly interested in the inner-workings of podcasts, to those who hope to learn from the best (and anyone in between). If that's you, I highly recommend picking it up. If I had to give it one criticism, I was personally hoping their chapter on marketing and audience expansion would have been a little more robust, but on the whole I found a lot to learn from the book.

The McElroys have their own network of shows, and two of the popular podcasts of all time. They're undeniably experts in the field (not to mention they know a thing or two about comedy as well.) I came to the book expecting both laughs and insight and it did not disappoint.

[Cory Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone that is struggling with a new podcast and all the subtle nuances associated with it, I am incredibly thankful and appreciative of this book. If course, I am also a fan of The Adventure Zone and will be seeking out other McElroy endeavors.

Podcasting is simple, but so is chess: basic knowledge can you get you through a show and through a game - but if you want to compete with the myriad other podcasts in the world, you might want to learn how to protect your castle from getting pawned or your queen from getting kinged, or your bishop from getting knighted (honestly, I really suck at chess, and creating metaphors for it). What was I even saying?

Right. Podcasting. The McElroy Family dominate in this field and anyone interested in making online magic will learn a lot from them - and laugh a lot along the way. Did I happen to mention that the book is informative and funny??

Ergo, if you want to podcast, and even if you are currently podcasting, this book is a tremendous help - it can even balance a desk microphone almost perfectly.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the reviews gave it a low star because it made them realize they didn't want to podcast? Content creation is hard. It takes work. As someone who has consumed podcasts for over 10 years, I still learned a few things. It made me feel confident to start making and to fail.

The book is a little dated talking about Twitter. It was a simpler time boys. Though that platform doesn't exist, the lessons are very transferrable to other social media platforms.

Also, I got the physical book and immediately realized that was a mistake and got the audiobook. Highly recommend letting them talk through it all. Listening to Justin laugh at the jokes he wrote is always gold. I do plan to revisit the physical copy to review a few sections in more detail (i.e. editing).

[Berkeley Andrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic guide to starting, growing, and monetizing a podcast. I've been cohosting a podcast for about 6 months so I knew more than the average Joe going into it, but it was still immensely helpful. The book starts with the very basics and works you through to the tools that professional podcasts rely on. It also has a healthy serving of encouragement to help new podcast producers get through the difficult early stages. On top of all the educational content, the book was an absolute delight to read. The McElroy brothers have a great dynamic after years of producing comedy podcasts, and it definitely came through in their writing. I was laughing out loud every few pages from beginning to end.

[Katie Followell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literally just a how to guide on how to make a podcast. I currently have no intention to make a podcast, so I just skimmed this one.

But I adore these good good boys and thoroughly enjoyed their banter with each other and easy to read directions. Some of the advice included was helpful for other areas in my life!

Wait, if they're known for giving bad advice, should I take their advice about podcasting? Hmm

[August Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

i read this book because i love the McElroy family. i had no intention on making a podcast going into this book and now that i've finished i still don't have the urge to do make one. but this book was very educational and speckled with fun. it's easy to skip the chapters that you wouldn't need and if you want to just get some highlights the notes in the sections can help guide where the conversation is.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have little to no interest in starting a podcast but pretty much have to consume everything that the McElroys produce so here we are. I think you'll like this if you (like me) love MBMBAM, but I also think it would be a super helpful guide to people who do want to start a podcast. (In fact, I was almost expecting there to be more goofs and less advice than there was.)