NPR's Podcast Start Up Guide: Create, Launch, and Grow a Podcast on Any Budget

by Glen Weldon

From NPR comes the definitive guide to podcasting—featuring step-by-step advice on how to find a unique topic, tell the best stories, and engage the most listeners, as well as the secrets that will take your pod to the next level.

Whoever you are, whatever you love, there’s a podcast audience waiting for you, and in today’s booming audio storytelling landscape, it’s never been easier to share your voice with the world. But while the barrier to entry for podcast production is relatively low (just the cost of a mic and a laptop), the learning curve is steep—and quality matters. That’s where NPR comes in. 
 
In  NPR’s Podcast Start Up Guide,  Glen Weldon draws on NPR’s extensive educational materials and army of talent—from recognizable hosts, such as Guy Raz ( How I Built This ), Gene Demby ( Code Switch ), Linda Holmes ( Pop Culture Happy Hour ), and Yowei Shaw ( Invisibilia ), to indispensable behind-the-scenes players, such as producers, engineers, and editors—to guide aspiring podcasters through the conception, creation, and launch of a podcast.
 
Part master class, part candid informational interview with the best in the business, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to make their dream of starting a podcast a reality. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Writing, Social Media, How To, Self Help, Technology

304 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2021

About the author

Glen Weldon is a contributor to NPR's pop culture blog Monkey See, where he posts weekly about comics and comics culture. He also reviews books and movies for NPR.org and is a regular panelist on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast.

Over the course of his career, he has spent time as a theater critic, a science writer, an oral historian, a writing teacher, a bookstore clerk, a PR flack, a seriously terrible marine biologist and a slightly better-than-average competitive swimmer.

Weldon is the author of Superman: The Unauthorized Biography, a cultural history of the iconic characte. His fiction and criticism have appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine, Story, The Iowa Review, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, The Dallas Morning-News, Washington City Paper, Quarterly West, the American Literary Review and many other publications. He received an NEA Arts Journalism Fellowship, a Ragdale Writing Fellowship and a PEW Fellowship in the Arts for Fiction.

Reviews

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great, practical guide to podcasting! I’ve been running a baby podcast since last year (Chapter 3 Podcast for readers of sci-fi, fantasy and romance) but I came to it from YouTube which is really a different medium. This taught some helpful things and gave me food for thought. It also made me realize how intense the job of professional audio producers is! The sheer number of steps involved is wild. I do some editing but I could definitely up my game and I may try a few of the things here. Also great tips on vocal and breathing exercises. Plus I learned apple juice helps clear phlegm if you need a clear throat for speaking! I might look into getting a physical copy of this as a reference text and would definitely recommend to anyone looking to start or grow a podcast. I think they did a good job of balancing tips for smaller creators who have to weigh their resources with speaking to larger companies or organizations getting into this space. It’s approachable, but takes things seriously.

I listened to the audiobook which was fantastic and especially helpful in demonstrating some of the audio things they’re talking about in the text. I received an audio review copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Luna Seranova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. And I love Glen. This book is like sitting down with your millennial-core tech uncle who is so excited for you to start a podcast but also wants you to take it seriously and be the best you absolutely can be. I will, Glen. 🫡 I’ll do it for you.

As a long-time lover of NPR, I had a great time with this book. Between the quippy aside footnotes and the piles (I’m talking PILES) of information, I highly recommend this book to anyone considering entering (or continuing in) the podcast world.

[Kimberly Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful. I can’t even count all the post it notes I have strewn throughput these pages.

[Lobo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Az a legrosszabb hatása a könyvnek, hogy természetesen most megint viszket a fülem és újabb podcastokat akarok csinálni. De majd alszom rá egyet és elmúlik.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A continuation of my crush on Abbi Jacobson, lol. I listened to her podcast, A Piece of Work, and I liked her voice on it so much that for a couple weeks, I was convinced I could make my own podcast, A Train of Thought.

I just really wanted to see if I could replicate that exact quality, no matter what. I would have unapologetically mimicked the sound effects, the transitions, the intimacy of really good audio, the out-and-about fun of talking to friends. For me, this would have all been my internal monologues recorded during my really long commutes on the Red Line, but whatever.

My takeaway is that I don't want to start a podcast, at all. I don't have a target audience, any stakes, nor the time. I just want to make weird Miranda July-inspired "audio art" (?), "audio essays" (?) or maybe just know that I could produce something at that production level, for fun.

This guide was excellent, though. It could probably be applicable for starting a YouTube channel, or any kind of media project. The start-to-finish of questions to ask and the nitty-gritty to consider.

[Brenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I resisted reading the NPR Guide to Podcasting for some time. I'm not sure why ... perhaps it's because their podcasts are huge or that they come from journalism. I don't know.
In any case, when I decided to teach an undergraduate Podcasting class, this was the only guide that would work. It is brief, well-written, funny, engaging, and useful. I was able to adapt the ideas and exercises to walk students through the first 4 stages of podcasting--Development, Preproduction, Production, and Postproduction--and parts of the 5th stage--Distribution (and Reflection).
I purchased the Kindle and Audible audiobook. I also order a paper copy for our on-campus podcast lounge (Studio 303). The audiobook was brilliant, featuring a dozen or more NPR hosts and producers. In my mind, you need to pair the audiobook with a print or e-copy. The paperback has large margins for making notes or adding material.
Also, the NPR Guide has pointed out 76 things I did wrong with the MaudCast. Perhaps we can catch 8 or 10 of those for season 3 this spring!

[Kristin Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook read by the author.

This book is not only packed with helpful information, it is an interesting and fun listen. I don't have a plan to podcast, yet have been making audio versions of my writings. The things I learned here are applicable to making any audio media.

This would make an excellent reference book in hard copy.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have never read a how-to book that was funny and informative, thanks NPR

[TheCalloftheLibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

easily without any doubt the best of these guides by far. no question.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, informative, super readable. An excellent introduction to podcasting.

[Mark Dyck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of everything required to launch a podcast that could stand beside any show in the NPR lineup.

I'm in my fourth year podcasting (140+ episodes) and still, I loved the book, because it gave me a real sense of what 'the next level' might look like for my show.

I especially liked the discussion of the various roles people play in creating a show, including editor, producers and engineers. I do it all myself and you might too, but it's so helpful to understand the various 'hats' you wear in the process.

Bottom line for me is that the book helped me think of my podcast as a media entity that is worth taking seriously. I'm brimming with ideas for tweaks and improvements within each episode and with the show at large.

[Chris Boutté · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read hundreds of non-fiction books a year because I love to learn about interesting topics, so I started The Rewired Soul podcast where I interview authors about their books. It’s been taking off faster than expected, and although I’ve been a content creator for a while now, I don’t know much about the podcast space. I grabbed this book because NPR has been doing audio content right for a long time, so I wanted to learn from some of the best. This book has just about everything you need to know about starting, improving, and marketing a podcast, so it definitely delivers on the title. I also think they did a pretty good job speaking to small, independent creators as well as companies who may want to create a podcast for some more brand visibility. Although I received a ton of a value from this book, I will say that a lot of the information was very remedial, but that’s only because I personally have some experience already. Regardless, there are plenty of chapters in here where I was taking notes about conducting better interviews, marketing, and other strategies to fine-tune my podcast, so I do recommend this book for people of all levels in the podcast space.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was received as an ARC from Ten Speed Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I could not think of a better book to help get you started with your podcast than NPR's Podcast Startup Guide. While reading this book and according to my knowledge on primary sources, this definitely would qualify as a primary source from one of the most elite radio broadcasting companies. I have listened to many podcasts through NPR and I am always amazed on how brilliantly executed they are and now after reading, I can definitely see the hard work that goes into creating a podcast. I will definitely recommend this book to our library community that are interested or looking into starting up their own podcast.

We will consider adding this title to our Computers and Technology collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

[Andrew Crandall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this as an audiobook out of boredom. It was interesting and centered around tips to create a product that people will want to listen to. It gives general production tips but for the most part doesn't dive deep into any technical how to's. While interesting, as an audiobook it's only interesting enough for while doing chores, walking etc. If you're researching with plans to actually start a podcast it may be helpful but you'll want the book version unless to plan to listen to it in front of your computer pausing every five minutes to take notes.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

NPR has definitely seen success at the podcasting format, given their previous decades of radio expertise. I picked up this book and was quite happy with it in general. It goes through the flow of podcast development with much more forethought than I had. I think they take this stuff very seriously and it shows when they give advice on all kinds of formats and team development.

I think it definitely makes podcasts feel a bit intimidating and more work than you'd otherwise think. That's probably true. So I'd definitely recommend this.

[Samuel Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came into reading this book as a casual listener of some of NPR's podcasts with the goal of understanding what it takes to start a podcast of my own. I would say this book definitely provided direction, especially if you are brand new to the space. It won't give you absolutely everything you need, but will definitely start you on the right track!

[Bekah Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This an in-depth podcast guide from planning, creating to launching and growing. It was interesting and written in a digestible format. If you are looking into starting a podcast, start here! It has it all (and it’s recently released so the information is relevant).

[Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good!

[Jess Macallan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Two Readers in Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and yet substantial guide to podcasting.

[Adam Bemma]

Highly recommended for the aspiring podcaster.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missing advice on what topic to pick specifically. It said more about what not to do. But very good advice on everything else assuming you have a topic in mind.

[Alex Matzkeit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confirmed a lot. I learned some. And I will never convince my cohosts to subscribe to this philosophy of podcasting - which makes me both sad and exhausted.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read. Seems like good advice from authentic experts. If I get some good use out of it someday, I will bump up the rating.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A go-to reference, most importantly, the technical information, if one wants to dive into making podcast. Other than content, technical support is vital and takes time to figure out.

[KickingitwithR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent set of guides and exercises for beginners. Highly recommend pausing really thinking on the material.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good info. Of course, by the time I ever get around to creating a podcast, it will be out of date.

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful and practical. Made me feel like I’m on very solid footing when (if ever) I ever decide to start thinking about starting a podcast.

[Laraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide you’ll keep going back to to begin the process of considering a podcast of your own.

[maney man · Rating 4 out of 5]

for a random read this was very informative and i’m glad i read it, cause tbh everyone having a podcast just didn’t make sense to me especially when there’s a literal process