For beginners, we recommend that you pick up a USB microphone, a pop filter, headphones. You'll also need a computer (Windows or Mac).

Pop filter – $10-$15 Neewer – windscreen for your microphone. Amazon | Walmart

More advanced users may want to buy an XLR microphone, audio interface, mixer, and a microphone stand.

Microphone boom arm – $100 Blue Compass – mount your mic to your desk. Amazon | B&H

Audio interface – $160 PreSonus Studio – plug your mic into your PC. Amazon | B&H

Mic activator – $150 Cloudlifter – boost the output of your microphone. Amazon | B&H

How to publish your podcast audio

Once you've created your audio, it's time to upload it to a hosting provider and generate your podcast feed. Every podcast needs:

A webserver to host MP3 files,

A way to create new episodes, and add show notes,

A way to publish new episodes, and update the podcast's RSS feed,

And a way to generate a valid RSS feed.

This is where a podcast hosting company comes in.