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Beginner ⏱ 1-2 hours

Launch a Podcast

Record, edit, and publish your podcast with studio-quality audio

Riverside
RiversideRecording
 Descript
DescriptEditing

What You'll Build

A professionally produced podcast episode published to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Prerequisites

Architecture

Riverside records high-quality audio and video locally on each participant's device, then syncs the files. Descript imports the recordings for text-based editing, transcription, and cleanup. The final audio file gets uploaded to a podcast host.

Record (Riverside) → Edit (Descript) → Host (Spotify for Podcasters) → Distributed to all platforms

4 Steps

1Plan your first episode 2Record with Riverside 3Edit in Descript 4Publish to all platforms
1
Riverside

Plan your first episode

~15 min

Define your podcast format, prepare show notes, and invite your guest (if applicable).

  1. Decide on your format: solo, interview, or co-hosted
  2. Write a rough outline (not a full script - bullet points work best)
  3. Prepare 5-7 questions or talking points
  4. If interviewing, send your guest the Riverside link and a brief prep doc
  5. Do a quick tech check: test your microphone and internet connection
💡
Tip: Your first episode doesn't need to be perfect. Many top podcasters delete their first 5 episodes. Just start.
2
Riverside

Record with Riverside

~30 min

Record your episode with studio-quality local recording.

  1. Log in to Riverside and create a new Studio
  2. Name your studio and choose Audio + Video or Audio Only
  3. Share the studio link with your guest (they don't need an account)
  4. Do a quick sound check - Riverside shows audio levels for each participant
  5. Hit Record and have your conversation
  6. When done, Riverside automatically uploads the local recordings
💡
Tip: Record in a quiet room with soft surfaces (closets work surprisingly well). This matters more than an expensive microphone.
3
Descript

Edit in Descript

~30 min

Import your recording into Descript for text-based editing, filler word removal, and polish.

  1. Download your tracks from Riverside (separate tracks per speaker)
  2. Create a new project in Descript and import the audio files
  3. Descript auto-transcribes your audio - review and correct any errors
  4. Delete filler words: Edit → Remove Filler Words (ums, uhs, you knows)
  5. Cut any sections you don't want by simply deleting text in the transcript
  6. Add intro and outro music (Descript has a stock audio library)
  7. Export as MP3 at 128kbps (standard for podcasts)
💡
Tip: Descript's "Studio Sound" feature can make a cheap microphone sound professional. It's worth enabling.
4
Riverside

Publish to all platforms

~15 min

Upload to a podcast host and distribute to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else.

  1. Sign up for Spotify for Podcasters (free hosting)
  2. Create your podcast: name, description, cover art (3000x3000px), and category
  3. Upload your exported MP3 and add episode title, description, and show notes
  4. Copy the RSS feed URL from your host
  5. Submit your RSS feed to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Amazon Music
  6. Most platforms approve within 24-48 hours
💡
Tip: Your podcast cover art is the #1 factor in browse discovery. Invest in a good design - Canva has podcast cover templates.

🎉 You're Done!

A professionally produced podcast episode published to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

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