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Beginner

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.

  • Studio-quality remote recording via Riverside
  • Edited episode with intros, outros, and clean audio
  • Show notes and transcript
  • Published to all major podcast platforms

Prerequisites

  • A decent USB microphone (or even AirPods work for starting)
  • A Riverside account (check the linked profile for current access and limits)
  • A Descript account (check the linked profile for current access and limits)
  • A podcast hosting account (check current access, allowance and required features in the linked profile)

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 Creators) → Distributed to all platforms

4 Steps

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

Plan checks and sources

Plan-specific access matters more than a tool’s “free” label. Read the dated profile linked above, then confirm your seat count, usage, billing basis and required export or publishing feature.

Make · documentation read 26 October 2026. The Free plan has 1,000 credits/month. Most actions use one credit; some AI actions use more. Credits are not a guarantee of completed workflows. Official source.

Spotify for Creators · documentation read 26 October 2026. Spotify’s current product name is Spotify for Creators. Publication, distribution eligibility and approval timing require their own checks. Official source.

Before launch: use a synthetic record, verify permissions and output, test a failed action, and document how to reverse it. A successful checkout preview or API response does not prove a paid order, delivery or confirmed subscription.

1
Riverside

Plan your first episode

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

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

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

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

  1. Sign up for Spotify for Creators (check the linked profile for current access and limits)
  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, your chosen active podcast directory, and Amazon Music
  6. Approval timing varies by platform. Check the feed status before announcing availability.
Tip: Your podcast cover art is the #1 factor in browse discovery. Invest in a good design - Canva has podcast cover templates.

Validate before launch

Target outcome: A professionally produced podcast episode published to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Check the actual workflow, failure and recovery paths before publishing.

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