Podcasts have become one of the most popular ways to share ideas, tell stories, and connect with an audience. In this post, I’ll share my personal experience launching First Line and offer practical tips for anyone considering diving into the podcasting world.
Why I Started First Line
I have listened to podcasts since college and always thought about making one of my own. I had early experience in communications as an anchor for my high school's television program. I was a political science major in college and became a grassroots political activist, allowing me to be a guest on a very popular cable news morning show. I thought about starting a political podcast but ultimately decided against that around the time I committed to pursuing a medical career. For a few years, I considered combining my passion for communication, advocacy, education, and medicine. What I was learning in medical school reinforced my desire to start a medical education podcast because I saw a significant gap between the medical knowledge of professionals and the understanding of our patients. In everything I was learning about, the prevention and lifestyle changes that can lead to completely different health outcomes jumped out at me, further motivating me to contribute to promoting tangible ways to improve the body, mind, and spirit, which was a key part of the medical school I attended. I finally decided after taking the USMLE Step 1 and COMLEX Level 1 that it was time to take the leap and just start. Even though I did not yet have my medical degree, I focused on topics that I knew well. In the first 50 episodes (season 1 of First Line), I had a significant amount of content about clinical rotations, which I was currently completing as a third-year medical student. I eventually broadened to cover additional topics in medical education and branched into speaking about prevention and holistic health, women's health, and mental health.
I knew from the start that I wouldn't have many listeners because I didn't have a public platform previously. I told myself that even if an episode gets only one listen, it was worth the effort of sharing my insights. What began as a passion project quickly turned into a creative outlet and an opportunity to connect with a growing audience. I have since been able to monetize the podcast with several revenue streams, including multiple sponsorships with reputable brands.
However, the first year wasn’t without its challenges. From understanding the technical aspects to finding my authentic voice, there were plenty of lessons learned along the way. Here are some key takeaways and tips based on my journey of first starting the podcast.
Tips for Starting Your Own Podcast for Free
1. Define Your “Why”
Before diving in, ask yourself why you want to start a podcast. What message do you want to share? Understanding your purpose will help you stay motivated and guide your content decisions.
2. Pick a Niche
Choose a specific topic or audience for your podcast. Narrowing your focus can help you stand out in the crowded podcasting space. For example, First Line has content geared towards pre-med and medical students while other episodes are meant for a more general, health-conscious audience of individuals who want to learn more about a specific topic.
Select a Hosting Platform
I chose Anchor to host my podcast, which changed its name to Spotify for Podcasters and then again to Spotify for Creators. This enables you to start a podcast for free. The hosting platform is where you have your RSS feed, which means you upload your audio to this platform, and they disperse your podcast to several different podcasting platforms or apps. This means I upload my episodes to Spotify each week, and they become automatically available to Apple, Pandora, etc. Buzzspout is another popular one that I looked into but ultimately decided to go with Anchor.
4. Invest in the Right Equipment
You don’t need to break the bank, but good audio quality is essential. This is the microphone I use, which you can find on Amazon. I used Audacity for the first three seasons of First Line, which is free to download but is software that has a learning curve. For season 4, I've been using the free version of Riverside that is integrated into Spotify for Creators.
5. Plan Your Episodes
Creating a content plan can save you time and reduce stress. First, decide on what format you want to use. Do you want to do solo episodes like First Line or opt for more interviews, panel discussions, or co-hosting? Then, make a list of episode ideas. It helps to create a list of at least 10 to start with to get you through the first few months as you get the hang of editing and uploading. You don't need to record all 10 before you upload your first episode, but you should have a rough idea of what you want to cover in each episode. Also, think about how long you want your episodes to be. This can differ greatly; some podcasts have under 5-minute episodes while others are well over 1 hour or even 2 hours. For First Line, I opted to start with 20-30-minute episodes because my favorite podcasts had that length, and it fits nicely with the average commute time.
Pick a Name and Write a Podcast Description
You may have had a name picked out for a while, but you may also find that you know what you want to talk about first. But now that you are going through these steps, it is time to select a name. I find that shorter names work much better; you can always add a more descriptive subtitle, like First Line: Whole Person Mental Health. You also need to write a podcast description that fits within the limits set by your hosting platform. Spotify's limit is 600 characters. I recommend concisely explaining what your podcast is about and also introducing yourself.
Promote Your Podcast
Building an audience takes time and effort. Share your episodes on social media and engage with listeners. You'll need to get over your fear of self-promotion to be a successful podcaster. Embrace the shameless plug.
My Reflection After One Year
Looking back on my first few years with First Line, I’m amazed at how much I’ve learned and grown. Podcasting has taught me to be more confident, disciplined, and creative. It’s also given me a platform to connect with incredible people and share insights that matter. I can only see so many patients in a day, so this gives me the incredible opportunity to affect so many more people.
The journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been worth every challenge. If you’re thinking about starting your own podcast, I encourage you to take the leap.
If you’d like to hear more about my experience and specific tips, check out my podcast episode How to Start a Podcast: My Experience and Tips for Beginners. It’s an honest reflection of my journey, filled with tangible advice for newcomers.
Happy podcasting!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What equipment and software do I need to start a podcast?
Invest in a quality microphone like the one I use, which you can find on Amazon. For software, I began with Audacity (free to download) and later transitioned to Riverside, which integrates with Spotify for Creators. Both are excellent options for beginners.
How do I find an audience for my podcast?
Building an audience takes time and consistent effort. Start by promoting your episodes on social media platforms and engaging with your listeners. Don’t shy away from self-promotion—it’s essential for growing your reach. Over time, word-of-mouth and consistent quality will help attract more listeners.
How do I choose a name and description for my podcast?
Pick a name that’s short, memorable, and reflective of your content. You can add a descriptive subtitle to clarify your focus. Write a concise description (under 600 characters for Spotify) that introduces yourself and explains what your podcast is about.
How do I stay consistent with content creation?
Plan your episodes ahead of time to avoid stress. Decide on a format (solo, interview, panel, etc.) and brainstorm at least 10 episode ideas before starting. Determine the length of your episodes based on your audience’s preferences and your content. For First Line, I chose 20–30 minutes.