A couple of the myths around starting a podcast are pretty beat to death. And Carl Richards, of Podcast Solutions Made Simple, shares some new ones. Listen in as he shares 5 myths and his perspective on the role of AI in podcasting and whether or not video is required.
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Podcasting can feel like this mysterious, tech-heavy mountain that only the bravest business owners climb, but Carl Richards is here to bust that myth wide open.
Carl has spent more than 25 years behind the mic, and now he helps coaches, consultants, and other experts launch and maintain podcasts that actually work for their businesses. In our conversation, we dug into the five most common myths that stop people from starting and why none of them should hold you back.
1. The Money Myth
Many people get stuck on the idea that podcasting requires a huge upfront investment. Carl flips the question to instead of asking “How much will it cost?” ask “What’s the value of one client to me?”
If your podcast could bring in just one or two clients a year, would it be worth it? For most businesses, the answer is yes. And while high-end gear is nice, you can start with a decent microphone for $100–150 and still sound professional.
2. The Content Myth
The fear of running out of things to say keeps many would-be hosts silent. But you probably already have plenty of material like blog posts, social media content, course materials, even client conversations.
The challenge isn’t creating from scratch; it’s curating what you already know into podcast-friendly bites. Break big topics into smaller episodes, and keep a running “content brain dump” list to spark ideas.
3. The Competition Myth
With over 4 million podcasts out there, it’s easy to think there’s no room for yours. But compare that to the 11 billion websites online, there’s still plenty of space to carve out your niche. Most successful shows aren’t hosted by celebrities; they’re run by people just like you, connecting with the right audience in their own authentic voice.
4. The Tech Myth
Yes, there’s some setup involved, but you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Just like you’d hire an expert to fix your car or design your website, you can get help with editing, hosting, and production. If you do go the DIY route, focus on learning the basics, then upgrade your process as you grow.
5. The Time Myth
You don’t need hours upon hours to create a podcast. Episodes can be as short as five minutes, or longer if that’s what your audience wants. The sweet spot for many is 25–35 minutes, but there are no hard rules. By breaking content into smaller chunks, you’ll make production easier for you and listening easier for your audience.
On AI’s growing role in podcasting
AI can be a huge help by speeding up editing, cleaning audio, and improving video quality.
“AI is here to stay. It’s making it easier for the solo podcaster to get a podcast out consistently and save time… but people want the real version of you. They don’t want something that’s AI-generated talking about you, because at the end of the day, people don’t do business with AI. People do business with people.”
On video vs. audio
While video has become more common, audio remains the backbone of podcasting. Many listeners still consume episodes while multitasking, driving, exercising, cooking, where watching isn’t practical.
“Podcasts started out as audio only… and audio is still alive and well. Most people who engage with podcasts on YouTube are actually listening, not watching.”
He points out that Gen Z is more likely to listen than watch, and that your focus should be on the format your audience prefers, not just what platforms push.
The Takeaway
Just start.
If you’ve been thinking about podcasting for months, or years, take the first step. Get the information you need, decide your goals, and go for it. The hardest part is starting, but once you do, the rest becomes much easier.
You can learn more about Carl and his work at Podcast Solutions Made Simple, where you can explore resources, check out client success stories, and even book time to talk about your own podcasting plans.
