Starting a podcast or creating content today can feel easy but also confusing. There are more options and tools than ever before! On this episode of Hustle and Flowchart, I sat down with Jacob Gooden, the guy who makes sure our show sounds and looks good, and who helps all kinds of creators with their podcasts and content. Jacob has years of experience running podcasts, editing content, using smart tools like Descript and Castmagic, and guiding new creators on where to focus.

You don’t need fancy equipment to get started anymore. In our talk, Jacob shared his journey from wanting to be a podcaster for years, sitting on an idea, to finally launching his own podcast. We covered how to figure out your “why,” how to get content ideas out of your head, which tools are the easiest to use, and how staying consistent can help you reach more people.

Whether you’re a solo creator, a business owner, or just someone who wants to try making a show for fun, this episode breaks down what you need to know. We also talked about why you shouldn’t worry about being everywhere, how to scale your workflow, and tips for getting help as your show grows.

Getting Started as a Content Creator

Jacob Gooden explained that now is the easiest time ever to be a content creator. Phones in our pockets work as cameras and microphones. Free and cheap apps do what once took expensive studios. But, with so many tools and platforms—TikTok, podcasts, blogs, YouTube, and more—it can make your head spin about where to start.

Key points:

• Use what you have. You don’t need a giant budget to start.
• Try different things, see what sticks, and learn as you go.
• Commit to starting, even if it looks rough (“start ugly” is the motto from Chris Krimitsos).
• Phones work great to record your first episodes or videos.

Finding Your Why and Picking the Show Type

Before you make your show, get clear about why you want to create and what you’ll talk about. Jacob shared how he sat on a podcast idea for years, thinking about different topics. He didn’t want to make just another “people talking on a couch” show. During COVID, old friends inspired him to finally start a podcast about being homeschooled and how it shaped who he is now.

Takeaways:

• Ask yourself: Why are you making this show? Who should it help or connect with?
• Be honest and specific with your purpose. Jacob's current podcast helps other homeschoolers, parents, and anyone curious about homeschooling.
• Your show’s goal can change over time. Jacob’s podcast got deeper and more meaningful as he produced more episodes.
• It’s normal for your first ideas to change. Keep checking in with yourself about your intentions.

The Best Tools and Gear (Without Breaking the Bank)

Many people wait too long to start because they worry about not having fancy gear. Jacob and I both think you should just start with what you have and upgrade as you go along.

Important advice:

• A phone is enough to begin recording both audio and video.
• Use free or budget-friendly apps like Riverside.fm, Zoom, or the built-in camera app.
• “Start ugly” and don’t worry about perfection.
• If you want to upgrade, get a better microphone (Jacob likes the Shure MV7) and later a dedicated camera, but the phone is great for most people.

“Just pull the thing that’s in your pocket, your phone, and start figuring out how to use this to make something—that’s what’s incredible,” Jacob said.

Easy Editing and Workflow Tips

Editing can feel hard when you’re new, but with tools like Descript, it gets way easier. Jacob walked through his editing process and shared some tricks:

• Descript lets you edit audio and video like fixing a Word doc. Delete “ums,” filler words, long pauses, or bad takes quickly.
• Recording your show into Descript or...