What Makes a Good Podcast? How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market
Lots of aspiring podcasters ask, “What makes a good podcast?”
The answer isn’t just high-quality audio or a solid content structure—those are table stakes. Meaning, you need them just to be able to compete.
To create a podcast that actually stands out, you need to tap into something only you can bring to the table:
- A unique perspective that sets your show apart
- A strong on-mic presence that keeps listeners engaged
- The ability to be a great conversationalist and listener – This might be the hardest skill to master.
Sure, most podcast topics have been done before, but you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Instead, you need a unique value proposition—a fresh take that only you can deliver.
A Unique Perspective: Your Expertise + Your Interests
Your podcast can’t just be another generic take on a broad topic—it needs an angle that makes people say, “I’ve never heard it like this before.” Or, ‘This is different—I didn’t expect this take on the topic.’”
How to Find Your Unique Podcast Concept
One of the best ways to create a show that stands out is by blending your expertise with your personal interests.
- Are you a lawyer who loves baseball? → A podcast on the legalities of sports contracts
- Are you a financial planner who owns their own company? → A show like “Debunking the Tax Code for Small Businesses”
- Love psychology and pop culture? → A show like “The Psychology Behind Celebrity Scandals”
Your experience + your passion = an angle only YOU can do.
This not only makes your podcast one-of-a-kind, but it helps keep you going when the excitement fades. If you’re truly an expert and genuinely interested in your topic, you’ll never run out of things to talk about.
You Need to Be Entertaining (Yes, Really)
No matter how great your content is, if you’re boring on the mic, people will tune out.
This isn’t something most podcasters want to hear, but it’s the truth: Some people just have that “wow” factor, and some don’t.
Some pizazz can be taught through putting in a lot of reps. But more often than not, its innate. But, don’t get discouraged. Work on yourself and study they greats.
Additionally, if your podcast is a combo of your life experience + your passion (as mentioned above), you’ll naturally have some “wow” factor, because you love what you’re talking about and you’re knowledgeable about it.
How to Be a More Engaging Podcast Host
Ok, so if you’re struggling to pull off vibrancy on the mic, here are something that will help you.
- Energy matters: Speak with passion, emphasis, and variation—don’t sound monotone.
- Be yourself: Over-scripting kills personality. Talk like you would in a conversation.
- Use humor and storytelling: People love personal anecdotes and real-life examples.
- Develop a strong opinion: Hot takes and strong perspectives keep listeners hooked
Keep working baby, you’ll improve.
Be Genuinely Interested in Your Guests
If your show is interview-based, you can’t just run through a list of questions—you need to be curious and know how to pull great dialogue from your guests.
The best interviewers are masters of casual yet meaningful conversation. They mix prepared questions with real-time curiosity to make the conversation flow naturally.
Keys to Great Podcast Interviews
Great podcast interviews start with research—you need to know your guest’s background well enough to ask deeper, more thoughtful questions. But a great interview isn’t just about preparation; it’s about listening and responding in the moment.
Instead of rigidly moving to the next question on your list, pay attention to what your guest is saying and dig into the interesting moments.
The best conversations feel natural, not scripted. Just as important, you need to let your guest shine.
Your job isn’t to dominate the conversation but to guide it, making them look great in the process. If you’re not genuinely interested in your guest, it will be obvious in your voice—and trust me, your audience will notice.
Be a Great Listener
A good podcast isn’t just about what you say—it’s about how well you listen. If you’re just waiting for your next turn to talk, you’re doing it wrong. This is where improv techniques come in.
“Yes, and…” – If That’s True, Then What Else is True?
Instead of jumping to the next question, build on what your guest just said.
For example, if a guest says they “learned more from their business failure than from their success,” a weak host might just nod and say, “That’s interesting,” before moving on to the next question.
A great host, however, would lean into the moment and add a comment that builds momentum:
Failure forces us to pay attention in ways success never does. In the moment, it probably felt like everything was falling apart, but looking back, you likely wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. Isn’t it funny how everything we go through sets us up for where we are now? It’s like the universe knows.
By acknowledging the guest’s perspective and expanding on it, you create a natural flow that keeps the conversation engaging.
Then, when it’s time for a follow-up question, you’re already in a deeper, more personal dialogue—rather than just rattling off a list of questions.
The best interviews don’t just ask questions—they uncover stories.
Class taught at places like the Upright Citizens Brigade, are powerful tools for creating engaging, real-time conversations. In 2016 I took Improv 101 at Upright Citizens Brigade in Hollywood. It taught me a lot about myself and how to stay present when interacting with people.
It was a lot of fun!
A STRONG Structure Makes a Podcast Good
A strong podcast structure keeps listeners engaged and ensures a smooth flow from start to finish.
Start with a compelling hook in the first 30 seconds to grab attention—this could be a question, a bold statement, or a quick preview of what’s coming.
Maintain a clear format, typically moving from an introduction to the main content and wrapping up with a strong outro that includes a call to action.
Consistency is key, so aim for a set length that aligns with your audience’s expectations, whether that’s a short 10-minute episode or an in-depth 45-minute discussion. A well-structured podcast helps retain listeners, improves clarity, and makes editing and production easier.
Over time, your audience will come to expect and appreciate the predictability of your format, making them more likely to tune in regularly.
A strong structure is essential—it’s a key factor in what makes a good podcast. A well-organized format keeps listeners engaged, ensures a smooth flow, and makes your content easier to follow.
The Technical Best Practices: The Table Stakes You Must Nail
Once you have a unique perspective, engaging delivery, and strong listening skills, then—and only then—should you focus on the technical fundamentals that make a podcast successful.
These are non-negotiable. If you don’t have at least an average knowledge of audio and video equipment you’ll struggle a lot in the beginning.
That’s not to say you can’t make a good podcast, but it’ll be a steeper learning curve.
High-Quality Audio: The Foundation of a Good Podcast
High-quality audio isn’t optional—it’s a necessity.
Investing in a solid microphone, like the Shure MV7 or the Samson Q2U, ensures your voice sounds crisp and professional. Recording in a quiet, acoustically treated space minimizes background noise and echo, making for a more polished listening experience.
If you want the easiest recording setup possible, a USB microphone with built-in processing and software like Riverside.fm lets you capture great sound without extra gear. This can significantly improve quality over built-in laptop or phone mics.
Proper editing is also crucial too. Are you going to outsource the editing work to a freelancer or agency like The Podcast Haven? If not, you need to get comfortable ASAP with tools like Descript, and Adobe Speech Enhancement.
These tools help clean up audio, remove filler words, and balance levels, beef up voices, reduce ancillary noise, and more, to keep your podcast sounding professional and engaging.
If you’ve got the gall to use a traditional DAW for podcast production, you’re going to need a fundamental understanding of techniques like multi-track editing, compression, and EQ, to create a listener-friendly sound.
Reliable Hosting and Distribution
A podcast is only as good as its reach, and that starts with reliable hosting.
Platforms like Captivate, Transistor, and Libsyn provide stable hosting, analytics, and distribution to all major directories, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
A good podcast host ensures your audio files load quickly, offers detailed listener insights, and allows for dynamic ad insertion if you plan to monetize. Using RSS feed validation tools ensures your podcast metadata is formatted correctly, preventing upload errors and ensuring maximum discoverability.
Mastering Podcast Loudness Standards
Your podcast’s audio should meet industry-standard loudness levels to sound professional across different platforms. Podcasts are typically mastered at -16 LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) for stereo and -19 LUFS for mono to ensure consistency. – Don’t worry about what the hell this is, but you’ve gotta do it.
If you insist on diving into this, check out iZotope’s article on LUFS. If you’re like most people and just want to learn what makes a good podcast without stressing yourself, tools like Auphonic and LANDR help normalize audio levels, reducing harsh peaks and ensuring a balanced sound across devices.
Proper loudness management prevents listeners from constantly adjusting their volume, creating a smoother and more professional experience.
This technical foundation ensures your podcast meets today’s professional standards, setting you apart from amateur productions. Without these essential elements, even the best content can be difficult to enjoy.
Video Podcasting for Maximum Reach
Video is becoming a major part of podcasting, with platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and TikTok driving discovery.
Recording in high resolution, preferably 1080p or 4K, ensures your video content looks sharp and professional.
A dedicated camera, will provide significantly better quality than a built-in webcam.
If budget is a concern, an iPhone or high-end Android phone with a tripod and proper framing can still produce excellent results. V
ideo podcasts should also be recorded in landscape format (16:9) for YouTube and repurposed into vertical clips (9:16) for social media platforms.
Lighting for a Professional Look
Good lighting is just as important as good audio in video podcasting.
Proper lighting eliminates shadows, highlights facial expressions, and gives your production a polished, high-quality look.
A three-point lighting setup (key light, fill light, and backlight) is ideal, with soft LED lights like the Elgato Key Light or Neewer LED panels providing even, flattering illumination.
I’ve been using some budget-friendly UBeesize softboxes for The Podcast Haven YouTube channel, and they’ve worked well for providing solid lighting.
If space or budget is limited, a simple ring light positioned in front of you can still improve visibility and reduce harsh shadows.
Natural light can work, but it’s inconsistent—so having a controlled lighting setup ensures you always look your best, no matter when you record. Pairing good lighting with a well-composed background, such as a clean studio setup or branded backdrop, enhances your overall production value.
With video and lighting dialed in alongside professional audio, your podcast stands out not just for what you say, but how you present it. High production value builds credibility, attracts new listeners, and increases your chances at producing a good podcast.
Final Thoughts: What Actually Makes a Good Podcast?
A great podcast isn’t just about having crisp audio or a solid format—it’s about creating something only you can bring to the table.
Your unique perspective, strong on-mic presence, and ability to engage in meaningful conversations are what truly make a podcast stand out.
Whether you’re blending expertise with passion, refining your storytelling skills, or mastering the art of great interviews, success comes from authenticity and continuous improvement.
Technical excellence matters—high-quality audio, proper editing, and strong distribution set the foundation—but no amount of production value can compensate for a boring show. If you’re genuinely excited about your topic and committed to honing your craft, your energy will resonate with listeners.
Keep experimenting, refining, and showing up—because the best podcasts aren’t just heard, they’re felt.