You bought the gear… now what?

In this episode of Snohomish Podcast Playground, Trent walks you through how to set up your podcast equipment step-by-step—starting with the most overlooked part: where you record. Because the wrong room can make even great microphones sound like you’re talking in a cave.

What we cover in this episode

• Pick the right recording space (and which spaces to avoid)
• Simple ways to reduce echo using what you already have: books, rugs, curtains, clothes, blankets
• How to set up your mic stand so your gear stays stable (and doesn’t crash mid-recording)
• XLR basics: what plugs where, and how to get that “click” connection
• How to connect your mic to a mixer/recorder (and why channel numbers matter)
• Headphone setup tips (including when you’ll need a ¼-inch adapter)
• Gain vs. fader/slider: a beginner-friendly way to set levels without getting overwhelmed
• Why you should test your full setup before a guest shows up (and how to “playground test” it)

The big takeaway

You don’t need a perfect studio—you need a good space, a clean connection, and a little time to test and play before you record for real.

Music: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/

Ready to hit record? This episode breaks down exactly what gear you need to launch your podcast—without wasting money or getting lost in technical jargon.

Here’s what we cover:

• Why gear matters (and when it doesn’t): The right mic helps, but a good story and solid prep matter more.
• Microphones explained: USB vs. XLR, and why your mic is the most important piece of equipment.
• Headphones, cables, and interfaces: What you need for monitoring, connecting, and recording.
• Mixers and recorders: From simple setups to pro-level options.
• Budget breakdowns: Starter kits for entry, mid-tier, and pro levels—plus what you can expect to spend.
• Pro tips: Where to invest, what you can upgrade later, and how to avoid common mistakes.
• Links to recommended gear: Find every product mentioned, from the Shure MV7 and Blue Yeti to the Rodecaster Pro II.

Featured gear:

• Shure MV7 (USB/XLR mic): Official | Amazon
• Blue Yeti (USB mic): Official | Amazon
• MXL BCD-1 (XLR mic): Official | Amazon
• Zoom LiveTrak L-8 (Mixer/recorder): Official | Amazon
• Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (Audio interface): Official | Amazon
• Rode Procaster (XLR mic): Official | Amazon
• Zoom PodTrak P8 (Podcast recorder): Official | Amazon
• Shure SM7B (Pro XLR mic): Official | Amazon
• Rodecaster Pro II (Pro mixer/interface): Official | Amazon

Takeaways:

• Get a clear roadmap for building your setup—whether you’re on a tight budget or ready to go pro.
• Learn why planning and testing matter more than expensive gear.
• Walk away with the confidence to start recording, knowing exactly what’s essential and what can wait

You know WHY you're starting a podcast. Now what?

In this episode of Snohomish Podcast Playground, Trent bridges the gap between big ideas and actual execution. This is where your podcast stops being a concept and starts becoming real—with three actionable steps that will shape everything from your episode calendar to your show's identity.

The 3-Step Action Plan:

1. Brainstorm Your Topics (Start Here, Even If Nothing Else Is Clear) Trent flips the script: instead of forcing yourself to nail down your goal and audience first, start by listing every topic you want to cover. Why? Because your topics will reveal your theme, refine your goals, and even help you discover who you're really talking to. Your topic list becomes your roadmap—and your safety net against "I don't know what to record this week" syndrome.

2. Design Your Episode Flow What does your podcast actually sound like, start to finish? Trent walks through creating a repeatable structure (cold open, intro music, welcome, segments, outro) that makes production easier for you and creates familiarity for your audience. The key? Treat it as a guideline, not a prison. Document it, but don't be afraid to evolve it.

3. Record Your First Episode (Even If You Never Publish It) This is your safety check. Record an episode introducing your podcast—what it's about, why it matters, who it's for. You'll be amazed at the new phrases, ideas, and clarity that emerge when you actually say it out loud. This recording will teach you more than any planning session ever could.

Key Moments:

• [00:26] – Why listing topics FIRST can solve your goal/audience confusion
• [02:52] – How topics reveal your theme (and help you name your show)
• [04:22] – The accountability trap: Why "once a week" becomes "once a month" becomes nothing
• [05:28] – Trent's Excel spreadsheet method for planning an entire season
• [06:56] – What is episode flow? (Hint: It's not how often you publish)
• [08:45] – A sample episode structure breakdown (cold open → music → welcome → segments → outro)
• [10:35] – Why your flow should be a guideline, not a handcuff
• [11:42] – The importance of documenting your flow (even on paper)
• [12:11] – Why your first recording probably won't become your first episode (and that's okay)
• [14:22] – The "safety check" before you open the playground to everyone

The Reality Check:

"After four episodes, we are just now getting to where you can really start enjoying that playground, right? We're setting all the structure, putting all the cement down."

This isn't the glamorous part. But it's the part that keeps your podcast alive past Episode 3.

What You'll Walk Away With:

✅ A topic list that guides your entire first season✅ A documented episode flow that makes production predictable✅ A first recording that reveals what your podcast actually wants to be✅ The confidence to hit record—even if it's messy

Perfect for: Aspiring podcasters who are stuck in planning paralysis, creators who have big ideas but don't know where to start, anyone who's afraid to hit record without a "perfect" plan, and podcasters who keep skipping weeks because they "don't know what to talk about."

Coming up next: The fun stuff—naming your podcast, cover art, theme music, and all the creative elements that make your show uniquely yours.

Ready to stop planning and start building? 🎙️

Produced & Edited by: Olivia Blomberg
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/

You know what a podcast is. But should YOU actually start one?

In this episode of Snohomish Podcast Playground, Trent tackles the three critical questions every aspiring podcaster needs to answer BEFORE hitting record—questions that will save you time, frustration, and help you build something people actually want to listen to.

The Three Questions That Define Your Podcast:

1. What’s your goal? What do you want to get out of this? Entertainment? Education? Community building? Brand promotion? There’s no wrong answer—but you need to know YOUR answer.

2. What’s the value? Why should anyone care? What will listeners walk away with after each episode? What makes YOUR perspective worth their time?

3. Who’s your audience? Not “everyone.” ONE person. The more specific, the better. Meet your podcast persona.

Key Moments:

· [00:49] – The three questions that will shape your entire podcast

· [02:17] – What’s the impact you want to have? (Spoiler: It’s okay if it’s just for fun)

· [04:28] – Why “talking to everyone” means you’re talking to no one

· [06:33] – The power of the persona: Creating your ideal listener (even if they’re fictional)

· [08:08] – The sawmill test: Why should anyone care about YOUR story?

· [09:10] – How detailed should your persona be? (Income, pets, commute time—yes, really)

· [10:18] – Why focusing on ONE person attracts MORE listeners (not fewer)

· [11:11] – “I want to talk with my buddy” isn’t a podcast strategy

The Reality Check:

Trent breaks down why “we have funny garage conversations” isn’t enough to build an audience—and what you need to add to make those conversations valuable to strangers.

He also tackles the common fear: “But I want to reach MORE than just one person!” The truth? When you try to speak to everyone, you connect with no one. But when you speak directly to one specific person, you’ll be surprised how many others show up.

The Persona Exercise:

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how to create a detailed listener persona: - What’s their age range? - What’s their income level? - Are they married? Do they have pets? - How long is their commute? - When do they listen to podcasts? - What problems are they trying to solve?

The more detailed you get, the easier everything else becomes—from episode topics to marketing to monetization.

Trent’s Promise:

No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just the honest questions you need to answer to build a podcast that matters—whether that’s to 10 people or 10,000.

Coming up next: The “not fun stuff” that will make your life SO much easier down the road. (Trust us, you’ll want to hear this before you launch.)

Ready to define your playground? 🎙️

Produced & Edited by: Olivia Blomberg
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/

What happens when a local historian decides to try something completely different? You get a spine-chilling true crime story from 1874 Snohomish—complete with dramatic narration, sound effects, and a murder that shocked the territory.

In this special episode, Trent sits down with Taylor Russell of Snohomish Walks to discuss the making of her first-ever true crime podcast episode. Then, you'll hear the full dramatic production of "The Seybert Tragedy"—a story of violence, survival, and justice in pioneer Washington that Taylor unearthed during years of cemetery research.

Behind-the-Scenes Highlights:

• [00:38] Why Taylor finally said "yes" to trying podcast format after years of hints from Trent
• [02:38] The perfect storm: Fall spookiness + finished research + curiosity = podcast experiment
• [04:37] From cemetery research to 300+ life stories: How Taylor's book Lost and Forgotten became a goldmine of podcast material
• [08:13] The creative process: Adapting 1980s "penny dreadful" style pamphlets into modern true crime format
• [10:35] Recording revelations: Why standing (not sitting) made all the difference for dramatic delivery
• [12:36] Post-production magic: Adding 20+ sound effects and finding the right pacing for maximum spookiness

Then, the main event at [17:23]: The complete true crime episode—The Seybert Tragedy

The Story: February 23, 1874. A blood-soaked cabin on the Snohomish River. A 16-year-old boy with an axe. A father with a dark reputation. What sounds like a simple murder case becomes a gripping exploration of domestic violence, mental health, and frontier justice.

Taylor's take: "What makes a really good crime drama is that it has a good balance of elements... It makes your heart and soul decide where you stand on this issue."

This isn't your typical true crime podcast—it's hyper-local history told with national-level production quality. It's proof that the most compelling stories aren't always happening somewhere else. Sometimes they're buried right in your own backyard.

Perfect for: True crime fans, local history buffs, aspiring podcasters curious about dramatic storytelling, and anyone who wants to hear what's possible when you step outside your comfort zone.

Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of domestic violence, child abuse, and murder.

Ready to experience Snohomish history like never before? 🎙️🔪

Story from: Taylor Russell
Produced and Edited by: Trent DeVerter
Intro Music: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/

“We should totally do a podcast!” Sound familiar? We’ve all had that conversation—but how many of those ideas actually become real shows?

In this no-BS episode, Trent climbs the ladder on the podcast playground to answer the questions every aspiring podcaster needs to hear: What actually counts as a podcast? What format is right for you? And most importantly—should YOU really start one?

Key Moments:

• [00:42] The 5 podcast formats explained: Interview, Monologue, Co-hosted, Narrative Fiction, and Repurposed Content (plus why most successful shows blend multiple formats)
• [04:14] The honest truth about TIME vs. MONEY: Podcasting will cost you one or the other—here’s how to decide
• [04:42] Why your “hilarious” conversation with friends might not translate to a successful podcast (and how to know if your idea has legs)
• [08:31] The Playground Invitation: Want to test your podcast idea? Trent will help you develop it, record a pilot episode, and get real feedback—right here on this show
• [10:18] Trent’s best advice: Just hit record and play

The bottom line? Podcasting isn’t a “snap your fingers and it’s done” situation. Even with AI tools and automation, you still need to invest real time or real money. BUT—if you’re curious, if you have something to say, if you want to test the waters before diving in fully… that’s exactly what this playground is for.

The real timeline revealed: From first conversation to published episode takes about 3 months minimum—here’s everything that happens in between (cover art, audience targeting, structure, editing, music, and more).

Trent’s mantra: Just hit record. Capture that idea on your phone. Share it with friends. See what happens. Because podcasts are meant to be accessible—your chance to broadcast your message without needing a radio station or TV network.

Perfect for: Anyone who’s ever thought about starting a podcast, current podcasters questioning their format, or people who want to understand what goes into creating a successful show.

Ready to play? Let’s go! 🎙️

Produced & Edited by: Olivia Blomberg
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/

Ever wonder how podcasts actually started? Spoiler alert: it wasn’t in 2004!

Join Trent on a time-traveling journey through over 40 years of podcasting history that will completely change how you think about this medium. Discover the surprising 1980s origins of “audio blogging” when Radio Computing Services was already delivering digital content to radio stations—two decades before anyone said the word “podcast.”

In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why “podcast” has “iPod” in the name (even though you never needed one to listen!) - The game-changing moment in 2003 when Dave Weiner and Christopher Lydon created the first audio RSS feed - How Adam Curry and Dave Weiner launched iPodder—the very first podcast hosting platform - The 2014 breakthrough that changed everything: Serial hits 5 million downloads and doubles podcast listenership in just 5 years - Why the 2020 pandemic became podcasting’s rocket fuel moment - The jaw-dropping stat: Americans now listen to 773 million hours of podcasts EVERY WEEK

Here’s the best news: If you’ve ever thought you’re “too late” to start a podcast, this episode will prove you wrong. With over 55% of Americans 12+ listening to podcasts monthly, 2024 is officially the year podcasts hit mainstream—which means we’re just getting started.

From audio blogging to video podcasting and beyond, this is the origin story every podcaster (and podcast fan) needs to hear. Welcome to the playground! 🎙️

Produced & Edited by: Olivia Blomberg
Music: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/

Step onto the playground with Trent as he kicks off the Snohomish Podcast Playground! Whether you’re a curious listener or an aspiring podcaster, this is your invitation to play, explore, and grow in the world of Snohomish podcasts.

Music: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/