Out of LineHow to Start a Business Podcast as a Founder (Without a Studio or a Producer)
I host Out of Line, a podcast for leaders who are over the corporate BS. I also run myScout, which means I am not sitting around waiting for something to do. If I can run a weekly show on top of a company, the "I don't have time" excuse has a shelf life.
Here is what it actually takes, minus the influencer version.
1. Pick a lane you can talk about for 100 episodes
The fastest way to quit a podcast is to start one about nothing in particular. Out of Line is about leadership, staffing and running a real business, told by people who have done it. That lane gives me an endless guest list and a reason for the right people to listen.
Ask yourself two questions. Who do I want listening? And who do I already know that those listeners would want to hear from? If the answers line up, you have a show.
2. Book your first guests from your own network
Your first five guests should be people who already like you. They say yes, they show up on time, they talk honestly and they share the episode. My early guests were staffing founders and executives I had known for years, and those conversations are still some of the best on the show.
Do not wait until you have an audience to ask. Most people are flattered to be asked, and a good conversation is the pitch.
3. Record remotely and stop worrying about the studio
Every Out of Line episode is recorded remotely on Riverside. Guests click a link and join from their browser. Nothing to download. Each person is recorded on their own device, so if someone's internet gets shaky the final recording does not fall apart.
That matters more than any microphone. My guests are busy. If joining takes more than one click, I lose them.
What you actually need:
- A USB microphone and headphones
- A quiet room (closets work better than you'd think)
- Remote recording software with separate tracks for each person
I wrote a longer Riverside review if you want the details, and a Riverside vs Zoom comparison if you are trying to get away with Zoom.
4. Let the conversation run long
The polished answers come first. Everybody has their LinkedIn version of their story. The real stuff, the near misses, the money, the moment they almost quit, shows up after twenty or thirty minutes. That is why my episodes run long, and that is why people finish them.
Go in with a few questions, then follow the person, not the list.
5. Use AI for the parts that eat your week
Editing used to be the reason people quit podcasts. It does not have to be. I use AI tools for the repetitive work: cleaning up the recording, writing show notes, pulling clips and voicing intros. For voiceovers I use ElevenLabs, so I can write a promo script and have it voiced without recording it ten times. Here is my ElevenLabs review.
The rule: AI does the busywork, you do the conversation.
6. Publish on a schedule you can actually keep
Weekly is great if you can keep it. Every other week is fine. What kills a show is publishing three episodes in a month and then disappearing. Pick a day, batch your recordings and stay consistent. Out of Line drops on Tuesdays.
7. Give every episode a home on your own website
This is the part most founders skip. Apple and Spotify are where people listen, but your own site is where people find you. Every Out of Line episode has its own page with the show notes and, where available, the full transcript. Guests share their page, Google can read every word, and the show keeps working long after release week. You can see how it looks on the episodes page.
The honest truth about a business podcast
It is not a get famous quick plan. It is a relationship machine. Every episode is an hour of real conversation with someone you respect, and a piece of content that keeps showing up for you after it airs. For a founder, that is worth more than the download count.
If you want to hear how other founders run their businesses, start with any Out of Line episode.
Some links above are affiliate links. If you sign up through them I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Questions people ask
Do I need a studio to start a business podcast?
No. Every Out of Line episode is recorded remotely. Guests join from a link in their browser and each person is recorded on their own device, so you get clean audio and video without a studio.
How long should a business podcast episode be?
Long enough to get past the polished answers. Out of Line episodes usually run 45 to 75 minutes, because the good stuff shows up after the first twenty minutes.
How do I find guests for a business podcast?
Start with your own network. People you already know in your industry say yes faster, talk more openly, and share the episode when it comes out.
What equipment do I need to start a podcast?
A decent USB microphone, headphones, a quiet room and remote recording software. You can start with what you have and upgrade later.