My Podcast Gear Setup!

Thinking About Starting a Podcast? Here’s My Simple Setup and Tips for Getting Started

If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast, my honest advice is simple: do it.

Podcasting has become one of my favourite ways to connect with people in health care, business, and entrepreneurship. It’s a chance to have meaningful conversations, share insights, and reach an audience in a format that feels real and unfiltered. But getting started can feel overwhelming if you’re new to the tech side.

The good news is that you don’t need a complicated or expensive setup. I record my episodes for The Health of Business Podcast using a small handful of tools that are reliable, affordable, and easy to use. Here’s a look at my setup and why I chose each piece of gear.

My podcast background.

Plants and hat not available online ;)

Recording Platform: Riverside.fm

Riverside is my go-to platform for remote podcast recording. It records both video and audio in high definition directly from each participant’s device, so you get professional-quality sound without worrying about internet lag or drops in connection.

You can invite guests with a simple link that also connects to your google calendar, record multiple tracks, and even edit within the platform. The AI tools included in the platform are also amazing for creating social media reels and YouTube Shorts. Editing is SO easy in Riverside. For podcasters who want to look and sound polished without a complicated workflow, Riverside is one of the best tools available.

Microphone: Blue Yeti

Blue Yeti is a classic for a reason. It plugs directly into your computer with a USB connection and delivers crisp, balanced sound. You can switch between recording modes depending on whether you’re solo or interviewing a guest.

If you’re starting your first show, this is an excellent investment because it is reliable, simple, and good enough quality to grow with your show and recording needs.

Camera: Logitech Brio 4K

Logitech Brio 4K gives me a clean, professional look on camera. It works seamlessly with Riverside and other video platforms. I like that it adjusts automatically to lighting changes and produces a sharp image without extra effort. It gives the option to record in multiple levels of definition.

If you’re recording a video podcast or repurposing clips for social media, this camera is a solid choice for quality and processing.

Headphones: Apple AirPods (or any with a wire)

I usually wear my Apple AirPods during recording, but honestly, it doesn’t matter what you use as long as you have something in your ears. The goal is to prevent your guest’s audio from echoing through your computer speakers and back into the recording.

Always remind your guests to wear headphones too. Wired options are great for longer recordings because you don’t have to worry about batteries dying mid-conversation (a very real fear I have, even if the batteries last forever on Airpods). A cheap and comfortable set with a soft tip is often the easiest way to go: here’s one I like.

Lighting: Soft Box Setup (and a Simple Ring Light Option)

I use soft box lights, which give a more even, diffused light than small ring lights and help create a professional look on video. They’re a bit bulkier but worth it if you want consistent, flattering light and plan to record regularly. The ones I ordered originally are no longer available, however these box lights are very similar and in the same price point.

If you prefer something smaller and easier to set up, a ring light like this one works well too. The key is to position your light slightly above and behind your camera to avoid harsh shadows and brighten your face naturally.

Final Thoughts on Cost and Priorities

My setup isn’t the cheapest way to start a podcast, but it’s the most affordable setup I’ve found for the level of quality it gives me. You can absolutely do this for less — even with your laptop’s built-in camera and a simple USB mic. You also don’t need to record video at all if you prefer to keep things audio-only.

If you’re working with a tight budget, start with a good microphone and a reliable pair of headphones. Those two pieces will make the biggest difference in how professional your podcast sounds. You can always upgrade lighting and cameras later once you’ve found your rhythm.

The most important thing is to start recording. You’ll learn as you go, and each episode will sound a little better than the last.

Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps support the work I do creating free resources and content like this. I’m genuinely grateful for your click and your support.