How to Start a Podcast/youTube Channel in 2025

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Written By Slav

1. Pick Your Passion & Niche

Start with what you love.

Are you into pop culture? Wrestling? True crime? Comics? Sports? Motivation? Food reviews? Talk about what you already talk about with friends. That’s your lane.

When I started Slav’s Free Talk, it was going to be just that Free talk.

Covering anything and everything in pop culture… movies, TV, games, whatever was buzzing that week.

But over time, I noticed my audience kept coming back for one thing more than anything else… DC.

Whether it was Superman rumors, debates, or SnyderVerse meltdowns, those were the videos that hit.

Now, while I still talk about all of pop culture, my core focus… my home base, is DC Comics and movies. And that evolution? It’s part of the journey.

✅ Tip: Don’t overthink your niche.

Start broad if you want, but be ready to adapt. Your audience will help shape your content. Listen to them, learn from them, and grow with them.

Sometimes your most successful lane isn’t the one you planned, it’s the one your community pulls you into.

2. Name Your Show (And Own Your Persona)

Pick something easy to remember, unique, and clear. You want your name to tell people what you're about… or at least feel like a vibe.

🧠 Examples:

  • “The Couch Critic”

  • “Side Hustle Stories”

  • “Talk Nerdy to Me”

Truth is…
Don’t be afraid to just use your own name.

Seriously. If you’re the product, the brand, the voice.

It’s perfectly fine to lean into you.

People connect with people, not logos. Names like “The Joe Rogan Experience” or “The John Campea Show” weren’t flashy… they just worked because the hosts showed up as themselves and built trust.

That said, understand this.
Once you hit upload, you’re in the public spotlight.

Even if you have two subscribers… You’re a public figure now.

So while the name of your show is important, your persona is even more important. Your tone, your look, your personality, your values… all of that is part of your brand whether you intend it or not.

Be authentic but also be intentional. Are you the expert? The funny one? The no BS critic? The hopeful fan? Define your vibe early, because people aren’t just subscribing to your content… they’re subscribing to you.

🎭 Tip: Think of your show as a combination of your message + your name + your energy.

Make it something you’d want to follow.

And remember: you can always refine your identity as you go. I did.'

When I started Slav’s Free Talk, the name was just a play on my last name, simple, open ended, and flexible.

I had no idea what it would become. But as time went on, the content evolved, the tone sharpened, and the audience helped shape it into what it is today.

A pop culture hub with a heavy focus on DC. The brand grew, because I grew.

3. Record with What You Have

You do NOT need fancy gear to start.

Starter Option (FREE)

  • Your iPhone or Android with a pair of wired earbuds or built in mic.

  • Record video using your phone’s camera and audio with apps like Voice Memos, CapCut, Anchor.fm (for podcasts), or YouTube Studio.

Truth is phones are powerful tools now. You can shoot in 4K, record great audio in a quiet room, and edit everything right from your device. So don’t let a lack of gear be your excuse.

Budget Setup

Pro Setup

Lighting & Mixers Matter (Eventually)
If you’re doing video content lighting is everything. Even with a great camera, bad lighting can ruin your footage. A simple ring light or soft box setup will make your video look clean, sharp, and professional.

If you're running a podcast or multi-mic setup, a mixer or audio interface becomes your best friend. It lets you manage sound levels, reduce background noise, and make everything sound smoother and more polished. It’s also helpful if you're adding music, sound effects, or having guests.

BUT

and this is huge

👉 You don’t need any of that on Day One.

The most important piece of gear you can own is your willingness to start.

Gear helps polish your content, but it doesn’t create your content.

What separates creators from dreamers is action.

Don't wait for the “perfect setup.” Get your reps in now, even if it’s just you and your phone in your bedroom. You'll upgrade as you grow.

4. Tools for Talking & Video

Alright, you’ve got the idea, the name, and maybe even the gear. Now it’s time to actually talk. Whether you’re starting a podcast or jumping into video, here’s the simplest way to record, edit, and post your content like a pro (even if you’re a total beginner).

Audio Recording (Podcast)

You don’t need a studio or a fancy subscription to get started.

  • On PC/Mac: Download Audacity. It’s a completely free audio editing tool that lets you record, trim, clean up audio, and export your podcast like a boss.

  • On your phone: Open your Voice Memos app and start talking. Yep… it’s that simple.

  • Keep your episodes tight. Aim for 30-45 minutes at first. But don’t obsess over length. Make it yours. If you need more time to tell your story, take it.

Once you're done recording?

Head over to Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor). It’s totally free and lets you upload, schedule, and distribute your podcast to Spotify, Apple, Google, and more with just a few clicks.

Video Recording (YouTube & Beyond)

If you’re doing video content, your smartphone is already your secret weapon.

  • Record yourself directly with your phone’s built-in camera.

  • Edit with iMovie (Mac/iPhone), DaVinci Resolve (PC/Mac), or CapCut (iOS/Android)

    • All free tools that are beginner friendly but still powerful enough to make your content look slick.

And here’s the cool part

You can now upload full video podcasts directly to Spotify… just like YouTube. So if you're creating visual content, take advantage of both platforms to expand your reach.

Editing Tips (Keep It Simple)

Don’t overthink it. You’re not making a Christopher Nolan film.

  • Cut the silences.

  • Trim the "uhs," "ums," "likes," and "you knows."

  • Remove any awkward pauses or repeated rambling.

  • Leave the rest alone. Done is better than perfect.

The goal is to keep the content tight, engaging, and authentic.

Design, Branding & Thumbnails

Branding doesn’t have to be complicated—but it should feel like you.

  • Use Canva (free and easy) to create your podcast cover art, YouTube banner, and social post designs.

  • Want something a little more professional? Fiverr has tons of affordable freelance artists who can help bring your vision to life.

For thumbnails and visuals:

  • BOLD colors

  • BIG TEXT

  • CLEAN layouts
    These are the three golden rules, especially on YouTube. Your art should pop off the screen, even at a glance.

So whether you're recording on your phone or leveling up with gear, the message stays the same.

Start with what you have. Improve as you go.

Your tools will evolve, your skills will sharpen… but it all begins with hitting record.

5. Post It. Promote It. Keep Showing Up.

You’ve got your gear (or just your phone), your voice, and your message.

Now it’s time to share it with the world.

Don’t overthink your first upload. It won’t be perfect. It’s not supposed to be perfect. That first episode, that first video… it’s about taking the leap. Post it anyway. Hit upload. Hit publish. Be proud of starting.

Then, promote it. Tell your friends. Post clips on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, X, Reddit… wherever your people hang out online. Don’t worry about being annoying. If you believe in what you’re saying, others will too.

A BIG KEY

Keep showing up.

Not once. Not for a week. But over and over again. Set a schedule.

Once a week, every two weeks, whatever fits your life and stick to it. That’s how you build momentum. That’s how you earn trust. That’s how you grow.

Even if your first five uploads get five views… don’t stop.

Even if no one comments… talk like they’re listening.

Even if it feels like you’re yelling into the void… keep yelling.

Because all it takes is one episode, one clip, one moment to hit… and everything changes.

The difference between someone who makes it and someone who doesn’t? One kept going. One gave up.

You’re going to learn, evolve, and improve every single time you press record. And with every upload, you’re building something real… something that matters.

So post it. promote it. and keep showing up. You’ve got this. 💪

Slav

Just a guy making his way through the Universe

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