No fluff. No generic roundups. These are the podcast tools, equipment, and partners we recommend to every client — because we use them ourselves.
New · Podcast Setup
A step-by-step checklist for getting listed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and YouTube, giving your team access, setting up Riverside or Zoom, and fixing mic problems.
Not sure where to start? Walk through our step-by-step framework for planning your show from concept to launch.
The gear
Recommended gear — with Amazon affiliate links
Budget Pick
USB condenser microphone — plug and play simplicity for new podcasters. Clean, clear sound with no interface needed.
View on AmazonMid-Range Pick
USB and XLR in one dynamic mic, so it grows with you. Plug it straight into your computer to start, and it stays forgiving in untreated rooms.
View on AmazonStudio Pick
The broadcast-grade dynamic mic that punches above its price point. Variable-D technology minimizes the proximity effect so you sound consistent whether you’re leaning in or sitting back — perfect for coaching sessions and long-form conversations.
View on AmazonAudio Interface
Plug your XLR mic into your computer. Dead simple, excellent quality. The starting point for every serious setup.
View on AmazonMid-Range Pick
The go-to studio headphone for podcasters and audio engineers alike. Closed-back over-ear design blocks out ambient noise so you can hear exactly what’s on your recording — no surprises.
View on AmazonVideo Camera
The Facecam 4K delivers 4K60 uncompressed video straight to your computer — no capture card, no complicated setup.
View on AmazonThe software
Our actual tech stack — with affiliate links
Edit audio and video like a document. Remove filler words, add captions, transcribe automatically. Our primary editing platform.
Learn More
Remote recording with studio-quality audio and video. Each participant records locally — no compression artifacts.
Learn More
Simple, affordable scheduling for discovery calls and coaching sessions. No fuss, no bloat.
Our email platform for the Voice to Impact Lab newsletter. Clean interface, powerful automations, and built specifically for creators. The WordPress plugin makes embedding forms on any page effortless.
What we use for our newsletter
AI strategy and writing partner. Used daily for show notes, content repurposing, and operations. Claude Max is worth it.
Cover art, audiograms, social graphics. The workhorse of our design workflow.
The people
People we send our clients to
Podcast Growth & Monetization · Download Growth Club
If you’re serious about turning your podcast into a thriving business, Adam is the person. He’s helped countless podcasters grow their audience and build sustainable revenue streams. Use code TAMAR to save $100.
Learn MoreBrand Strategy & Events · Magnetic Media Labs
Helps leaders, creators, and organizations turn ideas into influence. Brand strategy, podcasting, live events, and leadership communication — at the intersection of mic, stage, screen, and room.
Learn MoreBusiness Growth · Far Point Strategy · Sober Edge Accelerator
Business growth specifically for sober and alcohol-free founders. Built for consultants, creators, and professionals already at $5K+/month who are ready to scale without burning out.
Learn MoreAuthor Coach & Publisher · A-Team Press
Bestselling memoir author and founder of A-Team Press. Helps passion-project authors — especially in recovery — turn lived experience into published books. You keep your rights, your royalties, and your voice.
Learn MorePublic Speaker, Podcaster & Professional Nerd
Kristin is a public speaker, podcaster, and facilitator who helps smart, overwhelmed people learn how to do fewer things better. With deep expertise in brain science and habit psychology, she translates complex research into practical “brain snacks” people can implement in real time, in real life.
As a former journalist and longtime corporate executive, her work is grounded in clarity, curiosity, and connection. From small groups to big stages, Kristin is a refreshingly real voice on how to make meaningful progress in our busy days.
Connect with Kristin to bring brain-based strategies and micro-habits into your next project.
Innovation Strategist · Convia Studio
Convia Studio turns recorded conversations into coordinated campaigns across every platform you publish to. Built for founders, consultants, and operators with 10+ episodes who use content to generate pipeline. Record once, publish everywhere.
Use the code impact and you can get 30 days of Convia free!
Our own tools
Free to use. Made for podcasters. (A Work in Progress! More to come!)
52 thought-provoking questions designed to help podcast hosts stop performing and start connecting. Pull a card before you hit record — perfect for solo episodes, guest conversations, or co-host warmups. Free to use right in your browser.
COST: Free!
Try it now!Stop staring at a blank page. Record your episode, drop in your transcript, and let the Content Creator do the rest — show notes, social captions, email copy, blog post, and more, all in your voice. Built specifically for purpose-driven podcasters who have something important to say and better things to do than write 47 versions of the same idea.
Powered by AI. Built by the team at Podcast Impact Studio.
Coming soon!
Newsletter
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FAQ
What podcast equipment and tools do beginners need to start a podcast?
Podcast Impact Studio's Level Up Lab says beginners can start with a laptop microphone and a free recording tool. You do not need every item on this page. A USB microphone like the Audio-Technica ATR2500x (our budget pick, no interface needed) makes a noticeable difference right away, and Descript and Riverside both have free tiers. Start simple and upgrade as you grow.
Which podcast microphone does Podcast Impact Studio recommend for beginners?
Podcast Impact Studio recommends the Audio-Technica ATR2500x for beginners: a budget-friendly USB condenser microphone that is plug and play with no interface needed. Ready to invest more? The Level Up Lab's mid-range pick is the Shure MV7, forgiving in untreated rooms, and the studio pick is the Electro-Voice RE320. The Focusrite Scarlett Solo connects an XLR mic to your computer. Not sure? Book a free 30-minute intro call.
What podcast recording and editing software does Podcast Impact Studio recommend for beginners?
Podcast Impact Studio recommends Descript for editing and Riverside.fm for remote recording. Both have free tiers that are more than enough to get started. Descript lets you edit audio and video like a document, remove filler words, add captions and transcribe automatically. Riverside.fm records each participant locally for studio-quality audio and video.
Does Podcast Impact Studio offer podcast coaching alongside the Level Up Lab tools?
Yes, Podcast Impact Studio offers podcast host coaching through Off-Script Impact: The Collective, its small-group voice coaching program. The Collective runs 4 to 8 sessions of 90 minutes each and starts at $1,497. Tools are one piece of the puzzle; coaching helps you find your authentic voice and build a show around it. Book a free 30-minute intro call to find your fit.
Are the podcast equipment links on the Level Up Lab page affiliate links?
Yes, some Level Up Lab equipment links are Amazon affiliate links, so Podcast Impact Studio earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear we actually use or have personally tested with our clients. The software tools section also includes affiliate links. Your trust matters more than any commission.
Are the trusted partners on the Level Up Lab page paid placements?
No, the trusted partners on Podcast Impact Studio's Level Up Lab page are not paid placements. Every partner listed is someone we have a genuine relationship with and personally recommend. Some are affiliate relationships and some are not. All of them are people we would send our own clients to.
Is the Off-Script Impact Card Deck free for podcast hosts?
Yes, the Off-Script Impact Card Deck from Podcast Impact Studio is completely free to use in your browser, with no sign-up required. It holds 52 thought-provoking questions designed to help podcast hosts stop performing and start connecting. Pull a card before you hit record, for solo episodes, guest conversations or co-host warmups.
When will the Impact Studio Content Creator app be available?
The Impact Studio Content Creator app is coming soon, and Podcast Impact Studio is putting the finishing touches on it now. It turns your episode transcript into show notes, social captions, email copy, a blog post and more, all in your voice. Join the newsletter to be first to know and first to get access when it launches.
Book a free 30-minute intro call. No pressure, no pitch. Just a real conversation about your show.