How I Started a Podcast With a Laptop, Zoom, and a Lot of Grace

If someone had told me three years ago that I would start my own podcast, stay on the air for three straight years, make several FeedSpot Top Podcast lists, and be nominated twice for a Podcast of the Year award, I would have said they were out of their mind.

The truth is, I'm actually a fairly shy and introverted person. I had no broadcasting experience, no production team, and no idea how to start a podcast.

My journey began in 2023 after the encouragement of a man from my church who had started a local radio show called True Texas Radio. For several years, I hosted live broadcasts from a small studio in Decatur, Texas.

Then friends and family began asking the same question:

"How can I listen if I miss the live show?"

That simple question led me into podcasting.

I started uploading recordings of my radio broadcasts to Spotify for Creators and YouTube so people could listen whenever it was convenient for them. For a while, I was running both a radio show and a podcast. Today, the radio show is gone, but the podcast remains—along with this blog.

If you're thinking about starting your own podcast, let me encourage you with something I wish I had known from the beginning:

You do not need expensive equipment to get started.

You simply need a message, a willingness to learn, and the courage to hit publish.

Getting Started

After deciding to make my radio episodes available on demand, I needed a podcast host.

Like many beginners, I started with Spotify for Creators because it was simple, free, and easy to learn.

Creating an account was straightforward. I uploaded my episodes, added a title, description, and thumbnail, and clicked publish.

One of Spotify's biggest advantages is that it distributes your podcast through an RSS feed to many other podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio.

I also uploaded my episodes to YouTube. If your podcast is audio-only, YouTube provides another opportunity for people to discover your content.

Today, Spotify for Creators even includes recording tools through Riverside, making the process easier than ever for beginners.

My First Podcast Setup

People are often surprised when I tell them how simple my original setup was.

I started with:

• A laptop

• A Zoom account

• A pair of Skullcandy earbuds

That's it.

For quite a while, I used the webcam built into my laptop. Eventually, my husband surprised me with an external webcam, which became my first equipment upgrade. One lesson I've learned is that many people spend so much time waiting for the perfect setup that they never begin.

Use what you have.

You can always upgrade later.

Recommended Gear

Skullcandy Earbuds prevents the microphone from picking up the sound of your guest or computer, which stops distracting echoes, feedback, and audio bleed- https://amzn.to/4eeXLW7

Beginner Laptop Recommendation HP 15.6" FHD Laptop 2026 Edition with Copilot AI, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Intel Processor, Long Battery Life, Lightweight 3.64 lbs, Microsoft 365, Windows 11 for Students & Office - https://amzn.to/4xO6W7E

Recording Episodes

When I first started researching podcasting, several recording platforms kept appearing:

• Zoom

• Riverside

• Zencastr

• Skype

I chose Zoom because it was familiar and easy to use.

The free version works well, but meetings are limited to 40 minutes. Since many of my interviews ran longer than that, I eventually upgraded to Zoom Pro.

At the time, a listener became my first sponsor and sent $25 each month. That small act of support covered my Zoom subscription and helped pay for additional Google Drive storage.

That taught me another valuable lesson:

You don't need massive sponsorships in the beginning.

Sometimes growth happens one faithful step at a time.

Finding Guests

One of the biggest questions new podcasters ask is:

"Where do I find guests?"

When I was doing radio, many of my guests came from my family, friends, or local community.

Once I moved online, I discovered Facebook groups specifically designed to connect podcasters and guests.

I joined groups dedicated to podcast collaborations and posted a short description of my show.

Before long, my inbox filled with responses.

That's when I learned something important:

Not every guest is the right guest.

Over the years, I've learned to do my homework before booking someone.

Ask for:

• Their website

• Their social media links

• Their media kit

• Information about their book or project

If they seem like a good fit, schedule a short coffee call.

This is simply a casual conversation where you get to know each other before committing to an interview.

You'll quickly learn whether the person connects with your mission and whether they will serve your audience well.

Trust your discernment.

Booking and Preparing Guests

In the beginning, I scheduled everything manually through email.

Eventually, I switched to Calendly, which allows guests to select available times directly from my calendar.

It saves time and eliminates a lot of back-and-forth communication. Plus it's integrated with your Google calendar.

Before recording, I usually send:

• The Zoom link

• A brief outline

• Potential discussion topics

I don't script entire interviews.

Instead, I follow an outline and allow the conversation to develop naturally.

I've found that listeners respond well to authenticity.

Audio or Video?

One question I hear frequently is whether a podcast should be audio-only or video.

My answer?

Either one works.

Many people still listen while driving, exercising, cleaning, or working.

Audio-only podcasts remain incredibly popular.

If being on camera feels intimidating, don't let that stop you.

You can build a meaningful podcast without video.

In fact, you can start with nothing more than a phone and a voice recorder.

The content matters far more than the camera.

Editing Your Episodes

This is the part of podcasting many people dread.

Editing.

Some people love it.

Others merely tolerate it.

I'm somewhere in the middle.

The good news is that editing doesn't have to be complicated.

For audio-only podcasts, I recommend Audacity.

It's free, powerful, and beginner-friendly.

For video editing, I use Wondershare Filmora.

I've used it for years and found it easy to learn without a huge technical background.

Remember this:

Your goal is not perfection. Your goal is connection.

In today's world, audiences often appreciate authenticity more than flawless production.

Editing Tools

Audacity - https://www.audacityteam.org/

Wondershare Filmora -https://filmora.wondershare.net/

Promotion Matters

Creating content is only half the job.

Promotion is the other half.

You can create incredible episodes, but if nobody knows they exist, they won't be heard.

Promotion includes:

• Sharing on social media

• Email newsletters

• Facebook groups

• Collaborations

• Guest promotion

One advantage of interviewing guests is that they often share the episode with their own audience, helping expand your reach.

When an episode is released, I send the guest links and graphics so they can help spread the word.

The more people talking about your content, the better.

Learning SEO

Another skill every podcaster should learn is SEO, which stands for Search Engine Optimization.

That sounds intimidating, but the concept is simple.

You're helping search engines understand what your content is about.

This includes:

• Episode titles

• Descriptions

• Keywords

• Hashtags

• Thumbnails

Good SEO helps your content appear when people search for topics related to your niche.

You don't need to become an expert overnight.

Learn a little at a time and improve as you go.

Don't Pay for Followers

One piece of advice I give almost every new podcaster is this:

Don't buy followers.

Don't buy views.

Don't buy downloads.

Grow organically.

It may take longer, but authentic growth is more sustainable and meaningful.

Focus on creating valuable content and building genuine relationships.

That's what lasts.

My Studio Today

In February of this year, just before celebrating three years on the air, my husband helped me create my own podcast studio in one of our spare bedrooms.

After three years of podcasting, I finally purchased my first podcast equipment bundle.

Today my setup includes:

• Microphones

• Boom arms

• Mixer

• Studio headphones

• Lighting

• Webcam

• Laptop

• Dedicated streaming phone

It's wonderful.

But here's the funny part:

The audience growth didn't begin because I bought better equipment.

The growth began because I kept showing up.

The equipment simply made the process more enjoyable.

Current Studio Setup

Podcast Equipment Bundle MAONO Podcast Equipment Bundle: Audio Interface mixer with Dual XLR Input for Podcast Streaming - MaonoCaster E2 Gen2 - https://amzn.to/4dSYYCg

Studio Headphones Over Ear Headphones Studio Monitor & Mixing DJ Stereo Headsets - https://amzn.to/4fv9EZ2

Streaming Phone that I use on wifi only for streaming my TikTok LIVES so I don't tie up my cellphone Samsung Galaxy A16 5G (SM-A166U) 128GB + 4GB RAM 6.5" HD+ Display AT&T Prepaid Blue Android 14 - https://amzn.to/4vilDy4

External Webcam Dual-Camera AI-Powered PTZ Camera 4K, AI Tracking, PDAF&AI Autofocus 0.2s, 1/2.55'' Sony Sensor, 3 Mics, Presets, Gesture Control, 4K Webcam for Streaming and OBS/Twitch/Switch 2 Compatible - https://amzn.to/4fLII7m

Dell Laptop DELL 13th Generation Business Inspiron 15 3530 Laptop, 15.6" FHD Touchscreen, Intel Core i7-1355U, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD, Webcam, HDMI, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 Pro - https://amzn.to/4uCjvjp

Toshiba external hard drive 2TB - https://amzn.to/4uIpa7L

Photography lighting kit 2-Pack Photography Lighting Kit, NiceVeedi 25W LED Video Light Kit, 2900-7000K Dimmable Studio Light with Tripod Stand, 73" Stream Light for Video Recording - https://amzn.to/4erU4v4

A Brief Word About Monetization

Many new podcasters worry about monetization before they even release their first episode.

My advice?

Don't.

Focus on creating consistent content first.

Focus on learning.

Focus on serving your audience.

The opportunities to monetize will come later.

Very few people get rich from podcasting, especially in the beginning.

Build something valuable first.

Then explore sponsorships, affiliate partnerships, memberships, donations, or subscriptions.

One step at a time.

Final Thoughts

If you've been thinking about starting a podcast, let this be your sign.

You don't need a professional studio.

You don't need thousands of dollars worth of equipment.

You don't need everything figured out.

I started with a laptop, Zoom, earbuds, and a willingness to learn.

Three years later, I'm still learning.

And that's part of the fun.

Start where you are.

Use what you have.

Keep showing up.

You never know where a simple conversation might lead.

Happy podcasting!

Tonya Bruton, Host, Grit and Grace with Tonya Bruton

Affiliate Disclosure

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally use, trust, or believe may be helpful to my readers. Thank you for supporting Grit and Grace with Tonya Bruton.