On this episode, we talk about many things, one of them being sex. Most importantly we discuss being an advocate for your marriage. Life in the Clouds is a twice-monthly podcast where we discuss marriage, family and everything in between.

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I have been asked to share some tips and tricks on starting a podcast. This question has come up in a couple of different forums so I thought I would share some of our podcasting journey. Luckily for me I had access to a full mixer board in the early days of recording. Our church had a lot of equipment along with a full stage so I was able to practice with a lot of different setups.

This doesn't translate into the world of podcasting now, especially if you don't have the budget. The good news is that getting started as a podcaster can be as simple or as complex as you want.

So what do you need to get started in podcasting?

1. An Idea
2. Equipment
3. Host
4. Distribution

Idea

When I say you need an idea I do not mean that you have to have a full show complete with format and outlines for each week. I mean that you need to have something to talk about. You need something that you are passionate about enough that you will stay interested. Podcasting, depending on the format, can have you talking to yourself a lot so you'll need something that matters to you.

Questions to ask yourself

1. What am I passionate about?
2. What do I enjoy doing?
3. What irritates me?
4. Who would I like to talk to if I can get access?

Equipment

I'll split this section up into beginner and intermediate. I am by no means a pro so I will defer to others on pro setups. I want to get you up and recording as soon as possible.

Beginner

If you are just getting started and are not even sure that this is for you I would recommend against spending a bunch of money up front. most of us carry around a full audio rig in our pockets in the form of a phone. Whether an iPhone or Android you can use your phones mic to get started in podcasting. Here are 2 apps that can be used for creating, hosting and distributing your podcasts.

• SoundCloud
• Anchor.fm

The process for both of these is to install the app on your device and record your content. New episode will be pushed out to users of their platforms and other podcast players as you configure them. I think Anchor distributes to more systems than soundcloud natively.

• Voice Record Pro

Lastly I also use an app called Voice Record Pro when I need to record a quick snippet. Here is an exple from series over on Youtube called The Minute Podcast over on YouTube.

Intermediate

If you want to invest some money into your podcast setup than you will need the following:

1. Mic(s)
2. Computer with editing software
3. Optional: Mixer

Here are some example setups depending on how you plan to record your podcast.

Single Desk Reporter

• Mic: Blue Yeti
• Computer: Windows or Mac dependant on software choice
• Software: Audacity or Garageband

Nice and easy for recording a single voice or multiple voices that do not need individual leveling.

Traveling Reporter

• Recorder: Zoom H4N Pro Recorder
• Computer: Windows or Mac dependant on software choice
• Software: Audacity or Garageband
• Optional: Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR

The Zoom is a recorder with the ability to attach multiple mics as well as a single built in mic for use in a roving interviewing setup.

Questions to ask yourself

1. What style of show am I doing?
2. Do I need my recocrder to be portable?

Hosting

If you are going with the Anchor or SoundCloud options than this section is not as relevant for you. Make sure you research the payment tiers for each. Hosting is expensive so there will be a charge for using either of these sites.

If you are recording/editing using your computer than you will need to host your podcast online. Here are some sites that can host your podcasts.

1. Podbean
2. Libsyn
3. PodOmatic

Our podcast Life in the Clouds Podcast is currently hosted on PodOmatic.

Once you have selected your hosts, signed up and uploaded some episodes you can move onto the last step. Distribution.

Questions to ask yourself

1. How much do I want to spend for hosting?
2. Do I need web streaming for my podcast?
3. How much support do I need?

Distribution

Once you have picked your host you will be given a RSS feed link which is what you will need to submit to the platforms where you want your podcast to be found. For our podcast we distribute through:

1. LITC on Apple Podcasts
2. LITC on Stitcher Radio
3. LITC on Google Play Podcasts

Depending on your host you may have to submit yourself to each platform individually. I know that Anchor provides you a way to submit yourself to different platforms. Here are the links where you can submit your podcasts:

1. Submit to Apple Podcasts
2. Submit to Stitcher Radio
3. Submit to Google Play Podcasts

Once you have been approved each time you post new episodes you episode will publish to each of the platforms.

Hopefully this will help you get started on your podcast journey.

Happy Recording

I have gotten a couple of requests for a player that includes all of our podcasts. Enjoy.

So I asked my bride to give me a topic to speak about and she said I should go with what we know... Change. So today's Marriage minutes is to be transformational.

One of the things that happens in marriage is living life on default. While establishing a rhythym is good, healthy even, it can also lead to bad patterns. In order to break out of these habits you have to change things up.

What do you change? here is wher eI throw converntional wisdom out the door. I don't want you to pick some gigantic goal. I want you to choose something small and focus on that. Create some positive momentum by taking incrememtal steps each day.

This has been your marriage minute.

My bride says to tell you, "Change is good, change things up."

go Go GO!

Having some ice cream

As they are considering podcasting we invited them onto our show and had a fun time talking about marriage. Take a listen.

I decided to do something different today. We are struggling to make time for our longer episode so I decided to record something short to keep the RSS feed fresh. Let's talk about communication in today's marriage minutes, which is longer than a minute.

Don't forget to like, review and subscribe to Life in the Clouds. Let me know if this format works. I can do a few of these each week in between our longer form episodes.

Go GO GO!

Another good podcast is Young Coupled and Free from out of the UK. I had a chance message with Issa in a podcasters group. I love how he and his wife have fun together.

So my bride and I are both sick. That makes for an interesting time with our expanded family. With a teen and a double digit kid who are pretty self sufficient we could manage but with a 6 month old it can be pretty challenging. We don't want to get him sick because baby, but we can't just hand him off to his sisters either.

Fun Times :-)

On top of all of that there is also my February Declaration to consitently create. Today I am sharing a couple of items.

Life in the Clouds Episode 15 - Heavily Medicated

We fought our way through this one trying to finish before NyQuil madness set in for me. I don't handle medicine well or I should say it impacts me quickly. ;-) Enjoy

Graduation Invitation

I was trying to let my graduation go by with as little fanfare as possible. My wife and mother had other ideas. They both wanted me to walk the stage so I set out creating invitation but decided not to finish them. Here is the finished project.

Baby's 1st Dissertation

In a similar vein here is a funny want to tease your wife. We were having a disagreement about whether we should wake up the baby to feed him. My arguement is that you never wake a sleeping baby. My well reasoned arguement was met with disapproval and so off I went to feed the baby. I thought that a more scholarly approach, from a different presenter was needed.

I think I win this round.

Get out there and do something amazing!

Go Go GO!

In this episode, we share our house hunting adventures as we continue our discussion of communication.

You can find Life in the Clouds on Podomatic, iTunes, Google Play, and now Stitcher Radio.

In this episode, we talk about finding ways to enhance your relationship through conversation.

Deidre introduces everyone to 88 GREAT Conversation Starters for Husbands and Wives.

Carlton Shares 7 Ways to Improve your Marriage from the Gottman Institute.

You can find Life in the Clouds on Podomatic, iTunes, Google Play, and now Stitcher Radio.

In this episode we talk about establishing patterns and consistency in marriage. Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.

You can find Life in the Clouds on Podomatic, iTunes, Google Play, and now Stitcher Radio.

In this episode we try out a new mic setup, discuss one of the most important skills a couple can develop, communication. We take a look at questions from our Marriage Checkup Questionaire.

You can find Life in the Clouds on Podomatic, iTunes, Google Play, and now Stitcher Radio.

The kids decide to join us for a round of What's New With You. Baby Jr. gets his first introduction.

Please leave a comment, like and subscribe on your podcast platform of choice.

You can find Life in the Clouds on Podomatic, iTunes, Google Play, and now Stitcher Radio.

In this episode, we sneak away while the kids are occupied to record. We share updates on my office's cleaning plan and talk about priorities in marriage.

Don't Forget to Like, Comment and Subscribe

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