There may not be a formula for success in podcasting, but there are many established best practices that we dutifully follow as we work to perfect our craft. But does that come at the cost of our creativity?

I'm afraid I'm making boring podcasts. I'll take it a step further and say that I'm afraid we're all making boring podcasts. By design, actually.

Not that we intended to make boring podcasts. But in our quest to reduce imperfections and increase the consumability of our episodes, we may have introduced boring-ness to our shows.

I struggled with whether or not to talk about this. Please don't assume that I am advocating for no editing. Or worse that I condone the record-and-release style of podcasting. My position is quite the opposite. When in doubt, edit it out. That's my motto.

But I still worried we've embraced boring as we make podcasts.

We intentionally seek out or create "neutral" music to use in our episodes, music not only as an afterthought but as something that won't compete with the words spoken.

We're intentionally perfecting every voice, removing "filler" content, and working to "normalize" tracks.

We select efficient formats and choose pleasing and markedly unchallenging structures to listen to.

None of that screams excitement. None of that allows for the messy, chaotic, and just human nature of how we express ourselves in the real world. 

I don't have a solution to this problem. Heck, I don't even know that this is a problem. It's just something on my mind.

And now, it's on your mind too.

-----

Links

• Looking for a remote recording solution that handles both audio and video? you need Riverside.fm!
• Over 100K active podcasters trust Buzzsprout
• Serious about podcasting? Join the Advancing Podcasting Community today!

-----

Podcast Pontifications is a production of Simpler Media. New episodes are released four times a week, providing ideas and questions every serious podcaster should be thinking about.

It's created and hosted by Evo Terra. Follow him on Twitter for more podcasting insights as they come. Allie Press assists with the production and transcription of the show.

If you received value from today's episode of Podcast Pontifications, return some of that! We call it value-for-value and there are many ways to show your support.

Mentioned in this episode:

Support For Abortion Rights

While Americans overwhelmingly support the right of an individual to make their own decisions about abortion, unfortunately, that right is no longer protected everywhere in the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on June 24th. Abortion is a basic healthcare need for the millions of people who can become pregnant. Everyone should have the freedom to decide what’s best for themselves and their families, including when it comes to ending a pregnancy. This decision has dire consequences for individual health and safety, and could have harsh repercussions for other landmark decisions. Restricting access to comprehensive reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health and independence of all Americans....