Welcome to part 2 of "Start A Podcast For $0 (Zero Budget Guide)". In this episode "The $0 Blueprint: 5 Years Of Podcast Lessons That Actually Matter"by Thoughts Off The Stem, we discuss what I've learned over the last five years of podcasting, the things that are most important and should be the primary focus of your attention when starting out.

Many podcasts out there fail within the first year because people lose sight of what is important, have over inflated expectations, and let external influences dictate how they view success.

Podcasting is fun and can be a lucrative business but for most people it doesn't start out that way. There are a many factors that go into the growth of a podcast that, you as new person starting out are going to learn as you go. As your show's concept, creative ideas and audience evolve so does your production, and production is an aspect that improves over the course of time with a lot of trial and error. It's very unlikely that your show is going to skyrocket to the top of the charts after the first week. I'm not saying it can't happen I'm saying it's unlikely.

"The $0 Blueprint: 5 Years Of Podcast Lessons That Actually Matter" is essentially a guide to avoiding the pitfalls and mistakes that a lot of new podcasters fall into and make. There are over 4 million podcasts out there, it's a big pool for listeners to choose from. If you keep that in perspective and remind yourself of the depth of the pool it helps to maintain healthy expectations. Especially for the podcaster like myself who has to find and build a fan base, as well as trust with listeners.

I hope you enjoy the sesh.

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So you want to start a podcast? Think you need a $500 microphone and a soundproof studio to get heard? Think again. In this episode of Thoughts Off The Stem, host Justin Barone breaks down exactly how to start a podcast with zero budget.

Forget expensive gear and high-priced studios. You can launch a professional show from your couch using the tools you already own. Whether you're looking for a fun new hobby or a potential career shift, we’re proving that you can create a high-quality podcast with a total investment of $0 in 2026.

As an independent creator, editor, and producer with 5 years of podcasting experience, Justin Barone is stripping away the gatekeeping to help you enter the world of podcasting without spending a dime. This is the first episode in our new "Getting Started" series—designed for the creator who has the ideas but doesn't know where or how to begin.

In this episode, we cover:

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  The "Hidden" Studio: Which tools you already own that are perfect for your first 5 episodes.

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  Editing for Free: The best no-cost software to produce a crisp, professional audio experience.

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  Zero-Cost Distribution: Free hosting platforms that push your show to Spotify, Apple, and beyond.

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  The Creator Mindset: How to keep podcasting fun and avoid burnout.

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  Your First Content Map: What to record first (and why your audience will help you find your "niche").

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  Organic Promotion: Which social media platforms to prioritize for your first listeners.

Websites to help start your podcast

https://creators.spotify.com/

https://rss.com/

https://www.buzzsprout.com/

https://www.podbean.com/

https://redcircle.com/

I hope you enjoy the sesh!

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This seshisode of Thoughts Off The Stem is all about gratitude and refocusing expectations.

I have always wanted to get involved in radio and television broadcasting. So when the pandemic hit and we were all trapped inside during Covid-19. Like many other people I didn't have anything to do. Spotify for creators, then known as Anchor, gave us the ability to simply record podcasts. So that's what I did. I started recording Thoughts Off The Stem on a weekly basis.

It was designed to encompass all the things that would allow me to talk about a wide range of topics. The catalogue is filled with over 200 episodes, ranging from comedy, cannabis and entertainment, to stories of personal growth, self improvement, parenting struggles, what it's like to be a single dad with three kids and a whole bunch of relatable content about life.

It's been 5 years since the inception of the show and it's time to show some gratitude to you for coming back each week. Thank you! Without you wonderful folks I would not have kept going for this long. I appreciate that you make time for me and my silly.

The point of the show is to mimic a sesh, where no topic is off limits and hopefully I can provide you with a few laughs, a break from the worlds crazy, maybe get you to think differently and some times teach you a thing or two.

All I really want to do is put a smile on your face and add a dose of fun to your day.

This sesh is for you. I guess you could say I was all in my feels for this one and I hope that it hit's the spot and truly show's the appreciation I have for you.

Enjoy the Sesh!

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