The Creator's Log

KR PodLab | The Creator’s Log

What does it actually take to build a podcast from scratch? Here at The Creator's Log, host Krloz Ruben, will give you a behind-the-scenes, documenting what it actually takes to build a show from scratch. On your own. This isn’t theory. It’s real-time. Each episode dives into the lessons, mistakes, and decisions that come with creating. Figuring out podcast formats, choosing hosting platforms, editing solo, adapting without a co-host, recording softwares and learning how to keep going when things don’t work the first time. If you’re trying to start a podcast, build a creative project, or understand what the process really looks like behind the scenes, this is that log. No polished advice. No pretending it’s easy. Just the process, documented as it happens.

  1. 3d ago

    Starting an Apple Podcasts Subscription: Is It Too Early?

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Is it too early to launch an Apple Podcasts subscription? And is it too early to put an independent podcast forward for an Apple Podcasts editorial feature? In this episode of The Creator’s Log, I'm talking about taking The Physical Cut to the next level. After seeing some growth and receiving feedback from listeners, I decided to experiment with an Apple Podcasts subscription, creating an opportunity for exclusive episodes, early access, and additional content focused on physical media releases. But there's a bigger question: how do you grow and monetize an independent podcast without losing sight of what made people listen in the first place? I also discuss the possibility of submitting The Physical Cut for an Apple Podcasts editorial feature, the episodes I'd choose to represent the show, the fear of attracting the wrong audience, and why getting discovered shouldn't mean changing your creative identity. In this episode: Launching an Apple Podcasts subscription for The Physical Cut.Finding a balance between exclusive content and regular episodes.Listener feedback and the decision to explore release-focused episodes.Podcast monetization and covering the costs of independent production.Preparing an editorial feature pitch for Apple Podcasts.Choosing episodes that represent the different sides of The Physical Cut.Why podcast growth isn't just about download numbers.Taking your independent podcast seriously, even before the big audience arrives.Find The Physical Cut and more at KR PodLab. Mentioned episodes and Why This Film? podcast: The Sequence: Inside the Making of an Horror Short Film with Joe Bandelli | & Hell House LLC 10th AnniversaryCriterion Collection, Film Deep Dives & Physical Media with Ron (Why This Film?)Physical Media Hunting in Rome and Madrid... Only One WonWhy This Film? - podcast

    Starting an Apple Podcasts Subscription: Is It Too Early?

  2. 6d ago

    The Mic Test That Turned Into a Podcasting Problem | Audio Podcast

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Audio problems can turn a simple podcast recording into hours of troubleshooting. In this episode of The Creator’s Log, I talk about my ongoing struggles with recording quality, why my voice sometimes sounds muffled or distorted when recording with guests, and how audio enhancement can sometimes make things worse instead of better. From testing microphone settings and comparing gain levels to working across Descript, Riverside, and Adobe Podcast Studio, I’m sharing what I’ve been trying to fix my audio and the lessons I’m learning along the way. In this episode: Why my audio sounds different when recording with guestsTesting microphone gain and settings on the Shure MV7+When audio enhancement makes recordings sound worseWhy I’m learning to edit before applying enhancementThe frustration of troubleshooting as an independent podcasterFinding the balance between clean audio and perfectionismThe Physical Cut episode: Horror Monsters, VHS Nostalgia & the Movies That Stuck With Us | with Face the Movies Sometimes the solution isn't more processing. It's knowing when to stop tweaking and work with what you have. If you're an indie podcaster dealing with audio issues, I'd love to hear what's worked for you. Follow The Creator’s Log for more honest conversations about podcasting, the tools we use, the problems we encounter, and the lessons learned along the way. Follow me on YouTube! Visit KRPodLab.com to support the show by buying us a coffee!

    The Mic Test That Turned Into a Podcasting Problem | Audio Podcast

  3. Oct 2

    I’m Experimenting With How I Make My Podcast | Zencastr & Beamly

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Do I Really Need to Be Everywhere With My Podcast? Does putting your podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and your own website actually help people discover it? In this episode of The Creator’s Log, I’m experimenting with podcast SEO, video, distribution, and different ways to get the show in front of new listeners — without creating more work just for the sake of being everywhere. I take another look at Zencastr’s new free podcasting plan and ask the obvious question: what’s the catch? I also talk about continuing to experiment with video podcasting on YouTube and Spotify, whether adding Apple video is worth the extra cost, and how much effort I’m willing to put into video when the podcast is still the priority. I also give an update on my podcast website and SEO strategy, including adding blog posts, embedding YouTube videos, using searchable content to bring people to the site, and creating another way for listeners to discover the podcast outside of traditional podcast apps. The bigger question throughout the episode is simple: Does podcast SEO mean being everywhere, or does it mean figuring out where people are actually searching for your show? Check out Beamly for 15 days free! Also, podcast for free with RSS.com and record with Descript at 50% off for two months. Watch on YouTube Follow on Instagram Visit KRPodLab.com

    I’m Experimenting With How I Make My Podcast | Zencastr & Beamly

  4. Oct 1

    International Podcasting Day: Why I’m Still Podcasting

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Why am I still podcasting? On International Podcasting Day, Krloz takes a step back to talk about why he continues to make podcasts, what podcasting has given him, and why the independent podcasting community matters. Krloz also talks about the realities of being an independent podcaster: doing everything yourself, dealing with criticism, experimenting with video, discovering new platforms, and figuring things out as you go. For International Podcasting Day, Krloz also recommends several podcasts worth checking out: • How To Podcast • Tropical Podcasting • BuzzCast • Uy Que Horror! • Why This Film? • Twisted Soulmate • Underrated • Frightology • Super Wall Jump • The Audacity to Podcast Follow The Creator's Log on Instagram and YouTube. Visit KRPodLab.com and learn how to support us by buying us a coffee. Happy International Podcasting Day!

    International Podcasting Day: Why I’m Still Podcasting

  5. Sep 21

    How Much Does It Cost to Make a Podcast? The Indie Creator Money Problem

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What does it actually cost to make an independent podcast? In this episode of The Creator’s Log, Krloz breaks down the real cost of podcasting as an indie creator: from hosting and editing software to equipment, promotion, and, most importantly, the time that goes into creating a show. But this isn't just an episode about expenses. It's also about podcast monetization and whether an independent podcast should even be trying to make money early on. Krloz talks about advertising, sponsorships, Buy Me a Coffee, memberships, merch, affiliate opportunities, and working with small businesses to help cover the cost of producing a podcast. The bigger question is simple: How do you justify spending time and money on something that isn't paying you back yet? Krloz also talks about the temptation to become obsessed with downloads, why audience size isn't the only measure of whether a podcast is succeeding, and why building genuine relationships with listeners and guests can be more valuable than chasing numbers. Because for an indie creator, the goal doesn't necessarily have to be getting rich. Sometimes the goal is simply to break even, keep creating, and make the podcast sustainable. In this episode: The real costs of starting and maintaining a podcastPodcast hosting and editing softwareEquipment and production expensesThe hidden cost of your timeAdvertising and podcast promotionSponsorships and small-business partnershipsBuy Me a Coffee and listener supportPatreon, memberships, merch, and affiliate opportunitiesWhether you should monetize a podcast earlyWhy downloads aren't everythingBuilding a community around a small podcastWhen spending money on your podcast makes senseMaking an indie podcast sustainableCheck our channel out on YouTube for a video version of this episode. Follow the show, share the episode, and if you're getting something out of The Creator's Log, consider supporting the podcast through the link in the show notes.

    How Much Does It Cost to Make a Podcast? The Indie Creator Money Problem

  6. Sep 17

    Podcast Discoverability: How Do People Find Your Podcast?

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Making a podcast is only part of the job. The harder question is: how do people actually find it? In this episode of The Creator’s Log, Krloz looks at the strange gap between publishing a podcast and actually being discovered. From an old podcast episode still getting downloads months after it was abandoned, to listeners finding the show through YouTube and guests, there are plenty of ways an audience can stumble across a podcast that have nothing to do with simply hitting “publish.” We also get into podcast SEO, collaborations, social media, YouTube, promoting your own work, and the uncomfortable feeling of sending your podcast directly to people you know. But the conversation eventually takes an unexpected turn: what if discoverability isn't just about promoting the podcast? What if it's about creating something people can physically discover? That leads to an idea for The Physical Cut: a small, DIY physical media zine built from podcast conversations, community contributions, original art, QR codes, and potentially independent businesses and sponsors. It's an idea that may or may not work. But that's the point of The Creator’s Log—trying things, figuring them out, and documenting what happens along the way. In this episode: Why publishing an episode doesn't mean people will find itThe unexpected ways podcasts can be discoveredWhat podcast SEO and strong titles can actually doWhy having a guest doesn't automatically mean their audience becomes yoursYouTube as another discovery pathThe uncomfortable reality of promoting your own workWhy podcast discovery can become community buildingThe idea behind creating a physical media zine for The Physical CutTurning podcast conversations into articles and physical mediaUsing QR codes to connect physical media back to the podcastIndependent stores, artists, collectors, and small businesses becoming part of the communityFollow us on Instagram and also visit our website, and learn how you can support indie podcasting.

    Podcast Discoverability: How Do People Find Your Podcast?

  7. Sep 12

    What I Learned From Podcast Collaborations & Guests

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Collaborating with other creators has become a bigger part of how I make my podcasts, especially The Physical Cut. In this episode of The Creator’s Log, I talk about what I’ve learned from bringing other people into the podcasting process — from recording and communicating with guests to scheduling, unexpected connections, and figuring out what actually makes a collaboration worthwhile. One of the biggest lessons has been that collaborations don't necessarily translate into a flood of new listeners. Someone can have thousands of followers and still not send a huge audience your way. But that doesn't mean the collaboration wasn't valuable. Sometimes the real benefit is the relationship you build and the people that relationship connects you with later. I also talk about what it's like recording with guests, including dealing with different recording setups, technical problems, nervous guests, long conversations, and learning when to let someone tell their story instead of constantly jumping in. I share some of the mistakes I've made, including overbooking interviews, dealing with last-minute cancellations and learning why having a backup plan matters. Most importantly, I've learned that a podcast shouldn't depend entirely on having guests. It's still your show. Collaborations can add new perspectives, introduce you to new creators and help build a community around what you're doing, but the show needs to be able to survive when nobody else is available. In this episode: What I've learned from podcast collaborationsRecording podcasts with guests vs. recording soloWorking with different creators and recording setupsScheduling guests and avoiding overbookingLast-minute cancellations and having backup guestsWhy podcast collaborations don't always lead to more listenersBuilding relationships instead of chasing follower countsHow guests can introduce you to other creators and opportunitiesLearning when to listen and when to jump into a conversationWhy your podcast shouldn't depend entirely on guestsFinding the right collaborators for your showBuilding a podcast community beyond download numbersFollow KR PodLab and check out the other shows in the network. Buy us a coffee and support indie podcasts. Click here to hear the episode in where I was guest on another podcast. If you enjoyed the episode, follow, subscribe, share it with another creator, or send me a message. I’d love to hear about your own experiences with podcast collaborations and guests.

    What I Learned From Podcast Collaborations & Guests

  8. Sep 10

    What I Learned After 2 Months Away From Podcasting | How To Podcast

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! After a two-month hiatus, The Creator’s Log is back. In this Season 2 kickoff, I catch you up on what’s been happening while I was away, what I’ve learned from continuing to run multiple podcasts, and some of the same problems I’m still dealing with months into the process. I talk about my ongoing battle with recording and editing software, including Riverside, Descript, and Adobe Podcast Studio, why I still haven’t found the perfect workflow, and why sometimes relying too heavily on AI editing can create more problems than it solves. I also talk about collaborations, scheduling guests, taking a podcast on the road, staying connected with listeners even when you aren't publishing regularly, and why building a community has become more important to me than simply chasing download numbers. One of the biggest things I discovered during the break was Substack as another potential discovery and listening platform for podcasts. I explain how I connected my existing RSS feeds to Substack without changing podcast hosts, what I like about the experience, and why I think it could be another useful place for independent podcasters to be discovered. And yes, I’m still thinking about video podcasting, changing hosting platforms, monetization, and whether all of the extra work that comes with video is actually worth it for an independent creator. Season 2 will continue exploring the realities of building podcasts without a big network behind you: the tools, mistakes, collaborations, community building, monetization, workflows, and decisions that come with running multiple shows. In this episode: Coming back after a two-month hiatusThe ongoing Riverside vs. Descript vs. Adobe debateWhy AI editing doesn't always make podcast editing easierFinding a recording and editing workflow that actually worksLessons from collaborating with other creatorsManaging guests, schedules, and missed recordingsStaying connected with listeners during a breakDiscovering Substack as a podcast discovery platformConnecting an existing podcast RSS feed to SubstackPodcast community vs. download numbersThe ongoing question of video podcastingThoughts about changing podcast hosting platformsWhy I’m still figuring out monetizationWhat’s coming in Season 2 Follow The Creator’s Log on Instagram, visit KRPodLab.com for all episode of The Physical Cut and to support our shows. Check out the links below for the tools and platforms mentioned in this episode: Descript RSS.com Adobe Studio Recording Software Ep

    What I Learned After 2 Months Away From Podcasting | How To Podcast
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About

What does it actually take to build a podcast from scratch? Here at The Creator's Log, host Krloz Ruben, will give you a behind-the-scenes, documenting what it actually takes to build a show from scratch. On your own. This isn’t theory. It’s real-time. Each episode dives into the lessons, mistakes, and decisions that come with creating. Figuring out podcast formats, choosing hosting platforms, editing solo, adapting without a co-host, recording softwares and learning how to keep going when things don’t work the first time. If you’re trying to start a podcast, build a creative project, or understand what the process really looks like behind the scenes, this is that log. No polished advice. No pretending it’s easy. Just the process, documented as it happens.

Information

  • Creator
    KR PodLab | The Creator’s Log
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 KR PodLab
  • Show Website
    The Creator's Log