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. 4d ago

    What I Learned From Podcast Collaborations & Guests

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. 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
  2. 5d ago

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

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. 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
  3. Jun 19

    What I Learned After 10 Podcast Episodes (Mistakes, AI & Podcast Growth)

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this milestone episode, I'm looking back at the biggest lessons, mistakes, frustrations, and surprises from my first ten episodes as a podcaster. From obsessing over hosting platforms and recording software to learning why community matters more than download numbers, this episode is an honest reflection on what it's really like to build a podcast from scratch. I talk about why there is no perfect podcast host, why every recording platform will eventually let you down, how research can become procrastination, and why publishing an imperfect episode will teach you more than spending another week planning. I also share how my views on AI have evolved, how I use it as a tool rather than a replacement, and why I believe your voice and experiences are still the most valuable parts of any podcast. Other topics include: • Why you don't need everything figured out before you start • The importance of building community over chasing downloads • Creating a workflow that actually works for you • Why podcasting is much more than just recording • Using YouTube as part of your podcast strategy • The realities of promoting a podcast • Collaboration, networking, and connecting with other creators • Learning to improve with every episode instead of chasing perfection Whether you're launching your first podcast, struggling through your first few episodes, or simply curious about the creator journey, this episode is a reminder that progress matters more than perfection. Thanks for being part of these first ten episodes. This is only the beginning. The Creator's Log is hosted by Carlos and documents the real-world process of building podcasts, learning new skills, making mistakes, and figuring things out one episode at a time. Follow me on Instagram and visit us at KRPodLab.com. Check out Dave's How to Podcast content. Check out the DJI2 microphone and the Shure MV7+. For free podcast hosting check out RSS.com and Descript for 50% off on recording software for two months!

    What I Learned After 10 Podcast Episodes (Mistakes, AI & Podcast Growth)
  4. Jun 12

    How I Actually Use AI for Podcasting (Without Letting It Take Over)

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. AI is everywhere right now. Some creators see it as a threat, others think it's overhyped. In this episode of The Creator's Log, I share how I actually use AI in my podcasting workflow, and why I view it as an assistant rather than a replacement for creativity. From developing episode ideas and refining outlines to creating show notes, social media captions, thumbnails, and even building a podcast website, I break down the real ways AI has helped me save time while keeping my voice and creative decisions intact. I also talk about the mistakes creators make when relying too heavily on AI, why transcripts have become one of the most valuable tools in my workflow, and how I balance technology with the human side of podcasting. Whether you're launching your first podcast, growing a creative project, or simply curious about how AI fits into content creation, this episode offers a practical look at what works, what doesn't, and where the creator still needs to stay in control. In this episode: How I use AI to brainstorm podcast topicsCreating outlines without scripting episodesTurning transcripts into SEO-friendly show notesUsing AI for social media captions and marketingBuilding a podcast website with AI assistanceCreating podcast artwork and thumbnailsThe limits of AI in creative workWhy maintaining your voice mattersBalancing efficiency with authenticity as a creatorIf you've been wondering how AI can fit into your creative workflow without replacing your ideas, this episode is for you. Try Descript for 2 months at 50% off the Creator plan, and check out RSS.com for free! Build a professional website for your podcast with Beamly. Follow along at KRPodLab.com and connect with me on Instagram @KRPODLAB.

    How I Actually Use AI for Podcasting (Without Letting It Take Over)
  5. Jun 11

    Overcoming The Pressure To Go Video | Video Podcasting on YouTube

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this episode Krloz discusses the growing pressure to add video to podcasts as platforms and communities promote it, while he questions whether video’s popularity matches audio-only numbers. He asks listeners about their batch recording process, sharing concerns about forgetting an episode’s central point during editing and the strain of recording many episodes. He explains why video could help his physical media/film podcast (showing covers, transfers, and hauls) but lists barriers: discomfort being on camera, lack of a “video” setup, steep learning curves in video editing, lighting and camera challenges, storage demands, added burnout from a one-person production workflow, and costs of hosting video (preferring free YouTube or Spotify over paid hosts like Captivate). He emphasizes taking baby steps, preserving identity, asking audiences how they consume episodes, and preparing for increased criticism on YouTube. In this episode: • The pressure creators feel to start a video podcast • My first experience with batch recording • Camera anxiety and learning to be on video • Video editing, lighting, and production challenges • YouTube vs traditional podcast platforms • Hosting costs and storage concerns • Creator burnout and promotion fatigue • Why I'm taking baby steps into YouTube • Staying true to your identity as a creator Try Descript out for two month at 50% off the Creator plan, and check out RSS.com for free! If you're navigating the same questions about video podcasting, I'd love to hear your thoughts. How do you balance growth, creativity, and sustainability? Follow along at krpodlab.com and connect with me on Instagram @krpodlab 00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup 02:10 Batch Recording Experiment 03:22 Editing Fears and Workflow 06:13 Why Video Feels Necessary 06:52 Showing Physical Media on Camera 09:06 Face on Camera Discomfort 11:34 Podcast vs Vlog Debate 13:04 Influencer Pressure in Media 14:20 Video Editing and Lighting Hurdles 17:38 Thumbnails and YouTube AI Tools 21:08 Camera Anxiety and Procrastination 22:37 Where to Host Video Podcasts 25:12 Overwhelming Video Advice Online 28:16 Storage Costs and Burnout Risk 30:21 Promotion Burnout 31:20 DM Spam Etiquette 34:25 Notion List Pressure 36:52 Is Video Worth It 39:59 YouTube Algorithm Edge 43:29 Baby Steps Into Video 46:48 Keep Your Identity 48:12 Likes Addiction Trap 53:00 Criticism And Caution 54:18 Descript Discount Plug 55:54 Final Thanks And Outro

    Overcoming The Pressure To Go Video | Video Podcasting on YouTube
  6. Jun 9

    My Podcast Gets More Plays on YouTube Than Podcast Apps

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. One of the biggest surprises I've had while building The Creator's Log is that one of my episodes gained more traction on YouTube than it did on traditional podcast platforms. In this episode, I talk about why every podcaster should consider uploading their episodes to YouTube, even if they're not creating a video podcast. I share what happened when I started distributing my audio-only episodes to YouTube, why discoverability works differently there, and how it changed the way I think about publishing content. I also walk through my simple workflow for optimizing podcast episodes for YouTube, including transcripts, thumbnails, SEO-friendly titles, descriptions, and hashtags. If you're an independent creator, podcaster; or content producer trying to grow an audience, this episode may help you rethink where your content should live. Topics discussed: • Why YouTube matters for podcasters • Audio-only podcasts on YouTube • Podcast discoverability and search • Creating SEO-friendly podcast titles • Using transcripts to improve visibility • Thumbnail strategy for podcast episodes • My workflow using RSS.com, Adobe Podcast, Descript, and ChatGPT Follow The Creator's Log for more conversations about podcasting, content creation, workflow systems, and building creative projects from the ground up. And check out our website at krpodlab.com Listen to the episode mentioned of The Physical Cut: The Lost Episode

    My Podcast Gets More Plays on YouTube Than Podcast Apps
  7. Jun 2

    Podcast Hosting Platforms (P.2): Captivate, Buzzsprout, Transistor & RSS.com

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. If you're starting a podcast in 2026 or thinking about switching hosts, this episode offers a real-world look at what each platform does well, and where they may fall short. In Part 2: I'm comparing four of the most talked-about podcast hosts for independent creators: Captivate, Buzzsprout, Transistor, and RSS.com. In This Episode Why Captivate remains one of the strongest growth-focused podcast hosting platformsThe AI assistant feature that almost kept me on CaptivateCustomer support experiences and billing challengesCaptivate pricing, download limits, and podcast network optionsTransistor's user-friendly interface and podcast website featuresBuzzsprout's strengths for solo creators and mobile podcastersBuzzsprout's podcast education resources and active communityAudio vs. video podcast hosting costsFree podcast hosting options that still allow you to own your contentRSS.com features including unlimited podcasts, AI transcripts, and monetizationHosting Platforms Covered Captivate Unlimited podcasts and episodesStrong marketing and growth toolsAI-powered podcast assistantPodcast network supportMonetization optionsDownload-based pricing structureTransistor Clean and intuitive interfacePodcast websites and podcast networksAdvanced analyticsDynamic ad insertion (higher-tier plans)Unlimited podcast hostingBuzzsprout Beginner-friendly podcast hostingMobile app supportVideo podcast publishingStrong educational resourcesActive creator communityTransparent pricingRSS.com Free podcast hosting optionUnlimited podcasts and episodesAI-generated transcriptsPodcast websitesListener donations and monetizationPodcast network supportIndependent creator-friendly approachKey Takeaway The best podcast hosting platform isn't necessarily the one with the most features; it's the one that fits your workflow, budget, and goals. Other Resources Mentioned Adobe PodcastDescriptRiversideConnect Follow the show on Instagram: @krpodlab Visit: krpodlab.com

    Podcast Hosting Platforms (P.2): Captivate, Buzzsprout, Transistor & RSS.com
  8. May 23

    Podcast Hosting Platform (P.1) | Spreaker, Podcastle, Castos & Podbean

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this episode of The Creator’s Log, Krloz breaks down four podcast hosting platforms he tested while building multiple podcasts from scratch: Spreaker, Podcastle, Castos, and Podbean. If you’re trying to figure out where to host your podcast in 2026, this episode dives into the real experience of testing these platforms: from pricing and analytics to customer support, website integration, AI tools, video podcasting, storage limits, and ease of use. Krloz shares why some platforms felt too complicated, why certain pricing models became deal breakers, and which hosting sites are better suited for beginner podcasters, video-first creators, or growing podcast networks. From confusing storage caps and AI credits to unlimited hosting plans and monetization features, this episode focuses on the things creators actually care about when choosing a podcast host. You’ll also hear thoughts on: Podcast analytics and why simplicity mattersPodcast distribution to Spotify, Apple Podcasts & iHeartRadioFree vs paid podcast hostingVideo podcasting and YouTube integrationDynamic ads and podcast monetizationCustomer support experiencesWebsite builders included with podcast hostsHosting multiple podcasts under one subscriptionWhy some podcast hosts feel overwhelming for beginnersThe hidden costs of podcast growthThis episode is perfect for beginner podcasters, indie creators, and anyone comparing podcast hosting services before launching their show. Platforms Discussed Podcastle / AsyncCastosPodbeanSpreakerComing in Part 2 Krloz continues the hosting platform series with deeper reviews of: CaptivateBuzzsproutTransistorRSS.comIf you’re overwhelmed trying to pick the “perfect” podcast host, this episode is a reminder that the most important thing is to start creating and learn as you grow. If you want to support the show, follow us on Instagram @krpodlab Visit krpodlab.com for new episodes.

    Podcast Hosting Platform (P.1) | Spreaker, Podcastle, Castos & Podbean

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.