Podcast Answer Man – Episode 483

Title: Does Podcasting Take Too Much Time and Cost Too Much Money to Produce?
Host: Cliff Ravenscraft
Release Date: January 30, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Cliff Ravenscraft tackles a critical question for both aspiring and seasoned podcasters: "Does podcasting take too much time and cost too much money to produce?" Drawing on his two decades of experience and nearly 5,000 published episodes, Cliff explores the realities behind the perceived barriers to podcast production, blending hands-on tips with deep, authentic reflections about the ongoing journey as a content creator.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Common Concerns About Podcasting Time and Cost

• Catalyst for the Discussion: Cliff shares how a recurring theme emerged from birthday DMs and listener questions: many podcasters pause or quit their shows, citing the overwhelming time and financial investment.
  • Listener Quote (Paraphrased): "We've actually just taken a break after 236 episodes. Not sure yet when or if we're going to reinstate. Takes so much time and money." (05:47)
• Spectrum of Podcasting Investment:
  • Some invest $2,000–$3,000/month into weekly shows (outsourcing editing, scheduling, social media).
  • Cliff produces multiple weekly and monthly episodes himself: "My monthly cost of all of my production is $0 per month. I am investing heavily in my own time, my own effort, and my own energy." (07:47)

Efficient Podcast Production Strategies

• Cliff's Workflow:

  • Segmented Recording: “I'm recording these episodes…in little bits and little chunks and processing and editing along the way.” (14:41)
  • Marking Audio: Using Adobe Audition’s marker feature to quickly locate and edit mistakes, which speeds post-production.

• Post-Production Time Savings:

  • Interview episodes with frequent "ums" can take up to 1.5 hours to edit; solo/clean interviews just 15-20 minutes.

• Batching and Live-to-Hard-Drive Strategies:

  • Cliff sometimes records episodes with no intro music or post-production, only editing major interruptions: “No intro music. I just spoke…within an hour of hitting record on that episode, it was scheduled for release.” (21:58)
  • Using AI to quickly generate transcripts, titles, and show notes.

Mindset: Less About Time and Money, More About Return and Inspiration

• Authenticity and Sustainability:

  • Many podcasters keep going for hundreds of episodes, then burn out or pause. Cliff suggests the issue often isn’t time or money—it's inspiration or ROI.
  • Memorable Quote: “If a podcast is still valuable…if it’s still getting you the results that you desire, and time is one of the factors…there are ways to drastically reduce the amount of time that it takes.” (18:52)

• Doing the Work Yourself:

  • Learning to self-edit exposes and helps eliminate verbal tics, improving hosts’ communication skills over time.
  • Memorable Reflection: "One of the greatest benefits for me in the early days was that I did all of my own editing. As a result, I heard every mistake I made." (17:03)

• Reframing Perceived Barriers:

  • “I believe with the tools that we have in 2026, I can create a podcast in far less time than it took 20 years ago…and launch a podcast for free, never costing me a single penny.” (41:58)

Approaching Burnout and Ending a Podcast

Listener Question – Alan Mead [29:56]

“How do you know when a podcast is done?...It just doesn’t feel the same as it used to.”
– Alan Mead (29:56)

• Cliff’s Response:

  • The process of questioning is itself the first indicator—when you wonder if it’s time to change or stop, reflection is needed.
  • “There is no correct answer to that question. There’s trade offs to each of the different paths…” (31:41)
  • Advice: Reflect, journal, or seek a coach/mentor to rediscover your ‘why’ and explore next steps before making a final decision.

• Cliff on Shutting Down Podcast Answer Man:

  • He shifted focus when he found greater passion and ROI (return on investment) in coaching business strategy and mindset, not just podcasting “how-tos.”
  • Quote: "It was just nonstop…People who I admire and love…keep sending people to me for podcast questions.” (34:56)

• Bringing Back Podcast Answer Man:

  • For the full story, Cliff recommends episodes 802 (‘Why Podcast Answer Man Is Back’) and 803 of The Cliff Ravenscraft Show.

Inspiration, Format, and Value Reflection

• It’s Not Always About Time and Cost:

  • Often, reaching a stopping point is about loss of inspiration or interest, or insufficient ROI—not external barriers.
  • Listener Example: One former podcaster told Cliff, “I was uninspired by the show that I was doing, so I felt like it should end after three seasons.” (28:46)

• Encouragement and Permission:

  • There is no right or wrong reason to pause or stop; the decision is inherently personal.
  • Podcasting is still a vital and uniquely intimate medium—if your ‘why’ is strong and your message serves your audience, there are accessible tools and workflows now to make production less burdensome.

Practical Takeaways

• Optimize Workflow: Record in segments, use markers, batch tasks, and be open to “unplugged” (unedited) episodes when needed.
• DIY Editing: Taking on your own editing teaches valuable skills, saves money, and creates a more authentic voice.
• Leverage Modern Tools: Use software and AI for efficient post-production, transcription, and show notes.
• Measure Return: Make sure your show’s outcomes (personal, professional, financial) align with the energy invested.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Real Cost of Podcasting:

  “My monthly cost of all of my production is $0 per month. I am investing heavily in my own time, my own effort, and my own energy.”
  — Cliff Ravenscraft (07:47)

• On Reducing Post-Production Time:

  “I can speed things up…if I happen to be recording with a device or into software that lets me mark the recording…It can speed up the post production workflow.”
  — Cliff Ravenscraft (12:34)

• On Authenticity and Simplicity:

  “No intro music. I just spoke…within an hour of hitting record on that episode, it was scheduled for release…It was one of my more authentic, direct, me-and-you-having-a-conversation kinds of episodes.”
  — Cliff Ravenscraft (21:58)

• On Outgrowing a Show:

  “I was uninspired by the show that I was doing, so I felt like it should end after three seasons.”
  — Listener (28:46, paraphrased by Cliff)

• On Knowing When to Stop:

  “The first indicator is that you’re starting to ask yourself that question.”
  — Cliff Ravenscraft (31:01)

• On Podcasting’s Current Accessibility:

  “I believe with the tools that we have in 2026, I can create a podcast in far less time than it took 20 years ago… and launch a podcast for free, never costing me a single penny.”
  — Cliff Ravenscraft (41:58)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 — Introduction and framing the “time & money” barrier
• 05:47 — Real-life responses: why podcasters pause/stop
• 07:47 — Explaining personal workflow and production costs
• 12:34 — Recording/editing process and time savers
• 14:41 — Segment-based recording and “live editing”
• 17:03 — Benefits of self-editing and personal growth in communication
• 18:52 — Cliff’s advocacy for simplicity in content creation
• 21:58 — Example: producing a full episode in under an hour
• 24:41 — AI and automation in podcast post-production
• 28:46 — Listener's experience of losing inspiration and shifting formats
• 29:56 — Alan Mead’s question about knowing when to stop a podcast
• 31:01 — Cliff’s reflection and coaching advice
• 34:56 — Why Cliff originally shut down Podcast Answer Man
• 41:58 — The efficiency and accessibility of podcasting today

Final Thoughts

Cliff closes with a clarion reminder:

“Podcasting is still alive today. It is an incredible medium…The one thing I can say is that podcasting is still alive today. It is an incredible medium.” (42:41)

He encourages podcasters to reassess their ‘why’, leverage modern tools, and know that the decision to continue, pause, or stop should come from clarity, not guilt or comparison.

For further context, Cliff refers listeners to episodes 802 and 803 of The Cliff Ravenscraft Show for deeper insight into his podcasting journey and decisions.

If you’re struggling with your show’s purpose or workflow, Cliff offers 1-on-1 coaching—email him at cliffravenscraft.com.

Summary by Podcast Answer Man AI – Designed for podcasters seeking clarity, simplicity, and inspiration.