Hello again!

First off, thank you to everyone who sent their well wishes for my surgery and recovery! It’s going GREAT and I’m feeling EVEN BETTER than I did on some of my worst Adenomyosis flare days 🙂 It meant so much to hear from many of you and really speaks to how supportive the Indie Podcasting space is.

Speaking of which, can I tell you a secret?

““Oh no,” I thought. “Just what I need. Another podcast.”

But that didn’t stop me from opening the app and recording into it whenever I wanted to talk through the fears about my upcoming surgery, share some success stories that were giving me hope, and document my journey in general.”

I’ve felt like a fraud for a while now as someone who talks an awful lot about podcasting but doesn’t actually have an active podcast of my own at the moment.

As much as I love working behind the scenes on my clients’ podcasts, there’s really nothing like having my own and I’ve been itching to get back into podcasting for myself for a while. But I kept worrying I wouldn’t have the time, energy, or commitment.

So when I began feeling overwhelmed by thoughts of my surgery last month, one day when I was taking one of my nature walks I decided to verbalize them and opened Google Recorder on my phone, pressed record and just … spoke.

Then the next day, I had more thoughts swirling around my head that I felt like talking about, so I opened up the Recorder again and recorded another episode of this podcast I could feel was brewing.

“Oh no,” I thought. “Just what I need. Another podcast.”

But that didn’t stop me from opening the app and recording into it whenever I wanted to talk through the fears about my upcoming surgery, share some success stories that were giving me hope, and document my journey in general.

I didn’t touch the recordings or try to do anything with them, but when I got to Day 6 post-surgery and I couldn’t take any more of the reality TV I was watching to recover, I grabbed my laptop and, before I knew it, a new podcast was born!

My new podcast! 🤩 It was new, it was shiny. And, as per usual, I wanted to do ALL THE THINGS ALL AT ONCE!

BUT, I know from experience that doing so would quickly put me into burnout, especially once I open my calendar again and come back to my business following the holidays.

So I got intentional about all these recordings and I began organizing them so my workflow can go smoothly as possible to save myself time and excess energy trying to piece things together on-the-fly.

Which brings me to our Podcasting Tip for the month!

This Month’s Podcasting Tip

In last month’s newsletters, I shared some podcasting horror stories (thanks to everyone who submitted theirs! 🙂), but one horror story in podcasting that doesn’t get mentioned enough is not being able to find what you’re looking for when it comes to your podcast episodes and assets.

I have to admit, I get a little queasy when podcasters share their screens with me and their podcast files are in disarray around their desktop. And, listen, have you seen my desk? I totally GET organized chaos.

That said, when it comes to audio files, having an organizational system in place can really help down the line, especially when it comes to keeping track of older episodes.

For my new podcast, one of the first things I did was prepare a podcast organizing system (is my dork showing? I don’t care, lol)

Here’s my Keep-It-Simple Method for podcast file management:

One main folder for your podcast. This should be easy to access and get to, perhaps as a shortcut on your desktop or bookmarked, if you keep your files online.
Inside that main folder are a few subfolders: ~ASSETS, ~ADS, and then a folder for each episode (Episode 1, Episode 2, etc.). Currently I have my episode folders separated into Season folders for my particular podcast, FYI.

~ASSETS includes music clips, intro and outro clips, bumpers, commonly used sound effects, and anything you use for your podcast on a regular basis
~ART includes cover art and widescreen versions for YouTube, as well as graphic elements for promotional materials
Episode folders are individualized so that every single thing for an episode goes in ONE location: the raw file, the finished version, the episode-specific graphics and artwork, guest info, show notes, transcripts, etc.

Note: I use the ~ symbol for the ~ASSETS and ~ART folders so when the folder is organized alphabetically, those folders are always on top where I need them.

Bonus Tip for Reorganizing Podcast File Folders: Be aware when you’re moving files from one location to another that you bring ALL the files necessary to open the file to the new folder or location. For example, if you use Audacity for editing, you’ll need to not only move the project file but the data file as well. Do Not Delete These!

Do you have a favorite organizing system for your podcast? Let’s hear it! I’d love to share how others organize their podcasts in a future newsletter, so let me know 🙂

Announcing My New Podcast — “That’s Hysterical! Now, Get Out!”

Join Webby-nominated podcaster Emily Prokop as she candidly shares her personal journey with Adenomyosis, a uterine disorder known for causing pain and discomfort. From the initial OK to get the hysterectomy to the path of post-op and recovery, this podcast invites you into the raw, honest, and sometimes humorous moments that shape her story.

(Disclaimer) Please note that "That’s Hysterical! Now Get Out!" is a personal account and not intended as medical advice. While Emily shares her experiences with Adenomyosis, hysterectomy, and recovery, each individual's medical journey is unique. Always consult with healthcare professionals for personalized guidance and support.

Season 1 is already underway and releasing episodes (2 per week) through mid-December! Season 2 to follow in early 2024.

Listen/Follow/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and More!

Check out the first 3 episodes here:

Pre-Op Biopsy and Already Regretting Waiting So Long - Season 1 | Episode 3
An Encouraging Success Story from a Friend - Season 1 | Episode 2
An Introduction to Me & My Bothersome Uterus - Season 1 | Episode 1

This is the first time I’m announcing this and I’m so excited to bring this idea out of my head and into real life! And it’s exciting to start a new show and get excited about every new download that comes!

If you know someone going through painful periods or anxious about their upcoming hysterectomy, I’d love for you to share “That’s Hysterical! Now, Get Out!” with them however you can 🙂

Catch Up on the Latest Blog Posts

E Podcast Productions — Podcasting Blog

Emily: Out Loud — ADHD/Creative Lifestyle Blog

UNTIL NEXT TIME, HAPPY PODCASTING!

♥ EMILY PROKOP

Like What I Do?

Enjoying this newsletter and my content? You can find additional tips over at BuyMeACoffee.com/emilyprokop where you can support me and my work by buying me a cup of coffee to say thanks!

☕ And thank you to Steve and Eric for last month’s coffees! I got to spoil myself the week leading up to surgery with drive-thru Dunkin’ and I so very much appreciated it 🙂

About Me

In case you’re new to me and my newsletter, I’m Emily Prokop, a podcaster, editor, author, and podcasting consultant and mentor. I created & hosted the Webby-nominated podcast, The Story Behind, among a number of other podcasts I’ve been a part of since starting my podcasting journey in 2015, and I wrote a book based on it in 2018 (and another is on the way!). As the owner of E Podcast Productions, a podcast editing and consulting business, I’ve been helping podcasters plan, improve, and grow their shows since 2017.

I’m also an introverted, neurodivergent married mom of 2. When I’m not wearing a pair of headphones to record or edit a podcast, you can find me singing in choir, wandering in the woods, roller skating around my living room, or talking about a new hobby or ADHD hyperfixation over onInstagram and Threads! Find out more over at EmilyProkop.com.

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Check out my latest podcasting blog post here

Check out my Podcasting Microphone and Setup and what gear I recommend for new podcasters

Looking for a podcast host? Use my Promo Code EMILY to get your first month of hosting free at Libsyn! (Code automatically applied when you click that link 😉)