75. Start and Grow a Hobby Podcast: Lessons from Leith McKay of Finding Me
- Brittany Miller
- Oct 29, 2024
- 17 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Why a hobby podcast might be your next best passion project
If you've ever wondered whether a hobby podcast is worth the time, energy, and occasional overwhelm — this is for you. Today I sat down with Leith McKay, creator and host of the Finding Me podcast, to dig into what it really looks like to start and grow a hobby podcast. Our conversation covers the messy, human, and deeply practical parts of podcasting that no one tells you when you’re scrolling Instagram and thinking every podcast must be a viral success overnight.
Leith has been hosting Finding Me since 2018 and is heading into her sixth season. She calls Finding Me a space to explore women’s stories about feeling stuck and finding ways to get unstuck. The show began as a creative experiment and a response to feeling passionless — and it evolved into a meaningful project that Leith pours real time into while keeping it intentionally non-commercial. In other words: a true hobby podcast with heart, curiosity, and real-world lessons for creators who want to start something without pressure to monetize immediately.
This article distills the full conversation where we talk about why you would want to start a hobby podcast, how much time it actually takes, the technology you need (and what you don’t), and more! Whether you’re busy with kids, juggling a day job, or simply curious about exploring a creative outlet, you’ll find practical guidance and honest reflections you can use to move forward.
If we haven't met yet, I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.
Table of Contents
Why Leith started a hobby podcast (and why that matters)
Leith’s journey toward a hobby podcast began during a season of flux. She had graduated university, checked many boxes, but still felt disoriented by career choices. The turning point came after big life changes — moving countries, having children, and confronting the reality of not having a work visa while living in the United States. Rather than forcing herself into a role that felt soul-destroying, she leaned into curiosity.
She started by blogging stories of working mothers. Those conversations fascinated her because the backstory — the messy, vulnerable parts of a person’s path — weren’t reflected in polished bios or profiles. She realized the value of telling these stories aloud, directly, and more simply than a long-form written piece. That led to trying podcasting in 2018 as an experiment: “I’m going to try this,” she told herself, and Finding Me was born.
That origin story is important because it reframes what a hobby podcast can be. It doesn’t need to be a revenue-first project. It can be a vehicle to document curiosity, learn from others, and create a space of shared human experience. Leith’s hobby podcast was a way to fill a professional gap on a resume — initially a practical decision — that then became a meaningful creative practice. If you’re considering a hobby podcast, this is a reminder: experimentation is the point. You don’t need to have it all figured out to start.
What is a hobby podcast? Defining the term
The phrase hobby podcast appears throughout this conversation because it captures the intent behind the project. A hobby podcast is:
A passion-led project rather than a primary income source
Focused on learning, creating, and sharing, not purely on metrics
Flexible in schedule and production expectations
A platform to practice skills — interviewing, editing, storytelling
An offering that connects you to listeners without needing to be ad-optimized
Calling it a hobby podcast does not mean being sloppy or unprofessional. Instead, it means giving yourself permission to create for joy, curiosity, and personal growth first. For Leith, that freedom allows her to keep the show authentic, reflective, and human — and that’s exactly what draws listeners to Finding Me.
How much time does a podcast actually take?
One of the most practical parts of the conversation between us is the honest accounting of time. Podcasting looks effortless when you listen to a polished episode, but the behind-the-scenes hours matter. Leith broke down the work into two main buckets:
Conversation time (the interview or recording)
Post-production work (editing, show notes, social media, newsletter writing)
For Leith, a single episode’s conversation frequently takes about an hour. The editing and production on that episode — from trimming audio to adding music and intros — can take several hours. She estimates:
Typical interview and initial edit: 4–5 hours
Additional marketing work (social posts, newsletter, reflection writing): 5–8 hours
On an inefficient or heavy editing week: 12–14 hours per episode
Compare that with my (Brittany) approach: where I spend roughly 2–3 hours weekly on recording and social/email tasks, and my producer/editor Grayson takes 30–90 minutes to edit each episode depending on length. That’s a combined 3–5 hours per episode for Brittany’s workflow. The key insight here isn’t which number is “better” — it’s that every host’s time investment depends on priorities, editing philosophies, and how much of the workflow they outsource.
Actionable takeaway: estimate the realistic time you can commit per episode and build a workflow to match. If you can only spare 2–4 hours, simplify the production and outsource when possible. If you have more time and want deep reflection and long-form writing tied to each episode, budget for the larger time blocks Leith described.
Starting equipment: creating a quality hobby podcast without overspending
One myth that keeps people from starting a hobby podcast is the idea that you need a professional studio and thousands of dollars of equipment. Leith and Brittany both dispel that myth in their chat. Here’s how to get started affordably without sacrificing sound quality:
Smartphone recording: perfectly acceptable for a first episode. Record in a quiet room, use the phone’s voice memo or a recording app, then export the file for editing.
Lapel mics (clip-on microphones): inexpensive options from Amazon can be a great first step. Leith tested cheap lapel mics and found them “totally fine” for in-person interviews. Here's a lapel mic set I recommend.
USB microphones: if you want to step up audio quality with minimal complexity, a USB mic in the $50–$150 range is an excellent investment.
Computer built-in software: Mac users can start with GarageBand (free) and Windows users can start with Audacity (free download). These tools are beginner-friendly and capable.
Zoom/Riverside for remote interviews: record interviews via Zoom or use services like Riverside to get high-quality local recordings and automatic transcription.
Leith also mentioned that her husband, who is into music, eventually helped her upgrade her setup. But the primary message is: buy a mic that fits your budget, use a straightforward recording tool, and prioritize consistency over perfection.
Recording in person vs. remote: pros and cons for your hobby podcast
Leith started by recording in person — sometimes at library rooms — and tried lapel mics for those conversations. She also uses remote recording tools when needed. Here are practical pros and cons to help you decide what to use:
In-Person Podcast Episode Recording
In-person recording advantages:
Stronger rapport and nonverbal cues
Potentially cleaner audio if both use good mics
Less chance of internet glitches
In-person disadvantages:
Need a quiet space or rented room
Scheduling can be harder
Online Podcast Episode Recording
Remote recording advantages:
Invite guests globally
Convenience for busy guests
Tools can record local audio tracks for better quality
Online recording allows you to capture video for YouTube and social media content
Remote disadvantages:
Potential wifi issues
Requires some familiarity with tools like Zoom, Riverside, or SquadCast
Which should you choose? If your hobby podcast idea requires local voices and you value in-person chemistry, try in-person first. If your topic benefits from diverse guests or remote experts, start with Zoom or Riverside — both are beginner friendly and offer ways to capture good audio.
Editing philosophy: how much polish does your hobby podcast need?
Leith’s editing philosophy is refreshingly simple: don’t over-edit out the humanity. She keeps conversations largely intact, sometimes trimming only the long pauses or banter that doesn’t serve the episode’s purpose. That approach keeps episodes real and relatable — something listeners appreciate.
Here are some editing strategies to consider for your hobby podcast:
Minimal editing (Leith’s approach): remove clear technical errors, long silences, and awkward tangents. Keep the conversation’s flow and the human moments.
Moderate editing: trim filler words ("um," "uh"), tighten transitions, and slightly restructure for clarity.
Full production: add sound design, music beds, seamless edits, and multi-track mixing for a radio-quality finish.
For most hobby podcasters, minimal-to-moderate editing is the sweet spot. It saves time while preserving authenticity. If you value authenticity — stories and human mistakes included — lean lighter on edits.
Repurposing Podcasts: getting more mileage from each episode
One way to make a hobby podcast feel less like a time drain is to repurpose episode content. Leith writes reflective newsletters and pulls “gold nuggets” from interviews to share on social media. This strategy does double duty: it deepens the host’s learning and gives followers bite-sized insights that can attract new listeners.
Repurposing ideas:
Write a short essay or reflection based on the episode’s top theme.
Create short social clips (audio or video) for Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
Use transcriptions to pull quotable lines and captions.
Turn episode learnings into an email newsletter segment or downloadable checklist.
Bundle episodes into themed playlists or mini-guides on your website.
These repurposing tactics help you get more reach from the one-hour conversation and justify the time you spend producing each episode. Leith admits that the reflective writing and social posting often take longer than the editing itself — a natural trade-off for a host who also enjoys thoughtful synthesis.
Monetization: why Leith chose not to monetize — for now
One honest and valuable part of the conversation is Leith’s approach to monetization. She has not monetized Finding Me and describes it as a passion project. There are several reasons behind that decision:
She started the podcast during a personal exploration phase and wanted creative freedom.
Monetization often requires a steady investment in time and tracking metrics to make the show attractive to advertisers.
Leith sees the podcast as a stepping stone — something that will inform future ventures and possibly lead to monetizable opportunities that aren’t ad-related.
Leith recognizes the cultural pressure to monetize creative projects but allows herself permission to operate differently, which I love. That decision reduces stress and keeps the show focused on connection and curiosity rather than revenue. If monetization becomes a priority later, there are many paths (sponsorships, courses, membership tiers, or consulting offers rooted in the podcast’s subject matter). For her, right now, the hobby podcast is enough.
When and how to think about monetizing a hobby podcast
If you eventually want to monetize, there are thoughtful ways to transition without sacrificing authenticity. Consider these triggers and approaches:
Trigger signs you might monetize:
You have consistent downloads and audience engagement
You have a newsletter or community that trusts you
You know the product or service you’d like to sell
Approaches to monetize:
Sponsorships that align with your values
Premium episodes or a membership tier
Courses, coaching, or downloadable resources
Live events or workshops
Leith’s current stance is to keep the hobby podcast as an incubator — a place to experiment that may eventually inform monetized products. That approach can be liberating because it removes immediate pressure and creates space for creativity to mature into something financially viable down the line.
Monetization alternatives for hobby podcasts
If you’re running a hobby podcast but want options to earn income without selling out the soul of the project, consider these ideas:
Use the podcast to drive interest in a paid course or coaching service.
Offer premium content through subscriptions (patreon or a membership site) while keeping the main show free.
Create downloadable guides tied to episodes and sell them as a low-cost product.
Host paid live events or workshops based on popular episodes.
Accept one-off sponsorships that align closely with your audience and values.
These approaches let you retain creative control while exploring income options once you have clarity about what you want to build.
The biggest lesson from producing a hobby podcast
"Every woman I've spoken to got unstuck through curiosity — asking new and different questions about herself."
That quote captures the heart of what Leith learned from years of conversations on Finding Me. The podcast wasn’t only a way for her to interview women; it served as a avenue for curiosity. Each conversation helped reveal how people move through being stuck by reframing problems and asking new questions. That insight matters to podcasters because it points to a potent format you can embrace: interview-led curiosity.
Apply this lesson to your hobby podcast by designing episodes that surface questions, not just answers. Invite guests who model curiosity. Use the episode to experiment with new ideas and try gentle reframing prompts for your listeners. In doing so, you turn each episode into a micro-practice for personal growth — something that resonates deeply with listeners.
Staying consistent with a hobby podcast: practical tips
Consistency is a challenge for many creators. For Leith, motivation comes from the why: she cares about humanizing struggle and helping women feel less alone. That why keeps her returning season after season.
Here are practical habits that help support consistency for a hobby podcast:
Define your why clearly: is the podcast a creative outlet, a resume builder, a learning lab, or a marketing funnel? Your why should be personal and motivating.
Batch record when possible: schedule multiple interviews across a few days to create a buffer of episodes.
Create a simple production checklist: record, edit, create show notes, write a short newsletter blurb, and post social clips. Repeat.
Allow seasonal breaks: Leith takes summers off. Stagger your publishing calendar around personal rhythms so the podcast doesn’t burn you out.
Outsource small tasks: if budgets allow, pay someone for editing, transcriptions, or social clip creation to reduce the friction of publishing.
Lower your expectations on polish when life gets busy: authenticity matters more than flawless production.
Ultimately, consistency grows when the work aligns with your values. If your hobby podcast is driven by curiosity and joy, returning to the microphone will feel less like a chore and more like a habit you want to preserve.
How to start a hobby podcast today: a step-by-step plan
If you're ready to start a hobby podcast but don't know where to start, here's a practical roadmap inspired by Leith’s experience and Brittany’s operational approach:
Clarify your purpose: write a one-sentence mission for your hobby podcast. Ex: “I host thoughtful conversations with women about how they got unstuck.”
Plan 6 episodes: sketch topics or guests for the next six shows to create momentum.
Choose minimal equipment: pick a USB mic or lapel, and install GarageBand (Mac) or Audacity (Windows) to record.
Record a practice episode: do not publish it — use it to learn the process and adjust your format.
Refine and record your first 2–3 publishable episodes: these will be your launch content.
Edit minimally: trim long pauses, add intro/outro music, and keep the natural flow.
Write short episode notes and one social post per episode to share key takeaways.
Publish on a hosting platform and submit to major directories (Apple Podcasts, Spotify).
Repeat and reflect: after three episodes, revisit your process and iterate.
Starting small reduces pressure. The goal of these steps is not polish; it’s momentum. Leith’s first interview never made it to air — but it taught her how the show needed to be framed. That early experimentation made the eventual episodes stronger.
Common mistakes hobby podcasters make — and how to avoid them
Leith and Brittany discussed errors that often trip up new hosts. Avoid these pitfalls to keep your momentum:
Waiting to be perfect before starting: your first episode probably won’t be perfect. That’s okay.
Overpolishing at the expense of consistency: obsessing over minor edits can kill momentum.
Underestimating the time needed for promotion: the show won’t grow by itself — simple promotion matters.
Trying to monetize too early: chasing ad dollars without an audience leads to frustration.
Neglecting repurposing: you can increase reach significantly by creating short clips and newsletter content.
Common podcasting fears — and why you can move past them
Many people tell themselves limiting stories that prevent them from starting. Here are the most common fears and how Leith and I suggest reframing them:
“I don’t have a studio.” — You don’t need one. Library rooms, a quiet corner, or a parked car can work.
“I don’t know how to edit.” — Start with Audacity or GarageBand and follow one YouTube tutorial. Editing is learnable.
“No one will listen.” — Even with a small audience, the act of creating matters. Listenership often grows organically when you persist.
“It will take too much time.” — Design a workflow that matches the hours you can realistically commit and choose the level of polish you can sustain.
“I need to monetize immediately.” — Monetization can be deferred. A hobby podcast can still open doors and create unexpected opportunities.
Podcasting fears and limiting beleifs stopped me from starting my podcast for way too long, don't let it keep stuck too. Check out my blog post, Mental Roadblocks to Starting (and Growing) Your Podcast and How to Overcome Them, sharing tips to over come podcasting fears and hit publish on your first episode.
Growth strategies for hobby podcasts
If growth is a secondary goal for your hobby podcast, use gentle growth strategies that don’t tank your creative energy:
Consistent posting cadence: even a monthly episode builds trust if it’s consistent.
Repurposing: turn each episode into social snippets, a newsletter, and blog posts to extend reach.
Cross-promotion: trade guest swaps or mention other small shows to tap into aligned audiences.
SEO-friendly episode descriptions: write accessible show notes with keywords that help discovery (hint: use "hobby podcast" when applicable in your descriptions).
Community engagement: invite listener feedback through DMs, emails, or voicemails and feature listener stories occasionally.
Growth for hobby podcasts is often slow, but it’s also steady if you create value and remain authentic. Leith’s show connects because it’s vulnerable and reflective — not because it chases virality.
Balancing podcasting with life: a busy parent’s perspective
Both hosts in the conversation are parents, and the practical tips for balancing family life and podcasting are priceless. Here are key strategies mentioned in the episode and expanded upon for actionable use:
Use micro-commutes and pockets of time for planning: a 30-minute writing burst can generate social captions or episode notes.
Batch tasks: record interviews on a weekend or during a concentrated block to free up weekdays.
Involve family in your schedule: designate “recording times” and share them with your household so interruptions are minimized.
Allow flexibility in your publishing schedule: seasons, rather than a weekly release, can match life rhythms.
Take care of yourself: the better your emotional bandwidth, the better your interviews will be. Make room to rest and recharge.
Leith described how being flexible with mornings or taking a day to play hooky with her kids actually lowered family friction and helped the overall household energy — which in turn makes a consistent creative practice more possible. That’s a big life design lesson: creative work thrives with small structural supports, not rigid perfectionism.
Editing workflow example: a practical checklist
If you prefer a checklist to guide your production, here’s a lightweight one inspired by Leith’s process:
Record the conversation (aim for 45–60 minutes).
Export raw audio and save a backup file immediately.
Perform a rough edit: trim technical glitches and long pauses. Add intro/outro.
Export final audio and upload to your hosting platform.
Create a short episode summary and pull 3–5 quotable lines from the transcription.
Write an email newsletter highlight (2–3 paragraphs) and schedule social posts.
Publish episode and repurpose clips over the next 1–2 weeks.
This workflow is intentionally lightweight to fit hobby podcasters who want to publish without getting buried in tasks. Scale it up as needed by outsourcing editing or hiring a social media assistant.
Repurposing technical tips and transcription tools
Leith mentioned several technical tools in the episode that help with production and repurposing:
Audacity: a free, open-source audio editor for Windows users. Great for basic editing.
GarageBand: free for Mac users, simple interface for recording and editing audio.
Zoom: for remote interviews, easy and ubiquitous. Note: free Zoom accounts limit group calls to 40 minutes.
Riverside.fm: a remote recording platform that records separate local tracks for each participant, improving audio quality and offering transcription features.
Automatic transcription tools: these save time when extracting quotes and writing posts. Many hosts value transcriptions for searchability and repurposing.
Using a transcription service makes writing episode summaries, pulling quotes for social media, and creating blog posts much easier. If you run a hobby podcast and hate writing, transcriptions can be a game-changer — copy a few lines and repurpose them into captions
How to measure success for a hobby podcast
Because a hobby podcast isn’t usually run as a business, traditional ROI metrics might not be relevant. Instead, consider these success measures:
Personal fulfillment (Did you enjoy producing this episode?)
Learning and skill development (Did you practice interviewing, editing, or writing?)
Listener feedback (Are people emailing or DMing you feedback?)
Consistency (Are you keeping a cadence that fits your life?)
Creative momentum (Has podcasting led to other opportunities or ideas?)
These measures keep your hobby podcast grounded in its original purpose: curiosity and connection. If external growth follows, wonderful. If not, the internal benefits still matter.
FAQs about Hobby Podcasts or Podcasting for Business
How much time should I expect to spend on a podcast per episode?
Time varies by how much editing, writing, and promotion you do. Expect anywhere from 3–14 hours per episode based on your workflow. Hosts like Brittany manage 2–4 hours per episode when outsourcing editing, while others like Leith invest 8–14 hours when including reflective writing and social content. Plan a realistic number of hours you can sustain.
Do I need expensive equipment to start a hobby podcast?
No. You can start with a smartphone, cheap lapel mics, or an affordable USB mic. Use free software like Audacity (Windows) or GarageBand (Mac) to edit. Upgrade only when you need better audio quality or more advanced features.
Can I record a podcast remotely?
Yes. Remote recording is common and convenient. You can use Zoom for basic recordings or platforms like Riverside.fm for higher-quality local tracks and transcription. Remote recording allows you to interview guests anywhere in the world.
Should I monetize my hobby podcast?
Monetization is optional. Many hobby podcasters choose not to monetize initially to preserve creative freedom. Alternatives to direct ad revenue include using the podcast to promote courses, workshops, or paid services — or adding a paid membership later if it fits your goals.
How should I edit my episodes if I want to keep them authentic?
Consider minimal editing: remove obvious technical issues and long pauses, add intro/outro music, and keep the natural flow. Authenticity helps listeners connect. Save heavy production for episodes where the story requires it.
What tools are best for transcribing and repurposing episode content?
Use tools like Riverside, Google Meet transcriptions, or Otter.ai for transcriptions; both make it easy to pull quotes and create social posts. Transcriptions simplify writing episode summaries, extracting quotes, and creating SEO-friendly show notes.
How do I stay consistent with a podcast while juggling life responsibilities?
Design a cadence that matches your life rhythms (seasonal publishing, monthly episodes, or a short season model). Batch record when possible, outsource tasks like editing, and protect your creative time by communicating your schedule to family and collaborators.
What if I record a bad first episode?
That’s normal. Treat your first episode as practice. Many hosts discard early recordings; the learning matters more than perfection. Iterate and publish the episodes that feel representative of your show.
Final thoughts: a hobby podcast is an invitation to try
Leith McKay’s story is a reminder that podcasting doesn’t have to be a full-time hustle or a metric-obsessed mission to be valuable. A hobby podcast can be a laboratory for curiosity, a creative outlet that helps you learn, connect, and reflect. It can also be a gentle incubator for future opportunities without forcing premature monetization.
If you’re weighing whether to start a hobby podcast, remember these practical takeaways from the episode:
Start small and be okay with messy beginnings.
Choose an editing level you can sustain — authenticity over perfection.
Use low-cost equipment and free editing tools to get going.
Repurpose content to maximize reach and reduce time wasted.
Define your why and let it guide frequency, format, and workload.
Podcasting is a craft you get better at by doing. Whether you publish one season, ten seasons, or a handful of episodes for personal learning, the important part is that you begin. As Leith found, the work itself — the conversations, the questions, and the reflection — can be more rewarding than any dollar figure. Your hobby podcast could be your next meaningful creative habit. Try it, and let curiosity do the rest.
Go Get Great Episode 75 References
Podcast Editing in Audactiy Tutorial https://youtu.be/GPX_WySAIS0?feature=shared
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Hit follow and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! The kids and I might even bust out a happy dance! 💗 - Brittany
00:00 Intro
3:30 Finding Me Podcast
9:00 Why start your podcast
14:00 How much time invested into podcast
19:00 Starting your podcast journey
21:45 Will you monetize your podcast?
27:30 Biggest learning from your podcast
38:40 Advice for someone starting a podcast
45:30 Wrap up
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