Podcasting demands consistent output across many skills: research, writing, recording, editing, marketing, and distribution. AI tools handle the production overhead so you can focus on the content and conversations that make your show unique.
Pre-Production
Claude/Perplexity — Research and Scripting
Use Perplexity to research episode topics with current, sourced information. Use Claude to create episode outlines, generate interview questions, and draft solo episode scripts. The combination covers the entire pre-production workflow.
Riverside — Remote Recording
Riverside records high-quality local audio and video from each participant — no quality loss from internet connection issues. The AI features include automatic noise removal, speaker separation, and transcript generation. For interview-format podcasts, it is the professional standard.
Price: Free tier / Standard $15/month / Pro $24/month
Post-Production
Descript — AI-Powered Editing
Edit your podcast by editing the transcript. Remove filler words, cut tangents, rearrange sections — all by editing text. Studio Sound normalizes audio quality and removes background noise. For podcasters who find traditional audio editing software intimidating, Descript is revolutionary.
Price: Free tier / Hobbyist $24/month / Pro $33/month
Adobe Podcast (Enhance Speech) — Audio Cleanup
Adobe's free Enhance Speech tool removes background noise and improves vocal clarity from any recording. Upload your audio file and get studio-quality sound back. For podcasters recording in less-than-ideal environments, it is a free miracle tool.
Price: Free
Distribution
Buzzsprout/Transistor — Hosting with AI
Both hosting platforms now include AI features: automatic chapter markers, transcript generation, and show notes drafting. They distribute your episode to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms with one upload.
Opus Clip — Short-Form Clips
Upload your episode and Opus Clip identifies the most engaging segments, crops them to vertical video, adds captions, and produces ready-to-post clips for social media. One episode becomes 10-15 promotional clips for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels.
Price: Free tier / Pro $19/month
The Minimal Podcaster Stack
Free: Claude free (scripting) + Adobe Podcast (audio cleanup) + Buzzsprout free (hosting up to 2 hours/month). Under $50/month: Descript Hobbyist ($24) + Riverside Standard ($15) + Buzzsprout ($12). This covers professional-quality podcasting at every stage.