The collaborative magic behind every podcast

“Before anything else, it’s important to understand the concept and purpose of your podcast,” seasoned podcast produce and sound designer Jaimi Ryan

Creating a podcast sounds easy enough, right? Just grab a mic, hit record, and voilà—a podcast!

But let me tell you, that’s far from the reality.

If there’s one thing I have learned while creating S’more Talks, it’s that podcasts are no joke.

What may sound simple on the surface actually requires a perfect blend of creativity, technical expertise, and most importantly—teamwork.

For most listeners, a podcast feels like sitting in on an engaging conversation, flowing smoothly from topic to topic.

That sense of ease is exactly what we aim to deliver, but the work behind the scenes is far from effortless.

The truth is, there’s so much more to producing a quality podcast than just talking into a microphone.

And when we began work on S’more Talks, a podcast by Sarawak Tribune, it quickly became clear that podcasting was a whole new world with its own set of challenges.

Before the microphones are even set up, we spend time brainstorming and planning.

A good podcast requires strong and engaging topics.

For each episode, we don’t just ask, “What can we talk about today?”

Instead, we carefully craft each theme, ensuring it’s relevant, interesting, and has enough depth to sustain a meaningful conversation.

The goal is always to give listeners something more—whether it’s inspiration, knowledge, or just a new perspective.

This planning takes time and a lot of discussion.

Sometimes, ideas that seem perfect at first don’t hold up under scrutiny, and we have to go back to the drawing board.

Other times, we realise that a topic needs more research to be as insightful as we want it to be.

Each episode is a puzzle we have to piece together, and it’s not as easy as it sounds.

Once we have locked down the theme, we consider the structure of the episode.

Should it be free-flowing, or does it need a tighter script? What tone should we strike—light hearted or serious?

Every decision matters, and balancing with preparation is key.

Then, we move on to the technical side—where the real work begins.

Recording is just one part of the process, and honestly, it’s the easiest part.

What comes next is where podcasts truly come to life: editing and mixing.

Editing isn’t just about cutting out mistakes or awkward pauses.

It’s about shaping the episode’s narrative, making sure it flows well and sounds engaging.

Every pause, every piece of background noise, every stammer or filler word is scrutinised and polished to ensure the final product sounds professional.

The pacing needs to be just right, and even the smallest sound glitch can disrupt the listener’s experience.

It’s not a glamorous job, but it’s essential. Without great editing, a podcast can sound sloppy and unprofessional.

And trust me, getting the audio to sound pitch-perfect is no small feat. This is where our team’s hidden talents come in.

I’m lucky to have an incredible team behind S’more Talks. While Moeka Ashley and I may be the voices you hear each week, the real stars are often the ones working quietly in the background.

When we first started, some of our team members had little to no experience with audio production, but they’ve quickly adapted and developed a deep understanding of the craft.

From handling equipment to mastering the intricacies of sound mixing, our team has gone above and beyond to ensure that every episode of S’more Talks sounds polished and professional.

They are becoming experts at using audio software, fine-tuning sound levels, and ensuring that each episode meets high-quality standards.

Their dedication never ceases to amaze me, and I am deeply grateful for all their hard work. A podcast is never a one-person show.

Even though Moeka and I are the hosts, S’more Talks wouldn’t exist without the collaboration of our entire team. It’s a collective effort between creative ideas and technical know-how.

What you hear as a smooth, engaging conversation is actually the result of hours of collaboration, editing, and teamwork.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. We face challenges—like limited manpower and equipment constraints.

There’s never quite enough time or resources, but that’s where the real magic happens.

The team’s ability to adapt, learn new skills, and work together makes S’more Talks a success.

They juggle multiple responsibilities, often wearing several hats in the production process.

It’s a labour of love, and each week we’re learning, improving, and growing as a team.

So, what exactly is S’more Talks about? Well, the name says it all.

Our goal is to offer listeners “something more” each week—whether that’s a fresh perspective on current events, an interesting dive into cultural topics, or conversations that inspire and uplift.

We want to spark curiosity and foster meaningful discussions, both during the episodes and beyond.

S’more Talks isn’t just about talking; it’s about engaging with our listeners and offering content that matters.

We air new episodes every Sunday at 3 pm on YouTube and Spotify, and each week, we bring something a little different to the table.

Whether you’re tuning in for deep conversations or light hearted banter, S’more Talks has something for everyone.

So, the next time you listen to a podcast, take a moment to appreciate what goes on behind the scenes.

What sounds like a simple, casual conversation is the result of hours of planning, recording, editing, and mixing.

Podcasts are no joke – it takes creativity, technical expertise, and an incredible amount of teamwork to bring an episode to life.

At S’more Talks, we’re committed to bringing you something more every week, and I couldn’t be prouder of the team making it all happen.

Whether you’ve been following our journey from the beginning or are just now discovering us, we hope our passion for podcasting shines through in every episode.