RSS.com recently hosted a live training session on podcast editing fundamentals, featuring Steve Stewart, co-founder of the Podcast Editor Academy.
The session focused on practical editing techniques that can transform raw recordings into polished, engaging content that keeps listeners hooked.
Catch the replay of “Podcast Editing: Tips and Tools to Keep Your Audience Listening” here:
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Below is a quick recap of what the event covered:
The CRAPP Method: A Framework for Effective Editing
Stewart introduced his signature acronym for identifying what to cut during editing:
C – Crutches: Filler words like “so,” “you know,” “like,” and “kind of” that don’t add value to the content.
R – Repeats: When speakers start over or say the same thing multiple ways in succession.
A – Accidents: Clear mistakes, interruptions, or moments when someone asks to rephrase their answer.
P – Pregnant Pauses: Lengthy silences before responses that slow down the listening experience.
Another P could also include “Pacing” which includes the overall rhythm and flow considerations for your episodes.
“The key to being a good podcast editor is nobody ever knows that it was edited,” Stewart explained. “If you never know I was there, how do you know it was edited?”
Editing Priority and Strategy
When approaching edits, Stewart recommends this order of importance:
- Pregnant pauses (easiest to identify and remove)
- Accidents (obvious mistakes and interruptions)
- Repeats (unnecessary repetition of ideas)
- Crutches (filler words – least important but most time-consuming)
The goal isn’t perfection but rather maintaining natural flow while removing distractions that could cause listeners to tune out.
The Critical First Three Minutes
One of the session’s most important insights concerned listener retention. Stewart emphasized that the first three minutes of any podcast episode are paramount for keeping audiences engaged.
“Get to the meat as fast as you can,” he advised.
“The longer people listen, the better the content performs. Apple and Spotify measure listening duration and will rank shows higher when people listen 80% of the way through rather than 60%.”
The masterclass covered two primary editing approaches:
Descript: AI-Powered Text-Based Editing
- Automatically transcribes audio
- Highlights filler words for easy removal
- Offers AI tools like “Edit for Clarity” and automatic filler word removal
- Includes multicam switching for video content
- Warning: AI tools can over-edit, making content sound choppy
Audacity: Traditional Waveform Editing
- Free, reliable software that’s been around for 25 years
- Requires more manual work but offers precise control
- Key tip: Use the “Find Zero Crossings” function (keyboard shortcut: Z) to make clean cuts without audio bumps
- No built-in transcription but integrates well with external transcript tools
Guest Editing Ethics and Best Practices
A significant portion of the discussion addressed how to handle guest content respectfully:
- Light editing goes unnoticed and is generally acceptable
- Consider the guest’s energy levels when making cuts to maintain natural flow
- For problematic interviews, consider not airing them rather than over-editing
- Alternative approach: Create a narrative-style episode using only the best clips with host introductions
Chapter Markers and Enhanced Features
At minute 39:52, RSS.com’s evangelist Joe Casabona demonstrated how to add chapter markers directly in the platform:
- Add timestamps, titles, and links to resources
- Include custom chapter artwork when relevant
- Be strategic about placement – avoid too many markers or placing them near ad breaks
- Remember that dynamic ad insertion can affect chapter timing
Technical Considerations for Video Content
For creators considering video podcasting, the editing complexity increases significantly:
- Video requires attention to visual cuts, lighting, and exposure
- Tools like Descript offer automatic multi-cam switching
- Consider whether the additional editing time is worth the expanded reach
When Editing Goes Wrong
Stewart shared a cautionary tale about spending eight hours editing what became an 80-minute episode from a nearly two-hour raw recording with a guest.
His advice: sometimes it’s better not to air content that requires excessive editing.
Key Takeaways for Podcasters
- Editing is essential – Even talented speakers benefit from post-production cleanup
- Invisible editing is the goal – Listeners shouldn’t notice the work you’ve done
- Focus on the opening – Also called the hook, those first three minutes of your episodes determine whether people keep listening
- Choose your tools wisely – AI can help but shouldn’t replace editorial judgment
- Respect your guests – Edit thoughtfully to present them in their best light
- Don’t over-edit – Maintain natural speech patterns and energy levels
It’s Time to Up Your Editing Game!
Professional podcast editing doesn’t require expensive tools or years of training, but it does demand understanding your audience’s listening experience.
Whether you’re removing a few “ums” or restructuring entire conversations, the goal remains the same: create content that serves your listeners and keeps them engaged from start to finish.
As Stewart concluded, “Podcast editing is not your job, it’s my job. But if you want to do your own post-production, get rid of the clips off the ends, try to find the things that are repetitive, and get to the meat as fast as you can.”
For podcasters looking to improve their editing skills, Stewart operates the Podcast Editors Club on Facebook and offers comprehensive training through the Podcast Editor Academy.
