Originally Published: December 9, 2025
Podcasting has become a go-to for those who want to learn more about niche topics, get insights to further their business goals, and simply for entertainment. With that comes specialized opportunities for those who want to work in the podcasting industry. Whether you’re creating your own show or seeking a broader audio career, understanding the differences between a producer, a host, and an editor is a must. Each role contributes to the podcast’s success. Let’s look at each career, the skills needed, daily tasks, and how they work together behind the scenes.
The Podcast Producer
In this job, you can look forward to developing show concepts and how the episodes are laid out, as well as scheduling and booking the guests. Staying organized is an important skill to have as you’ll be managing timelines, budgets, and the show’s overall workflow. You may also find yourself writing scripts or outlines for episodes and brainstorming on the creative direction of the podcast.
As you can imagine, problem-solving is something you’ll be doing regularly, and you should be comfortable being a leader. Many people start as an associate producer and work their way up to producer before then taking on a senior producer role and, eventually, the executive producer.
The Podcast Host
The voice of the podcast, literally, the host guides conversations with guests and sets the tone of the episode. A great host is a well-prepared one, doing research on the topic and interviewee prior to recording the episode in a podcast studio equipped with professional equipment for a top-quality recording experience. Along with connecting with each guest for a stimulating conversation, the podcast host also must connect with listeners through personality and voice. That makes being an excellent communicator a skill you, as the host, have to possess.
To improve your hosting confidence, you might take vocal training classes that include showing you how to improve clarity and tone, as well as the ability to tell an intriguing story. As even a well-coordinated episode can have its challenges, you should also get more comfortable with improvising in the moment and improve your ability to interview others.
The Podcast Editor
The final audio is in the hands of the podcast editor, who cleans up the raw recording, which is rarely ready to publish. Removing any awkward pauses, uneven volume, or moments when the host or guest misspeaks are examples of what you would edit in this exciting role. Essentially, you are turning a rough recording into a polished episode. Once you’re more comfortable in the job, you can move on to more complex editing tasks, such as adding music, transitions, and effects for an even more professional-sounding podcast.
Succeeding in this career involves being detail-oriented and getting familiar with the technical aspects of editing, including how to use the latest equipment efficiently. You could be under short timelines, too, depending on deadlines, so being able to work well under pressure is a bonus.
Conclusion
The careers described above are distinct from one another but also overlap, with a lot of interaction between them. In small teams, the same person may take on multiple roles. Producers may provide feedback on edits, too, and hosts may help with episode outlines. The right career for you aligns well with your strengths and goals.
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