How do you handle situations where a podcast recording doesn't go as planned, such as poor audio quality or interruptions?

Handling unexpected podcast recording issues requires preparation, adaptability, and strong post-production skills. Always test equipment beforehand and record a backup to prevent data loss. For poor audio quality, use editing tools like noise reduction and EQ adjustments, or re-record if necessary. If interruptions occur, pause the recording, address the issue calmly, and edit it out later. Staying professional and reassuring guests ensures a smooth experience. Finally, learn from challenges by improving your setup or process to avoid similar problems in the future.

I would say patience and grace are always key. If you're in a recording session and for some reason or other the tech isn't working, take your time to set up everything correctly. Of course, you're in a situation under pressure, because the podcast talents are waiting to record, and depending on their schedule they might not have much time. It's always important to keep a level head, and you can make sure to keep your talents informed so they know what's what. 

On the other hand, there comes a point during a difficult recording, where trying to fix it is no longer a solution. If the talents are not in the right mood, or if they keep getting interrupted or everything seems to be going wrong, it's important to learn when to call it a day. Client and producer both want the best possible content, and forcing yourself through a bad session only leads to disappointing results. If you do end the session, make sure you communicate clearly what happened, what solutions you have for next time, and try to arrange an alternative recording date right away. 

If your podcast recording goes off the rails, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Start by editing out background noise and interruptions with tools like Audacity. If key parts are unusable, consider re-recording those sections or even the full episode if needed. If that’s not an option, try a “clip show” format by keeping the best moments and adding your commentary to tie it all together. Next time, a quick sound check and backup plan can make a big difference to avoid these headaches. Hang in there—you’ve got this!

If the audio’s not great, I’ll try to fix it in post. And honestly, a good editor can work some serious magic. But if it’s really bad, well… we might just have to re-record and pretend it never happened.

Interruptions? I like to laugh them off. Sometimes they even add a little charm to the episode. Makes it more relatable. But if it’s your neighbor’s lawnmower stealing the show, you can always wait it out and your editor can cut that out later. 

At the end of the day, the goal is to make it sound smooth—like nothing ever went wrong in the first place.

Sometimes bad content simply needs to be cut. If the whole episode has bad audio, you may be better off simply scrapping it. Sometimes that is not an option, though. In the event that you must publish regardless of quality, there are ways that editors like myself can mitigate the issues you may be experiencing. Noise reduction techniques, EQ, compression, limiting, etc. are all tools in an editors toolbelt that can turn garbage audio into something listenable (most of the time ). The tools are getting better every day, so if you have a poorly recorded episode, reach out to an expert to get help with the audio. They will let you know what is possible in terms of the end result.

When things go wrong—bad audio, interruptions—I stay calm and fix what I can in post-production. If the audio’s a mess, I’ll use tools to clean it up, and for interruptions, I either edit them out or work around them. Worst case? I’ll re-record parts if needed. Stuff happens, so I just roll with it!

If the episode doesn't result in a positive viewing/listening experience, don't publish it. Posting low-quality content will hurt your channel in the long run, as the algorithm will be more reluctant to promote your future episodes. Also have a chat with the client about the importance of soundchecks and prep, and what can or can't be fixed in editing.

Sometimes, thinking outside the box means editing content creatively—removing problematic sections while preserving the flow and meaning of the conversation. Discuss with the client their preference for how much processing or audio editing is needed, whether to salvage certain parts or take a more natural, straightforward approach. The approach ultimately depends on the situation and the client’s preferences.