Don’t Start Cutting Yet: The Setup Step That Saves Hours in EditingYou recorded your episode… now it’s time to edit. But before you start cutting, trimming, and adding music, there’s a step most new podcasters skip—and it can cost you hours.In this episode of Snohomish Podcast Playground, Trent walks through the “editing prep” workflow: tracking your recording levels, choosing editing software, importing your files correctly, and applying basic audio processing so your episode sounds consistent from start to finish.What we coverThe recording mistake that ruins audio: peaking/clipping (and why it’s hard to fix)How to track your levels while recording (aim for upper green + yellow, not the top)The difference between gain and sliders/volume controlsEditing software options (and who they’re best for):Audacity (free, but destructive editing)Reaper (one-time cost, powerful)Adobe Audition (great if you already have Adobe)DaVinci Resolve (free, strong audio tools + future video option)How to import audio from recorders (SD card workflow, stereo file vs. individual tracks)Why multi-track editing gives you more control (breaths, bleed, loud laughs, room noise)The “make it consistent” starter stack: compressor + denoise (plus de-esser/de-hum if needed)Why you should never edit on laptop speakers—and how to check mixes across headphones, car, and earbudsHow EQ and presets can shape the “signature sound” of your podcastThe big takeawayEditing gets way easier when you set your levels and processing first. Do the setup once, and you’ll save time on every episode after.Next episode: How to actually edit—cutting, shaping the story, and building a polished final episode.

 In this episode, we sit down with Melody Clemans, one of the founding members of the Snohomish Carnegie Foundation and a steadfast steward of one of our town’s most beloved landmarks. Melody’s story is one of quiet determination and deep love—proof that some things are worth fighting for, even when the timeline stretches longer than anyone expects.After more than 20 years of dedication, Melody saw her vision realized as the Carnegie building once again became the heart of Snohomish—a place where core memories are made, the community gathers to celebrate, and legacy continues to live on.This conversation reminds us why the work we do matters—not just for ourselves, but for generations yet to come. Our actions, care, and persistence ripple outward in ways we may never fully see, shaping lives and stories far beyond our own. 

In this episode of Storytelling in a Small Town, Trent, Brian, and AJ tackle the part of content creation most small businesses skip: what to do after you hit record.They break down simple DIY editing moves that instantly make your videos feel more professional (without turning you into a full-time editor). You’ll hear practical advice on trimming dead space, avoiding the “millennial pause,” getting better feedback, and deciding when to polish vs. when to just post and learn.They also dig into how music, pacing, captions, and color subtly shape emotion—and why you don’t need to master all of it to start making better content.What You’ll Learn / Big MomentsThe #1 DIY edit everyone should do: Trim the beginning and end so viewers don’t watch you hit record, adjust gear, or fumbleThe “millennial pause” explained: Why millennials tend to hit record… pause… then start talking—and why Gen Z doesn’tTech habits shape content habits: Older tech trained people to “wait for it to catch up,” and it still shows up in our videosOld film rules vs. social rules: Why starting on a black frame (film school) can hurt performance on social mediaSleep on your edit (when it matters): Coming back with fresh eyes helps you catch awkward cuts, framing issues, and timingGet feedback the smart way:Use a small group of trusted “early testers”Ask for the type of feedback you want (sniff test vs. nitpicky final)When to just post it: For short shelf-life social content, audience feedback can be your best teacherAlgorithm reality check: If no one sees it, you won’t get useful feedback—pair content with platform best practicesEditing choices that affect emotion:Music sets tone and pace immediatelyPacing controls how fast information hits the viewerColor temperature and filters can make content feel warm, safe, clinical, or dramaticCaptions are basically mandatory now: Auto-captions are easy—just quick-check spelling (or don’t, if you want “comment bait”)The bigger takeaway: Don’t overthink it—have fun, trust your instincts, and keep experimenting

Wil sits down with John Agyopang—a longtime Snohomish County resident, former Boeing employee of 25 years, and the new president of the Snohomish County NAACP—for a conversation that blends civil rights, community work, and the deeper meaning of “home.”John breaks down what the NAACP is (and what it looks like today), expanding the conversation beyond race into human rights, class, and access—for immigrants, Native communities, poor and working-class families, and anyone whose rights are being ignored.From there, the episode turns personal and powerful: John shares his immigrant story from Ghana, including the childhood memory that shaped his view of America (USAID food aid) and his belief that what makes the U.S. “great” is the way immigrants bring their talent and dreams here.Then Wil and John explore John’s newest mission: African Audacity Tours, a two-week, all-inclusive trip to Ghana designed to help people reconnect with history and identity—standing where enslaved ancestors stood, walking the ancestral slave path, and participating in a moving African naming ceremony.In This Episode, You’ll Hear AboutWhat the NAACP stands for and how its mission has evolved“Not all skin folk are kinfolk”: why allyship is bigger than appearancesContextual privilege, identity, and how power shifts by settingJohn’s immigrant story and why he believes America is already “great”African Audacity Tours: the two-week Ghana experience (history, culture, legacy)The ancestral slave walk + what it means to return to the exact groundThe naming ceremony: being welcomed “home” and reclaiming identityLocal community work: diversion programs, mentorship, and financial literacyPartnership with Wally Webster’s Access ProjectAdult financial literacy + refurbished laptops with Millennium Industries / Rev. Leilani MillerYouth tutoring support through Make It WorthyCall to ActionIf you’ve ever wanted to travel to Ghana (or Africa) but didn’t know how to do it safely and affordably, John shares how to connect:Website: https://www.africanaudacity.comWil also challenges listeners to help the show reach all 50 states by the end of 2026—and to share the podcast instead of “hoarding the information.”Closing VibeThis episode is a reminder that we have more in common than we think, and that real progress starts when we stay open—open to stories, open to each other, and open to the places that shaped us.

You’ve planned the show. You’ve got the gear. You’ve set up your space. Now it’s time for the part most people picture when they think “podcasting”: recording.In this episode of Snohomish Podcast Playground, Trent walks through what to do before and during your recording session so you don’t end up rushed, stressed, or stuck with hours of painful edits.What we coverWhy you should block more time than you think (even for a “quick” 15-minute episode)The reality of recording: your raw session will usually be much longer than the final episodePre-record checklist: test your gear, silence your phone, remove distractions, and confirm your audio is actually savingWhy it helps to record a backup when you canHow to calm your nerves and avoid the “100 miles per hour” problemWhat to do when you get tongue-tied: pause, reset, and re-do a sentenceWhy you should keep your episode flow/outline in front of you while recordingA simple trick to stay audience-focused: keep a picture of your listener persona nearbyThe “playground” approach: try multiple intros and transitions, then choose what works in editingThe 30-second rule: why your opening matters more than you thinkThe big takeawayYour first recording isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning your voice, your pace, and your flow. Treat it like a test run, play with it, and you’ll get better fast.Produced & Edited by: Olivia BlombergMusic: https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-have-fun-382760/