I had the pleasure of sitting down with Nina Devouge, the founder of Elluminate and host of the Take Her Lead podcast.
Nina is passionate about sharing stories of women’s courage, resilience, and determination, and she joined me from Singapore for an honest conversation about her podcasting journey and how she’s making an impact.
In this audit, I gave Nina some useful advice on how to improve her show structure as well as audio quality.
Nina and “Take Her Lead” Podcast
Take Her Lead focuses on real stories from real women, tackling difficult conversations and sharing deeply personal experiences. Nina wants listeners to feel inspired to take small, courageous steps in their own lives. Her podcast stands out by starting with a guest’s courageous story—a personal touch that sets the tone for meaningful dialogue.
Nina views her podcast as a way to create awareness and spark conversations around important topics, rather than a direct lead generator. I completely agree—podcasting is a powerful top-of-funnel marketing tool, much like a TV commercial. It’s about building trust and authority over time, not expecting immediate conversions.
This episode was a great example of how storytelling and practical advice can come together to create something truly valuable.
Podcasting Tips For Audio Quality
Audio Quality is the most important thing in podcasting and this is a crucial area that I always pay attention to when doing podcast audits. Nina and I discussed some tips for better sound quality.
Choose the right Microphones
We kicked things off by talking about podcast equipment. Nina shared that at home, she uses a Movo microphone along with Bose earphones and sometimes records with her MacBook’s camera when her usual setup isn’t ready. It’s a relatable challenge for podcasters—forgetting to charge batteries or misplacing cables—but she’s managed to adapt well.
When it comes to audio quality, I pointed out the key difference between condenser and dynamic microphones.
Condenser mics are great for sound-treated studios, like the one Nina occasionally uses at Podster in Singapore. But for at-home recordings, I recommended switching to a dynamic microphone. They’re designed to pick up only the sound directly in front of them, making them ideal for reducing background noise in non-studio environments.
Read my blog about microphones in detail: The Best Podcast Microphones For Any Budget
Editing and Post-production
Nina also talked about her editing process, which she outsources to a freelance video editor. Outsourcing is something I strongly advocate for—it saves time and ensures consistency. Podcasting takes more effort than people realize, and editing is one of the most time-consuming parts of the process.
That’s why I offer podcasting services, especially editing to help people streamline their workflow and focus on creating quality content.
Reducing Background Noise
I could tell that the podcast had multiple people speaking at once, and the background noise was becoming very overwhelming. It’s important to remember that podcasts are often consumed by solo listeners, so you want to create a one-on-one experience between the host and the listener.
In one part of the podcast, I heard a lot of background noise, like people making “mmhmm” or “uh-huh” sounds while a guest was speaking. This can distract the listener and take them out of the conversation. I pointed out that even if the microphones were muted during editing, the background sounds might still come through because of how sound is captured in the room.
I suggested a few solutions:
- Use isolated microphones for each speaker to reduce background interference.
- Mute microphones during non-speaking moments, but be mindful of potential sound leakage.
- Check the sound levels before recording. I found that the volume was too high on this episode, forcing me to lower my volume significantly. Keeping sound levels balanced is key for a more comfortable listening experience.
Check out this blog if you want to minimize your podcast background noise.
Podcasting Tips – The Structure of a Podcast
Podcast Name – Tagline
When I looked at her podcast on Spotify, I noticed the podcast name “Take Her Lead”. I discussed one of the first things I learned about podcasting—something I took from Adam Schaeuble, who runs Podcasting Business School. This advice has stuck with me, and I apply it to all the podcasts I create, both for myself and others. I shared this same advice with Nina and anyone else I work with.
I gave her an example using the name of her podcast, Take Her Lead. I asked her to think about it from the perspective of a listener scrolling through podcast directories. Would the name tell them what the podcast is about? My answer was no. “Take Her Lead” might sound like it’s about dog leashes, like “Take your dog on a walk.” It’s important for the name to be crystal clear, so I suggested adding a tagline that would explain exactly what the podcast is about and ideally include a keyword someone would search for.
- For example “Take Her Lead: Inspiring women through real stories.”
My own podcast started as Seven Million Bikes: A Vietnam Podcast and it was intended to be quirky, based on the number of motorbikes in Saigon. But over time, I realized the name was unclear, so we updated it to just A Saigon Podcast then A Vietnam Podcast. Eventually, I changed it again to:
- A Vietnam Podcast: Community, Culture, and Conversations
This will help make it clear what the show is about—community, culture, and conversations, not food or war.
Thumbnail
We also talked about her podcast’s thumbnail. I advised her to remove the text “Real women, real stories” from the thumbnail. Most people listen to podcasts on their phones, and the picture is small. That text would likely be unreadable on mobile devices, which means it’s just taking up space.
We also talked about the font used for the word “Her.” It was a handwriting-style font, which I thought might be harder to read on small screens. I suggested she could experiment with using a bold font for the whole title. She could keep a different color for “Her” or add an outline to make it stand out, but the goal was to make sure it was clear and easy to read, even on a small phone screen.
Episode Number
We moved on to the podcast episode structure. I asked her why she started every episode with the episode number. She felt it was a helpful way to track the episodes. I let her know that I wasn’t attached to that format either way, but I did question whether episode numbers were necessary for the title. We also touched on whether seasons should be a regular part of a podcast or if the show should always be ongoing. I encouraged her to think about what would best serve her audience.
Show Notes
One of the first things that stood out to me was the repetitive nature of the show notes. Five of the episodes I reviewed began with phrases like, “In this enlightening episode…” or “In this inspiring episode…” This might seem like a safe choice, but to me, it was a classic case of falling into a ChatGPT trap. It’s a simple formula that doesn’t grab attention and, frankly, it starts to feel generic.
So, I suggested a change: start the show notes with a quote from the episode itself. When I audit shows, I always look for ways to immediately hook the listener, and what better way than starting with a thought-provoking or powerful quote that stands out in bold and italics? This grabs attention right away and makes the show notes feel more dynamic.
Using AI Tools Effectively (But with a Human Touch)
AI tools, like ChatGPT, can be a great asset in podcast production, and I’m a big fan of using them for tasks like generating show notes or even brainstorming ideas. However, I made it clear that AI is best used as Assisted Intelligence rather than replacing the human touch entirely. In the case of show notes, it’s easy for AI to churn out a standard introduction or summary, but that’s where we need to step in and refine it.
The key is to edit AI-generated content to match your style and voice. That’s why I recommended working with the show’s editor to adjust the format and add a personal, human touch to the content. It’s all about balancing the efficiency of AI with the authenticity that listeners want from the host.
Measuring Success: Tracking Clicks
When it comes to measuring the effectiveness of show notes, it’s important to track whether people are clicking the links you provide. One thing I suggested was using a tool like Bitly to create trackable links. This allows you to measure where clicks are coming from and, in turn, whether certain styles of show notes are more engaging than others.
Podcasting Tips – Video Podcasts
As someone who’s been in the podcasting game for a while, I know that podcasts are no longer just audio. Video podcasts are becoming more common, and it’s crucial to consider both the audio and visual elements of your content. When I reviewed the video, I noticed a few things that could be improved. One of the main issues was camera engagement. Early in the episode, the guest was looking away from the camera, which made her appear disengaged. I could tell she was likely thinking about what to say next or just feeling nervous, but it was noticeable to the viewer. In these moments, I recommended focusing on the host or cutting away from the guest if they weren’t engaging with the camera. Keeping the video dynamic and engaging for the viewer is just as important as maintaining audio quality.
I also pointed out that filler words, like “um,” made the guest’s introduction feel a bit less polished. I understand how nerves can lead to this, but I encouraged the editor to cut out any unnecessary fillers to maintain a smooth flow. The goal is to sound as confident and prepared as possible right from the start.
Podcast and Guest Introduction
As I listened to the introduction of her podcast, I noticed that the introduction lacked clarity on what the audience could expect from the episode. This is something I’ve learned over time—the introduction should clearly state who you are, why you’re the guide, and what the audience will gain from the episode. You want to immediately show your listeners why they should keep listening.
I shared an example with Nina, where I emphasized that a great intro should cover three key elements:
- Who you are
- Why you’re the guide for this episode
- What listeners will gain from tuning in
This is especially important when you have guests on your podcast. Instead of diving straight into the conversation, I recommended introducing your guest with a short and engaging build-up. By highlighting a few accomplishments before you mention their name, you not only generate excitement but also boost your guest’s confidence.
I also explained that if you have more than one guest, you should introduce each person with a similar format to build excitement for both of them individuallyIt’s simple, but it works wonders for creating a more polished and engaging experience.
Related post: How To Find Podcast Guests: 5 Strategies That Work
Conclusion
If you’re facing the same challenges as Nina, I hope these tips prove helpful. These small tweaks can make a huge difference in enhancing your podcast’s overall experience.
The most important lesson I shared is to always prioritize the listener’s experience. Whether it’s crafting a clear and engaging introduction, giving your guests an energetic and thoughtful intro, or making sure your audio is crisp and clear, each step is an opportunity to elevate your podcast and make it stand out.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need further help in podcasting.
And I am delighted to share that after this audit Nina was so happy with my suggestions that in 2025 going forward we will be editing her podcast and supporting her show. And generously in return Nina will be providing essential training to our, currently, all female team!
Thank you Nina and we can’t wait to work with you!
And if you would like a podcast audit let me know!
