For the most part, garbage in creates garbage out. And when you're on a super tight schedule, the quality of that garbage becomes a matter of perspective. What would be an immediate re-record session suddenly becomes "good enough" when you don't have any time left.
But here's the revelation that I had when doing an audio drama this way: what you think is garbage turns out to be genius! I like to call them Happy Accidents, but I had so many of them that it started to become art - good art! In fact, the more constraints you have, the better you get at becoming resourceful.
Before you know it, it's not garbage anymore - it's the best you could do with the resources and time you had. And the end result starts to take on a life of its own based on your individual voice and style.
That's when it hits you: Quality is subjective!

Quality Between the Pauses

Introducing Part 8 of 13 parts in my Between the Pauses mini-series that explores my thoughts while making my first audio drama: PAUSE for Dramatic Effect! If you're interested in the complete first season of Pause for Dramatic Effect, you can download and listen to it for free at PAUSEforDramaticEffect.com or wherever you find your podcasts.

Listen to PAUSE for Dramatic Effect

I would love for you to tell me how you think the story of Pause for Dramatic Effect turned out by giving it a rating and review or sending a Boost using one of the latest Podcast 2.0 apps, which you can find at Podcasting2.org. If you don't have a Podcast 2.0 app, I would highly recommend Podcastguru.io or Truefans.fm to get all the new podcast features you didn't know you were missing!

Does Your Podcast Need a Rescue?

Your podcast isn’t broken, it’s just stuck. Howdy! I’m Kyle Bondo, host of Not Easily Squished, podcast producer, US Navy veteran, and the guy people call when their show needs a tune-up. If you haven’t published in months or even years, but still love your show? I built this podcast for you.
However, if this podcast is not enough, then you need my Podcast Rescue: A 7-Day Tune-Up for Stalled Shows. In just 7 days, I’ll help you figure out what’s working, what’s not, and how to hit record again with confidence.
You’ll get a full diagnostic, a personalized rescue plan, two coaching sessions, and even a review of your next episode. No fluff. No overwhelm. Just results. Spots are limited, so please don’t wait to join the waitlist now at PodcastWorthy.com. Let’s get your rescue underway today!

About Not Easily Squished

Not Easily Squished is the official podcast of Oncetold, a scrappy podcasting 2.0 education and technology company just outside Fort Worth, Texas. Follow your host, Kyle M. Bondo, as he takes fragile podcast ideas and transforms them into fierce audio concepts that are Not Easily Squished!

The Fine Print
PAUSE for Dramatic Effect bonus episode #08 was originally published by Gagglepod on November 24th, 2019. Copyright © 2025. Not Easily Squished, PAUSE for Dramatic Effect, Gagglepod, and Oncetold. All Rights Reserved. No ideas were harmed during the making of this podcast.

Do you need a sound library to make an audio drama? No. No, you don't. You can get away with making your own special effects. It might not be exactly what you want. But it has a few advantages:

1. You get to decide what the sound is rather than settling for what's available

2. You don't have to search for a sound for hours

3. You own it

Will it be perfect? Maybe. But for a daily or homebrewed audio drama, sometimes, good enough sounds can work when you're in a rush. When you get yourself a budget and have the money to pay for a sound designer you can afford to be picky. Until then, constraints are your sound design's best friend!

Introducing Part 6 of 13 parts in my Between the Pauses mini-series that explores my thoughts while making my first audio drama: PAUSE for Dramatic Effect! If you're interested in the complete first season of Pause for Dramatic Effect you can download and listen to it for free at PAUSEforDramaticEffect.com or wherever you find your podcasts.

I would love for you to tell me how you think the story of Pause for Dramatic Effect turned out by giving it a rating and review or sending a Boost using one of the latest Podcast 2.0 apps which you can find at Podcasting2.org. If you don't have a Podcast 2.0 app, I would highly recommend Podcastguru.io or Truefans.fm to get all the new podcast features you didn't know you were missing!

Meanwhile, I'm now the founder of a new podcasting education and technology company called Oncetold. If you're ready to tell your story and start your own podcast then you need Oncetold at oncetold.com.

Checkout my new Valueverse music podcast called Flowgnar, a music podcast featuring Valueverse artists who grind the trail, flow over the drops, and climb the gnar. Each episode turns your off-road workout into a personal adventure by turning curated Value 4 Value playlists into pure endurance fuel. Embrace the flow while you chew the gnar! Ride or run at your own risk! Learn more at Flowgnar.com or LNBeats.com.

Not Easily Squished podcast episode #012 was originally published by Oncetold on September 2nd, 2024. What Are You Waiting For by NoiseWorld licensed via AudioJungle.net. Copyright © 2024. Not Easily Squished and Oncetold. All Rights Reserved.