If you’re trying to batch record your podcast but still feel stressed before publishing, the issue usually isn’t batching itself, it’s how you’re batching.
Are you recording a few episodes back-to-back and hoping that’s enough? Or are you planning them properly by first setting clear recording blocks, mapping your outlines and knowing exactly how far ahead you are?
Batching without structure just shifts the pressure forward.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to batch record properly, how to build a clear episode buffer, how to get into a steady recording rhythm and create a system that keeps you ahead consistently.
Why Batching Still Fails for Some Podcasters
A lot of podcasters think batching simply means recording a few episodes on the same day.
They sit down, record three or four episodes back-to-back, feel organised for a while and then somehow find themselves stressed again a few weeks later.
The problem isn’t batching.
It’s random batching.
When batching is treated as a one-off sudden push of productivity instead of part of an ongoing rhythm, you lose visibility. You don’t know how far ahead you are in weeks. You don’t know when you need to start recording again. And you don’t have any early warning signals before the pressure returns.
Without structure, batching just delays the stress.
Step 1 – Decide Your Realistic Batch Size
Before you schedule anything, decide what your batch number actually is.
What can you realistically record in one sitting without your energy dropping, your voice fading or the quality slipping?
For some podcasters, that might be two episodes. For others, it might be three or four. Very few people can record five or six properly in one go.
The goal isn’t to record as many as possible. The goal is to create a rhythm you can repeat.
If you batch once and feel exhausted, you won’t want to do it again. And batching only works when it becomes consistent.
Start by choosing a number that feels sustainable, not ambitious.
Step 2 – Outline the Episodes Before You Record
Once you’ve decided your batch number, the next step is to outline the episodes.
Not vaguely or “I’ll just figure it out on the day”
You need to know:
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What the topic of each episode is
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If it’s solo episodes or guest interviews (or both)
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What the structure will look like
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If any research or prep is required
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If there are guest logistics involved
Batching works best when all the thinking is done before the recording day.
If you sit down to record and you’re still deciding what to cover, you’re not batching strategically, you’re just stacking stress into one day.
When your episodes are clearly outlined in advance, recording becomes smoother, faster and far less draining. That’s how batching turns into a rhythm instead of a one-off push.
Step 3 – Measure Your Buffer Properly
Most podcasters think in episodes.
“I have three recorded”
“I’ve got five ready to go”
But the more important question is:
How many weeks ahead are you?
If you publish weekly, three episodes means three weeks of buffer. If you publish twice a week, three episodes only gives you a week and a half.
That’s a big difference.
Tracking your buffer in weeks gives you clarity. It tells you how much breathing room you actually have before you need to record again.
Episodes feel productive. Weeks create stability.
Once you start thinking in weeks, you can see pressure coming before it hits.
What’s a Healthy Podcast Buffer?
As a general guide, four weeks ahead is a healthy buffer for most podcasters.
If you publish weekly, that means having four completed episodes recorded and ready before they’re needed.
That gives you space for:
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Client work
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Travel/Holidays/Vacations
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Unexpected delays
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Editing overruns
- Illness
If you can comfortably build six weeks ahead, that gives you even more breathing room. It reduces the pressure even further and gives you flexibility if something changes in your schedule.
The key is that your buffer should feel stabilising, not stressful.
If you’re constantly hovering at one week ahead, you’re still operating reactively.
Four weeks gives you control.
Six weeks gives you much more flexibility.
Turn Batching Into a Rhythm
Batching only works long term when it becomes predictable.
If you wait until you feel the pressure building before you record again, you’re back in reactive mode.
Instead, build a recurring batch rhythm into your calendar.
Some podcasters prefer a single focused recording day each month. Others split batching across two shorter sessions to maintain energy and focus.
There isn’t one perfect schedule.
It depends on:
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How often you publish
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If podcasting is a core business activity or a supporting channel
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Your available recording time
The key isn’t choosing the ‘right’ number.
It’s choosing a rhythm that you can realistically maintain.
Why Batching Breaks Down Without Visibility
Most batching systems fall apart for one simple reason – there’s no visibility.
Podcasters start off organised. They record a few episodes, feel ahead and move on to other work.
Then gradually:
– They forget exactly how many episodes are ready
– They forget how many weeks of buffer they really have
– They overestimate how far ahead they are
– They lose track of upcoming publish dates
Without a clear view of your buffer in weeks, it’s easy to drift back into pressure mode.
You don’t see the risk building until you’re already too close to your next release date.
That’s when batching stops feeling calm and starts feeling reactive again.
Bringing It All Together
You can manage batching in a notebook.
You can track it in your head.
But if you want batching to become a steady rhythm instead of a last-minute scramble, you need visibility.
You need to know:
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How many weeks ahead you are
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When your next recording block is
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What your upcoming publish dates are
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When your buffer is starting to shrink
That’s the difference between recording in bursts and running a system.
If you want a structured way to track your episode buffer, recording blocks and publish schedule in one place, you can use my Podcast Batching Planner to keep everything visible and organised.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ideal podcast batch size?
There isn’t a universal number. Your ideal batch size is what you can realistically record in one sitting without your energy dropping or the quality slipping. Sustainability matters more than volume.
How many episodes should I record in one session?
Record enough to move your buffer forward, not just to feel productive. If you publish weekly and want a four-week buffer, recording three to four episodes per batch can help build stability.
Should batching be done in one day or split across a few days?
It really depends on your schedule and energy levels. Some podcasters prefer one focused recording day per month. Others split batching into shorter sessions. Choose what feels repeatable and right for you.
What if something changes after I’ve already recorded an episode?
This is where having a buffer helps. If you’re four to six weeks ahead, you have flexibility to adjust your schedule without scrambling.
What if I don’t have enough topics for 4 – 6 weeks?
That’s usually a planning issue, not a batching issue. Outline your core content themes first, then map episode ideas within those themes.
What if a guest cancels during a batch week?
Always keep at least one solo episode idea in your back pocket as a backup. Guest cancellations happen. A prepared solo episode protects your schedule.
