Ok do I need a headset or headphones? Do I need a $300.00 microphone or the $25.00 one? Can I use my laptop's microphone and speaker? Do I have to purchase a sound board? Do I use Skype or Zoom? Should I dress up and video tape the podcast? Do I need a script? What do I do with the recording? Do I host it on my web site or should I send it to a podcast directory?

YES, YES, YES and NO, NO, NO. 
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Before you decide that your claim to fame is a podcast, you need to look at testing equipment to get a feel of what you need. Oh yea before the equipment discovery and purchase are you ready to commit to the time needed? Its not a hobby if you are looking to do it professionally.  

  Well whether you want to believe it or not AI will soon be involved in podcast creation.
In fact it as been rumored that MIT is working on brain to wire podcast recordings. The process is first wires are placed on your skull like a EKG and what you are thinking is recorded. So think about that for a moment.... what if you are being interview and you think "What a f__king jerk this person is."  OPPS your on record now what? Or maybe you are reading a XX novel and you think, no wait we won't go there, at least not today. The Dr. is in