Fourth Trimester Resources & Recommendations

Resources & Recommendations

The Fourth Trimester Resources and Recommendations list helps support our goal of finding and sharing the best resources that empower parents to take care of themselves and their families.

Here at Fourth Trimester Podcast I’m constantly being asked for advice on resources and products we love. If something is posted here, it is because I’ve personally had a good experience with the resource or product. No companies paid to be listed here. I only recommend what I myself genuinely approves of and trusts.

So, here’s a list of some of the items I use day to day that help me live more efficiently, productively and happily. I’ve already trialled and errored on your behalf so this list represents the things that actually work consistently well. The recommendations are based on what I have found to be really time-saving and enriching in a number of categories:

By the way, the links may be affiliates or sponsors in some cases because I only work with advertisers I love. I definitely appreciate you using my codes and links because it supports my work – just use the link so long as it is the best deal you can find!

Fourth Trimester Resources and Recommendations

Parenting

Travel

Also, packing list reminders: Baby passport, bag of tricks (listen here for an explanation of this!), sign your baby up for airline points prior to flying! 

Business and Podcasting

Business

  • Scheduling: Calendly makes life so much easier. I also recommend automating your podcast guest release acceptance flow into the scheduling process. Major time saver on both counts.
  • Newsletter: Mailchimp is what I use and it works well for simple newsletter sends and automations
  • Paying remote contractors: Remote.com takes care of contracts, invoices, tax documentation for working with non-US contractors. Easy to use service that is relied upon by many tech companies

Podcasting equipment and services

  • Microphone: My best experience so far has been with the Shure SM7B Dynamic Vocal Microphone When I first started out I had a Logitech Blue Yeti USB Microphone which was certainly fine but didn’t sound as crisp and beautiful in my experience.
  • Laptop: I’ve long since converted to Apple products over PCs (as sad as that was for my Excel shortcuts) and there is no need for an overly powerful machine. The MacBook Air is perfectly suited for podcasting and editing.
  • Headphones: Podcasting recording software platforms all want you to use headphones because it reduces echos and allows you to catch issues like background noises you might not notice without them. I agree. Wired headphones like my Sennheiser HD Stereo Headphones are the safest and easiest option but I recently started using my AirPods Pro instead due to aesthetics. However, I always keep my wired headphones on standby in case there are issues (not charged, Bluetooth). Bonus: The wired headphones are also used by the kids with iPads for long car rides.
  • Microphone stand: Two options here – if my desk allowed for it, I’d use my Shure Boom Arm. My new desk edges are too curved so now I use a regular stand which is the Gator Frameworks Deluxe Desktop Microphone Stand with Adjustable Height. The Yeti comes with a stand.
  • Audio enhancement: I use a Cloudlifter CL-1 to boost my vocals and reduce unwanted feedback. That connects between the microphone and the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface. I’ve found that having excellent quality audio in the first instance reduces post production editing work. These are the cables I used to connect it all together: Cable Matters 2-Pack.
  • Camera: I love the clarity and simplicity of the Logitech C930e 1080 HD Video Webcam.
  • Ring Light: When the natural light needs a boost I use a Ring Light that has three color modes and a dimmer so light can be adjusted as required.
  • Docking Station: Everything plugs into the CalDigit Thunderbolt Dock and then I have a single cord that connects to my laptop. The beauty of this is not having to plug everything in and out – just one plug and I’m ready to go!
  • Hosting Platform: Captivate meets all of Apple’s and the IAB’s requirements. It’s also more cost effective than the alternatives. I have a mega spreadsheet comparing options and Captivate wins.
  • Recording Platform: Riverside.fm for audio and video recording.
  • Transcripts: Sonix.ai is superior to the built in transcript service that come with Riverside because it offers a suite of AI Tools that make for fast chapter creation, pulling out quotes and summaries

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