Levels and loudness
Loudness is measured in LUFS. Aim for between -16 and -21 LUFS so your show doesn't blow listeners' eardrums out — or sound like their earbuds have died.
Two separate jobs: internal consistency (the loud bits and quiet bits within an episode shouldn't be jarring) and overall loudness (your show vs. every other show in the listener's queue).
Internal consistency comes from compression — an audio technique that takes the loudest and quietest bits of a conversation and brings them closer together. Done well, the listener gets your loud laughter and your soft whispering without ever reaching for the volume dial. Compression needs a subtle touch — it's easy to overdo and squash the life out of audio.
Overall loudness is measured in LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale). Recommendations vary depending on who you ask and whether your episode is mono or stereo, but a good ballpark is between -16 and -21 LUFS. Your listeners will be grateful when they hop from another show to yours and it doesn't blow their eardrums out — or make them think their earbuds have died.
Set this up manually in a DAW like Adobe Audition, or let a podcast maker tool handle it automatically.
Your loudness target + how you'll hit it
Decide your numbers and the workflow you'll actually follow. It saves as you type.