The Magic of Removing 144 “Ums” (and why listeners never notice)

One day, after editing an episode, I counted them:
144 “ums.” Gone. Invisible. Erased from existence.

The host never heard them again… and listeners never knew they were there in the first place. That’s the magic of editing.

Filler words are completely normal. Most people don’t even realize how often they say “um,” “uh,” “you know,” or “like.” But too many can become distracting, especially if your podcast relies on storytelling or expert interviews.

Removing them isn’t about perfection. It’s about clarity.

When “ums” pile up, the message loses impact. When they’re trimmed thoughtfully (not all, just the distracting ones) the episode suddenly sounds confident, polished, and natural.

Here’s what most people don’t realize: Good editing is invisible.

Listeners don’t know what you removed. They only feel how smooth the final episode is.

If you’re editing yourself, try this:

Don’t remove every filler word
Focus on clusters
Keep natural breathing
Aim for clarity, not robotic pacing

The goal is always the same: keep the voice human while removing the noise that gets in the way.

If you need help with editing or podcast management, feel free to reach out.

Tulip Podcast Manager 🎙️ Bojana Lalic