The best iPhone audio podcast device?

[AHeadCase]

Brief backstory: I'm mid 40s, well educated and paid my way for all of it.

Suddenly I am showing signs that I have a brain condition. Short term memory loss, can't remember words, falling over a lot, having to take the stairs sitting down, uncontrollable shakes, walking into things, bruised all over, can't drive, been advised not to leave the house alone etc, etc.

I have seen neurologists, more appointments coming up. It is very frightening.

My DCs are grown and left home.

I'd like to record a podcast, for my DCs and DH only, e.g. would like to record some memories for the DCs, while I still have the memories to share.

Rather than go for some big microphone and recording system, I'm looking for a small device that I can use with my iPhone 12. It doesn't need any video, audio-only.

What do I need it? Where can I buy it? How much will it cost?

Thank you.

I’m sorry to hear of your condition.

You can simply use the Voice Memo app on the iPhone. The inbuilt microphone should give required quality. If you have AirPods they will also work, as will the microphone on any set of Apple ear phones.

What is most important is to find somewhere quite and with good acoustics to record.

I hope that helps.

Thank you for your kindness, it does help .

Though I knew about the voice memos app, I'm planning to make them episodic, so 30 - 45 minutes at a time. As I am genuinely fearful that this is 'it' for me one way or another, I was hoping for something with better sound quality than recording straight to iPhone.

I would like to make a copy for each of the DCs and for the quality to be good enough for them to stand the test of time.

The reason for making them episodic is twofold, it will give me a project to work on; planning, writing, remembering, rewriting, while I am either having treatment or an extended stay in hospital, or just extended time away from work.

Secondly, my own father died suddenly, so many questions were left unanswered. For my own DCs I want to leave some of those questions answered and the stories told. I want my DCs not to be left as bereft as I was.

As this has all happened quickly DH and I have managed to give DCs a swerve this Christmas. *No, go to

Sorry to read of your health troubles.

Maybe something like a clip on microphone would be useful, so you don't need to hold the phone when you talk.
This page gives some good advice. Nb if you don't have a headphone ja k you might need an adapter.

OK, I understand and I think it’s a a great idea.

I used to do a lot of audio recording for work (voice over type stuff). I used a Rode clip on mic. This is some years ago as more recently I’ve used my AirPods but I think you’ll get something similar.

You’ll be saving them as MP4 files I would think so storing on a Google drive or similar would make sense.

That's all very helpful TheSpottedZebra in normal times I would be able to work out how to use them. Unfortunately my brain just can't work it through right now, though DH will help.

Absolutely, SellFridges I plan to save them to my Google file and upload them to my laptop asap and edit them at home when I can.
Apologies, I should have said that I do have some AirPods, though having used them for telephone conversations they aren't always perfect.
I'm thinking that I might have some further extended hospital stays coming up and I want something I can use as privately as possible.

Apologies Zebra reading back that sounds churlish. It was meant to be enthusiastic!
This is me now. I keep getting things wrong.

@AHeadCase

Apologies Zebra reading back that sounds churlish. It was meant to be enthusiastic! This is me now. I keep getting things wrong.

You didn't seem churlish!