I've started doing a podcast recently, I doubt anyone will know who I am (I will be surprised if someone figures it out

I'm using the Zoom U-22 with the MXL BCD-1 Dynamic Microphone and they're both quite nice and plug and play. The issue I am having, is that even with Output at max and Gain at around 8.5/10 on the Zoom U-22 the volume picked up by Ubuntu/Audacity/Pulse (all the same levels) is really low.
With the microphone pretty close to my face, it's only picking up -30 at a little louder than normal speech. Even with Gain cranked up to 10, it's still only hitting about -18 but then it also picks up a little background noise.
Are these types of levels normal? I've seen others say they record at a really low volume and then amplify in Audacity but it makes editing a pain for me having to either amplify it or turn my speakers up really high to even check it over?