Background noise: sound treatment vs sound proofing
Sound treatment fixes the room's reverb. Sound proofing blocks external noise. They're different jobs — and most podcasters only need treatment.
Reverb is a sound-treatment problem — foam tiles, blankets, cat beds. But sticking up acoustic tiles does not soundproof your room. If Dave Grohl moved in next door and fired up his drums, you'd find out fast.
Eliminating outside noise is much harder than treating reverb. Pick the low-hanging fruit: kill that annoying clock, close the window, slip Dave next door a crisp 20 to nip down the pub.
Good news: most unwanted background noise is too quiet for your mic to pick up. A dynamic cardioid mic like the Samson Q2U does a great job rejecting sounds around you.
Do your best to minimise background noise. But don't obsess — conditions are rarely perfect, and you can't let that stop your progress.
Treatment or proofing — what's actually your problem?
Two quick questions to point you at the right fix.