New user needs help with FX settings for mix

[MemeRunner]

Hi,
I’m new to Reaper (in evaluation mode) and am trying to mix a podcast. The podcast is a dialog between two people, with a couple of small effects, like a door opening/closing. I’m wanting the best way to organize and apply the FX for the final MP3 export, based on the target audio specs.

Below are the audio specs I’m targeting for each track:
- Integrated loudness: -16dB LUFS
- True peak: -2dB

Current readings for the voice tracks and SFX:
- Integrated loudness: -20.5dB LUFS (-28 for the SFX)
- True peak: -2.7dB (-4db for SFX)
- Loudness range: 10dB for voices, (12dB for SFX)

To meet my target specs, I know I need to increase the Integrated Loudness by 4.5dB, and the True Peak by .7dB. I’m just not sure the ideal way to achieve that.

I think I’d want to use the following plugins, in this order.
- dpMeter2 (already using for the sound analysis)
- Compression (make the voices easier to understand)
- EQ (boost highs after compression)
- Then some form of limiter or normalizer to keep Integrated Loudness and True Peak at their target levels?

Do I have that general direction right? If so, I know how to bring the plugins into FX. What’s the best option for controlling the levels at output? I searched for “limiter” and “normalizer” but didn’t find anything.

For Compression. Given my current meter levels, for the voice tracks, would you set the Threshold at -20.5dB and the ratio at 2:1?

Any other suggestions on compression?

Any guidance here will be much appreciated.
Doug