01 · TEACHING
Episodes that teach something
Teaching episodes are the easiest to plan and the most likely to be found in search, because they answer a question someone is already asking.
- The beginner's guide to [your topic]
- Five mistakes I made with [topic], and what I do now
- [Topic] explained in ten minutes
- A myth about [topic] that most people believe
- The tools I actually use for [task]
- How I would start [topic] from zero today
- A step-by-step walkthrough of [process]
- The question I get asked most, answered properly
- What changed in [your field] this year
- A glossary episode: ten terms beginners get wrong
02 · STORY
Episodes built around a story
Story episodes build attachment. Listeners remember a story long after they forget a tip.
- The origin story: why this show exists
- My biggest failure and what it taught me
- A day in my life as a [role]
- Behind the scenes of [project]
- The best decision I ever made about [topic]
- A case study of someone who got it right
- A case study of a famous mistake
- The history of [thing in your field]
- Then and now: how I did it five years ago versus today
- A turning point episode
03 · OTHER VOICES
Guest, listener and community episodes
Other voices keep the show fresh and bring in their audiences. Pair these with the podcast interview questions guide.
- Interview an expert on one narrow question
- Interview a beginner about their first year
- A listener question episode
- Listener stories, recorded as voice notes
- A panel of three people who disagree
- A rapid-fire round with past guests
- Interview your mentor
- A hot seat episode: a listener's problem, solved live
- A live recording at an event
- A swap episode with another podcast
04 · FORMAT
Episodes that play with the format
Format episodes break the routine without changing what the show is about.
- Debate: for and against [opinion]
- A challenge: try [thing] for 30 days and report back
- Reviews: books, tools or courses in your niche
- Predictions for next year
- A year in review
- Rank the top ten [things in your niche]
- An ask me anything episode
- A short bonus episode
- A best-of compilation from past episodes
- A milestone episode for your 50th or 100th
05 · TIMELY
Timely and seasonal episodes
Timely episodes ride interest that already exists. Plan seasonal ones a month ahead.
- Your reaction to this week's news in your field
- A holiday or seasonal special
- New year goals for [topic]
- Back to school or back to work
- An anniversary of an event in your niche
- An update on a past episode
- A follow-up interview a year later
- An event recap
- A trend explainer
- What I would do differently this year
06 · SEGMENTS
Recurring segment ideas
A recurring segment is a short, named part of each episode. It gives listeners something to look forward to and gives you less to plan each week. Two or three is plenty.
- Listener question of the week
- One thing I learned this week
- Myth or fact
- Recommendation corner
- Win of the week
- Rapid-fire questions for guests
- The one-minute takeaway
- Mailbag
- Hot take
- What is on my desk
Pick one and record it today.
Record, edit by transcript and publish in Hilite. Free to start.