Podcast Episode Outline & Show Notes Generator
Use this prompt to
Generate a complete podcast episode plan — topic angle, cold open hook, segment breakdown with timestamps, interview questions (if guest episode), show notes with SEO keywords, social media clips to cut, and a newsletter recap draft. One prompt produces your entire episode production workflow.
Pro tip
The cold open should be a provocative statement or a story hook from the middle of the episode — not "Welcome to the show." Pull the most interesting 15-second moment and front-load it. Listeners decide in 30 seconds whether to stay.
Prompt Variants by Model
Claude
Claude 4.x
FRESH APR 2026
You are a podcast producer building a complete episode production plan. This is an agentic workflow — produce all interconnected deliverables from a single brief.
<episode_brief>
Podcast name:...You are a podcast producer building a complete episode production plan. This is an agentic workflow — produce all interconnected deliverables from a single brief.
<episode_brief>
Podcast name: [NAME]
Podcast niche: [INDUSTRY/TOPIC AREA]
Episode topic: [SPECIFIC TOPIC FOR THIS EPISODE]
Episode format: [SOLO / INTERVIEW / CO-HOSTED / PANEL]
Guest (if applicable): [NAME, TITLE, WHY THEY ARE RELEVANT]
Target listener: [WHO LISTENS AND WHAT THEY CARE ABOUT]
Episode length: [20 / 30 / 45 / 60 MINUTES]
Brand voice: [e.g., "conversational expert", "irreverent but informative"]
Key takeaway: [THE ONE THING THE LISTENER SHOULD REMEMBER]
</episode_brief>
Produce all of the following as a connected production package:
**1. Episode angle and title options (3):**
Each title should include a curiosity hook or strong benefit statement.
**2. Cold open script (30 seconds):**
A provocative statement, surprising statistic, or story hook pulled from the most interesting part of the episode. NOT "Welcome to the show."
**3. Full episode outline with timestamps:**
For each segment: timestamp range, segment title, key talking points (3-5 bullets), transitions to next segment. Include intro, 3-4 main segments, and outro.
**4. Interview questions (if guest episode):**
10-12 questions in order. Mix of: ice-breaker, expertise deep-dive, contrarian challenge, rapid-fire, and closer. Note which questions to cut if running long.
**5. Show notes (SEO-optimized):**
Episode summary (150 words), key timestamps with descriptions, resources mentioned, guest bio and links, 5 SEO keywords to target.
**6. Social media clip suggestions:**
Identify 3 moments from the outline that would make strong 30-60 second clips. For each: timestamp, why it works as a standalone clip, suggested caption.
**7. Newsletter recap draft (200 words):**
Summary of episode with a personal take, key quote, and CTA to listen.
All deliverables must reference the same key takeaway and maintain consistent tone throughout.
Notes: This is a flagship agentic use case — Claude produces an entire production workflow from one brief. Use Projects to store your podcast format and iterate episode by episode.
ChatGPT
GPT-5
FRESH APR 2026
Act as a podcast producer. Build a complete episode production plan from one brief.
**Episode Brief:**
- Podcast: [NAME] in [NICHE]
- Topic: [THIS EPISODE'S TOPIC]
- Format:...Act as a podcast producer. Build a complete episode production plan from one brief.
**Episode Brief:**
- Podcast: [NAME] in [NICHE]
- Topic: [THIS EPISODE'S TOPIC]
- Format: [SOLO/INTERVIEW/CO-HOSTED]
- Guest: [NAME, TITLE — or "solo episode"]
- Listener: [WHO AND WHAT THEY CARE ABOUT]
- Length: [20/30/45/60 MINUTES]
- Tone: [DESCRIBE]
- Key takeaway: [ONE THING TO REMEMBER]
**Produce all of these:**
1. **3 title options** with curiosity hooks
2. **Cold open** (30 sec) — provocative hook, NOT "Welcome to the show"
3. **Full outline** with timestamps, segment titles, talking points, transitions
4. **Interview questions** (if guest): 10-12, mix of ice-breaker/deep-dive/challenge/rapid-fire
5. **Show notes:** 150-word summary, timestamps, resources, guest bio, 5 SEO keywords
6. **3 social clip suggestions:** timestamp, why it works standalone, caption
7. **Newsletter recap** (200 words): summary, key quote, CTA to listen
All deliverables must connect to the same key takeaway.
Notes: Build a Custom GPT called "Podcast Producer" with your show format, intro/outro templates, and recurring segments pre-loaded.
Gemini
Gemini 3 Pro
FRESH APR 2026
I need a complete podcast episode production plan.
**Episode:**
- Podcast: [NAME] in [NICHE]
- Topic: [THIS EPISODE]
- Format:...I need a complete podcast episode production plan.
**Episode:**
- Podcast: [NAME] in [NICHE]
- Topic: [THIS EPISODE]
- Format: [SOLO/INTERVIEW/CO-HOSTED]
- Guest: [NAME AND TITLE — or solo]
- Listener: [WHO AND WHAT THEY WANT]
- Length: [MINUTES]
- Tone: [DESCRIBE]
- Key takeaway: [ONE THING]
**Create:**
1. 3 title options with hooks
2. Cold open (30 sec) — hook, not "welcome to the show"
3. Full outline with timestamps, segments, talking points
4. Interview questions (10-12) if guest episode
5. Show notes: summary, timestamps, resources, guest bio, 5 SEO keywords
6. 3 social media clip moments with timestamps and captions
7. Newsletter recap (200 words) with key quote and CTA
Everything must connect to the same key takeaway.
Notes: Gemini can research your guest in real-time and generate more informed, specific interview questions.
Copilot
Copilot (Microsoft 365)
FRESH APR 2026
Help me plan a complete podcast episode from start to finish.
**My podcast:**
- Name: [NAME] in [NICHE]
- This episode is about: [TOPIC]
- Format: [SOLO/INTERVIEW/CO-HOSTED]
- Guest: [NAME AND TITLE...Help me plan a complete podcast episode from start to finish.
**My podcast:**
- Name: [NAME] in [NICHE]
- This episode is about: [TOPIC]
- Format: [SOLO/INTERVIEW/CO-HOSTED]
- Guest: [NAME AND TITLE — or "just me"]
- Who listens: [AUDIENCE]
- How long: [MINUTES]
- Tone: [DESCRIBE]
- The one thing listeners should remember: [KEY TAKEAWAY]
**I need all of this:**
1. 3 episode title ideas that make people want to click
2. A 30-second opening hook (not "welcome to the show" — something that grabs attention)
3. A full episode outline with time stamps, what I talk about in each section, and how to transition between sections
4. If I have a guest: 10-12 interview questions, mixing easy ones, deep ones, challenging ones, and quick-fire questions
5. Show notes: a summary of the episode, timestamps with descriptions, links to things I mention, guest bio, and 5 keywords for SEO
6. 3 moments from the episode I should cut into short clips for social media — tell me the timestamp, why it would work, and what to caption it
7. A 200-word newsletter recap I can email to subscribers with a quote from the episode and a link to listen
Everything should connect back to the main takeaway.
Notes: Copilot can draft the newsletter recap directly in Outlook and schedule the social clips in your calendar.
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