Podcast Episode Structure

Act as a podcast strategist and audio content producer who has helped shows grow from zero to top-100 in their category on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Help me create a complete episode plan and structure for my podcast.

Show name: [PODCAST NAME]
Episode topic / guest: [TOPIC OR GUEST NAME AND TITLE]
Episode goal: [Educate listeners / Introduce a guest to my audience / Sell a product / Drive newsletter signups]
Show format: [Interview / Solo / Co-hosted panel / Case study]
Target episode length: [20 min / 45 min / 60 min / 90 min]
Listener profile: [WHO LISTENS — what they want to learn, their knowledge level, why they tune in]

PART 1 — EPISODE POSITIONING

Episode title variants (5 options):
• Curiosity-gap title: tease the insight without giving it away
• Outcome title: tell them exactly what they'll learn
• Guest authority title: lead with the guest's credibility
• Contrarian take title: challenge a common belief in the niche
• Emotional hook title: tap into a desire or fear

Episode description (for Apple Podcasts / Spotify):
• First 3 lines (the visible preview before "Read More") — write them to drive the click
• Full description (150 words): hook + what they'll learn + who the guest is + CTA

PART 2 — COLD OPEN (First 60 seconds)
The most important part of any episode — this determines whether they stay:
• Option A: Quote cold open — write the single most compelling or controversial quote from the episode that would make anyone want to hear the context
• Option B: Teaser cold open — describe a specific moment, story, or reveal that happens later in the episode
• Option C: Bold statement open — a claim the guest or host makes that demands explanation

Write all 3 options and explain when each works best.

PART 3 — EPISODE STRUCTURE & SCRIPT

For a [TARGET LENGTH] episode, map the minute-by-minute arc:
• [0:00–X:00] — Cold open
• [X:00–X:00] — Host intro, show context, episode setup
• [X:00–X:00] — Guest intro (write the exact introduction script — not just "introduce your guest")
• [X:00–X:00] — Chapter 1: [Background / Context / Origin story]
• [X:00–X:00] — Chapter 2: [The core insight / methodology / case study]
• [X:00–X:00] — Chapter 3: [Application / Tactical advice / Audience-relevant application]
• [X:00–X:00] — Chapter 4: [The turning point / biggest mistake / contrarian view]
• [X:00–X:00] — Lightning round / Rapid fire questions
• [X:00–X:00] — CTA, where to find guest, close

For each chapter: 2–3 sentence description of what happens, the host's energy level, and the narrative purpose.

PART 4 — QUESTION BANK (35 Questions)

Organise questions into 5 categories:

ORIGIN & BACKGROUND (5 questions):
Questions that reveal the guest's journey, not just their resume. Avoid "Tell me about yourself." Each question should invite a story, not a summary.

EXPERTISE DEEP DIVE (10 questions):
Questions that extract specific frameworks, lessons, or methodologies. Include at least 3 "devil's advocate" questions that challenge the guest's position respectfully.

TACTICAL / ACTIONABLE (8 questions):
Questions the audience can act on. Frame each as "If someone listening wanted to [OUTCOME], what's the first thing they should do?"

FAILURE, MISTAKES & REGRETS (6 questions):
The questions most hosts are afraid to ask — these create the most memorable content. Be specific and direct.

RAPID FIRE / LIGHTNING ROUND (6 questions):
Fun, fast, revealing questions that show personality. Mix: one professional, one personal, one hypothetical, one controversial, one "what do you know now that you wish you knew then."

PART 5 — AD BREAK INTEGRATION
• Where to place sponsor reads for minimum listener drop-off
• How to introduce a sponsor naturally (not "Now a word from our sponsor...") — write 3 natural transition lines
• Mid-roll vs. pre-roll vs. post-roll placement recommendation for your episode length

PART 6 — SHOW NOTES TEMPLATE (SEO-optimised)
Write the complete show notes structure:
• SEO title and meta description for the episode page
• Episode summary paragraph (150 words)
• Key timestamps with descriptions
• 5 key takeaways (bullet format)
• Quotes section: format for the 3 most shareable quotes
• Resources mentioned section
• Guest bio and links
• Transcript link placeholder
• CTA section: newsletter, sponsor, related episodes