Podcast Episode Outline & Show Notes Generator
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.
How to use this prompt
- Pick your AI model. Choose the tab for Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot — each variant is tuned for that model.
- Copy the full prompt. Click Copy Full Prompt to copy the text to your clipboard.
- Paste into your AI tool. Open your chosen model and paste the prompt into a new chat.
- Replace the
[placeholders]. Swap any bracketed fields for your company name, audience, product or tone. - Run and refine. Review the output. If anything is off, ask the AI to tighten tone, length or format.
Prompt Variants by Model
Claude
Claude 4.x
UPDATED 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
UPDATED 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
UPDATED 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)
UPDATED 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Podcast Episode Outline & Show Notes Generator prompt do?
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.
Which AI models is this prompt tested on?
This prompt is field-tested on Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot. Each model has its own optimized variant above.
Do I need a paid AI account to use this prompt?
No. This prompt is written to run on the free tier of Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot. Paid tiers simply give you longer context windows and faster responses.
Can I customize this prompt for my business?
Yes. Any text inside square brackets is a placeholder you replace with your own business details, such as company name, audience, product or tone. You can also ask the AI to adjust format, length or style after the first output.
When was this prompt last verified?
Each model variant above shows its own freshness stamp. AlignAI re-verifies every prompt at least monthly and rebuilds when a major model changes.
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