podcast-planning

name	podcast-planning
description	Plan podcast episodes — structure, talking points, guest prep, show notes, and distribution strategy. Use when the user wants to create a new podcast episode, prepare for a guest interview, or launch a podcast series.

Podcast Episode Planning

Key Differences from YouTube Video

Dimension	YouTube Video	Podcast
Duration	5-7 minutes (hard max)	20-60 minutes (flexible)
Visuals	Essential	None (audio-first)
Scripting	Tight outline + script	Talking points (conversational)
Retention hook	Every 2 min	Every 8-10 min
Algorithm	Watch time %	Listen-through rate
SEO target	YouTube search	Apple/Spotify search + Google
Distribution	YouTube only	Spotify, Apple, Google, RSS
Output	Script + outline	Show notes + timestamps + transcript

Episode Formats

Solo Episode ("מונולוג")

• Host speaks directly to audience
• Works best for: opinion pieces, tutorials, lessons learned
• Duration: 15-30 minutes
• Key challenge: Energy without a conversation partner

Interview Episode ("ראיון")

• Host + one guest
• Works best for: practitioner insights, case studies, expert views
• Duration: 30-60 minutes
• Key challenge: Asking the right questions, active listening

Co-host Episode ("דו-שיח")

• Two hosts in ongoing conversation
• Works best for: news/trends discussion, point-counterpoint, series regulars
• Duration: 30-50 minutes
• Key challenge: Prep alignment — avoid talking over each other

Panel Episode ("פאנל")

• Host + 2-3 guests
• Works best for: multi-perspective topics, community discussions
• Duration: 45-60 minutes
• Key challenge: Giving equal airtime, managing flow

Episode Structure

Solo Episode (30 min example)

Time	Segment	Purpose
0:00-1:30	Cold open / Teaser	Quote, insight, or provocative question
1:30-3:00	Intro + episode framing	Who this is for + what you'll get
3:00-8:00	Context / Background	Why this matters now
8:00-20:00	Main content	2-3 key segments with examples
20:00-27:00	Practical takeaways	What to do with this information
27:00-29:00	Summary + resources	Recap + links
29:00-30:00	Outro + CTA	Subscribe, review, next episode

Interview Episode (45 min example)

Time	Segment	Purpose
0:00-1:30	Teaser clip	Pull the best quote from the interview
1:30-3:00	Host intro + context	Why this guest, why now
3:00-5:00	Guest intro	Keep it short — guest introduces themselves
5:00-35:00	Interview	4-6 main question areas
35:00-42:00	"Rapid fire" or deep-dive	Change of pace
42:00-44:00	Guest's takeaway / advice	Their single best message
44:00-45:00	Outro	Thank guest + listener CTA

Planning Process

1. Define the episode brief:

   • Episode title (working title)
   • Target audience (who is this for?)
   • Core question the episode answers
   • Format (solo/interview/co-host/panel)
   • Target duration

2. Research:

   • Use deep_research for topic background and current angles
   • Look for recent news, data points, or controversies to anchor the episode
   • For interviews: research the guest's background, recent work, public statements

3. Build the episode outline:

   • Segment titles + time estimates
   • 3-5 bullet talking points per segment
   • Transition lines between segments
   • Opening hook (teaser quote or provocative question)
   • Closing CTA

4. For interview episodes — Guest Prep Pack:

   • Guest bio (as read on air — 30-45 seconds)
   • Confirmed question list (share 3-5 questions in advance)
   • Surprise questions (2-3 held back for energy)
   • "Forbidden zones" check — topics to avoid
   • Technical setup instructions for the guest

5. Show notes template:

   • Episode title + one-sentence summary
   • Guest bio + links (if applicable)
   • Chapter timestamps
   • Key resources/links mentioned
   • Episode transcript link (if available)
   • CTA (subscribe/review/newsletter)

Retention Techniques for Audio

Unlike YouTube, podcast listeners can't "see" — every retention tool is auditory:

• Verbal signposting: "Here's the key thing..." / "Wait — before we move on..." / "This is where it gets interesting..."
• Cliffhangers between segments: "I'll tell you exactly what happened in a minute, but first..."
• Chapter bookmarks: "We have four things to cover — let's start with the hardest one."
• Guest teases: "Before I bring in [guest], here's the question that sparked this whole conversation..."
• Recap moments: "So far we've covered X and Y — now let's get into Z"
• Energy variation: Alternate quiet insight moments with higher-energy examples or stories

Podcast SEO Best Practices

Title Formula

• Include the core keyword first: "Claude AI for Production: Lessons Learned with [Guest]"
• Episode number optional: "Ep. 42: ..." or just a title
• Israeli audiences: Hebrew title often works better for local discovery

Description

• First 2-3 lines MUST contain core keywords (shown in truncated previews)
• 200-400 words for full description
• List chapters/timestamps
• Include guest name prominently
• End with subscribe CTA

Tags / Categories

• Choose a consistent main category (Technology / Software Development)
• Use 3-5 relevant keywords per episode
• Platform-specific: Apple Podcasts focuses on description; Spotify on title + description

Hebrew Podcast Specifics

• Language flexibility: Hebrew narration, English tech terms (same as YouTube rule)
• Cultural context: Israeli tech community is small and connected — name-drop of shared communities (8200, Mamram, well-known companies) creates instant credibility
• Show notes: Offer both Hebrew and English — improves international discovery
• Title strategy: Hebrew title for local search + English subtitle for international reach
  • Example: "לבנות Agent בפרודקשן — מה שלא מספרים לך | Building Production AI Agents"

Output Format

Episode Plan

Deliver as a structured document with:

• Working title (Hebrew + English variant)
• Episode brief (1 paragraph — what this episode covers and for whom)
• Format + target duration
• Segment outline with timestamps and talking points
• Opening hook (exact text suggestion)
• Closing CTA (exact text suggestion)

Guest Prep Pack (for interview episodes)

• Guest bio (read-aloud version, 30-45 sec)
• Pre-send question list (3-5 questions)
• Surprise questions (2-3, hold back)
• Technical setup note for guest

Show Notes Template

• Title + summary
• Guest links (if applicable)
• Chapter timestamps
• Resources mentioned
• Subscribe CTA

Series Planning

When planning a podcast series:

• Define the series arc (what question does the series answer over 6-12 episodes?)
• Episode 1: Establish premise + introduce the host's POV
• Mid-series: Bring in guests and case studies
• Final episode: Synthesis + where to go next
• Maintain consistent segment names across episodes (helps listeners build habits)
• Consistent episode length (±5 min) — listeners plan their commutes around this

Common Mistakes

• ❌ No intro/outro music — hard cuts feel unprofessional
• ❌ Over-scripting — podcasts sound best conversational, not read
• ❌ Interview with no research on guest — leads to generic questions
• ❌ Episodes > 60 min for a new show — earn long-form trust first
• ❌ Skipping show notes — you lose all the SEO value
• ❌ Asking yes/no questions in interviews — open-ended questions get better content
• ❌ Forgetting the CTA — always tell listeners what to do next
• ❌ Recording without a backup — always record a local track + cloud backup

Checklist

Pre-Production

• Episode brief written (title, audience, core question)
• Research done (deep_research if needed)
• Guest confirmed + bio collected (for interview)
• Questions written and sent to guest (3-5 advance + 2-3 surprise)
• Segment outline with timestamps
• Opening hook finalized

Production Ready

• Recording setup tested (room, mic, levels)
• Guest briefed on tech setup
• Backup recording enabled
• Intro/outro music ready

Post-Production

• Show notes written
• Chapter timestamps marked
• Transcript requested (use start_transcription tool if you have audio)
• Thumbnail / cover art for the episode
• Distribution scheduled (Spotify, Apple, RSS)