What each part of the prompt does
- Cold open from a moment
- A single scene or question hooks listeners better than an introduction of the host and guest. It is the part of the episode most worth scripting word for word.
- Timed run sheet
- Timings for each part keep a conversation from spending forty minutes on background. A table is also easy to glance at while recording.
- Questions only this guest can answer
- Step 3 bans interchangeable questions. Asking about a specific decision, failure or day in the guest's work produces stories instead of talking points.
- Follow-ups ready
- Short answers are the biggest risk in an interview. Having two prepared follow-ups per question lets the host dig deeper without freezing.
Variations to try
Same idea, one thing changed.
Solo episode Plan a podcast episode and write the parts that need a script: the cold open, the run of the show, the questions and the show notes. Inputs: - Topic and angle: [TOPIC] - Listener and what they want from the episode: [LISTENER] - Guest and what they know first-hand, or "solo": [GUEST] - Episode length: [LENGTH] - Show tone: [TONE] Steps: 1. Write a cold open of about 30 seconds: one specific moment, question or surprising detail from the topic, ending on why this episode matters to the listener. 2. Plan the episode in three parts (setup, the main exploration, what to take away) with rough timings that add up to the length. 3. Instead of guest questions, write six talking points for the host, each with one personal example to share. 4. Add one listener question to answer on air for each talking point. 5. Suggest where music, a pause, or a short clip would help the listener follow the shift between parts. 6. Write three plain, accurate episode titles and show notes of about 120 words with the main points in the order they are discussed. Format: - Cold open script, then a run sheet table: Part, Timing, What happens, Notes. - Talking points with examples and listener questions. - Titles and show notes. Quality check: Make sure every point in the show notes is something the plan actually covers.
Short video podcast clips Plan a podcast episode and write the parts that need a script: the cold open, the run of the show, the questions and the show notes. Inputs: - Topic and angle: [TOPIC] - Listener and what they want from the episode: [LISTENER] - Guest and what they know first-hand, or "solo": [GUEST] - Episode length: [LENGTH] - Show tone: [TONE] Steps: 1. Write a cold open of about 30 seconds: one specific moment, question or surprising detail from the topic, ending on why this episode matters to the listener. 2. Plan the episode in three parts (setup, the main exploration, what to take away) with rough timings that add up to the length. 3. Write six questions for the guest that only this guest could answer well, each based on their experience. Avoid questions like "tell us about yourself" or "what advice would you give". 4. Add two follow-up prompts for each question, for when an answer is short or general. 5. Suggest where music, a pause, or a short clip would help the listener follow the shift between parts. 6. Write three plain, accurate episode titles and show notes of about 120 words with the main points in the order they are discussed. Format: - Cold open script, then a run sheet table: Part, Timing, What happens, Notes. - Questions with follow-ups. - Titles and show notes. - Three moments likely to work as vertical clips under 60 seconds, with a caption line for each. Quality check: Make sure every point in the show notes is something the plan actually covers.
If the result isn't right
- Fill [GUEST] with specifics from their work or interviews; the questions can only be as specific as what you provide.
- Send the guest the three-part plan, not the questions, so answers stay fresh on the day.
- Read the cold open aloud and time it before recording; 30 seconds goes faster than it looks on paper.
- Update the show notes after editing, since cut segments often leave points in the notes that no longer appear.