---
template_type: video_script
category: podcast_audio
use_case: Long-form audio content and conversations
time_to_complete: 2-3 hours
difficulty: intermediate
engagement_potential: high
best_for:
  - Deep dives
  - Relationship building
  - Authority
  - Loyal audience
tags:
  - podcast
  - audio
  - conversation
  - depth
  - long-form
---

# Podcast Episode Script Template

**Episode Title**: [Compelling, Descriptive Title]  
**Episode Number**: #[Number]  
**Guest**: [Name] (if applicable)  
**Length**: 30-90 minutes  
**Format**: [Interview/Solo/Co-hosted/Panel]

---

## Pre-Show Checklist

- [ ] Guest confirmed and briefed
- [ ] Recording software tested
- [ ] Microphones checked
- [ ] Backup recording running
- [ ] Questions prepared
- [ ] Research completed
- [ ] Intro/outro music ready
- [ ] Show notes outline created

---

## Episode Structure

### COLD OPEN (0:00-1:00) - 60 seconds

**[MUSIC]**: [Intro music fades in]

**[CLIP]**: [Most compelling 15-30 second clip from episode]

**HOST**: [Teaser about what's coming]

**Example**:
> "In today's episode, [Guest] shares the exact strategy that helped them [impressive result]. Stay tuned."

**[MUSIC]**: [Transition]

---

### INTRO (1:00-3:00) - 2 minutes

**[MUSIC]**: [Intro music]

**HOST**: Welcome to [Podcast Name], the show where we [value proposition].

I'm your host, [Your Name], and today we're [episode topic/guest introduction].

**[If Guest]**:
[Guest Name] is [credentials and why they're interesting]. We're going to talk about [main topics].

**[If Solo]**:
In this episode, I'm diving into [topic] because [relevance/why now].

**What you'll learn**:
- [Key takeaway 1]
- [Key takeaway 2]
- [Key takeaway 3]

**[SPONSOR]** (if applicable):
This episode is brought to you by [Sponsor]. [Brief, authentic endorsement]

Alright, let's get into it.

**[MUSIC]**: [Fade out]

---

### MAIN CONTENT

#### INTERVIEW FORMAT

**SEGMENT 1: Background (3:00-15:00) - 12 minutes**

**HOST**: [Guest], thanks for joining me. Let's start with your story. How did you get into [field/topic]?

**GUEST**: [Response]

**HOST**: [Follow-up question based on response]

**[QUESTIONS TO COVER]**:
- Origin story
- Key turning points
- Early challenges
- Formative experiences

**[TRANSITION]**: That's fascinating. So that led you to [next topic]...

---

**SEGMENT 2: Deep Dive (15:00-40:00) - 25 minutes**

**HOST**: Let's talk about [main topic]. Walk me through [specific aspect].

**[QUESTIONS TO EXPLORE]**:
- Core methodology/approach
- Specific examples
- Lessons learned
- Mistakes made
- Unexpected insights
- Contrarian views

**[FOLLOW-UP PROMPTS]**:
- "Tell me more about that..."
- "What do you mean by [X]?"
- "Can you give me an example?"
- "How did that feel?"
- "What would you do differently?"

---

**SEGMENT 3: Practical Application (40:00-55:00) - 15 minutes**

**HOST**: This is all great, but let's make it actionable. If someone's listening and wants to [achieve outcome], where should they start?

**[QUESTIONS]**:
- First steps
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Resources needed
- Timeline expectations
- Success metrics

**HOST**: What about [specific challenge]? How do you handle that?

**GUEST**: [Response]

---

**SEGMENT 4: Rapid Fire (55:00-65:00) - 10 minutes**

**HOST**: Alright, let's do some rapid-fire questions. Just say the first thing that comes to mind.

**QUESTIONS**:
1. Best book you've read recently?
2. One tool you can't live without?
3. Biggest mistake you've made?
4. Best advice you've received?
5. What's overrated in your industry?
6. What's underrated?
7. One thing you wish you knew 10 years ago?
8. What are you working on next?

---

#### SOLO FORMAT

**SEGMENT 1: Introduction (3:00-8:00) - 5 minutes**

**HOST**: Today I want to talk about [topic] because [relevance].

**[SHARE]**:
- Why this topic matters
- Personal experience with it
- What you'll cover

---

**SEGMENT 2: Main Teaching (8:00-45:00) - 37 minutes**

**[STRUCTURE]**:

**Point 1**: [Main concept]
- Explanation
- Examples
- Stories
- Data/research

**Point 2**: [Main concept]
- [Continue pattern]

**Point 3**: [Main concept]
- [Continue pattern]

**[THROUGHOUT]**:
- Personal anecdotes
- Listener questions
- Practical examples
- Actionable tips

---

**SEGMENT 3: Application (45:00-60:00) - 15 minutes**

**HOST**: So how do you actually implement this?

**[PROVIDE]**:
- Step-by-step process
- Common pitfalls
- Resources
- Next steps

---

### WRAP-UP (60:00-65:00) - 5 minutes

**HOST**: [Guest/Topic], this has been incredible. Let's recap the key points:

**[SUMMARIZE]**:
- Main takeaway 1
- Main takeaway 2
- Main takeaway 3

**[If Guest]**:
**HOST**: Where can people find you and learn more?

**GUEST**: [Social media, website, book, etc.]

**HOST**: Awesome. I'll put all those links in the show notes.

---

### OUTRO (65:00-67:00) - 2 minutes

**HOST**: Thanks for listening to [Podcast Name]. If you enjoyed this episode:
- Leave a review on [platform]
- Subscribe so you don't miss future episodes
- Share it with someone who needs to hear this

**[SPONSOR]** (if applicable):
Quick thanks again to [Sponsor] for supporting the show. [CTA]

**[PREVIEW]**:
Next week, I'm talking with [next guest] about [topic]. You won't want to miss it.

**[SIGN OFF]**:
Until then, [signature sign-off].

**[MUSIC]**: [Outro music]

---

## Question Bank

### Opening Questions
- "Tell me your story. How did you get here?"
- "What's the most important thing you've learned about [topic]?"
- "What's the biggest misconception about [topic]?"
- "Walk me through a typical day in your life."

### Deep Dive Questions
- "Can you break that down for me?"
- "What does that actually look like in practice?"
- "Tell me about a time when [X]."
- "What surprised you most about [topic]?"
- "What do most people get wrong about this?"

### Challenging Questions
- "What's your most controversial opinion about [topic]?"
- "What's something you believed that you no longer believe?"
- "What's your biggest failure and what did you learn?"
- "If you could start over, what would you do differently?"

### Future-Focused Questions
- "Where do you see [industry/topic] going?"
- "What are you most excited about?"
- "What keeps you up at night?"
- "What's next for you?"

### Closing Questions
- "What advice would you give your younger self?"
- "What's one thing listeners should do today?"
- "What question should I have asked that I didn't?"
- "Where can people learn more from you?"

---

## Show Notes Template

```
Episode #[Number]: [Title]

[2-3 sentence episode description]

In this episode, you'll learn:
• [Key point 1]
• [Key point 2]
• [Key point 3]

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro
03:00 - [Segment 1 topic]
15:00 - [Segment 2 topic]
40:00 - [Segment 3 topic]
55:00 - Rapid fire
65:00 - Wrap-up

GUEST BIO:
[Guest name and credentials]

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
• [Resource 1]: [Link]
• [Resource 2]: [Link]
• [Resource 3]: [Link]

CONNECT WITH [GUEST]:
• Website: [URL]
• Twitter: [@handle]
• Instagram: [@handle]
• LinkedIn: [URL]

CONNECT WITH US:
• Website: [URL]
• Email: [Address]
• Twitter: [@handle]
• Instagram: [@handle]

SPONSORS:
[Sponsor info and links]

LEAVE A REVIEW:
[Link to review page]
```

---

## Production Checklist

### Recording
- [ ] Quiet environment
- [ ] Good microphone quality
- [ ] Backup recording running
- [ ] Headphones on
- [ ] Water nearby
- [ ] Notes accessible
- [ ] Recording levels checked

### Post-Production
- [ ] Audio cleaned (noise reduction)
- [ ] Levels normalized
- [ ] Intro/outro added
- [ ] Ads inserted (if applicable)
- [ ] Chapters/timestamps added
- [ ] ID3 tags complete
- [ ] Cover art attached

### Publishing
- [ ] Episode uploaded to host
- [ ] Show notes written
- [ ] Timestamps added
- [ ] Links verified
- [ ] SEO optimized
- [ ] Social media graphics created
- [ ] Audiogram clips created
- [ ] Email to list sent
- [ ] Social posts scheduled

---

## Engagement Strategies

### During Episode
- Ask listeners to comment/email
- Pose questions for audience
- Reference past episodes
- Tease future content
- Encourage reviews

### After Publishing
- Share audiogram clips
- Quote graphics
- Behind-the-scenes content
- Guest shares
- Community discussion prompts

---

## Monetization Options

### Sponsorships
- Pre-roll (beginning)
- Mid-roll (middle)
- Post-roll (end)
- Host-read vs. produced

### Affiliate Marketing
- Products mentioned
- Resources recommended
- Tools used

### Premium Content
- Bonus episodes
- Early access
- Ad-free versions
- Extended interviews

### Products/Services
- Courses
- Coaching
- Books
- Consulting

---

## Performance Metrics

### Track These
- Downloads per episode
- Listener retention
- Subscriber growth
- Review count/rating
- Social shares
- Website traffic
- Email signups

### Optimization
- Test different episode lengths
- Vary topics and formats
- Improve audio quality
- Enhance show notes
- Promote more effectively
- Engage with audience

---

**Template Version**: 1.0  
**Last Updated**: January 2026  
**Platform**: Podcast (Audio/Video)
