interview starter
Input: Original complete editorial example with explicit missing-fact placeholders.
Result: Matching DOCX and PDF starter with segment timings totaling the target duration.
/podcast-outline-builder
Podcast Outline Builder
Generate a structured, professional podcast outline in minutes. Perfect for creating show notes, scripts, and episode rundowns. Pick your format-Interview, Solo, News, or Storytelling-preview the segments, then download a clean .docx template. Need to plan your whole month? Get our Content Calendar Template.
Build your outlineAlways freeNo account needed
Build your podcast outline
Generate an editable outline, then copy or download the displayed result as DOCX or PDF.
Examples to try
solo starter
Input: Original complete editorial example with explicit missing-fact placeholders.
Result: Matching DOCX and PDF starter with segment timings totaling the target duration.
/podcast-outline-builder
news starter
Input: Original complete editorial example with explicit missing-fact placeholders.
Result: Matching DOCX and PDF starter with segment timings totaling the target duration.
/podcast-outline-builder
What you can use and export
Free with no account, trial, or subscription.
Inputs
- Episode topic, show type, audience, tone, and optional guest name
- 10-120 minute target duration
Outputs
- Timed outline preview
- DOCX and PDF downloads
- Copyable segment notes
Personalized requests use the existing Google AI integration. Starter downloads and fallback outlines are deterministic templates.
Limits and checks
- Topic up to 300 characters
- Guest, audience, and tone fields up to 500 characters each
- Expensive requests: 20 per IP per 10 minutes
- AI drafts require factual review. Missing credentials, quotes, and news facts must stay as placeholders.
- Segment timings are planning allocations, not measured speech duration.
Material review: 2026-10-01. Processing and editorial review methodology
Complete interview, solo, and news starters
Original editorial examples with timings that add up to the stated duration. Free DOCX downloads and PDF previews work without submitting a form. News facts and guest credentials remain explicit placeholders until you supply them.
interview: 30 minutes
Interview: making a remote interview easier to record
- Opening question (2 min)
- Host: What is the smallest recording change that improved your conversations?
- Guest: [Add the guest's real answer after recording].
- [MUSIC] Fade the intro under the host.
- Introduction and scope (3 min)
- Explain that this episode covers remote interview preparation.
- Introduce the guest using only the approved bio.
- Ask the guest which recording setup they actually use.
- Before the call (8 min)
- Discuss choosing a quiet room and minimizing fan noise.
- Ask how the guest tests microphone placement and headphone monitoring.
- Describe sending a short agenda and recording consent request.
- Follow-up: Which preparation step is easiest to overlook?
- During the interview (10 min)
- Ask how to handle interruptions, lost connections, and repeated answers.
- Request one specific example from the guest's experience.
- Pause for an answer before offering another prompt.
- [PAUSE] Record a clean pickup when a connection drops.
- Recap and close (7 min)
- Recap the guest's actual three recommendations.
- Confirm permission before sharing any supplied links.
- Invite listeners to test their setup before their next call.
- [MUSIC] Close after the credits.
solo: 20 minutes
Solo: a practical remote recording checklist
- Hook and promise (2 min)
- A recording checklist should catch problems before your guest arrives.
- Promise a short routine for room, equipment, and files.
- [MUSIC] Fade out before the first instruction.
- Check the room (4 min)
- Listen for steady hum, fans, and intermittent interruptions.
- Make a short comparison recording with the microphone at two distances.
- Explain that software cannot repair every recording problem.
- Check the equipment (6 min)
- Select the intended input and output in the recorder.
- Use headphones and record a test sentence.
- Listen back for clipping, echo, and missing channels.
- Keep the same gain for a fair before/after comparison.
- Check the workflow (5 min)
- Confirm recording permission, local backup, and available storage.
- Name the episode files consistently before the session.
- [PAUSE] Demonstrate the checklist using your own setup.
- Recap and next step (3 min)
- Recap room, equipment, and workflow checks.
- Ask the listener to record and replay a test before their next interview.
- [MUSIC] Add your actual credits and verified resource links.
news: 15 minutes
News: a source-first weekly podcast briefing
- Today's top line (1 min)
- Rehearsal example: insert one verified headline and its publication date.
- State why it matters to your listeners without adding unsupported claims.
- Headline rundown (3 min)
- Story A: [Verified headline, primary source URL, date].
- Story B: [Verified headline, primary source URL, date].
- Distinguish reported facts from commentary.
- Main story (6 min)
- Explain what changed using the primary source.
- Give relevant context and identify what remains unknown.
- [QUOTE] Use only an exact, attributable excerpt you have permission to use.
- [UPDATE] Record corrections if the source changes.
- What to watch (3 min)
- List confirmed upcoming dates; omit unverified schedules.
- Explain what evidence could change today's interpretation.
- Link the actual documents in the eventual show notes.
- Sign-off (2 min)
- Recap the confirmed developments.
- Name the recording date and correction contact.
- [MUSIC] Close with your own show credits.
Why creators use this
Preset structures
Proven formats for Interview, Solo, News, and Storytelling shows with segment placeholders that match industry standards.
Timeboxing built in
Calculates total runtime as you add segments, helping you respect listeners’ time and keep episodes snappy.
Editable .docx export
Download a native Word file you can customize in Google Docs, Word, or any text editor without vendor lock‑in.
Stage directions
Includes prompts like [MUSIC] and [PAUSE] to help you capture the listening experience, not just the talking points.
How to create a podcast outline
Planning an episode should not take longer than recording it. A good outline keeps your flow natural and your timing consistent.
1. Choose a show type
Pick a format that matches your episode. Interview outlines include slots for guest bios and lighting rounds. News outlines focus on headlines and deep dives. Storytelling outlines follow a three-act structure.
2. Preview with AI
Enter your topic and guest details. The tool generates tailored bullets and segment ideas so you aren't staring at a blank page. The AI prompts you with questions to ask and points to cover.
3. Download and refine
Export to .docx and make it your own. Add your specific questions, move segments around, or add technical notes for your editor. Keep a master copy to use as a template for every new episode.
FAQ
Is this really free?
Yes-no account required. We optimize usage to keep it fast and free.
Can I customize the segments?
Absolutely. The outline is a starting point. Reorder, rename, or expand segments to match your show.
Does this replace a script?
No. It’s a framework that keeps you on track while leaving space for spontaneity.
What file format do I get?
A .docx file you can open in Google Docs, Word, or Apple Pages.
Create your next episode with confidence
Use the Podcast Outline Builder to keep the conversation flowing and the story clear.
Keep building your podcast
Turn this result into the next useful asset for your show.