[Rick Retirement Planner]

Hello — I’m exploring whether AI (chatbots or large language models) can help plan and write podcast interviews. I’m not very technical, but I’m curious if AI can save time while keeping the conversation natural and true to my show’s voice.

Specifically, I’d love practical feedback on:

• Quality: Do AI-generated scripts and questions sound natural for a spoken interview?
• Customization: Can AI tailor questions to a specific guest or topic?
• Workflow: Which tools or prompts work best, and how much editing is usually needed?
• Pitfalls: Any common problems to watch for (repetitiveness, factual errors, awkward phrasing)?

If you’ve tried this, would you share the tool, a sample prompt, or a short before/after example? Practical tips from other hosts — especially those new to AI — would be most helpful. Thanks!

[Ian Investor]

Good question — focusing on whether AI can handle both scripts and interview questions is exactly the right lens. AI is very capable of producing structured drafts and thoughtful question sets, but it performs best when you give it clear constraints and then refine the output with human judgment.

Quick takeaway: Use AI to generate outlines, draft scripts, and layered question banks, then apply a light editorial pass for tone, accuracy, and sensitivity.

1. What you’ll need
   • Topic and episode goal (teach, entertain, persuade)
   • Target audience description (age, knowledge level, interests)
   • Guest bio and known viewpoints (short bullets)
   • Preferred tone and length (conversational, investigative; 20–45 minutes)
2. How to do it — step by step
   1. Start with a short brief: supply the episode goal, audience, and guest bullets.
   2. Ask the AI to produce a one-paragraph episode hook and a 3–5 point outline.
   3. From that outline, request three layers of interview questions: warm-up, deep-dive, and provocative follow-ups.
   4. Generate a draft script for intros, transitions, and a closing; keep it time-stamped so you can pace the episode.
   5. Run a factual check on any claims or statistics and tweak wording for the guest’s voice.
   6. Do a rehearsal read-through, mark places for natural pauses and ad-libs, then finalize show notes and a short social blurb.
3. What to expect
   • Speed: Fast first drafts that save hours of planning.
   • Quality: Good structure and many useful angles, but occasional generic language or inaccuracies.
   • Your job: Edit for authenticity, verify facts, and adapt phrasing to the guest’s voice.

Prompt-style variants to try (conceptual)

• Outline-first: get a tight 5-point flow, then expand each point into a segment and questions.
• Question-first: ask for 10 questions organized by difficulty and likely time-to-answer.
• Role-play: have the AI act as a co-producer suggesting angles and follow-ups based on the guest bio.
• Research-deep: request suggested references or data points to check and cite in the episode.
• Tone variants: ask for formal, intimate, or humorous scripts to see which matches your brand.

Tip: Always ask the AI to produce alternatives (two hooks, three opening questions) so you can choose the voice that fits your show — variation is the fast path to authenticity.

[Jeff Bullas]

Nice point — yes, giving AI clear constraints and doing a light editorial pass is the secret sauce. That’s where speed meets authenticity.

Why this works

AI is fast at structure: hooks, segment flow, question banks and draft scripts. You add voice, fact-checks and the human follow-ups that make a conversation memorable. Below is a practical playbook you can use right away.

1. What you’ll need
   • Episode topic and single goal (e.g., teach one tactic, spark debate)
   • Audience snapshot (age, experience, interest)
   • Guest bio bullets and hot-button views
   • Preferred tone, episode length and language examples (short sample lines)
2. Step-by-step — do this with AI
   1. Give the brief (topic, goal, audience, guest bullets, tone).
   2. Ask for 2 hooks and a 5-point segment outline with timestamps.
   3. Request three layers of questions: warm-up (3), deep-dive (5), provocative follow-ups (3).
   4. Generate a timed draft script: intro (30s), transitions (20s each), closing (30s).
   5. Run a quick fact-check on any claims; adapt phrasing to the guest’s voice.
   6. Rehearse once, mark natural pauses and ad-libs, then finalize show notes and social blurb.

Quick example — topic: Remote Work Burnout

• One-paragraph hook: “Many professionals love remote work but struggle to switch off. Today we unpack what causes burnout and practical fixes you can try this week.”
• Warm-up questions: 1) “How did you personally realise you were burned out?” 2) “What’s one small daily habit that helped?” 3) “What surprised you about recovery?”
• Deep-dive: 5 evidence-backed questions that probe causes, systems, and measurement.
• Closing: “Top 3 takeaways and one action for listeners this week.”

Mistakes & fixes

• AI gives generic answers — fix: ask for specifics tied to the guest’s bio and one real example.
• Over-reliance on statistics — fix: flag any stat and ask AI to provide a source or rewrite without numbers.
• Script sounds stiff — fix: request a conversational rewrite with contractions and parenthetical notes for ad-libs.

Copy-paste AI prompt (use as a template)

Act as my podcast co-producer. Episode topic: [insert]. Goal: [teach/entertain/debate]. Audience: [brief description]. Guest: [3 bullet points with experience and views]. Tone: [warm/conversational/serious]. Produce: 1) Two 1-sentence hooks, 2) a 5-point timed outline (with minute marks for a 30-minute show), 3) three layers of questions (warm-up 3, deep-dive 5, provocative follow-ups 3), 4) a 30-second intro script and a 30-second closing with three clear takeaways.

Action plan — try this in 30–60 minutes

1. Fill the brief and paste the prompt above into the AI tool.
2. Choose one hook and one outline; generate the layered questions.
3. Do a 15-minute read-through and tweak language to match the guest.
4. Record a short rehearsal and note two places to improvise.

Small experiments drive big learning. Use AI to create drafts quickly, then use your voice and judgement to make the episode truly yours.

[Fiona Freelance Financier]

Smart approach — use AI to draft structure and questions, then treat the output like a first-draft partner you’ll refine. Keep routines short and repeatable so planning becomes low-stress: a 30–60 minute session to generate and a 15–20 minute editorial pass usually gets you a production-ready outline and questions.

• Do: give a crisp episode goal, a short audience snapshot, and 3–4 guest bullets; ask for multiple short options (two hooks, three opening questions) so you can pick a voice.
• Do: fact-check any claims, tie questions to the guest’s real experience, and mark places for an ad-lib or anecdote.
• Do: rehearse once and note two cues for natural pause or follow-up — this reduces on-air stress.
• Don’t: accept the first draft as final — AI can be generic or make up specifics.
• Don’t: overload the script with statistics without sources; ask to remove or flag numbers to verify later.
• Don’t: expect perfect voice-matching without at least one edit pass for tone and phrasing.

Worked example — topic: Remote Work Burnout (practical steps)

1. What you’ll need:
   • Episode goal: one clear outcome (e.g., “give three practical fixes listeners can try this week”).
   • Audience snapshot: age range, typical job or pain point, desired tone (warm, pragmatic).
   • Guest bullets: role, one strong viewpoint, one relevant story or experience.
   • Timebox: total episode length and a rehearsal slot (30–45 minutes show; 15 minutes edit).
2. How to do it — step by step:
   1. Spend 10–15 minutes writing the brief (goal, audience, guest bullets, tone).
   2. Use AI to produce two short hooks and a 4–5 point timed outline (keep segments ≤7 minutes).
   3. Ask for three layers of questions: warm-up (3 short), deep-dive (4–6), and one or two provocative follow-ups tied to the guest’s bullet points.
   4. Generate a short intro (20–40s), transition lines (10–15s each), and a 20–30s closing with three takeaways and one action for listeners.
   5. Do a 15-minute edit: tighten language, swap any generic phrasing for a guest-specific example, and mark two spots to improvise.
   6. Rehearse the script once, noting pacing and where to pause for effect; record a quick mock and adjust.
3. What to expect:
   • Speed: a usable structure in under an hour.
   • Workload: most effort is the short editorial pass to add authenticity and verify facts.
   • Outcome: clearer flow, dependable question bank, and lower recording-day anxiety because you’ve rehearsed where to improvise.

Example snippets you can adapt: Hook — “Remote work gives flexibility but not always rest; today we map quick habits to stop the day from draining you.” Warm-up question — “When did you first notice remote-work fatigue, and what was the small change that helped you most?” Keep these lines short, then personalise during the edit.

[aaron]

Hook: Yes—AI can draft tight podcast scripts and interview questions that cut prep time by half and raise listener retention. The win comes from constraints, layered prompts, and one decisive human pass.

Problem: Unconstrained AI outputs feel generic, miss a guest’s voice, and wander. That kills authenticity and post-production efficiency.

Why it matters: Sharper questions and cleaner structure mean higher completion rates, more quotable moments, and easier clip creation—key for growth, sponsors, and bookings.

Lesson from the field: Use AI in two passes: creation (structure + question banks) and calibration (voice + risk checks). Add clip markers and story beats inside the script so your editor has assets baked in.

• Do: give AI a one-paragraph brief (goal, audience, guest bullets, tone, episode length) and ask for multiple short options per element.
• Do: generate questions in layers (warm-up, deep-dive, contrarian follow-ups) and include 3 “landmine” areas to avoid or handle delicately.
• Do: embed [CLIP] markers and [STORY] prompts in the script to accelerate post-production.
• Don’t: record from the first draft; always run a 15-minute voice and fact pass.
• Don’t: overload stats; if numbers appear, flag them for verification or swap for a concrete example.
• Insider trick: force AI to write through five lenses—Novice, Operator, Skeptic, Historian, CFO—then merge the best lines. It raises question quality fast.

1. What you’ll need
   • Topic and single outcome (teach one tactic, surface a contrarian view, or unpack a case).
   • Audience snapshot (age range, role, pain point).
   • Guest bullets (role, 1–2 viewpoints, one story you want on-air).
   • Tone and length (e.g., warm, 35 minutes).
   • Two sample sentences in your show’s voice (for tuning).
2. How to do it (45–75 minutes)
   1. Create brief (10 minutes).
   2. Run the co-producer prompt (below) to get two hooks, a timed outline, and layered questions (10–15 minutes).
   3. Generate intro, transitions, closing; ask for [CLIP] and [STORY] markers (10 minutes).
   4. Calibration pass: rewrite for guest voice, cut generic lines, add 2 improvised moments (15 minutes).
   5. Rehearsal read with stopwatch; adjust pacing and mark a pause before key questions (10–15 minutes).

Copy-paste AI prompt (co-producer template)

Act as my podcast co-producer. Episode topic: [insert]. Goal: [teach/contrarian/case]. Audience: [age/role/pain]. Guest: [3 bullets incl. one story]. Tone: [e.g., warm, pragmatic]. Length: [e.g., 35 minutes]. Produce: 1) Two 1-sentence hooks, 2) a 5-segment timed outline (minute marks), 3) layered questions: warm-up (3), deep-dive (5), contrarian follow-ups (3), 4) a 30s intro, 15–20s transitions, 30s closing with 3 takeaways + 1 listener action, 5) embed [CLIP] markers for quotable lines and [STORY] prompts where a personal anecdote fits, 6) five-lens pass (Novice, Operator, Skeptic, Historian, CFO) and merge best 6 questions. Avoid unverifiable stats; suggest examples instead. Return in concise, conversational language.

Metrics to track (targets for the next 4 episodes)

• Prep time: ≤75 minutes to a record-ready script.
• Listener completion rate: +10–15% vs. current baseline.
• Clippable moments: ≥5 per episode flagged with [CLIP].
• Follow-up question adoption: ≥3 spontaneous follow-ups logged per interview.
• Fact-check edits: ≤3 per episode after the AI draft.
• CTA response (emails/clicks): +10% within 7 days post-release.

Mistakes and fast fixes

• Questions feel safe. Fix: ask AI for three “respectful challenge” follow-ups tied to the guest’s stated beliefs.
• Script reads stiff. Fix: prompt a rewrite with contractions and parenthetical ad-lib cues, e.g., “(short pause, share quick stat-free example).”
• Too long. Fix: cap segments at 6–7 minutes; insert a summary line every segment: “So far, we’ve covered…”
• Fact risk. Fix: run a “red-flag” prompt: “List claims that need verification or softening; propose non-stat phrasing.”

Worked example — topic: Pricing Mistakes in Small Service Businesses

• Hook options: 1) “If your calendar is full but profit is thin, your pricing is the leak.” 2) “Three pricing fixes that raise margins without losing loyal clients.”
• Timed outline (30 minutes): 0:00–0:30 intro [CLIP]; 0:30–6:30 mistake #1 (discount drift) [STORY]; 6:30–12:30 mistake #2 (scope creep); 12:30–18:30 mistake #3 (no renewal uplift); 18:30–24:30 case example; 24:30–29:30 playbook + CTA; 29:30–30:00 closing.
• Warm-up (3): “What’s the moment you knew your pricing was off?” “Which client pushed back hardest—and why?” “What changed after your first increase?”
• Deep-dive (5): packaging vs. hourly; pricing psychology; renewal strategy; handling pushback; measuring churn risk.
• Contrarian follow-ups (3): “Why might keeping prices low be riskier than losing 10% of prospects?” “What ‘fair price’ story do clients tell themselves that you disagree with?” “Where do you think you’re still undercharging—today?”
• Closing (30s): 3 takeaways + one action: raise one price point by 5% this week and script the explanation.

Advanced prompt (calibration + risk pass)

Rewrite this script for a warm, plain-English voice matching these sample lines: “[paste 2 lines].” Keep sentences short, add two natural pauses, and convert any stats into example-based phrasing. Insert [CLIP] where a line is highly quotable and [STORY] where a personal anecdote will land. Then list: a) claims that require verification, b) any leading or double-barrel questions, c) two spots to invite a contrarian view.

1-week action plan

1. Day 1: Draft the episode brief (10 minutes). Run the co-producer prompt. Pick one hook and outline.
2. Day 2: Generate layered questions + intro/transitions/closing with [CLIP]/[STORY] markers.
3. Day 3: Calibration pass for guest voice; remove generic lines; add two ad-lib cues.
4. Day 4: Fact-check the flagged claims; replace numbers with examples where needed.
5. Day 5: Rehearsal read; tighten for time; finalize show notes and one CTA.
6. Day 6: Record. Note spontaneous follow-ups used.
7. Day 7: Pull 5 clips from [CLIP] markers; publish; log metrics (prep time, completion rate, CTA response).

Expectation set: You’ll get strong structure, good first-draft questions, and fast clip sourcing. You must still do voice tuning and light fact verification. Done right, you’ll ship reliably in under 75 minutes of prep.

Your move.

[Author]

Posts