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By Pindi Sahota · Last updated: 2026-06-07

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Writing Podcast Scripts with Claude AI (2026 Guide)

Last updated: 2026-06-07

Claude podcast scripts save podcast producers hours of prep time every episode. Whether you run a scripted solo show, a conversational interview format, or a co-hosted roundtable, Claude handles the writing layer: episode outlines, full-word scripts, interview question banks, show notes, episode titles, and social media copy — all from a single topic brief. This guide covers how to prompt Claude for each podcast format, the templates that produce the best output, and how to use ElevenLabs to voice an entirely AI-narrated episode.

How Claude Helps with Podcast Production

Claude fits into podcast production at multiple stages:

  • Pre-production: Research synthesis, episode angle development, guest brief preparation
  • Scripting: Full episode scripts, segment outlines, interview question lists
  • Production support: Prompter-ready scripts, cue cards, segment timing notes
  • Post-production: Show notes, episode summaries, transcripts cleanup, social clips
  • Growth: Episode title variants, SEO-optimised descriptions, email newsletter summaries

For a weekly podcast, Claude can produce a first-draft episode script, show notes, and social media copy in under 30 minutes of prompting time. That typically replaces 3–5 hours of writing work per episode.

Solo Podcast Script Format

A solo podcast is the most script-dependent format — the presenter speaks to camera (or mic) without a guest to share the load. Claude excels here.

Standard solo episode structure:

  1. Cold open (30–60 seconds): Drop in mid-thought or mid-story before the intro music
  2. Intro music + show intro (15–30 seconds): Pre-recorded jingle + short host intro
  3. Episode intro (60–90 seconds): What this episode covers and why it matters today
  4. Main content (15–45 minutes depending on show length): 3–5 substantive sections with transitions
  5. Summary (60–90 seconds): Recap the 3 key takeaways
  6. Outro + CTA (45–60 seconds): Next episode preview, subscribe request, sponsor message

Claude prompt for a solo episode:

Write a 20-minute solo podcast episode script on the topic: [TOPIC]. Show name: [NAME]. Host name: [NAME]. Audience: [DESCRIBE]. Tone: [e.g., conversational and analytical, not academic]. Structure: cold open (start mid-story to hook the listener), short episode intro, 4 main sections with transitions, a takeaways summary, and an outro with a subscribe CTA. Write in spoken language — contractions, short sentences, direct address to a single listener. Add [PAUSE] where a natural beat or breath should occur.

Interview Podcast Script Format

Interview shows need less full scripting and more structural preparation: the host's arc, question sequence, and transitions between topics.

Interview episode structure:

  1. Pre-intro teaser (30–60 seconds): Host teases the best quote or insight from the interview
  2. Show intro music
  3. Guest intro (60–90 seconds): Host introduces the guest and why they matter to the audience now
  4. Warm-up question (2–3 minutes): A non-threatening opener to establish rapport
  5. Core topic block 1 (5–10 minutes): First substantive theme
  6. Core topic block 2 (5–10 minutes): Second substantive theme
  7. Core topic block 3 (5–10 minutes): Third substantive theme or challenge/counterpoint
  8. Rapid-fire or lightning round (optional, 3–5 minutes): Personality questions
  9. Guest CTA (2 minutes): Where to find the guest, what they want listeners to do
  10. Host outro (60–90 seconds): Takeaways, next episode, subscribe CTA

Claude prompt for interview questions:

I'm interviewing [GUEST NAME], [GUEST ROLE/CONTEXT], for my podcast about [SHOW TOPIC]. The audience is [AUDIENCE]. Write 20 interview questions in three groups: (1) 5 background and context questions to open the conversation, (2) 10 deep-dive questions on [SPECIFIC TOPIC], (3) 5 forward-looking or philosophical questions to close. Vary question length — some short and conversational, some detailed to give the guest a launching pad. Flag the 3 questions most likely to produce a strong quote or shareable moment.

Co-Hosted Podcast Script Format

Co-hosted shows are the most conversational and the least scripted. Claude's role is structure and content preparation rather than word-for-word scripting.

Claude prompt for a co-hosted episode outline:

Write a co-hosted podcast episode outline for a show with two hosts discussing [TOPIC]. Hosts: [HOST 1 NAME] (takes the [position/angle]) and [HOST 2 NAME] (takes the [position/angle]). Format as a segment-by-segment outline with: segment title, which host leads, key talking points for each host, one potential point of productive disagreement, and estimated runtime per segment. Total runtime: 35 minutes.

Intro and Outro Templates

Podcast intros and outros are the most-heard content on any show — they air every episode and set the tone for the entire listening experience. Claude writes multiple variations for testing.

Prompt for intro variants:

Write 3 different versions of a 20-second podcast show intro for [SHOW NAME], a show about [TOPIC] for [AUDIENCE]. Version 1: energy-forward and punchy. Version 2: warm and personal. Version 3: authoritative and credibility-led. Each version should include the show name, a one-line description, and a hook that makes a new listener want to keep listening.

Prompt for sponsor read:

Write a 45-second mid-roll sponsor read for [SPONSOR NAME], a [PRODUCT TYPE]. Key message: [BENEFIT]. Include: a natural transition from the episode content, the sponsor name and one-line description, the key benefit, a personal endorsement angle (host has used the product), and a discount code [CODE] with clear instructions. Read as conversational — first person, informal tone.

Show Notes Template

Show notes serve two audiences: existing listeners who want quick reference links, and search engines that may surface the episode. Claude produces both functional show notes and SEO-structured versions.

Claude prompt for show notes:

Write show notes for a podcast episode with the following content: [PASTE SCRIPT OR SUMMARY]. Include: episode title (click-worthy and SEO-aware), 3-sentence episode summary, key topics covered (bullet list), 3 key takeaways (bullet list), all resources and links mentioned, guest bio (50 words) and contact links if applicable, and a transcript summary section. Keep the tone in line with [SHOW NAME]'s voice: [DESCRIBE].

AI Narration with ElevenLabs — Fully Voiced Podcast Episodes

For shows where the host does not want to record their own voice — or for entirely AI-generated podcast formats — the Claude + ElevenLabs pipeline produces professional audio episodes without a microphone.

Workflow:

  1. Write the episode script in Claude using the solo format above
  2. Ask Claude to add pacing notation: "Add ... for pauses, [BREATH] for breath marks, and emphasise key words in italics for stress guidance."
  3. Paste the script into ElevenLabs
  4. Select a voice that matches the show's personality (use "Narration" or "Podcast" tagged voices)
  5. Set Stability to 0.55–0.65 for natural variation across a long script
  6. Generate the audio and review section by section
  7. Export the final audio file and upload to your podcast host

A 20-minute episode script is approximately 2,800–3,000 words — within the ElevenLabs Creator plan character allowance with headroom for edits.

Episode Title Formulas

Claude generates episode title variants that balance audience appeal with search discoverability:

Prompt:

Write 8 episode title variants for a podcast episode about [TOPIC]. Use the following structures: (1) a how-to title, (2) a numbered-tips title, (3) a counterintuitive claim, (4) a guest-quote teaser, (5) a plain descriptive title, (6) a question, (7) a story-led title, (8) a keyword-first SEO title. Show name: [NAME].

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