Podcast script templates you can copy

A podcast script template gives every episode the same skeleton: a cold open, an intro, the main segments, any ad breaks, and an outro with your call to action. Below are three templates you can copy, for solo episodes, interviews and co-hosted shows. Fill in the brackets, cut what you don't use, and keep the timings as a guide rather than a rule. Most shows script the intro and outro word for word and work from bullet points in between.

Copy all three templates

Template 1: solo episode

EPISODE [#]: [Title]
Target length: [25] min

COLD OPEN (0:00 to 0:30)
[One line, a question or a striking fact from today's topic.]

INTRO (0:30 to 1:30)
Welcome to [Show name], the show about [what the show covers] for [who it's for]. I'm [your name].
Today: [the one question this episode answers].
By the end you'll know [the takeaway].

SEGMENT 1: [Heading] (1:30 to 9:00)
- Point: [your claim or story]
- Evidence: [source, with date]
- Example: [specific case]
- Transition: [one line into the next segment]

SEGMENT 2: [Heading] (9:00 to 17:00)
- Point:
- Evidence:
- Example:
- Transition:

[AD BREAK / SPONSOR READ (optional, 60 sec): read from the sponsor's approved script]

SEGMENT 3: [Heading] (17:00 to 23:00)
- Point:
- Evidence:
- What it means for the listener:

RECAP (23:00 to 24:00)
The three things to remember: [1], [2], [3].

OUTRO (24:00 to 25:00)
Thanks for listening to [Show name]. If this was useful, [call to action: follow, review, share, newsletter].
Next episode: [topic].
Show notes and links: [URL].

See the podcast show notes template.

Template 2: interview episode

EPISODE [#]: [Guest name] on [topic]
Target length: [45] min

COLD OPEN (0:00 to 0:45)
[Best 20 to 30 second clip from the interview, added in editing.]

INTRO (0:45 to 2:00)
This is [Show name]. I'm [host].
My guest today is [guest name], [one-line credential that explains why they're worth hearing on this topic].
We talk about [topic], including [two specific things].

WELCOME (2:00 to 3:00)
[Guest], thanks for joining me.
Opening question: [easy, specific question about their work or story]

SECTION 1: Background (3:00 to 12:00)
- Q: [question]
- Q: [question]
- Follow-up if needed: [question]

SECTION 2: The main topic (12:00 to 30:00)
- Q: [the episode's central question]
- Q: [question that tests their view against a counterexample]
- Q: [question about a specific example or number]

[AD BREAK (optional)]

SECTION 3: Practical takeaways (30:00 to 40:00)
- Q: What should a listener do with this?
- Q: What's the most common mistake you see?

LIGHTNING ROUND (optional, 40:00 to 43:00)
- [3 to 5 short questions]

CLOSE (43:00 to 45:00)
Where can people find you? [guest links]
Thanks, [guest].
OUTRO: [call to action], [next episode], [show notes URL].

Send the guest the topic and scope ahead of time, not the full question list. Keep follow-ups flexible so you can chase an unexpected answer.

Template 3: co-hosted episode

EPISODE [#]: [Title]
Hosts: [Host A], [Host B]
Target length: [35] min

COLD OPEN (0:00 to 0:30): [Host A]
INTRO (0:30 to 1:30): [Host B]
Welcome to [Show name]. I'm [Host B], here with [Host A].
Today: [topic and the question you're arguing about].

TOPIC 1: [Heading] (1:30 to 12:00)
Lead: [Host A]
- Setup: [what happened, with source and date]
- [Host A] view:
- [Host B] view:
- Where you agree / disagree:

TOPIC 2: [Heading] (12:00 to 24:00)
Lead: [Host B]
- Setup:
- [Host A] view:
- [Host B] view:

[AD BREAK (optional)]

TOPIC 3 or LISTENER QUESTION (24:00 to 32:00)
Lead: [either]

WRAP (32:00 to 35:00)
- One takeaway each
- Call to action: [ ]
- Next episode: [ ]

Assign a lead for each topic so you don't talk over each other, and note who reads the intro and the ad.

How to write a podcast script

Start from one question

Write the question the episode answers at the top of the script. If a segment doesn't help answer it, cut it or save it for another episode.

Script the edges, outline the middle

Write the intro, transitions, ad reads and outro in full sentences. For the main segments, bullet points sound more natural than reading paragraphs aloud.

Write for the ear

Short sentences. One idea per sentence. Say numbers the way you'd say them out loud. Read the script aloud once before recording and mark anywhere you stumble.

Put sources next to claims

Next to each claim, note the source and its date. You'll need them for the show notes, and you can check them before you hit record.

Time it

Note a rough time for each segment. If segment one runs long, you'll know what to trim before you're 20 minutes in.

Script or outline?

A full script suits solo shows, narrative episodes and anything with sponsor reads that must be said exactly. An outline suits interviews and co-hosted conversation, where reading aloud sounds stiff. Most shows use a mix. If you mostly talk from bullet points, start from the podcast outline template instead.

Fill the script with research faster

The slowest part of scripting is usually the research behind each segment, not the writing. Podcast Prep is an AI episode-prep tool. Save articles, posts, emails and notes to a research queue during the week, using the Chrome extension or the web app, and it groups related stories into topics and drafts talking points and key quotes tailored to your show's angle. Treat the output as a draft and check each source before you record. Plans are $9.95 a month or $79.95 a year. See the worked episode prep example and the preparation checklist.

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