Podcast script templates

A podcast script doesn’t mean reading every word. Most good shows script the parts that need to be tight, such as the intro, the transitions, the sponsor read and the close, and use bullet points for everything else. Below are seven templates you can copy, from a podcast intro script to a full interview running order. Replace anything in [square brackets].

[COLD OPEN: 10–30 seconds of the best moment from this episode]

[THEME MUSIC IN, then under voice]

Welcome to [Show name], the show where [who it's for] [what they get].
I'm [your name], [one-line credential or role].

Today, [episode promise in one sentence: what listeners will learn, hear or feel].
[Optional: My guest is [guest name], who [why they're worth hearing].]

Let's get into it.

[THEME MUSIC OUT]

That's it for this episode of [Show name].

[One-sentence recap of the main takeaway.]

If you found this useful, [ONE call to action: follow the show / share it with one friend / leave a rating / reply to the newsletter].
Everything we mentioned is in the show notes at [website or "the episode description"].

Next time: [teaser for the next episode].

[Show name] is [produced / edited] by [names]. Music is "[track]" by [artist], used under [licence].
I'm [your name]. Thanks for listening.

[THEME MUSIC OUT]

EPISODE: [Number and working title]
LENGTH TARGET: [e.g. 20 minutes]
ONE-SENTENCE PROMISE: By the end, listeners will [outcome].

1. HOOK (0:00–1:00)
   - A question, a surprising fact or a short story that sets up the problem.

2. INTRO (see intro template)

3. CONTEXT (about 2 minutes)
   - Why this matters now.
   - Who this is for / not for.

4. MAIN POINTS (3 is plenty)
   Point 1: [claim]
     - Example or story:
     - What to do:
   Point 2: [claim]
     - Example or story:
     - What to do:
   Point 3: [claim]
     - Example or story:
     - What to do:

5. RECAP (30 seconds)
   - The three points in one breath each.

6. CALL TO ACTION + OUTRO (see outro template)

NOTES FOR SHOW NOTES: [links, names, timestamps to add]

GUEST: [Name], [role]
PRONUNCIATION: [how to say their name]
GOAL: Listeners should leave knowing [one sentence].
OFF LIMITS: [anything agreed beforehand]

PRE-RECORD CHECK (5 min, not recorded)
   - Headphones on, notifications off, levels checked.
   - Tell them: we can stop and redo anything; we edit lightly.

1. INTRO (scripted)
   Welcome to [Show]. My guest today is [name], who [credential]. [Why now / why them.]
   [Name], welcome.

2. WARM-UP (1 question)
   - [easy, personal question]

3. BACKGROUND (2–3 questions, keep it brief)
   -
   -

4. CORE (4–6 questions: the reason for the episode)
   -
   -
   -
   -
   Follow-ups to keep in mind: Example? What happened next? Why?

5. DEEPER (1 question, second half only)
   -

6. RAPID-FIRE (optional recurring segment)

7. CLOSE
   - What's one thing you want listeners to remember?
   - Where can people find you?
   Thank you, [name].

8. OUTRO (scripted; see outro template)

EPISODE: [Number and title]
LEAD HOST: [name]   SECOND HOST: [name]

1. COLD OPEN (lead) – a quick exchange or teaser
2. INTRO (lead) – welcome, names, today's topic
3. CATCH-UP (both, 2 minutes max) – what's new since last time
4. SEGMENT 1: [name] (led by [host])
   - Setup:
   - Talking points:
   - Handoff line:
5. SEGMENT 2: [name] (led by [host])
   - Setup:
   - Talking points:
   - Handoff line:
6. LISTENER QUESTION (second host reads it)
7. WRAP (lead) – one takeaway each
8. OUTRO (lead) – call to action, credits

[TRANSITION] We'll get back to [topic] in a moment, but first, a word from this episode's sponsor.

This episode is sponsored by [Brand]. [Brand] [what it does, in plain words].

[Personal line: how you've used it, or why it fits this audience. Only say it if it's true.]

[One key benefit or feature, with a concrete detail.]

Go to [URL] and use code [CODE] for [offer]. That's [URL], code [CODE].

[TRANSITION BACK] Now, back to [guest / topic].

[MUSIC IN]

[CLIP or LINE that captures the show's tone in under 15 seconds]

I'm [name], and this is [Show name], a [weekly / fortnightly] show for [audience] about [topic].

Every episode, [format: e.g. "I sit down with someone who…" / "we break down one…"].

You'll hear [2–3 concrete examples of upcoming episodes or guests].

[Show name] launches [date]. Follow it now in [Apple Podcasts, Spotify] or wherever you listen, so the first episode arrives the moment it's out.

[MUSIC OUT]

Podcast intro examples

Three ways to fill in the intro template, for different kinds of show:

• Teaching show: “Welcome to The Beginner Gardener, the show that helps busy people grow food in small spaces. I’m Maya, a community garden coordinator. Today: the five vegetables that are almost impossible to kill.”
• Interview show: “This is Small Shop, Big Ideas, where independent business owners tell us what actually worked. I’m Sam. My guest today turned a market stall into three shops without a loan, and she’s going to tell us how.”
• Narrative show: “In 1987, a small town lost its only bridge overnight. Nobody agreed on why. From the archive and the people who were there, this is The Cold Ledger.”

How to make a script sound natural

1. Write for the ear. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea per sentence. Read it aloud while writing and cut anything you stumble on.
2. Use bullets for the body. Full scripts help narrative shows; for conversation, bullets keep you on track without sounding read.
3. Mark your breaths and emphasis. A slash for a pause and bold for the key word helps on the first takes.
4. Stand up or smile when you record the intro. It changes your voice more than you’d expect.
5. Record the intro last. Once the episode is done you know exactly what to promise.
6. Keep the intro under a minute. Listeners skip long intros; get to the content. See how long a podcast should be.

Questions people ask

Do podcasts use scripts?

Most use some: narrative and documentary shows are fully scripted; interview and conversation shows usually script the intro, outro and ad reads and use a running order for the rest.

How long is a script for a 30-minute podcast?

People speak at roughly 130 to 160 words a minute, so a fully scripted 30-minute episode is around 4,000 to 4,500 words. A bullet-point outline for the same episode is usually one or two pages.

Should I tell my guest the questions in advance?

Share the topics and the first question, not the full list. See our podcast interview questions for ideas.

Next, record: start with your recording location.