top of page
Search

The AI Showrunner: My Secret Weapon for Podcast Prep at Scale

Mike Allton here, and if you’re like me, you love the idea of hosting a great podcast, but the prep work? That can feel like assembling a starship from scratch every single week. All that guest research, topic strategizing, question crafting… it’s enough to make even the most passionate podcaster feel a bit drained.


For years, I faced this head-on. Between my work at Agorapulse and running The AI Hat Podcast, I needed to churn out high-quality episodes without sacrificing half my week to interview prep. My old process involved a solid two hours of digging, note-taking, and brainstorming for each guest. Multiply that by multiple shows, and you can see why I was looking for a better way.


And wouldn't you know it, the solution came from the very technology I preach about: AI.


Enter the AI "Showrunner"


I effectively built myself an AI "Showrunner" – a custom instruction, or what you might call a Custom GPT or Gem, that helps me streamline my entire pre-production process. This isn't about AI replacing my creative input or the human connection with my guests. Oh no. It's about AI handling the grunt work, freeing me up to focus on the conversation itself. Think of it as having a highly efficient, tireless assistant dedicated solely to your podcast prep.


Here’s the simple, step-by-step process I follow, which has slashed my prep time from two hours down to just 15 minutes:

  1. Guest Intro, Please! It starts with me telling my AI Showrunner, "Start Planning My Next Episode." It then prompts me for the guest's name.

  2. LinkedIn Deep Dive: Once I provide the name, it asks for their LinkedIn profile. I just copy and paste. The AI then acknowledges, summarizes their profile in one concise sentence, and quietly gets to work.

  3. Beyond the Bio: Using the guest's name, title, and a few keywords, it then does a quick web search (think of it as a super-fast research assistant). Following that, it asks me, "Is there a particular topic you would like to interview [guest first name] about?"

  4. Angle Architect: With my topic in hand and its research on the guest, the AI pitches five interesting angles for the interview. This is where the magic really happens – it helps me refine the narrative and find the most compelling hook for our listeners. I confirm the best fit.

  5. Title Wizardry: Next, it whips up 10 irresistible titles for the episode, specifically designed to grab the attention of marketers and podcast listeners. I pick my favorite, or ask for more.

  6. Full Outline & Takeaways: Finally, it crafts the complete episode outline. This includes a compelling multi-paragraph introduction for me to read (using the PAS framework to hook listeners and position the guest as the solution), 10 tailored interview questions, and three concise takeaways for the audience.


This isn't just a hypothetical workflow; it's the exact system I use for The AI Hat Podcast and have successfully implemented for multiple shows at Agorapulse, leading to over 100 published episodes. It’s allowed me to maintain a prolific publishing schedule, consistently deliver value to my audience, and actually enjoy the process without feeling constantly behind the eight-ball.


Imagine reclaiming those hours each week, simply because you have an AI-powered co-pilot for your podcast production. It’s not just efficient; it’s a game-changer for scalability and consistency.


Mike Allton

AI Consultant & Trainer; The AI Hat

Comments

bottom of page