How to Write a Podcast Summary

In this post, we'll guide you through the essentials of writing a podcast summary, share best practices, explore the benefits of using AI for summaries, and wrap up with real-life examples.

Let's get started.

How to write a podcast summary

Listen or Read the Full Episode

Start by getting familiar with your podcast episode.

If you're the one who created it, remember what it's all about. Think about the big ideas and topics you talked about.

If someone else made the podcast, listen to the whole thing. If there's a written version (like a transcript), you can read that too.

Let's say the podcast is about space; focus on the important stuff like what was said about planets or stars in that episode."

Construct a Summary

Next, it's time to write a brief summary of your podcast episode. This should be just a few sentences. Your goal is to cover the main topics or stories from the episode.

Remember, you don't need to include every detail. Just focus on the big, important ideas. For instance, if your episode is about a trip to the moon, you could mention the journey itself, why it was an important trip, and maybe one really interesting fact that you talked about."

Highlight Guest Appearances

If there were any guests on your podcast, make sure to mention them in your summary. Talk about who they are and what makes them special or exciting.

For instance, if you had an astronaut as a guest, you might say something like, 'In this episode, we're joined by astronaut Alex Smith, who shares amazing stories from his space adventures!'"

Utilizing Engaging Language

Last but not least, make your summary exciting and fun to read.

Choose words that catch people's attention and spark their interest. Instead of just saying, 'We talked about stars,' you could say something more exciting like, 'Join us as we dive into the dazzling world of stars!'

This kind of language makes people really want to listen to your episode."

Podcast Summary Best Practices

Here are some best practices to make your podcast summaries stand out.

Easily Skimmable

Make your summary easy to read at a glance.

Most people won't read every word. They'll skim through to get the main points.

Use short sentences and break up longer paragraphs. This way, even if someone only looks at your summary for a few seconds, they'll still understand what your episode is about.

Incorporating Bullet Points for Clarity

Bullet points are your friends. They help in organizing information clearly and concisely.

For example, if your episode covers several topics, list them as bullet points.

This makes it easier for listeners to see what you discuss in the episode and quickly find the parts that interest them most.

Utilizing Keywords for SEO

Keywords are important. They're the words people use when they search for content like yours online.

Include keywords in your summary that people might use to find a podcast like yours. For example, if your podcast is about healthy eating, use phrases like "healthy recipes," "nutrition tips," or "eating healthy on a budget."

This helps your podcast show up in search results, making it more likely for new listeners to find you.

Advantages of AI Podcast Summaries

Time Efficiency

AI can analyze and summarize a podcast episode much faster than a human can. This means you get your summaries ready quickly, often immediately after the podcast is finished.

For example, if a human takes an hour to listen and summarize a podcast, AI might do it in just a few minutes.

This speed allows podcasters to publish their episodes and summaries together, providing immediate value to their listeners.

Scalability

AI offers great scalability. Whether you have one podcast episode or a hundred, AI can handle the workload without additional time or resources.

This is especially useful for podcast networks or creators who release episodes frequently.

It ensures that every episode, regardless of the total number, gets a well-crafted summary without the need for increasing manpower.

Cost-Effectiveness

Using AI for summaries can be more cost-effective than hiring people to do the same job. With AI, you typically pay for the service or software, and it can handle a large volume of work without additional costs.

This is a significant advantage for podcasters working with limited budgets. It means they can allocate more resources to other areas like marketing, content creation, or equipment upgrades.

Examples of Effective Podcast Summaries

1) New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce

Description Example

In this episode, we’ve got some huge New News from our friends at Spotify, New Heights is officially a sandwich, Travis could be lacing up the skates, and we might have an official “mom fight” on our hands.

We answer some “No Dumb Questions” about how players being Mic’d Up works, how much planning goes into touchdown celebrations, and our top 5 cereals.

We then get into a buns week 13 for the Eagles and Chiefs. Jason explains what the Eagles are taking away from the 49ers game and how Shaq Leonard is bringing depth at the right time. Meanwhile, Travis walks us through the Chiefs Lambeau Letdown and shares his thoughts on the controversial calls that ended the game.

Finally, we talk a little college football with the headline we can’t ignore and explain how Florida State got screwed out of a shot at the playoff.

We will be back Friday with a preview of the Bills at Chiefs and the Eagles at Dallas. We’ll also review some 92%er fan art and look at a submission to the “Kelce Clips” category in our upcoming Greatest Highlight of All Time Bracket.

In the meantime, please keep sending in your suggestions for “The Greatest Highlight of All Time” and make sure you’ve signed up for our official fan club at NewHeightShow.com.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the New Heights YouTube Channel and wherever you get your podcasts so you don’t miss out and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok for all the best moments from the show.

What They do well

New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce excels in delivering a dynamic and engaging podcast experience.

They masterfully blend humor and insightful sports commentary, making complex topics accessible and entertaining.

Their ability to answer listener questions, ranging from technical aspects of football to personal preferences, adds a relatable touch.

The podcast also stands out for its timely analysis of current games and player performances, offering both professional and personal perspectives.

Their involvement in interactive segments like fan art reviews and the 'Greatest Highlight of All Time' bracket fosters a strong community connection.

This blend of expert commentary, personal anecdotes, and audience interaction makes New Heights a standout in sports podcasting.

2) Huberman Lab

Description Example

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Karen Parker, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and director of the Social Neurosciences Research Program at Stanford University School of Medicine. We discuss the biology of social connections and bonding in babies, children and adults. Dr. Parker explains our current understanding of autism and autism spectrum disorders: what they are, why the incidence of autism has increased so dramatically in recent years and both the current and emerging treatments for autism. We also discuss the condition formerly called “Asperger’s.” This episode is highly relevant for anyone interested in child and human development, how social bonds and communication form, and those curious about autism and other spectrum conditions.

For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/dr-karen-parker-the-causes-treatments-for-autism.

What They do well

Huberman Lab excels in its ability to make complex scientific topics both understandable and engaging for a wide audience.

The podcast's strength lies in its well-chosen guests, like Dr. Karen Parker, who bring deep expertise and clarity to intricate subjects such as autism and human development.

The discussions are not only informative but also highly relevant to current issues and advancements in the field.

The inclusion of detailed show notes and references to external resources demonstrates a commitment to providing thorough, research-backed content. This approach is particularly beneficial for listeners seeking to deepen their understanding of the topics discussed.

Wrapping Up

We've covered everything from the basics of summary writing to leveraging AI technology, and provided examples to inspire you.

Remember, a great summary can be the difference between someone pressing play or scrolling past your episode.

Use the tips and techniques we've discussed to make your podcast more accessible and engaging.

FAQs About Podcast Summaries

What are common mistakes to avoid in podcast summary writing?

When you're writing a summary for a podcast, think about it like you're drawing a map for a treasure hunt. You want to give enough clues to make it exciting and interesting, but not so many that you reveal where the treasure is hidden.

It's important to keep it short and fun, so people feel curious and want to listen to the podcast.

Also, make sure to talk about the main ideas and who's in the episode, but in a way that makes people say, "I want to know more!" This way, your summary will be just right and will make people excited to listen to the podcast.

What is a podcast summary?

A podcast summary is like a quick story about what a podcast episode is about.

Imagine you're talking to a friend and telling them about a cool show you watched, but instead of a show, it's a podcast episode. You would say things like what the main topic is, who's talking in the episode, and maybe some fun or interesting parts they talk about.

This helps someone decide if they want to listen to that podcast episode or not.

How do podcast summaries differ from show notes?

Think of a podcast summary like a movie trailer. It gives you a quick peek at what the episode is about, like the main topic and maybe a hint about the guests or the cool things they'll talk about. It's short and makes you want to listen to the whole episode.

Now, show notes are like a treasure map with more details. They often have a longer explanation about what's in the episode. They can also have things like links to websites mentioned in the episode, information about the guests, and maybe even a timeline of what happens in the episode.

Show notes are super helpful if you want to find something specific in the episode or learn more about what was talked about.