How To Plan Your First Solo Episodes

Solo episodes are a vulnerable experience! Typically, solo episodes are done by thought leaders, teachers, and narrative storytellers. The episode prompts below will help you set the tone for your podcast and connect with your ideal listener on an emotional level.

While the membership typically attracts thought leaders, the transformational podcaster (taking someone from A to B), and social-good entrepreneurs, these prompts can be used by almost any show. Even if your tone is light and conversational, you can approach each topic in a way that is entirely unique to YOU. Your personality will help attract and keep listeners.

Episode One | Set the Tone

Your first episode sets the tone for the entire show. Vulnerably share your personal story about why you started the podcast, who you want to help, the challenges/problems you’ll address, and the transformation you’ve experienced that you want for your ideal listener. This episode is honest and thoughtfully vulnerable. We make human connections when we get honest.

Episode Two | Call Out Your Target Audience

This episode should show your ideal listener you have walked in their shoes. You do this by directly speaking to their thoughts/feelings/experiences and saying, I’ve been there too. When you can share your genuine feelings and not an aspirational version of the past, it validates your ideal listener’s experience. As a result, people will trust and listen to you when you’ve been there.

Episode Three | The Clarity Episode

In this episode, you share your big “ah-hah” moment(s) that made you see the truth/light and wake up to a new reality. This episode will show your ideal listener the mindset transformation you experienced and what it took to go from an old perspective to something new. The episode isn’t about the before or after; it’s about the experience of waking up and gaining clarity.

Episode Four | The Letting Go Episode

In this episode, you dive into what it’s like to shed the past to move into purpose/action/change. You share your experiences of physically and mentally releasing the old to get to a new place. It’s not about the before or after; it’s about the emotional space of this experience. So get into your thoughts, feelings, reactions, actions, and regrets.

Episode Five | The Unlearning Episode

When we go through clarity and start to let go, the next phase shows us what we have to UNLEARN so we can get to another level mentally or physically. Mine your personal stories about what it was like to shed mentalities, beliefs, and more.

How To Plan Your First Solo Episodes

Solo Episode Tips

• Scripted episodes that are about 20-25 mins are roughly 1,700 to 2,400 words depending on the speaker.
• Weave personal stories into your episodes; otherwise, you’ll lose your audience.
• Feel free to be off-the-cuff. When you do this, you still create a plan for your episode and understand what you want to accomplish in the episode. “Off-the-cuff” speakers typically have an outline, have minded the personal stories they want to share, and know exactly what they want to tell their ideal listener.