One of the biggest challenges in podcasting isn’t starting—it’s keeping going. Let’s figure out some secrets about how to avoid Pod fade and remain consistent!
My name is Niall Mackay, founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts and host of A Vietnam Podcast.
A lot of new podcasters launch their show with enthusiasm, but after a few episodes, they run out of ideas, lose momentum, or get overwhelmed. This is what we call pod fade, and it happens to nearly half of all podcasts.
I talked to Brian, a fellow podcasting expert, to talk about how to avoid pod fade and plan your content effectively.
Planning Or Not In Podcasting?
Planning content is something I’ve done a little bit, but I’ve never been too rigid about it. I’m more of a “get it done” kind of person—I like to jump in and make things happen. So when I had the chance to chat with Brian about planning out podcast content, I was excited. I knew my listeners would get a lot of value from this conversation.
Brian, on the other hand, is the opposite. He plans a lot. Maybe even too much. He told me a story about his co-host, Chase Wagner, whom he started podcasting with. Chase liked to keep things casual—just hit record and start talking—while Brian wanted everything structured and mapped out. They used to drive each other crazy, but over time, they learned to meet in the middle.
For Brian, planning is like having a roadmap. He doesn’t always have every episode fully scripted, but he likes to know where the conversation is going. He plans out episodes weeks in advance so he can promote the next one while wrapping up the current one. Even if things go off track, he has bullet points to bring the discussion back.
That’s when I realized—there are two types of people in podcasting (or really, in life). Some people overthink things so much that they never take action. Others, like me, just go for it.
This happens in podcasting, too. I see it all the time. People spend forever trying to decide on the perfect microphone, planning out their first 10 episodes, overthinking their cover art—and in the end, they never start. A year goes by, then five, and their podcast idea is still just an idea.
So Brian and I found common ground. He pushes me to think ahead more, and I encourage people to just start.
The Key to Long-Term Podcasting: Planning Ahead
One of the biggest struggles podcasters face is pod fade—when a show disappears after just a handful of episodes. It’s incredibly common. In fact, nearly 48% of podcasts on Apple Podcasts have fewer than 10 episodes.
Brian pointed this out during our conversation, and it really hit home. A lot of people record a couple of episodes, but then reality sets in. They realize it takes work—planning, recording, editing, promoting—and suddenly, they don’t know what to talk about anymore. Before they know it, they’ve ghosted their audience, and the podcast fades away.
Brian recommended that new podcasters map out at least 10 episodes before they start recording. That doesn’t mean scripting everything word-for-word, but at least having a clear idea of what those first 10 episodes will cover. It would help you stay on track and give you momentum to keep going beyond that initial burst of enthusiasm.
Brian shared how he and his co-host, Chase, handle their planning. They throw out topics in advance and then meet about an hour before recording to sketch out each episode. This gives them structure while still allowing room for flexibility and natural conversation.
But what really stood out to me was Brian’s three key questions that he asks himself before every episode:
- Why am I doing this podcast?
- Who is my audience?
- What value am I giving them?
This is solid advice. Every episode should serve a purpose, speak to your audience, and offer something useful—whether that’s education, entertainment, or inspiration. If you keep these three things in mind, you’ll always have meaningful content to share.
So, if you’re struggling with planning, start here. Ask yourself these questions and build your episodes around the answers. It’ll make a world of difference in keeping your podcast consistent and engaging.
Organizing Your Podcast Ideas with Content Buckets
Once you have a solid understanding of your podcast’s purpose, audience, and value, the next step is organizing your ideas. This is where Brian introduced a concept that I absolutely loved: content buckets.
I had heard the term before, but Brian really broke it down in a way that made sense for podcast planning. He explained that content buckets are categories that help structure your episodes. Instead of randomly brainstorming topics, you create different “buckets” that align with your podcast’s core mission.
For his show, Brian’s content buckets are:
- Creating a podcast – everything from picking a topic, designing cover art, and choosing a name.
- Launching a podcast – getting set up, choosing hosting platforms, and publishing episodes.
- Growing a podcast – audience engagement, marketing strategies, and long-term success.
This is a brilliant way to stay organized because it ensures every episode serves a clear purpose. Plus, it helps you see if you’re covering a balanced mix of topics rather than repeating the same kind of content over and over.
How to Fill Your Content Buckets
Once you have your content buckets, you need to fill them with ideas. Brian shared his process, and it’s surprisingly simple: write everything down.
- He keeps a list of ideas—whether it’s in a notebook, a notes app, or a document on his computer.
- If a client asks a question, he writes it down.
- If he and his co-host, Chase, discuss something interesting, he makes a note of it.
- If he struggles with something while setting up a new podcast, he turns that challenge into content.
The key is to stay aware of what beginner podcasters struggle with and use that as inspiration for future episodes.
One example he shared was helping a client set up an Apple Podcasts Connect account. It was something he had done ages ago and took for granted, but for a new podcaster, it was confusing. That reminded him that even the basics deserve an episode.
This is an important lesson for all podcasters, no matter the topic. Just because something seems obvious to you doesn’t mean your audience knows it.
Think about what your listeners need. What questions do they have? What challenges do they face? If you stay tuned in to their struggles, you’ll never run out of content ideas.
The Tools and Tech for Planning Podcast Content
To take it a step further, Brian shared how he organizes all of this information. He filters his ideas through three categories:
- Tips – practical advice for improving podcasts.
- Tools – software, apps, and resources that help podcasters.
- Tech – equipment, microphones, and recording gear.
This extra layer of organization helps him decide how to approach a topic. For example, if he wants to cover podcast interviews, he might turn that into:
- A tip episode on how to ask better questions.
- A tools episode recommending software for remote interviews.
- A tech episode reviewing the best microphones for guests.
By breaking down content this way, it makes it easier to create diverse and valuable episodes while keeping everything organized.
AI in Podcasting: A Tool, Not a Replacement
One of the most exciting (and sometimes intimidating) things happening in podcasting right now is the rise of AI tools. Some people embrace it, while others are a bit skeptical. But here’s the truth—AI isn’t here to replace what we do as podcasters. It’s just here to speed things up.
Brian and I had a great conversation about how AI can be a game-changer for podcast planning. He’s still exploring it, while I’ve been using it heavily for a while now. But even with AI, the human touch is still essential.
For example, I use ChatGPT to generate episode ideas. It’s an incredible brainstorming tool—I can type in a prompt like “Give me 20 episode ideas for beginner podcasters,” and it spits out a list in seconds. But I don’t just copy and paste those ideas into my schedule. Instead, I filter them through my content buckets (which we discussed earlier) to make sure they actually fit my show and audience.
And that’s the key: AI can give you ideas, but it can’t make the creative decisions for you.
Will AI Ever Do Everything?
A lot of people wonder if AI will eventually handle everything—editing, marketing, posting episodes, and more. And sure, tools like Podcast Marketing.ai already automate some tasks, but we’re still a long way from just pressing a button and having a podcast magically produced, marketed, and shared everywhere.
Even if we get to that point, I don’t think we’d want to rely on AI completely. A great podcast has personality, storytelling, and real human connection—things AI just can’t replicate.
So, for anyone hesitant about AI, I’d say this: it’s not an all-or-nothing situation. You can use it to streamline your workflow, but you still control the creative process.
Finding What Works for You
At the end of the day, podcast planning comes down to personal preference. Some people (like Brian) love structured systems. Others (like me) prefer a more just-get-it-done approach.
But no matter where you fall on the spectrum, the key is to find tools and methods that work for you. Whether that’s AI, Trello, or a simple notebook, the goal is the same—stay consistent and keep creating.
Conclusion
Podcast planning doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re someone who loves structure (like Brian) or you prefer to wing it (like me), the key is to find a system that keeps you consistent.
Don’t overthink it. Just start. Use content buckets to organize your ideas, write down every topic that comes to mind, and try AI tools to speed up your workflow. But at the end of the day, the most important thing is to keep showing up.
If you need any help with your podcast, whether it’s about planning or editing, don’t hesitate to contact me now!
