Sustaining Topics for a Recurring Podcast
A repeatable way to keep a recurring show supplied with worthwhile topics, so episode planning never starts from a blank page.
The hard part is the tenth episode, not the first
Most organizations can think of a great first episode. The challenge of a recurring show is keeping it supplied: episode after episode, without every planning session starting from a blank page. A little structure is what turns a good idea into a show you can sustain.
Build a topic system, not a list
Instead of brainstorming one episode at a time, define a few recurring themes your show returns to, the pillars of your expertise. Each theme becomes a well you can draw from for months, and every new idea has an obvious home. A system keeps the show consistent while still leaving room to be timely.
Mine what you already have
Your organization is already full of episode material. The questions customers ask, the expertise on your team, the projects you are proud of, and the people in your community are all durable sources of topics, and they are exactly the expertise and personality that set you apart.
- Questions you answer for customers over and over.
- Expertise and strong opinions from people on your team.
- Guests: partners, clients, and voices from your community.
- Behind-the-scenes stories, projects, and lessons learned.
Batch to stay ahead
Recording several episodes in one sitting keeps you comfortably ahead of your schedule and makes each session more efficient. Planning topics in batches (a quarter at a time, say) is far easier than inventing one episode a week under deadline.
Where we help
A single studio session can capture more than one episode. A recurring cadence and a batch of prepared topics let you build a backlog in one visit, which can make regional travel across western Oregon more practical. Our recurring plans are built around that rhythm.
See the Services page for recurring cadences and terms, or start a fit conversation about the show you want to sustain.