Podcast Script Template (Free): Examples for Interview, Solo and Co-Hosted Shows

A podcast script doesn't mean reading every word. For most shows it's a running order: what you'll say to open, the segments in order, the questions or talking points, the ad reads and how you'll close. Write out the parts that need to be exact, and leave bullet points for the rest so you still sound like yourself.

Below are three free podcast script templates you can copy and paste (interview, solo and co-hosted), intro and outro scripts, and a full example script.

Podcast script format: what to include

Cold open (optional): a 10–30 second hook, often the best line from the episode.
Intro: show name, who you are, and what this episode is about.
Segments: the body of the episode, each with a goal and rough timing.
Ad reads or announcements: written out word for word, since they usually have to be exact.
Outro: a recap, one clear call to action and a tease for next time.
Timing: a target length for each part, so the episode lands near your usual run time.

Template 1: interview podcast script

SHOW: [Show name] — Episode [#]: [Title] GUEST: [Name], [role / company] TARGET LENGTH: [e.g. 35 min] COLD OPEN (0:00–0:30) [Best quote from the guest, pulled after recording] INTRO (0:30–1:30) "Welcome to [show]. I'm [host]. Today I'm talking with [guest], who [one-line credential]. We get into [topic 1], [topic 2] and [the surprising thing]." WARM-UP (1:30–4:00) - How did you get into [field]? SEGMENT 1: [Topic] (4:00–15:00) - Question 1 - Question 2 - Follow-up if they mention [X] AD READ / ANNOUNCEMENT (15:00–16:00) [Write it out word for word] SEGMENT 2: [Topic] (16:00–28:00) - Question 1 - Question 2 RAPID FIRE (28:00–32:00) - [3–5 short questions] OUTRO (32:00–35:00) "Where can people find you?" "Thanks to [guest]. If you liked this, [one call to action]. Next week: [tease]."

Template 2: solo podcast script

SHOW: [Show name] — Episode [#]: [Title] THE ONE TAKEAWAY: [What listeners should remember] TARGET LENGTH: [e.g. 20 min] HOOK (0:00–0:45) [A question, a stat or a short story that sets up the problem] INTRO (0:45–1:30) "I'm [host], and this is [show]. Today: [topic], and by the end you'll know [takeaway]." POINT 1 (1:30–7:00) - Main idea - Example or story - What to do with it POINT 2 (7:00–13:00) - Main idea - Example or story - What to do with it POINT 3 (13:00–18:00) - Main idea - Example or story - What to do with it RECAP + CALL TO ACTION (18:00–20:00) "So: [point 1], [point 2], [point 3]. If you try this, [call to action]. Next time: [tease]."

Template 3: co-hosted podcast script

SHOW: [Show name] — Episode [#]: [Title] HOSTS: [Host A] (leads), [Host B] TARGET LENGTH: [e.g. 45 min] OPEN (0:00–2:00) A: "Welcome to [show], I'm [A]." B: "And I'm [B]." A: "Today we're [topic]." CATCH-UP (2:00–5:00) - One thing each host did or noticed this week MAIN TOPIC (5:00–25:00) - A sets up the topic - B's take / counterpoint - Listener question or example BREAK / AD READ (25:00–26:00) [Word for word, assigned to A or B] SECOND TOPIC (26:00–40:00) - Talking points WRAP (40:00–45:00) - Each host's one takeaway - Call to action and next week's tease

Podcast intro and outro script examples

Intro script

"Welcome to [show name], the show about [topic] for [audience]. I'm [host]. Every week we [what you do]. Today, [episode hook]. Let's get into it."

Outro script

"That's it for this episode of [show name]. If it helped, [one call to action: follow, review, share with a friend]. Show notes and links are at [website]. Next week, [tease]. See you then."

Keep the intro under a minute, and give the outro one call to action, not five.

Podcast script example

Here's a short example of an interview-show opening, filled in:

COLD OPEN JESS: "We went from six hours of editing down to ninety minutes." INTRO SAM: "Welcome back to The Signal Chain. I'm Sam, and today I've got Jess Calloway in the studio. Last time she was on, she was cutting everything in one room on one mic. Today: what changed when she switched to separate tracks, and why transcript search became her biggest time-saver." SEGMENT 1: THE OLD WORKFLOW - What did a typical edit look like back then? - Where did the hours actually go? SEGMENT 2: THE SWITCH - What made you move to separate tracks? - What surprised you?

How to write a podcast script that sounds natural

Write for the ear. Short sentences, everyday words. Read it out loud before you record.
Script the edges, bullet the middle. Write intros, ad reads and outros word for word; use bullet points for conversation.
Put timings next to each segment so you can tell mid-recording if you're running long.
Plan follow-ups. For interviews, note the follow-up question you'll ask if the guest mentions a specific topic.
Keep the script with the audio. After recording, the running order becomes your edit plan: what to cut, what to tighten and where the clips are.

From script to edit: keep it next to the episode

Once the episode is recorded, the script turns into the edit plan. In Notetracks, you can paste the running order into the project's notepad, right next to the audio, then get a timestamped transcript of the recording to check it against the script. Your co-host, producer or client leaves notes on the exact moment that needs fixing.