You sit down to plan your next episode and… blank. Again. The cursor blinks. Your brain goes quiet. The stress creeps in. That’s exactly why you need a podcast idea bank.
Think of it as your creative safety net – a living and breathing document where all your half-formed thoughts, clever titles, recurring questions, and “maybe later” ideas live. When you’re low on inspiration, it’s the bank you draw from. When you’re on a roll, it’s where you stash the good stuff before it disappears.
I use one for all my clients who want this service from Podcast Magician (and my own content too), and let me tell you – it changes everything.
Why a podcast idea bank is a game changer
The beauty of a podcast idea bank is that it breaks the cycle of starting from scratch every week. Instead of thinking “What should I talk about?” you ask, “What do I already have that’s worth using?”
Here’s what it helps with:
- Avoiding content slumps or panicked last-minute episodes
- Noticing themes and gaps in your episodes over time
- Creating a stronger content strategy by planning ahead
- Making the most of your creative bursts
Even if you only use it once a month, the peace of mind is worth it – because you know that you can always fill that podcast content calendar blank space.
How to set up your podcast idea bank
You don’t need fancy software. Google Docs, Notion, Trello, or even a notes app will do. What matters is that you can update it easily and access it quickly when you need it.
Here’s what I recommend including:
1. Raw idea dump
This is the messy bit. A brain dump of anything that comes to mind – no filtering, no editing. Episode titles, topics, rants, listener questions, book ideas, tangents… it all goes here.
2. Semi-formed outlines
Ideas that are starting to take shape. You might have a title and three bullet points. This is the next layer down – not quite ready to record, but close.
3. Categorised content
Once you have a decent bank going, start sorting ideas by theme or format:
- Tips and how-tos
- Personal stories
- Guest interviews
- Audience Q&A
How I help clients maintain their podcast idea bank
For clients I work with regularly, I often maintain a shared idea bank on Notion or Google Docs. If they say something offhand on a call or in an episode – boom, it goes in the bank.
Sometimes I’ll pull in ideas from newsletters they’ve written, FAQs from their audience, or even a trending topic in their industry. It all goes into one central spot so that when we’re planning a month of content, we’re never starting with a blank slate.
How to make it a habit
A podcast idea bank only works if you actually use it. That means building the habit of adding to it regularly.
Here are a few prompts to help:
- What question did someone ask me this week?
- What did I rant about in the car or shower?
- What’s one lesson I learned recently?
- What’s something I disagree with in my industry?
Aim to drop 1–3 new ideas into the bank each week. That’s it.
Final thoughts
Your podcast idea bank doesn’t have to be pretty. It just has to exist. It’s a tool that saves you time, protects your creativity, and makes you feel like a pro instead of a panicked beginner.
So next time you’re stuck, open the bank. You’ve already done the hard part.