Chief Audience Officer - Episode 229: How to Find Winning Podcast Episode Topics
Release Date: July 8, 2025
Host: Kev Michael
Title: Chief Audience Officer
Introduction
In Episode 229 of Chief Audience Officer, host Kev Michael delves into the critical topic of selecting winning podcast episode ideas. Tailored for business owners and podcasters striving to transform their content into tangible business growth, this episode offers actionable strategies to ensure each podcast episode resonates with the intended audience and drives engagement.
The Crucial Role of Topic Selection
Kev begins by emphasizing that topic selection is not just a supplementary aspect but the cornerstone of podcast growth. He shares a pivotal moment that reshaped his approach:
“With YouTube in particular, you have to start with the topic and the packaging of your episode first before you hit record, regardless of whether you're doing solo episodes or guest episodes now.”
— Kev Michael [06:00]
This revelation underscored the necessity of proactive topic planning to avoid stagnation and ensure each episode meets audience demand.
Kev’s Transformation through YouTube Insights
Kev recounts his experience working with a high-profile client whose podcast dramatically thrived on YouTube. Observing the client's YouTube strategy led him to an essential insight:
“He was just taking his podcast episodes and putting them on YouTube... I was stunned. It’s actually really easy.”
— Kev Michael [02:20]
By modeling successful YouTube video titles and thumbnails, the client not only boosted YouTube engagement but also enhanced the podcast’s audio performance, illustrating the interconnectedness of platforms in audience growth.
Five Sources for Episode Ideas
Kev outlines five distinct sources for generating compelling podcast episode topics, each serving as a pillar for sustained content creation:
1. Curriculum
Definition: Structured frameworks or methods that guide your business or coaching practices.
Application: Ideal for coaches, consultants, and business owners with established methodologies. Drawing from your curriculum ensures topics are aligned with your core expertise.
“You have so much experience talking about your curriculum, and you have already generated your unique ideas about whatever it is that you're talking about.”
— Kev Michael [07:45]
Example: If you’ve developed a unique sales funnel method, each step can form the basis of individual podcast episodes.
2. Calendar
Definition: Weekly activities and experiences that can inspire authentic content.
Application: Regularly reviewing your calendar helps generate timely and relatable topics. Kev introduces the PQRS method to extract ideas:
- Problems solved
- Questions answered
- Realizations made
- Stories to tell
“When you do a weekly calendar review and ask PQRs, you have endless episode topics, and it keeps your content fresh and uniquely you.”
— Kev Michael [09:10]
Example: Discussing a recent client meeting can lead to insights about overcoming common business hurdles.
3. Copying (Ethical Modeling)
Definition: Intentionally modeling successful content packaging from other creators.
Application: Replicate effective titles and thumbnails from popular YouTube videos within your niche. This strategy leverages proven engagement tactics without duplicating content.
“Anytime you see packaging that's already working on YouTube... Use it and watch how much quicker your show grows.”
— Kev Michael [11:30]
Example: If a particular title format garners high views, adapt it to fit your content while maintaining originality in the episode’s substance.
4. Closers
Definition: Insights derived from sales interactions and common objections.
Application: Use feedback from your sales team or personal sales conversations to address listener objections and concerns in your podcast. This not only provides value but also builds trust with your audience.
“One of the strongest ways to make podcast episodes that convert listeners to buyers is by handling common objections.”
— Kev Michael [12:50]
Example: An episode titled “Why YouTube Should Be Your Priority Over Other Marketing Channels” directly addresses a common hesitation.
5. Keywords
Definition: Leveraging SEO and popular search terms to guide topic selection.
Application: Utilize YouTube’s search trends and keyword tools to identify what your audience is actively seeking. This approach ensures your content is discoverable and aligned with current interests.
“One of my best performing podcast episodes that was made into a video... I specifically titled the video after a keyword and to this day, it still gets thousands of views every single year.”
— Kev Michael [14:40]
Example: Creating an episode around a high-traffic keyword like “How to Grow Your Podcast Audience” can drive consistent views and engagement.
Practical Exercises and Implementation
Kev provides a 10-minute exercise to immediately generate a winning podcast topic:
- Review Your Calendar: Spend a few minutes reflecting on the past week.
- Apply the PQRS Method: Identify problems solved, questions answered, realizations had, and stories experienced.
- Select a Topic: Choose a topic that aligns with one of these categories and resonates with your audience’s needs.
Additionally, he encourages experimenting with the copying strategy by modeling a successful YouTube title and thumbnail, then observing the impact on podcast views and engagement.
Ethical Copying: A Balanced Approach
Addressing potential ethical concerns, Kev clarifies:
“Use it and watch how much quicker your show grows... Don't copy content completely. Just try it and watch how many more views you get.”
— Kev Michael [16:20]
The key is to inspire rather than duplicate, ensuring that while the packaging may be similar, the content remains authentic and original.
Conclusion: Proactive Topic Planning for Growth
Kev wraps up by reiterating the importance of proactive and strategic topic selection. By utilizing the five sources—curriculum, calendar, copying, closers, and keywords—podcasters can ensure their content is relevant, engaging, and growth-oriented.
“You’re actually proactively deciding in advance what is it that my audience wants to listen to? What would they like? What can I give to them?”
— Kev Michael [17:50]
He encourages listeners to incorporate these methods into their content creation process to unlock sustained podcast growth and audience engagement.
Key Takeaways
- Topic selection is fundamental to podcast growth, especially when integrating platforms like YouTube.
- Five reliable sources for episode ideas enhance content relevance and audience connection.
- Ethical copying of successful content packaging can accelerate growth without compromising originality.
- Proactive planning ensures each episode aligns with audience needs and drives measurable business outcomes.
For those eager to transform their podcast strategy and ensure each episode drives growth, Kev Michael’s insights offer a comprehensive roadmap to achieving a thriving, engaging, and profitable podcast presence.