Solo podcasting often gets a reputation for being "easy" because you don't have to coordinate with guests. But without a guest to bounce ideas off of, many hosts fall into the trap of rambling or becoming monotonous. You need a specific architecture to hold your audience's attention.

In this episode, I break down the three primary structures of solo podcasting: The Storyteller, The Teacher, and The Commentator. Plus, learn about a fourth BONUS format.

We explore the subtypes within these categories too, such as the "Historical Deep Dive" or the "Academic Explainer," and look at real-world examples of successful shows using these frameworks. You will learn how to identify which structure fits your goals and how to pivot your existing show to a stronger format.

Here is what you will learn in this episode:

• The definition and goal of "The Storyteller" format (Narrative focus)
• How "The Teacher" format builds authority through logic and frameworks
• Why "The Commentator" format builds the fastest trust with an audience
• The risks and rewards of blending multiple formats (Hybrid models)
• How to use a "Cold Open" to hook listeners immediately

RESOURCES:

• Hardcore History (Dan Carlin): https://www.dancarlin.com/
• Lore (Aaron Mahnke): https://www.lorepodcast.com/
• History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps: https://historyofphilosophy.net/
• The History of Rome / Revolutions (Mike Duncan): https://thehistoryofrome.typepad.com/
• Think Media Podcast: https://youtube.com/@ThinkMediaPodcast and https://www.thinkmediapodcast.com
• Your Improv Brain (Jen deHaan): https://youtube.com/@YourImprovBrain and https://improvupdate.com
• The Humanist Report: https://www.humanistreport.com/
• Monday Morning Podcast (Bill Burr): https://billburr.com/podcast
• Better Online (Ed Zitron): https://www.czm.media/shows/better-offline
• Adam Conover (YouTube Channel): https://youtube.com/@TheAdamConover
• Revisionist History (Malcolm Gladwell): https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/revisionist-history
• Radiolab: https://radiolab.org/

Chapters:

00:00 The risk of "winging it" in solo podcasting

01:35 Format 1: The Storyteller (Narrative focus)

02:08 Subtype: The Historical Deep Dive

03:07 Subtype: Themed Narrative & The Cold Open

04:36 Format 2: The Teacher (Knowledge transfer)

05:36 Subtype: The Academic Explainer

06:18 Subtype: The Framework Model (How-To)

07:34 Format 3: The Commentator (Perspective based)

08:24 Subtype: News Analysis vs. Op-Ed

10:48...

Full scripts can make you sound robotic, but winging it often leads to rambling and hours of painful editing. You need a middle ground that provides the safety of a script with the energy of a conversation.

In this episode, I break down the system I use at StereoForest Studio to organize solo episodes. We move away from word-for-word reading and towards "extemporaneous speaking." This method uses specific bullet points and a rigid structure to keep you on track while allowing your natural personality to come through.

Here is what you will learn in this episode:

• Why "winging it" actually increases your production costs
• The definition of "Structured Spontaneity" and why you need it
• Which parts of your episode must be fully scripted (and which shouldn't)
• How to use Main Points and Sub-Points to reduce cognitive load

You will leave with a clear framework to organize your next recording session for maximum efficiency and engagement.

About reading scripts without sounding like you're reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5F4RFcNoDw

Software shown: Davinci Resolve https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/ca/products/davinciresolve

About extemporaneous speaking: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-rockland-standupspeakout/chapter/four-methods-of-delivery/

StereoForest: https://stereoforest.com

00:00 The problem with winging it vs. full scripts

02:40 Defining "Structured Spontaneity"

03:14 Why structure creates freedom (The Improv connection)

06:53 What is "Extemporaneous Speaking"?

07:40 Part 1: Fully script the first 30 seconds

09:32 Part 2: Main points and cognitive load

10:12 Part 3: Sub-points for critical data

11:51 Finding your personal level of detail

12:45 Part 4: Fully script the Outro

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Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Find this show on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@solopodcastinghandbook

Website at https://stereoforest.com/solo-podcasting

Get StereoForest’s newsletter for podcasting resources at https://stereoforest.com/subscribe

Produced by Jen deHaan of StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

Contact Jen at https://jendehaan.com

==========================

Your support will help this show continue. Funds will go towards hosting and music licensing for this show and others on StereoForest. This show is produced by an independent HUMAN artist directly affected by the state of the industry. StereoForest does not have any funding or additional support.

If you find value in our shows, please consider supporting them with a one time donation at https://stereoforest.com/tip

We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact me anytime to ask me anything. You can support my shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz

==========================

Jen's professional background is in web software technology (audio/video/web and graphics), working for many years in Silicon Valley. She has worked in instructional design, writing,

You have written the perfect script. But the moment you press record, your voice goes flat and you sound like you are reading a textbook. News anchors use teleprompters every day and sound natural, so why is it so hard for the rest of us?

In this episode, I break down four specific techniques to fix that robotic delivery. We look at the trade-offs between reading word-for-word and improvising, and how each method impacts your editing time and cognitive load. I also share the specific method I use for my own shows to balance accuracy with a human connection.

Here is what you will learn in this episode:

• The trade-off between natural delivery and post-production editing time
• How to use the "Look Down, Look Up" method for short-form content
• Techniques for scan-reading a teleprompter effectively
• How to use "Reference Cues" and bolding to anchor your memory
• The "Reference and Improvise" workflow for long-form episodes

The goal is to sound like the expert you are.

Previous episode on script formatting:

Podcast: https://stereoforest.com/episodes/solo-podcasting-workflow-voice-to-final-script/

Video: https://youtu.be/LixDbzNYRXE

Anchor words: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1244288/full

Newsletter: https://StereoForest.com/newsletter

CHAPTERS

00:00 The problem with reading scripts

02:22 Balancing delivery vs. editing time

03:57 Method 1: Look down, look up (Short-term memory)

05:26 Method 2: Scan reading (News anchor style)

06:50 Method 3: Reference cues (Anchoring)

10:24 Method 4: Reference and improvise

12:31 Choosing the right technique for you

==========================

==========================

Written, edited, and hosted by Jen deHaan.

Find this show on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@solopodcastinghandbook

Website at https://stereoforest.com/solo-podcasting

Get StereoForest’s newsletter for podcasting resources at https://stereoforest.com/subscribe

Produced by Jen deHaan of StereoForest https://stereoforest.com

Contact Jen at https://jendehaan.com

==========================

Your support will help this show continue. Funds will go towards hosting and music licensing for this show and others on StereoForest. This show is produced by an independent HUMAN artist directly affected by the state of the industry. StereoForest does not have any funding or additional support.

If you find value in our shows, please consider supporting them with a one time donation at https://stereoforest.com/tip

We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact me anytime to ask me anything. You can support my shows by signing up with Captivate here: