How to Make an AI Podcast: From Notes to Publication in 5 Steps

Create professional-sounding podcasts using a streamlined AI workflow. This guide combines NotebookLM for initial content generation (learn how to turn notes into podcast scripts!), ElevenLabs for custom AI voice creation, PlayAI for voice synthesis, CapCut for adding AI beats and production, and Podsqueeze for distribution. Master how to use AI for your podcast.

AI Podcast Examples: Before & After

Hear the quality progression: from NotebookLM's default AI voices to a fully produced AI podcast.

NotebookLM Default Voices (Raw AI Audio)

Final AI Podcast Production (with AI Music & Effects)

Visit ElevenLabs (AI Voices)

Visit PlayAI (AI Podcast Voices)

Visit Podsqueeze (Podcast Distribution)

Visit CapCut (AI Podcast Editing)

Step 1: Generate AI Podcast with NotebookLM

Open NotebookLM (free with Google account)
Upload your prepared materials: Text files, PDFs, YouTube video transcripts
Click the "Customise" button and specify:

Target audience: "This podcast is for [specific audience]"
Tone: "Make it [casual/serious/funny]"
Focus points: "Cover these main topics: [list key areas]"

Download the audio file

Step 2: Transcribe and Format Your AI Podcast Script

2.1 Create Raw Transcript for your AI Podcast

Upload your NotebookLM audio to ElevenLabs Speech-to-Text
Configure transcription settings:

Disable timestamps for cleaner transcript formatting
Keep speaker names included in the output

Export the transcript as a TXT file

2.2 Reformat AI Podcast Script for AI Voice Tools

Copy the exported transcript into your AI chatbot of choice (Claude, ChatGPT, etc.)
Use this specific prompt to reformat the transcript (needed for PlayAI):
Reformat this transcript so that all speaker labels are either 'Speaker 1:' or 'Speaker 2:'. Replace any other speaker numbers accordingly. Put each speaker's line on the same line as their label (e.g. 'Speaker 1: Text here.'). Add a blank line between each speaker's entry. Output as plain text.
Copy the reformatted output to a text editor of your choice
Enhance your formatted transcript:

Add a proper introduction for hosts and topic
Refine the dialogue for better flow and engagement
Add a conclusion with call-to-action or next steps

Step 3: Generate AI Voices for Your Podcast with PlayAI

Sign in to PlayAI
Navigate to PlayNote -> My Notes -> Transcript and paste in your script
Select voices for each speaker:

Choose from PlayAI's extensive voice library
Ensure consistent voice contrast between speakers
Consider generating separate files for intro/outro with different voices

Generate and download the audio files

Step 4: Add Music & Production Elements in CapCut

Open CapCut (free version works well)
Add production elements:
- Intro/outro music & AI beats - Check out or previus Music Gen Workflow or use CapCut's stock library
- Play with CapCut's Voice Changer effect for your Podcast intro
- Add SFX transitions (risers and whooshes) to transition out of the Intro
Optimize audio levels:
- Voices: -3dB to -6dB
- Music/AI Beats: -18dB to -24dB
- SFX: -9dB to -12dB
Export in your desired format

Step 5: Publish and Promote Your AI Podcast with Podsqueeze

Create a Podsqueeze account (free trial available)
Upload your finished podcast episode
Podsqueeze automatically generates:
- Show notes with timestamps and key points
- Blog posts based on episode content
- Social media posts for Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
- Quote graphics and highlight images
- Video clips from your audio content
- Custom landing page for your podcast
Distribute to major podcast platforms through Podsqueeze
Schedule your social media content for maximum engagement