After five years of podcasting and creating 240 episodes across three shows, I’ve faced my fair share of creative roadblocks. Fortunately, inspiration is everywhere, you just need to know where to look. 

Here are nine strategies to generate fresh podcast episode ideas.

1. Check Your Inbox

Your email inbox is a goldmine of potential episode topics. Scroll through your sent emails and look for common questions you’ve answered for your clients and prospects. Chances are, if one person is asking, many others are wondering the same thing. You can also check your DMs and social media comments for additional inspiration.

Example: If you’re a business coach and frequently get asked about pricing strategies, turn that into an episode: “How to Set the Perfect Price for Your Services Without Undervaluing Yourself.”

2. Crowdsource Ideas

Use tools like AskAlso or AnswerThePublic to find trending questions in your niche. These platforms compile common online search queries, helping you understand what people want to learn.

Example: A marketing podcast could use these tools to find a common question like “How do I grow my email list?” and turn it into an episode titled “5 Proven Strategies to Grow Your Email List in 30 Days.”

3. Follow Trends

Industry trends are always evolving, and discussing them keeps your content fresh and relevant. Check out blogs, news outlets, and social media to see what people are talking about in your niche.

Example: If you host a finance podcast and a new law impacts retirement savings, you could cover it with an episode like “What the New Retirement Rules Mean for Your 401(k).”

4. Record Client Meetings

If you work directly with clients, your conversations are packed with valuable content ideas. Record your meetings and use an AI transcription tool like Otter.ai or Descript to summarize questions and topics.

Example: If you're a nutritionist and clients frequently ask about meal prepping, you could create an episode like “Meal Prepping 101: Save Time, Eat Healthier, and Cut Costs.”

5. Challenge Common Advice

Not all industry advice is good advice. Think about the popular recommendations in your niche that you strongly disagree with. Challenging conventional wisdom can spark interest, invite discussion, and position you as a thought leader.

Example: A fitness coach might create an episode titled “Why ‘No Pain, No Gain’ Is Terrible Advice for Your Workouts.”

6. Browse Other Podcasts

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel - other podcasts in your niche can be a great source of inspiration. Look at episode catalogs of similar shows to see what topics they covered. Use them as a springboard to add your unique perspective.

Example: If you see a popular podcast discussing “Best Ways to Improve Sleep,” you could put your spin on it with an episode like “Sleep Myths Debunked: What Really Works for Better Rest.”

7. Revisit Past Episodes

Some topics deserve a deeper dive. Look through your past episodes and ask yourself:

• Are there any topics that could use a Part 2?

• Have you changed your perspective on a topic?

• Do you have additional insights to share?

Example: If you previously discussed “How to Save for a Down Payment,” you might follow up with “What to Expect After Buying Your First Home.”

8. Ask a Family Member

Sometimes, the best episode ideas come from outside your industry. Ask a friend or family member what they don’t understand about what you do. If they’re confused, there’s a good chance your audience is too.

Example: If you’re in cybersecurity and your relative asks, “Why do I need a password manager?” - boom! That’s a perfect episode topic.

9. Use Seasonal Themes

Tie your episodes to holidays, seasons, or cultural events to make your content feel timely and relevant. Think about how your niche connects to annual themes like New Year's resolutions, back-to-school season, or Black Friday.

Example: A finance podcast could create “3 Ways to Fall in LOVE with Managing Your Money” for Valentine’s Day or “How to Save Big on Holiday Shopping” in November.

Final Thoughts

Running out of podcast ideas is frustrating, but inspiration is everywhere if you know where to look. Use these nine strategies to keep your content idea vault​ full and your audience engaged.

What’s your go-to method for brainstorming new episodes? Email me at justin@simplepodstudios.com so I can add it to the list!