I've been wanting to start a podcast for two years. I had the topic, the passion, and even sketched out episode ideas. But every time I looked at what was involved – scripting, recording, editing, show notes, distribution – I got overwhelmed and gave up.
Last week, I challenged myself: could I use AI to create and publish an entire podcast episode in one hour? Not a low-quality throwaway episode, but something actually listenable that I'd be proud to share.
Spoiler: I did it. 58 minutes from blank page to published on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The episode has 247 downloads so far and three people have messaged me asking when the next one drops.
Here's exactly how I did it, the tools I used (mostly free), and whether you should try this too.
What I created (to set realistic expectations)
Before I explain the process, let me show you what's actually possible in an hour.
My test episode:
- Topic: "Why AI Won't Replace Creativity (And What Will Happen Instead)"
- Length: 18 minutes
- Format: Solo commentary with intro/outro music
- Script: ~2,500 words
- Quality: Sounds like a legitimate podcast, not a robot reading text
What this is NOT:
- A highly-edited production with sound effects and B-roll
- An interview podcast (those require actual humans)
- Something with multiple voices or characters (possible but takes longer)
- Broadcast-quality audio (it's good, not professional studio quality)
If you're expecting NPR production quality, this isn't that. But if you want a legitimate podcast episode that sounds professional enough for listeners to take seriously, this absolutely works.
The 60-minute breakdown
Here's how I used my hour:
Minutes 0-15: Scripting (AI-assisted)
Minutes 16-25: Voice generation (AI creates audio)
Minutes 26-35: Music and basic editing
Minutes 36-45: Show notes and episode description (AI-written)
Minutes 46-55: Cover art creation (AI-generated)
Minutes 56-60: Upload and publish
Let me walk through each step with the exact tools and process.
Step 1: Scripting (15 minutes)
Tool: ChatGPT (free tier works, Plus is better)
I didn't try to write a perfect script from scratch. I used AI to generate a strong first draft that I refined.
My prompt:
Write a 2,500-word podcast script about why AI won't replace human creativity.
Format: Solo host speaking conversationally.
Structure:
- Engaging hook (30 seconds)
- Personal story to introduce the topic (2 minutes)
- 3 main arguments with examples (12 minutes)
- Surprising insight listeners haven't heard before
- Call to action and outro (1 minute)
Tone: Conversational, occasionally funny, insightful but not academic. Like talking to a smart friend over coffee.
Include natural pauses, "umms" and conversational phrases to sound human, not scripted.
ChatGPT generated a solid script in about 30 seconds. I spent the next 14 minutes:
- Reading through and flagging awkward phrases
- Adding personal anecdotes it couldn't know about
- Adjusting tone to match my voice
- Cutting sections that felt boring or repetitive
Time-saving tip: Don't aim for perfection. The script needs to be good enough to read naturally. You can always improve in later episodes.
What I learned: The more specific your prompt, the better the output. Generic prompts ("write a podcast script about AI") produce generic scripts. Detailed prompts with tone, structure, and examples produce usable content.
Step 2: Voice generation (10 minutes)
This is where it gets interesting. I used AI to generate the voiceover instead of recording myself.
Tool: ElevenLabs ($5 for enough characters, or $22/month for more)
Why not just record myself? Three reasons:
- Recording and editing takes way longer than 10 minutes
- I'd need to redo takes for mistakes, breathing sounds, background noise
- My actual voice is... not great for podcasting (I sound monotone)
Process:
- Signed up for ElevenLabs (I used the paid tier for better quality, but free tier works for testing)
- Selected a voice from their library (I chose "Adam" – conversational and warm)
- Pasted my script into their text-to-speech interface
- Clicked generate (took about 3 minutes to process 18 minutes of audio)
- Downloaded the MP3 file
Settings I used:
- Voice: Adam (male, conversational)
- Stability: 50% (makes it sound more natural, less robotic)
- Clarity: 75%
- Style exaggeration: 40% (adds some personality)
Can people tell it's AI?
Honestly? Some can, some can't. Several listeners commented that my "voice" sounded great. One person asked what mic I use (I laughed). A few people could tell something was slightly off but couldn't identify what.
The quality has crossed the threshold where most casual listeners don't notice or don't care.
Alternative options:
- Play.ht (similar pricing, different voices)
- Murf.ai (slightly more expensive, very high quality)
- Your actual voice (free, but recording and editing takes 30+ minutes)
If you're comfortable recording and editing, your real voice is probably better. But if you're trying to ship fast or don't like your recorded voice, AI voices are surprisingly good in 2025.
Step 3: Music and editing (10 minutes)
Tools: Uppbeat (free music), Descript (editing, free tier works)
I needed:
- Intro music (10 seconds)
- Outro music (10 seconds)
- Basic audio cleanup (remove dead space, normalize volume)
Getting music:
Went to Uppbeat.io (free music for creators). Found a 30-second upbeat track, downloaded it, trimmed to 10 seconds for intro and outro.
Alternative free music sources:
- YouTube Audio Library
- Free Music Archive
- Pixabay Music
Editing process:
Imported everything into Descript (free tier allows 1 hour of transcription/month):
- Drag in my AI-generated voice file
- Descript auto-transcribes it (useful for finding sections to edit)
- Add intro music at beginning
- Add outro music at end
- Use Descript's "Remove filler words" feature (removes extra-long pauses automatically)
- Normalize audio levels so everything is consistent volume
- Export as MP3
Total editing time: 8 minutes (would have been 2 minutes but I re-did the outro music choice)
Could you skip editing?
Technically yes. The raw AI audio is clean. But 10 minutes of basic editing makes it sound 10x more professional. The intro/outro music especially makes it feel like a "real" podcast.
Step 4: Show notes and description (10 minutes)
Tool: ChatGPT
Every podcast needs:
- Episode title
- Episode description
- Show notes with key points
- Timestamps (optional but nice)
I pasted my script back into ChatGPT with this prompt:
Based on this podcast script, create:
1. A compelling episode title (under 60 characters)
2. A 2-paragraph episode description for podcast platforms
3. 5 key takeaways as bullet points
4. 5 relevant hashtags
Make it compelling and SEO-friendly without being clickbaity.
ChatGPT delivered in 15 seconds:
Title: "Why AI Won't Replace Creativity (What Will Happen Instead)"
Description: Two solid paragraphs summarizing the episode and why listeners should care
Key takeaways: Five bullet points capturing main arguments
Hashtags: #AIandCreativity #FutureOfWork #CreativeAI #PodcastInsights #TechnologyTrends
I spent 9 minutes reviewing and tweaking (mostly making the description sound more like me), then pasted everything into my podcast host.
Time-saving tip: Generate show notes while your audio is rendering. I actually did this in parallel with Step 2, saving 10 minutes.
Step 5: Cover art (10 minutes)
Tool: ChatGPT with DALL-E 3 (included in Plus) or Canva
Podcast cover art requirements:
- Square (3000x3000 pixels minimum)
- Clear and readable at thumbnail size
- Visually represents your show
My process:
Asked ChatGPT: "Create podcast cover art for a show about AI and creativity. Modern, professional, incorporates brain imagery and tech elements. Bold typography that says 'AI & Creativity'. Color scheme: navy blue and electric blue."
DALL-E generated 4 options. I picked the best one, downloaded at full resolution (3000x3000), and uploaded to my podcast host.
Total time: 3 minutes.
Alternative: If you want more control, use Canva:
- Start with podcast cover template (1-2 minutes)
- Add your show title and tagline (2 minutes)
- Find or upload image (2 minutes)
- Export at 3000x3000 (1 minute)
Canva takes longer but gives you more design control. DALL-E is faster but more random.
Step 6: Upload and publish (5 minutes)
Tool: Anchor/Spotify for Podcasters (free)
This is the easiest part. I already had an account set up (if you're starting from scratch, add 10 minutes for initial setup).
- Logged into Anchor
- Clicked "New Episode"
- Uploaded MP3 file
- Pasted episode title and description
- Uploaded cover art
- Set episode as published
- Clicked "Save"
Anchor automatically distributes to:
- Spotify
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- And ~10 other platforms
The distribution isn't instant – it took about 2 hours for the episode to appear on Apple Podcasts, but the upload and publishing process itself was under 5 minutes.
Alternative podcast hosts:
- Buzzsprout (paid, but easier analytics)
- Transistor (paid, better for professional podcasters)
- RedCircle (free, good for monetization)
Anchor is free and works well for starting. Upgrade to paid hosting once you have listeners and need better analytics or monetization.
The total cost
Let's talk money because this matters:
My costs:
- ChatGPT Plus: $20/month (optional – free tier works)
- ElevenLabs: $5 for enough credits for 3-4 episodes (or $22/month for unlimited)
- Uppbeat music: Free
- Descript: Free tier (1 hour audio/month)
- Cover art: Included in ChatGPT Plus
- Podcast hosting: Free (Anchor)
Total for one episode: ~$7 if you pay per use
Total monthly if you podcast regularly: ~$42/month for all tools
Compare to traditional podcasting:
- Microphone: $100+
- Audio interface: $100+
- Editing software: $20+/month
- Music licensing: $15-30/month
- Cover art design: $50-200
- Podcast host: $0-20/month
The AI approach is cheaper upfront and faster ongoing.
What actually worked well
Speed: One hour is real. I've done this three times now. First episode took 75 minutes (learning curve). Second was 58 minutes. Third was 52 minutes.
Quality: Multiple people commented that the podcast sounds professional. One listener asked what my recording setup is. The AI voice quality has crossed the threshold of "good enough."
Consistency: AI voices don't have bad recording days. Every episode sounds the same quality, which is harder to achieve when recording yourself.
Accessibility: I have mild speech anxiety that makes recording myself uncomfortable. AI removes that barrier entirely.
What didn't work as well
The voice isn't perfect: Close listening reveals it's AI-generated. Emphasis is sometimes wrong, pacing occasionally feels unnatural. It's 85% as good as a human voice, not 100%.
Limited spontaneity: Everything is scripted. There are no genuine tangents, spontaneous thoughts, or authentic moments that make the best podcasts engaging. It sounds prepared, not conversational.
No interviews: This process only works for solo commentary. You can't AI-generate interviews with real guests (obviously).
Emotional range: The AI voice conveys tone but not genuine emotion. Excitement, frustration, humor – these come through weakly compared to human delivery.
Editing limitations: The one-hour timeframe means minimal editing. You can't do complex sound design, elaborate intros, or heavily produced episodes.
Could you actually build an audience with this?
The real question: is an AI-generated podcast legitimate enough to attract real listeners?
Based on three weeks and five episodes:
Current stats:
- 5 episodes published
- 847 total downloads
- 134 unique listeners
- Average listen time: 76% (people are finishing episodes)
- 3 reviews on Apple Podcasts (all positive, none mentioned AI voice)
What's working:
- Content quality matters more than production quality
- Consistency (publishing weekly) is building momentum
- Topics are relevant and valuable to my target audience
- Show notes and SEO are driving discovery
What I'm learning:
- Some listeners definitely notice the AI voice but don't seem to care
- Others have commented that they appreciate the concise, well-structured format
- Growth is steady but not explosive (normal for new podcasts)
The verdict so far: Yes, you can build a real audience. But the content has to be genuinely valuable. AI shortcuts the production, but it can't shortcut having something worth saying.
Different formats you could try
The solo commentary format is easiest, but other options exist:
Co-host format (both AI): Use two different AI voices as co-hosts having a conversation. More dynamic than solo, still scriptable. I haven't tried this but several podcasts are doing it successfully.
Narrated stories: Perfect for storytelling, book summaries, or educational content. AI voices work great for this format.
News/summary shows: Daily or weekly roundups of news or topics. AI excels at synthesizing information and delivering it clearly.
What doesn't work:
- Interviews (requires real guests)
- Highly personality-driven shows
- Shows where authentic emotion is crucial
- Comedy (AI timing is still off)
The ethical question
Let's address the elephant: should you disclose that your podcast uses AI?
My approach: I mention in my podcast description that it's "AI-assisted" but don't make a big deal about it. The focus is on content quality, not production method.
Arguments for disclosure:
- Transparency with audience
- Manages expectations
- Avoids feeling deceptive
Arguments against:
- Shouldn't matter if content is valuable
- Might cause unnecessary bias
- Production method isn't the point
My opinion: Disclose it subtly (in description or website) but don't make it the main point. If your content is good, the production method becomes secondary.
Some listeners will care. Others won't. Focus on delivering value, and let people decide.
How to start: Your first episode this weekend
Want to try this yourself? Here's your weekend plan:
Saturday morning (1 hour):
- Pick your podcast topic and first episode angle
- Write or AI-generate a script (15 minutes)
- Generate audio with ElevenLabs free trial
- Add basic music and editing in Descript
- Create cover art with DALL-E or Canva
Saturday afternoon (30 minutes):
- Sign up for Anchor/Spotify for Podcasters
- Create show details (name, description, category)
- Upload your episode
- Wait for distribution to platforms
Sunday: Check if your episode is live on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Share with friends. Get feedback. Plan episode 2.
Total time investment: 90 minutes to go from zero to published podcast.
Should you actually do this?
Do this if:
- You've been wanting to podcast but felt overwhelmed by production
- You have knowledge/expertise to share
- You're comfortable with AI-generated content
- You want to test podcasting without major time/money investment
- You prioritize speed and consistency over perfect production
Don't do this if:
- You have a great voice and recording setup already
- You're doing interview-format shows
- Personality and authentic emotion are your brand
- You're in a niche where AI-generated content won't be accepted
- You want to build a business around your personal brand/voice
The middle ground: Start with AI to build momentum and prove the concept. Once you have an audience and know it works, invest in better equipment and record yourself.
Or stay with AI indefinitely if it works for your content and audience.
What I'm doing next
Five episodes in, I'm continuing with AI generation for now. The speed and consistency are worth the tradeoff in authenticity.
My plan:
- Publish weekly for 3 months (AI-generated)
- Focus on content quality and growing the audience
- Re-evaluate at 20 episodes – should I transition to human voice?
- Possibly hire a voice actor to re-record popular episodes
The AI approach is my MVP – minimum viable podcast. It lets me test, learn, and grow without massive upfront investment.
If the show flops, I've lost minimal time and money. If it succeeds, I can reinvest in production quality.
FAQ
Can you really create a podcast in one hour using AI?
Yes. Using tools like ChatGPT for scripting, ElevenLabs for AI voice generation, Descript for editing, and Spotify for Podcasters for publishing, you can produce and release a complete podcast episode in about 60 minutes.What AI tools were used to create the podcast?
The workflow includes ChatGPT for scripting, ElevenLabs for voice generation, Uppbeat for music, Descript for editing, DALL·E 3 or Canva for cover art, and Anchor (Spotify for Podcasters) for hosting and distribution.Is the AI-generated podcast voice realistic?
Yes. Modern AI voices sound natural and expressive enough that most casual listeners can’t tell it’s synthetic. Some may notice minor differences in pacing or tone, but overall quality is excellent.How much does it cost to make an AI-generated podcast?
You can create a full episode for about **$7 per use**, or around **$40–45/month** if you produce regularly. Most tools have free tiers, making it far cheaper than traditional podcasting setups.Can you build a real audience with an AI-generated podcast?
Absolutely. Audience growth depends more on content quality and consistency than production methods. If your episodes are valuable and well-structured, listeners will stay regardless of whether the voice is AI or human.Should you disclose that your podcast uses AI?
Transparency is recommended. You can mention that your podcast is “AI-assisted” in the description. Most listeners appreciate the honesty and don’t mind as long as the content is engaging.What are the limitations of AI-generated podcasts?
AI voices still struggle with deep emotion, humor, and spontaneous reactions. The one-hour workflow also limits complex editing or formats like interviews that require real guests.What podcast formats work best with AI?
AI works best for **solo commentary**, **narration**, **educational explainers**, or **news summaries**. Interview or personality-driven podcasts are less effective since they rely on real human interaction.The one-hour podcast is real
A year ago, AI podcasting wasn't viable. The voices were too robotic, the tools were too expensive, and the results were obviously artificial.
In 2025, this has changed. The quality is good enough, the tools are accessible enough, and the speed is genuinely transformative.
Can you create a legitimate podcast episode in one hour? Yes, I've done it five times.
Will it be the best podcast ever made? No, but it doesn't need to be. It needs to be good enough to deliver value, and that bar is definitely achievable.
The question isn't whether this is possible. It is. The question is whether you're willing to experiment with new methods to create content you've been putting off for years.
I was stuck in "waiting for the perfect setup" for two years. AI got me unstuck in one hour.
Maybe it can do the same for you.
Stop planning. Start recording. Or rather, stop planning and start generating.
Your first episode could be live by tomorrow.
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