There are six podcast formats, and picking the wrong one is the hidden reason I see beginners quit early.
I learned that the hard way. At 36, I started an audio show before I even knew the word "podcast." I recorded 58 episodes, burned out, and walked away.
The topic was fine. The format was wrong for my life at the time.
A podcast format is the shape of your show: who talks, how many voices you hear, and how each episode is built. It is different from your topic. Two shows about cooking can use completely different formats, and one can be far more work than the other.
In this guide, I will walk you through the six formats and what each one really costs you in time. Then I will help you pick the one you can keep up.
Why the Format Matters More Than Beginners Think
Your format decides how many hours each episode takes, who you depend on, and how easy it is to stay consistent. Choose a format that fits your week, and you are far more likely to reach episode 20.
Most beginners pick a format by copying the show they love. That show might have a team of five people behind it. You probably have yourself, a laptop and a Tuesday evening.
What I learned from 550 episodes
Today I co-host two podcasts with over 550 episodes between them. I also host this show, The Podcasting University, on my own.
Running both formats side by side taught me something simple. Each one has a different kind of hard. The trick is choosing the hard you can live with every week.
I have also produced around 300 episodes for clients. The shows that kept going were not the most creative ones. They were the ones whose format matched the time the host really had.
The 6 Podcast Formats at a Glance
Here are the six main podcast formats, from the lighter workloads to the heavier ones. Each one is explained in plain English below.
- Solo: one host talks to the listener.
- Co-hosted: two regular hosts talk to each other.
- Interview: one host talks to a different guest each episode.
- Panel: three or more people discuss a topic.
- Storytelling: a scripted, produced story, often with music and sound.
- Repurposed: audio taken from something you already make, like a video or a webinar.
People often mix up formats and podcast genres. A genre is the subject area, like comedy, true crime or business. A format is how the show is built, and any genre can use any format.
Type 1: The Solo Podcast
A solo podcast is one person talking straight to the listener, like a friend explaining something over coffee. It is the simplest format to start, because you need nobody else's calendar.
This is the format of the show you might be listening to right now. Every episode of The Podcasting University is me and one microphone.
What a solo podcast really takes
Here is a rough picture of one solo episode for a beginner:
- Planning: 30 to 60 minutes to write a short outline.
- Recording: 20 to 40 minutes, including a couple of restarts.
- Editing: 30 to 60 minutes using free software.
That is about two to three hours per episode once you settle in. For editing, Audacity is free and does everything a solo show needs.
The hard part of going solo
The hard part is not the tech. It is talking to a microphone with nobody nodding back at you.
For the first five or six episodes, you may feel silly. That feeling fades, and an outline with three clear points helps a lot.
Best for: teachers, coaches, experts and anyone who wants full control of the schedule.
Type 2: The Co-Hosted Podcast
A co-hosted podcast has two regular hosts who talk with each other every episode. The energy comes from the back-and-forth, which makes it feel less like a lecture.
This is the format of my two longest-running shows. It is fun, and it also gets tricky in a few predictable places.
The good side of co-hosting
You never face a silent microphone. If you run out of things to say, your co-host picks up the thread.
Co-hosts also share the work. One person might plan the topics while the other handles editing and uploads.
The tricky side of co-hosting
Two calendars must line up every single week. When one host gets busy, the whole show slows down.
You also need a clear agreement early on. Talk about who owns the show name, who pays for hosting, and what happens if one of you wants to stop.
It feels awkward at the start. It is far more awkward at episode 80.
Best for: friends or partners who already enjoy talking, and anyone who hates the idea of recording alone.
Type 3: The Interview Podcast
An interview podcast has one host and a different guest in each episode. The guest brings the stories and the expertise, and the host guides the conversation.
Interview shows look easy from the outside. In practice, they carry the most hidden admin of any format a beginner might try.
Interview vs solo podcast: the real difference in effort
The interview vs solo podcast choice comes down to this. A solo show costs you thinking time. An interview show costs you people time.
For each interview episode, you need to:
- Find and invite a guest, which can take several emails.
- Book a time that works across time zones.
- Research the guest for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Record, often remotely.
- Edit a longer, two-voice conversation.
For remote guests, Riverside records each person on their own device. A shaky internet connection on either side does not ruin the audio.
Why interviews still make sense for some beginners
Guests bring their own audience. When a guest shares the episode, new listeners find your show.
You also learn fast. Twenty interviews is like twenty free lessons from people who know more than you.
Best for: curious people, business owners who want to build connections, and anyone who enjoys asking questions more than giving answers.
Type 4: The Panel Podcast
A panel podcast brings three or more people together to discuss one topic. Think of a round table where everyone gets a turn to speak.
Panels can sound lively and full. They are also the hardest format to keep tidy, both in the recording and in the edit.
Why panels are tough for a first show
With four voices, people talk over each other. Listeners struggle to tell who is speaking, especially in the first few episodes.
Scheduling three or four people is harder still. Editing a four-voice recording can also take twice as long as a solo one.
Best for: existing groups, like a club, a team or a community, that already meet and already talk well together.
Type 5: The Storytelling Podcast
A storytelling podcast tells a planned story, usually with a script, narration, music and sound effects. It sounds like a radio documentary, and it is the most work of all six podcast formats.
These are often the shows that win awards. They are also the shows that big companies produce with full teams.
What storytelling really takes
A single storytelling episode can take 10 to 20 hours of research, writing, recording and sound design. Some professional shows spend weeks on one episode.
That does not mean you can never do it. It means it is a poor choice for your very first show, unless storytelling is the whole point for you.
A lighter way to add story
You can borrow from storytelling without building a full narrative show. Open a solo episode with a two-minute personal story, then teach your main points.
You get the warmth of a story without 15 hours of sound design. It is one of the easiest upgrades a solo show can make.
Best for: writers, journalists and people with one deep subject they want to explore over a season.
Type 6: The Repurposed Podcast
A repurposed podcast takes audio from content you already create, such as YouTube videos, webinars, live streams or classes. You clean it up and publish it as podcast episodes.
This is the format beginners forget exists. If you already make videos or teach live, it can be the fastest way to start.
The catch with repurposing
Audio from a video often refers to things the listener cannot see. A line like "look at this chart" confuses someone listening in the car.
So plan a short audio intro for each episode. Then trim or explain any visual moments before you publish.
Best for: YouTubers, teachers and coaches who already create content every week.
Can You Mix Podcast Formats?
Yes, and many long-running shows do. The safest way is to keep one main format and add a second one on a fixed schedule.
For example, a solo show might add one interview at the end of each month. A co-hosted show might invite a guest every fifth episode.
The key word is pattern. Your listener should be able to guess what next week's episode will look like.
A simple hybrid plan for your first season
If you like two formats, try this plan for your first 12 episodes:
- Episodes 1 to 6: solo only, so you get comfortable on the microphone.
- Episodes 7 to 12: keep solo as the main format, and add one interview in episode 9 or 10.
After 12 episodes, look at which ones you enjoyed making. Then look at which ones your listeners played the most, and keep the format that wins on both counts.
Podcast Formats Compared: Effort, Cost and Consistency
Here is how the six podcast formats stack up against each other. The hours are rough figures for a beginner, per episode, after the first few weeks.
- Solo: 1 person, about 2 to 3 hours per episode. Hardest part: talking with no one to react.
- Co-hosted: 2 people, about 2 to 4 hours. Hardest part: matching two calendars.
- Interview: 2 people, about 3 to 5 hours. Hardest part: booking and researching guests.
- Panel: 3 or more people, about 4 to 6 hours. Hardest part: crosstalk and editing.
- Storytelling: 1 or more people, about 10 to 20 hours. Hardest part: scripting and sound design.
- Repurposed: 1 person, about 1 to 2 hours. Hardest part: fixing visual references.
None of these formats needs expensive gear to start. A decent USB microphone costs around $60 (₹5,000), and plenty of beginners record their first episodes on a phone.
If you want the gear side covered, my guide on how to record a podcast on your phone shows the simplest setup.
Which of the Six Podcast Formats Fits a Beginner Best?
For most beginners, a solo show or a co-hosted show is the best first format. Both are light on admin, and both let you publish on a steady schedule while you learn.
That is not a rule. It is a starting point, and you can change formats later once you have a rhythm.
A 4-question test to choose between podcast formats
Answer these four questions honestly. Your answers point to your format.
- How many hours a week can you give the show? Under 3 hours points to solo or repurposed. Five or more makes interviews possible.
- Do you have a reliable partner who wants this as much as you? If yes, consider co-hosting. If you are not sure, start solo.
- Do you enjoy asking questions or giving answers? Askers lean toward interviews. Explainers lean toward solo.
- Do you already make videos or teach live? If yes, repurposing gets you started this week.
Who you are talking to matters too
Your format should also suit your listener. A busy parent on a 20-minute school run wants something different from a student on a two-hour drive.
If you have not pictured that person yet, my guide on building a podcast listener profile walks you through it step by step.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Podcast Format
Most format mistakes come from choosing a show you admire instead of a show you can run. Here are the four I see most often, and how to fix each one.
Mistake 1: Copying a big show's format
Your favorite storytelling show may have a producer, an editor and a composer. Copying that format alone sets you up to burn out.
Fix: copy the feeling you love, not the full format. Add a short story to a solo episode instead.
Mistake 2: Starting with a co-host you have not tested
A friend who is great at dinner may not enjoy weekly recordings. Some co-hosts drift away within the first ten episodes.
Fix: record three practice episodes together before you launch. You will learn more from those three than from any planning call.
Mistake 3: Booking interviews before you can hold a conversation
Your first guests deserve a host who is comfortable on a microphone. A nervous first interview can feel stiff for both of you.
Fix: record five solo episodes first. Then invite guests once your voice and your questions feel natural.
Mistake 4: Switching formats every few episodes
Listeners return for a familiar experience. If episode three is a panel and episode four is a story, nobody knows what they are subscribing to.
Fix: pick one format for your first 10 episodes. Review it after that, not before.
What My Wife's Show Taught Me About Format
My wife's Hindi food podcast is the best proof I know that a podcast for beginners does not need a complicated format. It never had a big team or heavy sound design.
What it had was a shape she could repeat, week after week. The show went on to cross 3.1 million downloads and reach the Apple Podcasts Top 10.
A simple format did not hold it back. It is the reason she kept going long enough to get there.
Your Next Step: Lock In Your Format
Choosing a format feels like a small decision, but it shapes every week of your podcast. It is also where many beginners get stuck, going back and forth for months.
That is why the format and niche decision has its own day in the 7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge. On Day 2, you pick your format and your focus, and you do not move on until it is done.
Each day is gated behind real work, so you cannot skip ahead and leave the hard choices for later. By Day 7, you have a live show, not a list of ideas.
If you want the bigger picture first, my guide on how to start a podcast with no experience covers every step in order.
Listen to the Podcast Episode
In this episode, I talk about why I still record solo podcast episodes, even after co-hosting two shows with over 550 episodes between them. A solo podcast is the simplest format to start and the easiest one to keep going, because you never wait on anyone else's calendar.
I share how to plan a solo episode in under an hour and how to get past the strange feeling of talking to a microphone. I also explain when a solo show is the wrong choice. If you are torn between going solo and finding a co-host, this episode will help you decide.
What I cover in this episode
- Why my first show ended at 58 episodes, and what the format had to do with it
- The real time a solo podcast takes each week
- How a three-point outline stops you from rambling
- When co-hosting or interviews make more sense than going solo
- A simple test to run before you hit record
Tools I recommend
- Samson Q2U is my recommended microphone for a solo show
- Audacity is free software for editing your episodes
- Buzzsprout is the podcast host I recommend for publishing
Choosing your format is Day 2 of the 7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge. You decide on your show's shape, then build the rest of the week on top of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main podcast formats?
The six main types are solo, co-hosted, interview, panel, storytelling and repurposed. Each one differs in how many people speak and how much work each episode takes. A solo episode can take 2 to 3 hours, while a storytelling episode can take 10 to 20.
What is the easiest podcast format for a beginner?
A solo podcast is usually the easiest, because you only need your own time. You can record whenever you are free, with no guest or co-host to schedule. Most beginners can produce a solo episode in about two to three hours.
What is the difference between a podcast format and a podcast genre?
A format is how the show is built, like solo or interview. A genre is the subject, like comedy, business or true crime. Any genre can use any of the six formats.
Is an interview podcast or a solo podcast better?
Neither is better for everyone. An interview show brings fresh voices and guest audiences, but it adds 1 to 2 hours of booking and research per episode. A solo show is faster and gives you full control of the schedule.
Can I change my podcast format later?
Yes. Many shows start solo and add guests after 10 or 20 episodes. Just give your first format a fair test of at least 10 episodes before you switch.
Do I need a co-host to start a podcast?
No. Plenty of successful shows have one host, including this one. A co-host helps if you hate recording alone, but it also means matching two calendars every week.
How long should a podcast episode be?
There is no fixed rule. Many solo episodes run 10 to 30 minutes, while interview episodes often run 30 to 60 minutes. Match the length to how long your listener has, such as a 20-minute commute.
What equipment do I need for each type of podcast?
Every format can start with one microphone and free editing software. A USB microphone costs around $60 (₹5,000), and many beginners start on a phone. Interview and panel shows may also need a remote recording tool.
Which podcast format grows the fastest?
Interview shows often grow a little faster early on, because guests share their episodes. Growth still depends far more on consistency than on format. A solo show published every week usually beats an interview show published whenever a guest is free.
What is a repurposed podcast?
A repurposed podcast uses audio from content you already make, such as YouTube videos or webinars. It is the fastest way to start if you already create videos. Remove or explain any visual references, so listeners are not confused.
Conclusion
My first show ended at episode 58 because the format did not fit my life. Your show does not have to end that way.
Pick the format you can keep up on your busiest week, not the one that sounds most impressive. Then give it 10 honest episodes before you judge it.
So, which of the six will you record first?
Resources that I recommend
Here are some of the resources that I recommended in this episode and the ones that I recommend in Podcasting.
- Ubersuggest – The Keyword research tool that I recommend
Below are the tools that I recommend for podcasting:
- Buzzsprout – Podcast hosting
- Behringer Audio Interface – You will need an audio interface if you are using an XLR microphone. This is my recommended audio interface.
- Behringer Audio Interface (budget option) – A lower-cost alternative if you're just starting out and want to keep costs down.
- Riverside – Riverside is my pick for recording interviews, audio or video. It records each person on their own device, so a shaky connection on either end never ends up in the episode.
- Audacity – This is the best and most feature-rich free audio editing software. It gives you a lot of options while editing your interviews.
- Samson Q2U – My recommended microphone
- Audio Technica ATR-2110x – My recommended alternative microphone
- TidyCal – My recommended calendar and booking solutions
Thank you for joining in
I hope you enjoyed the information that I shared in this episode.
Do subscribe to the show on your favorite podcasting platform in order to stay updated with the latest episodes that I release.
The Podcasting University is available on almost all podcasting platforms. The link to the prominent ones are mentioned below –
Planning to start a podcast?
Then you might want to join my "7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge".
Disclaimer: Some of these links above are affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from the links above, I will earn a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you. Also, The Podcasting University is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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