With over 70 million Americans listening to podcasts, you’re probably keen to start your show and seize all the podcasting benefits.

You’ll have to decide on a theme, your niche, and the podcast format you should follow. But which type of podcast would be the best for you?

This blog shares 11 of the best types of podcasts and highlights real-life examples in each category to inspire your new show.

Let’s get rolling.

TL;DR – 11 Types of Podcasts

Don’t have enough time?

Here’s a quick overview of the top 11 podcast formats, which we will discuss later in the blog:

1. Private podcasts
2. Interview podcasts
3. Educational podcasts
4. Solo podcasts
5. Panel discussion podcasts
6. Narrative storytelling
7. Conversational podcasts
8. Theatrical podcasts
9. Scripted podcasts
10. Fiction podcasts
11. Comedy podcasts

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What is a Podcast Format?

Simply, a podcast format is a way to organize your show’s content, give it structure, and deliver your topic or idea.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Format

Why does your podcast structure and format matter?

A well-crafted format:

• Keeps Your Show Organized: The right format keeps your podcast content organized, making it accessible to listeners.
• Create Consistency: When you stick with a podcast format, your listeners know what to expect with each new episode.
• Simpler to Plan Content: You can plan the podcast content better when you know how to organize each episode.

11 Podcast Formats That Are Trending Right Now 

Which format should you choose?

Discover the 11 best podcast formats for your show:

1. Private Podcasts

Want to share exclusive or sensitive content? Use private podcasts to share restricted company podcasts, offer premium gated content, or create digital audio courses.

Top Tip: Private podcasting has gotten easier, too!

Our platform is specially dedicated to repurposing your video (and audio) content into private audio podcasts. Our tool also:

• Auto publishes private audio feeds on several podcast players, like Overcast and Spotify
• Lets you analyze the engagement by episode and get insights to grow your memberships
• Integrates with Stripe, allowing you to get payments seamlessly
• Allows you to control and manage access of the listeners
• Automatically transcribes each episode

Still not sure?

Check out our success stories and see how our clients use our platform to impact success.

2. Interview Podcasts

The interview style is a prevalent podcast format.

It is ideal for discussions and sharing stories and insights about various topics. As a host, you will need to prepare questions, guide the conversations, and invite notable industry figures.

Best Interview Podcasts

• The Joe Rogan Experience by Joe Rogan
• On Being by Krista Tippet
• Entrepreneurs on Fire by John Lee Dumas
• The Ultimate Health Podcast by Jesse Chappus

3. Educational Podcasts

Knowledge is everywhere, and it has taken a new form—podcasts. Educational podcasts can be used to teach an online course, share your expertise, or discuss specific topics.

Best Educational Podcasts

• Stuff You Should Know by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant
• TED Radio Hour by Manoush Zomorodi
• The Tim Ferriss Show by Tim Ferriss
• Afford Anything by Paula Pant

4. Solo Podcasts

Also known as monologue podcasts, you can host a one-person show and speak directly to the listeners without guests. You might need to refine your public speaking skills before you record your first show.

Best Solo Podcasts

• The Lazy Genious Podcast by Kendra Adachi
• Criminal by Phoebe Judge
• Sleep Cove by Christopher Fitton
• The Sarah Silverman Podcast by Sarah Silverman

5. Panel Discussion Podcasts

You can gather multiple guests to create roundtable, engaging conversations from current news to politics. Usually, there should be a moderator to guide the discussion and give each participant a chance to contribute.

A few examples include:

• Mark of the Maker by Mark Steiner
• The Hit Factor Podcast
• Trap One: A Doctor Who Podcast
• NBA Panel by John Weatherspoon

6. Narrative Storytelling

If you love telling compelling stories (fictional or nonfictional), consider creating a narrative podcast. This format can also highlight your company’s journey, including its success, lessons learned, and case studies.

Check out some examples:

• This American Life
• The New Yorker: The Writer’s Voice
• Film Stories by Simon Brew

7. Conversational Podcasts

The conversational podcast format involves an informal conversation between two (or more) hosts. It allows you to reach a wider audience who want to listen to diverse perspectives and ideas.

Best Conversational Podcasts

• Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda
• Conversations by Richard Fidler
• The Dishcast with Andrew Sullivan
• Big Mood, Little Mood with Daniel M. Lavery

8. Theatrical Podcasts

You can invent characters, create a plot, and hook the audience with suspense in this podcast format. You can also incorporate sound effects, music, and multiple voices. 

Examples of theatrical podcasts are:

• The Scarecast by Michael Crutchfield
• Conspiracy Theories by Spotify Podcasts

9. Scripted Podcasts

If freestyling is not your thing, why not learn how to write a podcast script? 

With a well-written script, you can lay out all the sections, including the intro, transitions, each segment duration, the sponsorship messages, and the outro. However, with scripted podcasts, you have little room to improvise.

Best Scripted Podcasts

• Meet Cute Originals
• The Endless Elsewhere Podcast
• The Thrilling Adventure Hour
• The Deittman Files: a Paranormal Mystery

10. Fiction Podcasts

If you have a script, you can choose to tell compelling stories in the form of audio instead of shooting a film. You can also cast famous voice talent to entertain the audience.

Best Fiction Podcasts

• Homecoming starring Catherine Keener and Oscar Isaac
• The Edge of Sleep, starring Markiplier
• The Amelia Project

11. Comedy Podcasts

Do you love making people laugh?

You can create a comedy podcast to share silly jokes, satirical news, surreal fiction, or insightful commentary. Besides, you can share personal stories or candid discussions.

Best Comedy Podcasts

• WTF with Marc Maron
• Telling Everybody Everything by Katherine Ryan
• Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend by Conan O’Brien
• How Did This Get Made? by Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas

How Do I Choose the Best Podcast Format for My Show?

Wondering how to pick the best format? Here are the 5 factors to consider:

• Define Your Goals: Your format should align with your goals, whether it’s to share your expertise, promote your brand, or grow your community.
• Leverage Your Strengths: Consider what format you’re good at, whether it’s freestyle, interviewing guests, or teaching your audience a skill.
• Research Your Audience: Use surveys and interviews to understand your listeners’ needs and preferences.
• Check the Competition: Analyze other podcasters in your niche to determine the format that will help you stand out.
• Be Realistic on the Workload: When choosing a format, consider the preparation, editing, and time required to create a podcast.

Best Tips for Aspiring Podcasters

Want to become a pro podcaster?

Check out our favorite podcast tips for beginners:

• Set up your podcast studio using simple podcasting equipment.
• Research your target audience to understand what topics resonate with them.
• Record in a quiet space, wear headphones to reduce echo, and mute your microphone when a participant speaks.
• Polish your content by removing background noise and filler words and fixing audio and video mistakes.
• Choose a reliable hosting solution – Hello Audio – to host your podcasts and automatically deliver them to directories like Google Podcasts.
• Optimize your podcast by writing show notes, titles, and descriptions to improve visibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Have more questions? 

We have answered the commonly asked questions about podcast formats:

What is the Best Length for a Podcast Episode?

The best length for podcast episodes varies depending on the subject. Riverside reports show that 55% of podcasts are over 30 minutes long. Therefore, an ideal length should be between 30 and 40 minutes.

Can I Combine Different Podcast Types in One Show?

Yes.

Mixing or alternating different podcast types can make your show stand out, so you don’t have to be exclusive to one format.

How Can I Grow My Podcast Audience?

Check out some of the top 5 strategies to grow a podcast:

1. Submit your podcast to all directories.
2. Cross-promote your show with other podcasters.
3. Create a podcast website and set up a podcast content calendar.
4. Repurpose your show into long YouTube content and short clips for TikTok and Instagram Reels.
5. Optimize your show for SEO by incorporating keywords, transcripts, and CTAs for every episode.

What Equipment Do I Need to Start a Podcast?

Here’s a list of the best equipment you need to start podcasting:

• Camera
• External microphone(s)
• A pair of headphones
• Podcast recording and editing software

Conclusion – Format of a Podcast

Now that we’ve discussed the different podcast types and given you tips on starting your show, the next step is to choose a podcast hosting solution.

Fortunately, Hello Audio has got you covered!

Our platform lets you create private podcasts from your existing video and audio content and auto-publish them to popular podcast apps like Apple Podcasts.

Our tool also lets you polish your podcasts with the Dolby Audio Remastering tool, automatically transcribe your episodes, and build revenue through selling exclusive membership content.

Start your free trial to create, edit, and launch your private podcast in minutes — without recording!