Podcasts are a dynamic and evolving medium, and for branded podcasts, the pressure to keep listeners engaged while aligning with business goals is even higher. 

The challenge? 

Keeping your content fresh and relevant. Whether you’re just starting or looking to spice up an existing show, adding unique segments or experimenting with new ideas can make a world of difference in engagement, retention, and even brand perception.

This article is designed to inspire podcast hosts and brand marketers with creative segment ideas that will captivate audiences, build brand trust, and foster meaningful connections. 

From myth-busting episodes to live shows, we explore actionable ways to transform your podcast into a must-listen experience.

Let’s dive in:

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1. Pro vs. con conversations 

A pro vs. con conversation pits two differing perspectives against each other in a structured and engaging discussion. Whether it’s an internal debate among hosts, featuring guest experts, or an overview from the host, this format dives deep into opposing views on a topic, giving listeners a well-rounded understanding of the issue.

Why it works:
Pro vs. con segments are inherently engaging because they highlight contrasting opinions, sparking curiosity and keeping listeners hooked. This format encourages critical thinking which only moreso positions your brand as a thought leader. Exploring nuanced topics and showcasing diverse viewpoints gives your brand a well-rounded and educated edge in the eyes (or ears) of listeners.

How to implement it:

• Choose a topic: Pick a topic relevant to your audience and industry that naturally lends itself to differing opinions. For example, “Is remote work the future of the workplace?”
• Select participants: Identify hosts, guests, or team members with differing views who can bring informed and compelling arguments to the table.
• Structure the discussion: Assign each participant a position (pro or con) and set time limits for arguments and rebuttals to ensure a balanced, focused conversation.
• Moderate thoughtfully: If you’re featuring guests, the host should act as a neutral moderator, keeping the discussion on track and summarizing key points.
• End with audience engagement: Encourage listeners to weigh in with their own opinions via social media, polls, or community platforms to foster engagement.

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Podcast example: WorkLife with Adam Grant
The podcast WorkLife with Adam Grant features a similar approach in episodes discussing controversial workplace topics, such as whether feedback is always beneficial. By contrasting expert opinions, the show creates a dynamic and thought-provoking listen.

Quill Tip: For branded podcasts, select topics that subtly align with your business values or industry challenges, but avoid making the debate feel like a sales pitch. The authenticity of differing perspectives is what keeps the audience engaged.

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2. Behind-the-scenes content 

Behind-the-scenes (BTS) content gives listeners an exclusive peek into the making of your podcast, your brand, or even a key project or event at hand. This segment builds a connection with your audience by displaying the human side of your business and the effort that goes into delivering value.

Why it works:
BTS content adds authenticity to your podcast by making your brand or team more relatable. Listeners love getting “insider access” to processes, stories, or moments they wouldn’t typically see. It fosters trust, builds loyalty, and makes your brand feel approachable and transparent.

How to implement it:

• Identify the focus: Choose a topic your audience finds interesting or surprising. Maybe a sneak peek into how your team brainstorms content ideas or develops a new product.
• Record naturally: Capture candid moments or reflections during the process. Avoid overly scripted content—authenticity is the key to good BTS content.
• Share challenges and triumphs: Don’t just show the polished results—let your audience in on the obstacles you faced and how you overcame them.
• Tie it back to the audience: Explain why the behind-the-scenes effort matters and how it ultimately benefits listeners or customers.

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Podcast example: Acquired‍

‍Acquired, hosted by Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, dives into the playbooks of well-known companies and explores their business models and moments that shaped their paths. Although it’s not a specific segment, this show is a great example of how to build BTS content into a story. 

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3. Live podcast episodes 

Live podcast episodes are, of course, recorded in real time, often with a live audience tuning in either in person or online. These episodes let listeners experience the energy of interactions, spontaneous moments, and audience engagement, creating a unique and memorable episode.

Why it works:
Live episodes break the mold of traditional pre-recorded podcasts, offering a sense of immediacy and authenticity. Even if a listener isn’t at the live recording or event, listening back to the episode still gives that raw, unedited feeling. 

How to implement it:

• Plan ahead: Select a compelling topic or guest that draws an audience. Ensure the theme resonates with target listeners and aligns with brand goals.
• Choose the right platform: Depending on your audience size and preferences, you can host the live episode on platforms like YouTube, Zoom, or Instagram Live. 
• Promote early and often: Build anticipation by announcing the event weeks in advance. Use email campaigns, social media posts, and countdowns to build excitement.
• Engage during the episode: Include live Q&A sessions, shoutouts to audience members, or interactive segments like polls to keep listeners actively involved.
• Record for future use: Record the live session to repurpose the content as a regular podcast episode or promotional material.

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Podcast example: B2B Marketing with Dave Gerhardt
B2B Marketing with Dave Gerhardt covers exactly what you would assume, B2B marketing. Within the mix of pre-recording episodes, Dave will host live events for his audience and record those sessions to later publish as an individual episode. For example, this episode with the Head of Growth and Operations at Navattic is from a live event. It breaks up the typical feel and format of Dave’s content. 

For branded podcasts, a live episode could center around a product launch, a fireside chat with industry experts, or a panel discussion featuring your team and guest collaborators. 

Quill Tip: Pair live episodes with additional content like behind-the-scenes clips or exclusive post-show interviews to maximize engagement and podcast repurposing opportunities.

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4. Rapid-fire question segments 

This is a fast-paced segment where the host asks the guest a series of quick questions, often unrelated to the main topic. It’s meant to be fun, lighthearted, and allows audiences to connect with the guest on a personal level.

Why it works:

Rapid-fire questions break the monotony of longer conversations, keeping listeners engaged. They also humanize guests, showcasing their personalities in a relatable way and giving insights into their lives that listeners may otherwise never learn. 

How to implement it:

Prepare 3-5 quick, quirky questions before the episode. Keep them short and fun, such as: 

• What’s your go-to weekend meal?
• If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?
• What’s a fact about you that listeners would be shocked by? 
• What’s your coffee order? 
• Morning or night person? 

Typically, we see these segments inserted at the end of an episode but if you’re looking to catch the listener’s attention earlier, you can add it midway.

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Podcast example: Unlocking Us with Brené Brown

Famous author and speaker, Brené Brown, in her popular podcast, Unlocking Us, asks her guests 10 rapid-fire questions that are meant to be lighthearted and showcase the guest's personality to wrap up the conversation. Especially after some conversations can be relatively heavy.  

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5. Listener Q&A 

Listener Q&A episodes focus on answering questions submitted by your audience, offering a more interactive and personalized experience. These segments show that you’re paying attention to your audience, engaging with them in some capacity, and are dedicated to addressing their needs, curiosity, or concerns.

Why it works:
Listener Q&A fosters a strong sense of community by directly involving your audience in the content creation process. It allows you to tailor episodes to topics your listeners care about most, increasing engagement and relevance. Additionally, these episodes can provide insights into your audience’s interests, helping to shape future content strategies.

How to implement it:

• Encourage submissions: Use social media, email, or podcast shoutouts to ask your audience for questions. Make it easy to submit by offering multiple channels, like DMs, email, or form submissions.
• Group questions by theme: To maintain structure, organize the questions into themes or topics that align with your podcast’s focus. This ensures the episode flows naturally.
• Balance fun and informative: Mix light-hearted, fun questions with more serious, value-driven ones to keep the episode engaging while delivering value.
• Shout out your audience: Mention the names (or usernames) of those who submitted questions to make them feel included and appreciated (if they allow permission).
• Follow up: After the episode airs, thank participants and invite them to send more questions for future Q&As. This builds a habit of interaction among your listeners.

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Podcast example: How I Built This
The podcast How I Built This with Guy Raz occasionally hosts Q&A episodes where Guy answers listener-submitted questions about entrepreneurship, innovation, and storytelling. These episodes not only address audience curiosity but also deepen the show's connection to its community.

Quill Tip: Use audience insights from the Q&A to inspire future episodes or content. If certain questions recur, consider dedicating an entire episode to that topic. 

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6. Myth-busting episode or segment

Myth-busting episodes or segments focus on debunking common misconceptions or misunderstandings in your industry. These episodes are an engaging way to educate your audience while showcasing your brand's expertise and authority on relevant topics.

Why it works:
Myth-busting content draws in curious listeners and positions your brand as a credible source. It sparks conversation and is particularly impactful in industries where misinformation is widespread or topics are complex – think finance, healthcare, and science. It allows you to set the record straight and build trust with audiences.

How to implement it:

• Identify common myths: Identify frequent misconceptions in your niche. Use listener feedback, forums, or social media to uncover myths your audience encounters.
• Back it up with data: Bring in experts, studies, or reliable statistics to provide factual evidence when debunking myths.
• Keep it relatable: Use real-life examples or analogies to help your audience understand the truth in simple terms.
• Incorporate visuals (if using video): With video on the rise, share graphics or animations to reinforce your points and keep viewers engaged.

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Podcast example: Huberman Lab
The popular podcast, Huberman Lab, hosted by neuroscientist Andrew Huberman, dives into science-backed tools and ideas for living a better life. This includes consistently debunking common myths we see in the healthcare space. 

Again, this entire podcast is about debunking myths and uncovering the truth around wellness but it’s easy for any brand to turn this into a dedicated segment.  

Quill Tip: Use the busted myths as a springboard for other content. For example, create social media posts highlighting key takeaways or short video clips sharing surprising truths.

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7. Favorite tools and resources 

Adding a “favorite tools and resources" segment offers listeners a curated selection of tools, apps, services, or platforms that you or your guests rely on to simplify your life, give deeper insights, or save time. 

This segment is both practical and actionable, providing value that listeners can immediately apply to their work or personal life which can be less common with a lot of brand content. 

Why it works:
Audiences love insider tips, especially from brands or experts they trust. By sharing tried-and-tested tools and resources, you position your podcast as a helpful and knowledgeable guide. But let this be your warning, don’t use this segment as a time to only advertise your brand… seriously, don’t. 

How to implement it:

1. Define the focus: Align the resources with your industry or the audience’s interests. For example, if your podcast is about productivity, share tools for time management or collaboration.
2. Feature guests: Invite guests to share their favorite tools to keep the recommendations diverse, relatable, and hyper-relevant to the conversation at hand.
3. Be authentic: Only recommend tools you genuinely value. Transparency builds trust and disingenuous promotions hurt credibility.
4. Include context: Explain why you or your guest recommends each tool, how it’s used, and the benefits it’s personally provided you.
5. Add follow-up: Provide links or additional information in your show notes or podcast website for easy access.

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Podcast example: The Tim Ferriss Show
Hosted by none other than Tim Ferriss, The Tim Ferriss Show often shares various books, apps, tools, and other resources that relate to the topic covered in an episode. It feels personalized to each guest and provides listeners with an opportunity to immediately take action after they listen. 

Quill Tip: Take listener engagement to the next level by asking your audience to share their favorite tools. Feature a "Listener Spotlight" in future episodes where you highlight their recommendations, fostering a sense of community.

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Elevate your branded podcast 

Podcasting is all about connection—both with your audience and your brand’s identity. 

By integrating creative, fresh segments, you keep your listeners coming back for more while reinforcing your brand’s values and expertise.

The best part? These ideas are flexible. 

Experiment with different formats, gather feedback, and tweak your approach to see what resonates most with your audience. Remember, the goal is to create a podcast that doesn’t just entertain but also builds trust, sparks curiosity, and aligns seamlessly with your business objectives.