Recently, a viral example of NotebookLM’s capabilities made the rounds on Reddit. The podcast showcased a conversation between two AI hosts that was so convincing that it sparked debates about AI’s capability to perceive or feel things.
This impressive display of AI-powered content creation has left many praising NotebookLM’s potential. But how good is the tool?
And, how can you harness this powerful tool to create your own AI podcasts?
In this article, we will walk through the steps of creating an AI podcast with NotebookLM, discuss the tool’s limitations, and suggest some best practices for your podcasting journey.
As a bonus, we’ll also provide a viable alternative and templates to help notch up your AI podcasting efforts.
⏰ 60-Second Summary
- Combine AI, personal creativity, analytics, and SEO for better podcasts
- NotebookLM turns documents, blogs, slides, and videos into audio podcasts
- Upload up to 50 sources (PDFs, YouTube videos, Google Docs) and click Generate to create your podcast
- Personalize with tone or topic instructions
- NotebookLM has limitations like 30-minute podcast cap, limited AI voice options
- For better podcast planning, Brain provides AI features for task management and content creation
How to Make a Podcast with NotebookLM
Getting Started with NotebookLM
So what is Google’s NotebookLM?
It’s an experimental AI-powered notebook tool from Google Labs designed to transform how we learn and organize information through a conversational format.
Unlike broad-scope AI models, NotebookLM creates a personalized language model based on user-provided documents, making it a powerful ally for research and personal projects.
Creating an AI Podcast with NotebookLM
Here’s how to create your AI podcast step-by-step with NotebookLM.
Step 1: Access NotebookLM and create your Notebook
Head to notebooklm.google.com and sign in with your Google account. Signing in lets you access your workspace, where all your projects will be stored and managed.
Next, if you’re a first-time user, click “Create New”; otherwise, select “New Notebook.” This new notebook sets up a fresh canvas for your podcast project.
Step 2: Upload source material
NotebookLM allows you to add up to 50 source documents. These can include PDFs, websites, YouTube video links, Google Docs, and Slides.
You can drag and drop files or choose from various sources, including your computer and Google Drive.
Why upload so many sources, you say? Well, by diversifying your input, you’re providing the AI with a rich pool of information to draw from, leading to more detailed and engaging audio discussions.
🎉 Fun Fact: The term “podcast” was coined by combining “iPod” and “broadcasting.” While the name originated with Apple’s iconic device, the podcasting industry has since evolved far beyond its initial association. Today, podcasts are consumed on smartphones, desktops, and even smart speakers, making them accessible to millions globally.
Step 3: Review and organize sources
The uploaded files appear in the left sidebar.
You can add more by clicking the plus icon. Uncheck any files you don’t want to include in the summary.
This way, you can fine-tune the input for your AI podcast so it doesn’t “hallucinate,” helping it focus the discussion on the most relevant information.
Step 4: Generate the podcast
Now, this is where the magic happens.
Navigate to the “Notebook Guide” section and locate the “Audio Overview” feature. Click the “Generate” button to transform your content into a podcast-style conversation.
NotebookLM’s AI will analyze your source material and create a new conversational script between two AI hosts that have never been produced!
It distills key points from your documents into an engaging audio format.
Step 5: Customize the podcast (optional)
For a more tailored experience, click “Customize” instead of “Generate.”
In the Customize Audio Overview window, add specific instructions to guide the AI in creating your podcast.
Custom instructions add “nuances” that can help guide the AI. It lets you focus on certain topics, adopt a particular tone, or structure the conversation in a way that best suits your needs.
Step 6: Listen and refine
This final step is about quality control and iteration.
Once generated, use the play button and slider to control playback. You can pause, resume, and move forward or backward throughout the podcast.
If you’re not satisfied with the result, you can rate it and provide feedback, then regenerate with adjusted instructions, such as “speak Joe Rogan style,” “ask the questions as Lex Fridman does in his podcasts,” and so on.
Don’t stop until you are satisfied with “the final” output, and that’s it! You’ve just created your very first podcast in seconds with the help of NotebookLM.
💡 Pro Tip: Combine AI-generated content from NotebookLM with personal insights or anecdotes to create a unique voice that resonates with your audience. While AI offers efficiency, your personal touch ensures authenticity and connection.
Here’s an example podcast
The following demo podcast proves how easy it is to make podcasts with NotebookLM.
As sources, a ChatGPT-generated output of the question, “Logic vs. intuition and how it applies to boiling water,” along with a YouTube video link on the same topic, was uploaded.
Enjoy the conversation! 😄
Limitations of Using NotebookLM for Podcast Creation
NotebookLM’s podcast feature, while innovative, comes with several constraints that content creators should be aware of. These limitations can impact the quality of the generated podcasts.
1. Podcast lengths capped at 30 minutes
Yes, length restrictions pose a significant challenge. NotebookLM typically caps podcast episodes at around 30 minutes, with some users reporting even shorter limits of 3 to 15 minutes. This constraint can hinder creators looking to produce in-depth, comprehensive episodes on complex topics.
2. Lack of voice selection and preview
Voice options are another area where NotebookLM falls short. The tool offers only two synthesized voices—one male and one female. This limited selection can make it difficult for creators to establish a unique brand identity or cater to diverse audience preferences.
Moreover, without a voice preview feature, users can’t test how their content will sound before generating the full podcast.
💡 Pro Tip: NotebookLM’s AI is trained to minimize errors but can still “hallucinate” by introducing inaccuracies or fabricating details not present in the original source material. This is why it’s critical to review AI-generated content before publishing.
3. Less customizability
Customization is a major pain point. NotebookLM’s automated script generator offers minimal control for fine-tuning or adding creative nuances. This lack of flexibility can result in generic podcasts or failure to capture the creator’s intended tone and style.
4. No multi-language support
Language support is another significant limitation. Currently, NotebookLM only supports English, excluding non-English speakers and creators targeting multilingual audiences. This restriction severely limits the tool’s global applicability.
5. Advanced audio editing is unavailable
Audio editing capabilities are basic at best. NotebookLM lacks advanced options for adjusting intonation, pacing, or post-production refinements. This means creators might need to rely on additional software for polishing their podcasts—adding an extra step to the production process.
6. Occasional hallucinations
Content accuracy can be a concern. While NotebookLM aims to stay true to the source material, it sometimes introduces inaccuracies or makes up details that weren’t in the original content. This can be particularly problematic for creators producing factual or educational content.
7. Non-monetizable outputs
Monetization options are nonexistent within NotebookLM. The tool doesn’t allow for the insertion of advertisements or sponsorships, which can be a significant drawback for creators looking to generate revenue from their podcasts.
8. Lacking integration capabilities
Lastly, the lack of integration with external tools and platforms can be frustrating. NotebookLM doesn’t directly connect with podcast hosting platforms or external audio editing software, requiring manual steps to publish and refine content.
Using Brain for Podcast Planning and Creation
Considering the above limitations, curating a high-quality podcast now might seem like a tough nut to crack.
But not when you have to work with.
is an all-in-one productivity and project management tool that helps you achieve your goals.
Brain, an AI-powered feature within the platform, offers podcasters a complete solution for streamlining their production process. It combines task management, content organization, and AI assistance to improve podcast planning and creation.
Brain aids in idea generation by analyzing existing content drafts or outlines and suggesting fresh topics. It can help brainstorm episode titles, create outlines, and draft scripts based on your input.
Tie this up with ’s task management and content planning features, and you can save time and get your project timeline on track—especially if you’re working with a team and need prompt communication.
For better team collaboration, Brain can identify bottlenecks in your production process and recommend solutions to enhance efficiency.
📌 Example: You’re working with a team to produce a podcast series on emerging tech trends. Midway through the project, deadlines slip, and you suspect workflow issues. Using Brain, you analyze task completion patterns and identify that script editing is consistently delayed due to overlapping responsibilities. The AI suggests redistributing tasks by assigning a dedicated editor and breaking down editing milestones.
’s Podcast Template
’s customizable templates are very useful for podcast planning. The Podcast Template, for example, allows users to organize episodes, track progress, and manage resources efficiently.
It includes sections for episode ideas, research notes, and production schedules.
This template makes planning and scheduling episodes easier while also helping you manage assets like audio clips and artwork. You can track progress across episodes and seasons, keeping everything on track.
📌 Example: Imagine you’re planning a podcast series with multiple hosts and guests. Using ’s Podcast Template, you can create tasks for brainstorming, research, and recording. Assign deadlines to each stage and monitor progress with custom fields like “Recording Status” and “Editing Status.” For instance, you can use the Board view to visualize which episodes are planned, recorded, and ready for release—all in one glance.
’s Podcast Calendar Template
’s Podcast Calendar Template helps plan and visualize your content release schedule.
This template offers a comprehensive view of upcoming episodes, guest appearances, and topics, making podcast planning and tracking effortless. You can also monitor the status of transcripts, manage show notes, and keep track of sponsors.
This template ensures smooth podcast production with features like time tracking, tags, and dependency warnings.
📌 Example: You’re managing a podcast series featuring weekly guest interviews. Using ’s Podcast Calendar Template, you assign deadlines for each episode phase—research, recording, editing, and release. For instance, the “Guest Appearance” custom field lets you track confirmed and pending guest schedules, while the Calendar View provides a visual timeline to ensure episodes are spaced evenly. With dependency warnings, you’re alerted if transcript preparation is delayed, allowing you to adjust tasks and avoid disrupting your release schedule.
Here’s a sample podcast planning and creation process using
Step 1 – Ideation: Use Brain to generate episode ideas and outlines.
Step 2 – Planning: Utilize the Podcast Template to organize episodes and tasks.
Step 3 – Scripting: Collaborate on scripts with your team using Docs with AI assistance.
Step 4 – Recording: Track recording sessions and manage audio files within .
Step 5 – Editing: Assign editing tasks and monitor progress using ’s task management features.
Step 6 – Publishing: The Podcast Calendar Template schedules and tracks episode releases.
Best Practices for AI Podcast Creation
While AI is a powerful tool for maintaining your unique voice and authenticity, you need to add the “you” factor by adding personal touches to AI-generated content.
To optimize your podcasts with AI:
- Understand your audience’s preferences and behaviors using AI-driven analytics. This data can guide your content strategy and help you create more engaging episodes.
- Streamline post-production tasks, such as noise reduction, audio leveling, and removing filler words, with AI to save time and improve quality.
- Boost discoverability by generating keyword-rich show notes, episode descriptions, and attention-grabbing titles using AI. Before hearing what your podcast says, your listeners need a general idea about your topic. You can use AI to generate compelling show notes and episode descriptions while incorporating relevant keywords to boost your online discoverability.
- Enhance engagement, increase visibility and click-through rates with attention-grabbing titles that include important keywords.. You can also employ transcription software for accurate, searchable text that enhances accessibility and SEO.
📌Example: After generating a podcast episode on marketing trends, you use an AI tool like Brain to create detailed show notes. Upon reviewing the notes, an SEO tool suggests adding keywords like “AI in marketing” and “content automation” to improve visibility. These notes are then scheduled for release in ’s Podcast Calendar Template, ensuring timely publication with maximum SEO impact.
Make Your Podcasts Publish Ready with !
AI-powered podcast creation is changing content production, offering creators a variety of tools to optimize their workflow.
NotebookLM and Brain represent the breakneck pace of this change, enabling podcasters to generate, plan, and optimize content with remarkable efficiency in a short timeframe.
While AI tools provide incredible capabilities, they’re not replacements for human creativity. The most successful podcasts on YouTube or Spotify blend AI’s analytical power with a creator’s unique voice and perspective.
By combining ’s AI-driven templates and NotebookLM’s audio generation, you can dramatically reduce production time and unlock new creative possibilities for your podcast.
So, put on your headphones and prepare your AI tools and prompts. Your audience is waiting.
Sign up at for free and start your AI-powered podcasting journey.
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