Imported from cdeistopened/skill-stack (.claude/skills/podcast-blog-post-creator/SKILL.md). Install upstream with npx skills add cdeistopened/skill-stack --skill podcast-blog-post-creator. Copyright stays with the author.

Podcast Blog Post Creator

Purpose

Transform podcast episodes into SEO-optimized blog posts that capture the energy and authenticity of the conversation in written form. The output is a narrative-driven explainer that introduces the guest, highlights their key insight, and provides actionable value to readers - all in a natural, conversational voice.

Core Philosophy: Good writing is a transfer of energy. The blog post should feel like the host is sitting across from you, telling you about a conversation they had that changed how they think about something important.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you:

• Have a polished podcast transcript and want to repurpose it as written content
• Want to drive SEO traffic from blog readers to the full podcast episode
• Need to create a permanent, searchable record of the episode's key insight
• Want to build guest relationships by making them look good in writing
• Are looking to establish expertise in a specific topic area through long-form content

Do NOT use for:

• Quick social media captions (use social-content-creation skill instead)
• Episode summaries (this goes deeper than summary)
• Transcripts (this is narrative, not transcript)

Key Principles

The Angle

Your blog post focuses on one primary insight or paradox from the episode, not everything the guest discussed. This is crucial. A guest might touch on 5-7 big ideas. You pick one and go deep.

How to identify the angle:

• What's the most counterintuitive idea?
• What's the most helpful for your core audience?
• What's a surprising realization that contradicts conventional wisdom?
• What's the guest's own lived example that proves the point?

The Voice

Write in a conversational, authentic voice: warm, curious, and genuine. The host is the guide inviting the reader into a conversation that happened.

Tone markers:

• Uses "I" and "we" naturally
• Asks genuine questions (not rhetorical)
• Tells stories and uses metaphors
• Focuses on the human element, not abstractions
• Doesn't preach or lecture

If you have a brand identity profile from brand-identity-wizard, use those voice guidelines.

The SEO Strategy

Headers should use audience-specific keywords that your readers actually search for. Not generic concepts - specific challenges your audience faces.

Examples of strong header keywords:

• "Why [audience] should rethink [common practice]"
• "How [unexpected approach] builds [desired outcome]"
• "When [good intention] backfires: [specific situation]"
• "Stop forcing [common mistake]"

Not:

• "Understanding motivation"
• "The importance of boredom"
• "External vs. internal motivation"

The Structure

Opening (200-250 words)

• Hook with a relatable scenario or question
• Introduce the guest early and naturally with:
  • Their credentials/expertise (but only what's relevant)
  • Their personal connection to the topic
  • Why they're credible to speak on this
• Don't bury who they are - weave it into the narrative
• End the opening with their core insight (usually a verbatim quote)

Body (700-800 words)

• Section 1: Explore the core insight with depth

  • Use at least one verbatim quote that cannot be paraphrased
  • Explain why this matters
  • Provide a compelling example (ideally the guest's own story)

• Section 2: The paradox or problem

  • What's counterintuitive here?
  • Why do most people get this wrong?
  • What's the hidden cost of conventional wisdom?
  • Use vivid metaphors (the guest likely provided these)

• Section 3: The practical alternative

  • What should readers do instead?
  • Concrete, actionable guidance
  • Not overly prescriptive (avoid "you must...")
  • Frame as "here's what this might look like"

• Section 4: The wider perspective

  • Why does this matter beyond the immediate problem?
  • What does the long view show us?
  • How does this reshape how we think about [topic]?

Closing (100-150 words)

• Guest bio and links (3-4 key resources max)
• Link to full podcast episode
• Optional: brief reflection on what the guest's work means for readers

Quote Usage

Verbatim quotes (use sparingly, with impact):

• The core insight (usually near the top)
• Quotes that are vivid, specific, or surprising
• Quotes the reader couldn't easily paraphrase
• Usually 3-5 direct quotes per post

Paraphrased content (most of the post):

• Supporting examples
• Context and explanation
• Data or research references
• Guest's own reasoning (reframed in your voice)

The ratio: Roughly 20% direct quotes, 80% paraphrased and contextualized.

Length

• Target: ~1,000 words
• Not a summary (too short)
• Not a deep-dive research piece (too long)
• Long enough to explore the idea fully
• Short enough to read in one sitting

Guest Representation

Your job is to make the guest look good.

Do:

• Highlight their expertise and credibility
• Share their best thinking
• Use their most compelling examples
• Link to their work (website, podcast, book, etc.)
• Include a substantive bio at the end

Don't:

• Misrepresent their ideas
• Cherry-pick quotes out of context
• Make them sound like something they're not
• Oversimplify nuanced thinking

The 3-Phase Workflow

Phase 1: Preparation (15-20 minutes)

Step 1: Choose your angle

• Read through the polished transcript
• Identify 3-5 potential angles
• Pick the one that:
  • Is most surprising/counterintuitive
  • Resonates most with your audience
  • Is supported by a guest story or example
  • Could be searched for in Google

Step 2: Identify claims that need hyperlinks

• As you read the transcript, flag any claims about:
  • Research-backed assertions
  • Statistics or data points
  • Scientific or academic concepts
  • Health/psychological benefits
• These will become opportunities to link to credible sources

Step 3: Research hyperlink sources (5-10 minutes)

• For each flagged claim, search for peer-reviewed sources:
  • NIH/PubMed Central (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  • Academic journals
  • University research centers
  • Reputable organizations
• Prioritize sources with:
  • DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers)
  • Peer-review credentials
  • Author expertise
  • Accessible language
  • Avoid commercial/sales-focused sites
• Create a simple reference list: [Claim] -> [URL] -> [Brief credibility note]

Step 4: Mine the transcript for quotes

• Search for the verbatim quotes that are:
  • Vivid or metaphorical
  • Surprising
  • Concise enough to stand alone
  • Not easily paraphrased
• Copy these with timestamps for reference
• Also note 3-4 longer passages you'll paraphrase

Step 5: Outline the narrative arc

• What's the opening hook?
• What's the core insight?
• What's the paradox/problem?
• What's the practical alternative?
• What's the wider perspective?
• Where will the hyperlinked claims fit naturally?

Phase 2: Writing (35-45 minutes)

Step 1: Write the opening

• Start with a relatable scenario (not a question unless it's genuine)
• Weave in guest introduction naturally (not a separate paragraph)
• End with or lead to their core insight

Step 2: Write the body in sections

• Each section has one clear purpose
• Use headers with SEO keywords relevant to your audience
• Aim for 150-200 words per section
• Include at least one strong quote per section

Step 3: Integrate hyperlinks strategically

• As you write, embed hyperlinks in sentences where they flow naturally
• Link on key claims you researched in Phase 1:
  • First mention of claim gets the hyperlink
  • Integrate link into existing text
  • Use descriptive anchor text (avoid "click here")

Example of good hyperlink integration:

• Bad: "Music affects the brain. Learn more here"
• Good: "Research from Harvard Medical School shows that music activates the entire brain..."

Step 4: Write the closing

• Reflect on the wider implications
• Link to guest resources
• Link to full podcast episode

Step 5: Review for voice

• Does it sound conversational?
• Are there places where it sounds preachy or abstract?
• Have you used "I" and "we" naturally?
• Do hyperlinks feel natural or forced?

Phase 3: Optimization (10-15 minutes)

Step 1: Check headers for SEO

• Are they specific to your audience's challenges?
• Would someone searching for this topic find them compelling?
• Do they promise value or insight?

Step 2: Verify quote accuracy

• All verbatim quotes match the transcript exactly
• All quotes are properly contextualized
• No quotes are misleading when taken alone

Step 3: Verify hyperlinks for credibility and functionality

• All hyperlinks are to credible, peer-reviewed sources
• Each link has a clear credibility marker
• Test each hyperlink to ensure it's active
• Anchor text is descriptive and contextual
• Hyperlinks integrate naturally
• No more than 1-2 hyperlinks per major claim

Step 4: Check guest representation

• Is the bio substantive and credible?
• Are all links working and current?
• Would the guest be happy with how they're represented?

Step 5: Word count check

• Target: ~1,000 words
• Count body content only (not header, not bio)
• Ensure content isn't padded with unnecessary explanation

Output Format

Create file: [Guest Name]_Blog_Post.md

# [SEO-Optimized Title]

**[Author Name]**
*[Publication Name]*

[Opening paragraph introducing scenario and guest naturally, 200-250 words]

[Quote or insight that sets up the core premise]

## [SEO Header 1: Specific Audience Challenge/Insight]

[Body section 1: 150-200 words, includes quote]

## [SEO Header 2: The Paradox/Problem]

[Body section 2: 150-200 words, explores the counterintuitive element]

## [SEO Header 3: What Readers Should Do Instead]

[Body section 3: 150-200 words, actionable guidance]

## [SEO Header 4: The Wider Perspective]

[Body section 4: 150-200 words, situates this in larger context]

---

**Learn more about [Guest Name]'s work:**

[Primary website or portfolio link]

[Secondary resource: Podcast, book, course, etc.]

[Brief bio, 2-3 sentences]

*Listen to the full conversation with [Guest Name] on [Podcast Name].*

Advanced Techniques

The Narrative Thread

Instead of jumping between ideas, weave them together through the guest's personal story. Use their lived experience as the spine that holds the whole piece together.

Good: [Guest] noticed [observation], decided to [action], and [result]. This observation led them to...

Bad: [Topic] is important. [Related idea] is also important. [Concept] is the problem. Here's a story.

The Metaphor Method

Guests often provide perfect metaphors that make abstract ideas concrete. Identify these and use them repeatedly.

How it works:

• Guest provides metaphor
• You establish it in the body
• You return to it in closing
• It becomes a memorable anchor for the reader

The Practical Path

When offering alternatives, give readers something they can actually do tomorrow, not philosophical ideals.

Good: "Instead of [common approach], you might [specific alternative]. Try [concrete action]. Notice [observable outcome]."

Bad: "Readers should respect [abstract concept] and prioritize [vague value]."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The Summary Trap

The blog post is NOT a summary of the episode. It's a deep dive into one insight with narrative energy.

Problem: "[Guest] also discussed [topic A], and they talked about [topic B], and they mentioned [topic C], and..."

Solution: Pick ONE angle. Go deep. Leave readers wanting to hear the full episode.

The Expert Voice

Writing about the guest's ideas doesn't mean adopting their academic voice. Stay in your conversational voice throughout.

Problem: "The phenomenology of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation suggests that external standards create a bifurcation in..."

Solution: "The moment you add a [external pressure] to something [your audience] loves, something shifts. They're no longer [doing it] for themselves."

The Generic Header

SEO-optimized headers should be specific to your audience, not generic concepts.

Problem: "Understanding Motivation" or "The Importance of Boredom"

Solution: "Why [Audience] Should Rethink How They [Specific Action]"

The Buried Guest

Introduce who the guest is early and naturally. Don't make it a separate section. Don't bury it until the end.

Problem: Spending 400 words on the topic before saying who's talking about it.

Solution: "[Guest Name] has watched this happen dozens of times. They're a [credentials] and [relevant experience]..."

Success Metrics

A successful blog post:

• Focuses on one clear insight or paradox - Not a summary of everything
• Sounds conversational - Warm, genuine, curious, authentic
• Uses SEO headers specific to your audience - Keywords they actually search for
• Weaves guest intro naturally - Not a separate biography section
• Includes 3-5 verbatim quotes - Only for quotes that can't be paraphrased
• Provides actionable alternatives - Not just problems, but solutions
• Makes the guest look good - Credible, thoughtful, worth listening to
• Drives to podcast episode - Clear CTA to listen to full conversation
• ~1,000 words - Long enough to explore, short enough to read
• Includes substantive guest links - Website, podcast, book, etc.
• Hyperlinks are credible and integrated - 2-4 peer-reviewed sources embedded naturally

Related Skills

This skill works well with:

• transcript-polisher: Clean the raw transcript before writing
• podcast-production: Full production workflow that includes this skill
• social-content-creation: Repurpose blog content for social posts
• brand-identity-wizard: Define your voice and audience for consistent posts

This skill is designed to be used as part of the podcast production workflow, typically after transcript polish and before final publication.