Imagine launching a podcast that doesn’t just engage your listeners but compels them to become loyal advocates for your brand. How do you achieve that? It starts with one thing: choosing topics that make them stop, listen, and share.
With more than half of the U.S. population tuning into podcasts, you have an enormous opportunity to connect. But here's the catch—if your content doesn’t deliver, they’re gone in seconds. So, let’s cut through the noise and dive into 10 unconventional podcast topics that will grab your audience by the ears and build your brand's influence.
Everyone talks about industry trends, but no one talks about the pitfalls. Why not be the one to shine a light on the underbelly?
Example: If you’re in the tech industry, don’t just talk about AI trends. Discuss the jobs it's eliminating, the ethical concerns, or how it's being misused. Interview employees who’ve been affected. This kind of honesty is rare and builds trust.
Key Actionable Insight: Start with a controversial stat or story to kick off each episode. For instance, “Did you know that 30% of jobs in customer service could be replaced by AI within five years?”
Everyone loves a good success story, but you know what's even more engaging? Failure. Highlighting epic failures and the lessons learned from them makes for powerful storytelling.
Detailed Example: Break down how a company like Blockbuster ignored the rise of Netflix and lost everything. Discuss what your audience can learn from this about adapting to change.
Key Takeaway: Don’t sugarcoat. Share metrics on what went wrong and how your listeners can avoid similar pitfalls. Offer a “Failure Checklist” they can download to identify red flags in their own business.
Yes, expert interviews are a staple—but how often do we really get to see these experts unfiltered? Instead of the usual polished Q&A, challenge your guests to share their most controversial or unpopular opinions.
Outreach Tip: Reach out to potential guests with a pitch like this: “I want to hear the story you’re afraid to tell on other podcasts.”
Provoke Thought: Have a rapid-fire segment where you throw out hot-button industry topics and ask for your guest’s raw, unfiltered take. Not only does this engage the audience, but it also differentiates you from every other podcast.
Transparency builds trust. Dedicate a series to exploring mistakes your business or team has made.
Employee Spotlight: Let your team share the biggest mistakes they’ve made on projects and what they learned. This humanizes your brand and creates a genuine connection with your audience.
Process Breakdown: Instead of just saying, "Here's how we succeeded," walk listeners through the exact missteps and failures that led to success. Be brutally honest.
Instead of the usual Q&A session, let your audience play devil's advocate. Encourage them to challenge your ideas, and then address their critiques head-on.
Pre-Session Engagement: Ask your listeners to submit the most challenging or disagreeable questions they can think of. Frame it as a debate instead of a Q&A.
Highlight Common Misconceptions: Use this opportunity to correct widespread myths or false beliefs in your industry. This positions you as a credible authority and problem-solver.
Show your audience how you practice what you preach. Conduct an experiment based on your topic and report back with unfiltered results.
Example Breakdown: If you’re talking about productivity, dedicate 24 hours to trying out a new technique. Document the process, struggles, and outcomes. Did it work? Was it a disaster? Be brutally honest.
Real-Life Applications: This adds authenticity to your advice and shows you’re not just regurgitating theory—you’re testing it in real-time.
Everyone plays it safe. You shouldn't. Dedicate episodes to sharing your most controversial opinions on hot-button topics in your industry.
Bold Opinions: For example, if you’re in marketing, state why you believe “email marketing is dead” and back it up with data. Then invite an expert who disagrees to challenge you.
Listener Engagement: Pose the question to your audience: “Do you think email marketing is dead? Tell us why or why not.” Encourage them to share their thoughts on social media, creating a community around the discussion.
Forget the fluffy testimonials. Go deep into your customers' journeys, including the tough spots and challenges.
Social Proof: Instead of just highlighting the good parts, focus on the struggles, doubts, and setbacks your customers faced. Use quotes like, “I almost gave up until…” This authenticity resonates far more than polished praise.
Narrative Style: Create mini-documentaries that guide listeners through the journey, weaving in the emotional highs and lows. This turns testimonials into stories that are impossible to ignore.
Host regular debates on the most polarizing issues in your industry.
Diverse Perspectives: Invite guests who have opposing views, and don’t be afraid to let the debate get heated. Audiences are drawn to conflict, especially when it’s done with respect and intelligence.
Moderation Techniques: Use provocative questions like, “Why do you think most people in our industry are getting this wrong?” This keeps the energy high and ensures the conversation stays engaging.
The future is exciting but also uncertain. Instead of simply talking about trends, introduce an element of urgency.
Data-Driven Insights: Predict what’s coming, but more importantly, share what risks and challenges lie ahead. Will AI eliminate your job? Will sustainability become a non-negotiable? Don’t just speculate—show your audience the data.
Engage Your Audience: End the episode with a call to action: “What’s your biggest fear for the future of our industry? Send me a voice note, and I’ll feature the best ones on the next episode.”
Don’t just create another podcast—create a conversation. A movement. A dialogue that your audience feels they can’t afford to miss. Challenge them, provoke them, and make them think, “This is the podcast I’ve been waiting for.”
