1. Topic & Format Selection

How to pick a topic with a market and a format you can sustain a year.

The common trap

92% of podcasters who stop after 5-10 episodes picked a topic based on what they thought was interesting, not what had demand. They recorded 3-5 episodes from their initial idea bank, then ran out for episode 6.

Three questions before you start

1. Can you write 30 episode topics right now, in 15 minutes? If not — the topic is too narrow. Go broader.
2. Are there already 3+ podcasts in your language doing the same thing? If yes — you need a unique angle. Not better, unique.
3. How do you describe your podcast in one sentence to someone who doesn't know you? If it takes more than a sentence — the format isn't clear yet.

Formats that work in 2026

• 1:1 interview — most stable. New guest every episode = always content. Requires professional network.
• Opinionated solo — easy to produce, hard to sustain. Works for experts with existing audience.
• Two hosts in discussion — requires chemistry. If you have it, it's the most fun format. If not, abandon.
• Investigative story — hardest to produce, easiest to attract listeners. 80 hours per episode.

Equipment you need to start

You don't need to decide yet. Chapter 2 covers it. For now: yes, your phone is enough for a test episode.

Where Pody fits

If you picked 1:1 interview, you need a studio with 2 microphones. Solo, 1 is fine. Pody lets you check studios across Israel by type — but don't book a studio before recording a phone-test episode. Always.