Looking to record a conversation with someone you already connect with? Check out these unforgettable podcast ideas with friends. Each one prompts your discussion, so you can set up the microphones and just hit record. You and your guest (or co-host) should find fertile ground for discussion with any of these options.
Of course, if you’re looking to make the best possible podcast, we also discussed industry-changing AI podcast tools to help you save time.
The Best Podcast Ideas with Friends
Podcasting with people you like is important. It enhances your recording sessions with engaging content and, of course, requires rapport with your co-host or guests. It can also lead to a more productive recording process, potential collaborations, and networking opportunities. If you don’t have all that already, you’ll need some of the ideas we came up with below.
For each conversation prompt, we included a few variations. Feel free to give us a shout-out on the air if you end up using one of our podcast conversation starters.
10. Underrated Moves of the Past 10 Years
Obviously, you can swap out “movies” for whatever best fits your audience’s interests. Netflix nerds might talk about the most underrated characters in Stranger Things, and podcast friends with economics interests might chat about underrated monetary policies. You get the idea.
Want to dig deeper? Have your guests prepare their most overrated movie suggestions too. Over-hyped media remains a popular gripe, and there’s no shortage of options to choose from.
If you plan to do the show in front of an audience, we found the best live podcasts ever recorded. Use them as a guide!
9. Least Likable Celebrities
Celebrity takes invite you to discuss current events, rumors, and (best of all) gossip. Not into celebrities? Try sports figures, politicians, authors, or breeds of dogs. The key to success: The best podcast ideas for friends dig deep into your interests. Both of you should have opinions on the subject.
The inverse idea also works here. Which celebrity lives up to the hype? If you haven’t already discussed Keanu Reeves and Brendan Fraser, now’s the time to do it.
8. Favorite Cliches from Horror Movies
Movie discussions make fun podcast ideas with friends because you’ll tend to have similar viewing habits. Friends who prefer other genres might prefer to discuss cliches in romantic comedies, 1980s action movies, or superhero films.
To take this conversation deeper, consider unique takes you’d rather see in any of these circumstances. Can’t stand when the staggering zombie keeps catching up to the quick-legged teen protagonist? Figure out how you’d rewrite the scene and invite your guest to punch up the script.
7. Best Holiday Episode
What’s the best Christmas TV episode ever released? What about a Halloween episode? You might have similar nostalgic memories as your co-host, but the most memorable conversations come from unlikely choices. Dig deep!
Pro tip: Successful podcasts like Comedy Bang Bang do end-of-year marathons with “best of” segments from the past 12 months. Develop your own annual traditions and your listeners can look forward to something special every year.
6. New Years Resolutions You Actually Kept
Many small podcasts have themed episodes around New Year, and many people discuss their failed resolutions. Invert the premise. Instead, talk about what went well. As an extra challenge, book a guest who specializes in SMART goals.
Better yet, invite your guests to set impossibly easy goals with you this year. Maybe today’s the day you finally give up on saying you’ll run a marathon. Voila! That’s achievable.
5. Best Bad Habits
Sometimes “bad” habits lead to positive outcomes. If you and your co-host devise a list of seemingly regrettable actions, it could lead to a surprising conversation. Maybe staying up too late isn’t so bad after all.
Nobody lingers over the dangers of smoking in Jim Jarmusch’s “Coffee and Cigarettes.” The movie luxuriates in its characters, their conversations, and the vices of those in the scenes. You could do worse than mimicking this in a conversational podcast. Embrace your vices.
4. Memorable Wrong Turns
Want a memorable podcast idea with your friends? Talk about the last time you got lost. Everyone has a story, and your listeners will decide who made the most of an unexpected adventure.
Can’t think of a time you made a wrong turn? Consider your last road trip. Ask your guest about the last time they drove without a specific destination or schedule. Road stories get you talking about new places, new people, enclosed spaces, and uncertain outcomes.
3. The Thing You Most Regret Losing
Make a list of the things you miss most from your childhood. Then, compare. Interesting discussions spawn from similarities and differences. This podcast topic also resonates with those who managed to keep their most precious items.
As with other recommendations, consider the tone of your show. If you and your guests regularly hit emotional themes, use this theme to spark conversations around family or legacy.
2. Spicy Takes on Golf
You don’t have to care about a sport to have a strong opinion about it—especially when that sport historically segregates itself from the majority of the population. What do you love about it? And what do you hate about it? What could you do with all that gorgeous land occupied by acres and acres of expensive real estate?
We chose golf as one of the best podcast topics because of the major polarization of sympathies. Some people look at it as a cherished and peaceful form of recreation. Others see exclusivity, waste, and environmental destruction.
Where do your guests land on the subject?
1. The Most Unhelpful Advice You’ve Ever Gotten
Don’t you dare say it’s this article.
Seriously, everybody has a story about their most unhelpful advice. Here’s the key to success: Focus your podcast topic around professional advice or relationship advice. Your guests may surprise you with irony, sympathy, or absurdity.
For extra depth, look for themes in the responses. Your guests may find there’s a unifying theme to the worst advice they’ve been given. Whether it’s often unprompted, generally superficial, or needlessly direct, the theme should serve as a perfect summary of your episode.
And don’t forget to check out the most ridiculous podcast ideas by ChatGPT.
Podcast Ideas for Friends: Summary
Choose a conversation starter based on the type of show you usually host. If your audience expects humor, you’ll find the most value in one of the comedic episode ideas. Serious podcasts benefit most from more philosophical discussions. Just don’t get bogged down with tangents. Whatever type of show you create, you can learn how to podcast with advice from a professional.
In short, if you’re looking for fun podcast ideas to record with your friends, you’re in good company. We discuss the best options based on what we think will deliver fun results. Ready to record your show? Make sure you have the right podcast mic and get started!
