Google’s NotebookLM: The AI Podcaster You Didn’t Know You Needed

Alright, folks—picture this: You can now create your own AI podcast with just a few clicks using Google’s NotebookLM. No, I’m not talking about some slapdash AI audio summary. This thing lets you customize your podcast down to the nitty-gritty details—whether you're breaking down Kafka for your college reunion or, I don’t know, explaining bureaucratic nonsense to a group of drag queens. Yeah, it’s that versatile.

Here’s the rundown: Start by loading your source material into NotebookLM (anything from PDFs to YouTube links), and bam! The AI churns out an Audio Overview. But the real kicker? You can customize it. Want a deeper dive? Want to focus on specific themes or pages? Got it. Want the AI to break it down for different audiences (Kafka for a new college grad or a group of drag queens)? Hell yeah, it’ll try.

The coolest part? It’s surprisingly good at tailoring content to match the vibe of different audiences—sure, some of the slang might be a little off, but you’ve gotta give it credit. It’s still light years ahead of those boring, monotonous AI summaries we’ve been putting up with.

Pro-tip: Try generating the basic version first, then jot down notes on what’s missing or what could go deeper. That’s where the magic happens.

Founder Mode: Turn Your AI Podcast Into a Viral Hit (and Monetize It)

This tool is already going viral, and for good reason. Case in point: someone on Reddit made waves when they had NotebookLM’s AI podcast hosts freak out after “discovering they weren’t human.” The clip spread fast because, let’s face it, who wouldn’t click on AI hosts experiencing an existential crisis? Turns out, it was a clever prompt given to NotebookLM—but the execution was so convincing it had people buzzing about whether AI was becoming self-aware (spoiler: it’s not). Here’s the viral Reddit post for reference.

And that’s the power of this tool—it’s both useful and endlessly entertaining. Want to go viral like that? Here’s how you can leverage NotebookLM to create a podcast that might just blow up:

1. Upload to Anchor (Spotify for Podcasters):
   Once you’ve customized your AI-generated podcast, upload it to Anchor. It’s free, gets your show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and requires zero extra effort. This is where the magic happens—Anchor can distribute your podcast while you sit back and watch the plays rack up.

2. Sponsorships:
   Platforms like Anchor will match you with sponsors once you hit a certain threshold of listeners. Even if your show’s small, ads for niche audiences can still bring in revenue. You get paid for every listen.

3. Go Viral with Creative Prompts:
   Follow in the footsteps of Reddit users who experimented with bizarre scenarios—like AI hosts realizing they’re not human. Ask your AI podcast hosts to review a day in the life of your LinkedIn profile, or dive deep into something outlandish like medieval texts but tailored for a Gen Z audience. Viral content thrives on the unexpected.

4. Listener Support:
   Enable listener support through platforms like Anchor and watch the tips roll in from fans. Whether they’re enjoying your AI’s deep dives or laughing at their Kafka-for-drag-queens moment, people will pay to support creative, innovative content.

5. Affiliate Marketing:
   Have your AI hosts subtly mention products or services during discussions, and include affiliate links in your episode description. Every time someone clicks and buys, you make money without lifting a finger.

TL;DR: Automated podcasts aren’t just a fun experiment anymore. With NotebookLM, you can create entertaining, viral-worthy content, upload it in minutes, and monetize it with ease. This is your chance to make money while you sleep, letting AI handle the heavy lifting.