If your podcast is more technical, news-based, or academic, a cold open might not be the best fit. In those cases, it’s often more effective to open with a short highlight from the episode or interview. This moment signals what’s coming and gives your audience a reason to keep listening. For example, on Strength in Practice, a podcast we produce for the Canadian Association of Midwives, we often lead with a key clip from the conversation that sets the stage. It’s direct, rel