AI Workflow Stack

Podcast Creator Stack

Create, edit, polish, and promote podcast episodes with AI

Solo podcastersCreatorsEducatorsNewsletter creators Easy to start Free – $80/mo

Minimal viable start

Overwhelmed by the full stack? Start with just Descript — it covers the most critical layer of this workflow.

Start with Descript →

Stack builder

Start with the core layer. Add optional tools only after the core workflow is running.

Core — start here

Descript Required

Edit episodes by editing the transcript

Free plan, paid from $16/mo annual

Free plan

ChatGPT Required

Episode planning, intro scripts, show notes, and summaries

Free (with ads in US); paid from $8/mo

Free plan

ElevenLabs Required

Voiceover and audio asset generation

$0/mo

Free plan

Upgrade later — not required early

Canva AI

Episode graphics and promotional assets

Workflow map

How each core tool fits into the workflow — in order.

1 Edit episodes by editing the transcript
Required
Descript
Descript Free plan Deal

Edit episodes by editing the transcript.

Free plan, paid from $16/mo annual Profile → Alternatives →
2 Episode planning, intro scripts, show notes, and summaries
Required
ChatGPT
ChatGPT Free plan

Episode planning, intro scripts, show notes, and summaries.

Free (with ads in US); paid from $8/mo Profile → Alternatives →
3 Voiceover and audio asset generation
Required
ElevenLabs
ElevenLabs Free plan Deal

Voiceover and audio asset generation.

Budget paths

Start small. Expand only when the core workflow is running consistently.

Free / starter path

Descript Free plan, paid from $16/mo annual

Good for testing the workflow. Upgrade when limits become a real bottleneck.

Full stack

Descript Free plan, paid from $16/mo annual
ChatGPT Free (with ads in US); paid from $8/mo
ElevenLabs $0/mo

Est. total: Free – $80/mo. Verify current pricing before committing.

Watch for overlap

Descript appears in both the starter and full stack. Do not pay for tools that solve the same layer as something you already have. Expand only when a real bottleneck appears.

What to buy first

  • Descript — Edit episodes by editing the transcript
  • ChatGPT — Episode planning, intro scripts, show notes, and summaries
  • ElevenLabs — Voiceover and audio asset generation

What to skip early

  • Canva AI — Episode graphics and promotional assets.

Why this stack exists

A lightweight podcast creator stack for solo creators and small teams that want to produce better episodes without a large production workflow.

How to use this stack

Start with descript as the minimum viable tool. Add the remaining tools only when the workflow becomes frequent enough to justify more moving parts.

What to skip

Do not buy every tool at once. Start with the main workflow, test it for a few real projects, then add the supporting tools when they clearly save time or improve output quality.

Stack verdict

Start with the smallest stack that covers your current workflow. Add specialist tools only when a real bottleneck appears — not before.