Yesterday, I published an episode of my Spotify podcast. See here:
My voice. My tone. My style.
Except... I didn’t record it.
When I played it for my parents, they were convinced it was me. “When did you record this?” my mom asked.
“I didn’t,” I told her. “AI did.”
The look on their faces was priceless.
Here’s the thing: I haven’t actually recorded a podcast episode in weeks. Yet I’ve published 15 episodes. All of them sound like me. Most listeners have no idea they’re AI-generated.
Today, I’m going to show you exactly how I built this system, and how you can do it too.
Why I Built This
Let’s be honest: starting a podcast is exhausting.
You have to research topics, write scripts, record (and re-record when you mess up), edit audio, upload, publish... and then do it all over again next week.
I wanted the benefits of podcasting (building authority, reaching new audiences, consistent content) without burning 10 hours a week on production.
So I asked myself: What if AI could handle all of this?
Turns out, it can.
How It Works
Here’s the system I built using Needle.app (an AI workflow tool) and ElevenLabs (voice cloning):
Step 1: Auto-Index Content
I use Needle’s Gmail connector to automatically pull in the TLDR AI newsletter every day. Fresh, high-quality content without having to research anything.
You could use industry newsletters, Reddit threads, your own blog posts, company knowledge bases... literally any text source.
Step 2: AI Writes the Script
A Needle AI agent reads the content and generates a podcast script.
I gave it some basic instructions: keep it conversational and slightly funny, around 900 characters (about 5 minutes of audio), write as if I’m hosting “The Knowledge Pod,” use my natural speaking style.
The AI nails it every time.
Step 3: Clone My Voice
This is where it gets wild.
I uploaded a few videos of myself talking to ElevenLabs. Their AI analyzed my voice (tone, cadence, inflection, pauses) and created a voice model.
Now whenever I pass text to ElevenLabs, it generates audio that sounds exactly like me.
Seriously, it’s uncanny. Even I sometimes forget it’s not actually me talking.
Step 4: Generate the Audio
The Needle workflow passes the script to ElevenLabs with my voice ID. Within seconds, it creates an MP3 file.
No recording. No editing. Just done.
Step 5: Auto-Create the Episode
The workflow generates a title based on the transcript, creates the episode metadata, and sends me a Slack notification with the MP3 link.
All I do is drag and drop the file into Spotify for Podcasters.
I could automate this part too, but I like having final approval.
The Results
After 15 episodes, here’s what I’ve learned:
90% of people can’t tell it’s AI.
I’ve tested this with friends, colleagues, and random listeners. Most assume it’s me. Some even compliment my “recording setup.”
The quality is shockingly good.
Early AI voices sounded robotic. ElevenLabs sounds human. Real emotion, natural pauses, actual personality.
I’m building authority without lifting a finger.
People see me as a “daily podcast host” now. I get DMs asking about episodes. I’m building an audience.
And I haven’t recorded a single word.
How You Can Do This
I’ve created a template workflow in Needle that you can clone and customize.
Here’s what you need:
Tools:
Needle.app (workflow automation) - free to start
ElevenLabs (voice cloning) - about $5/month for the basic plan
Spotify for Podcasters (hosting) - free
Content source (newsletter, RSS feed, etc.) - free
Time investment:
Initial setup: about 2 hours
Per episode after that: 5 minutes (just to upload)
Steps to get started:
Clone your voice: Upload 5-10 minutes of clear audio to ElevenLabs
Set up the Needle workflow: Use my template (link in the video)
Connect your content source: Gmail, RSS, whatever you want
Customize the AI prompt: Tell it how you want to sound
Run it: Let the workflow generate your first episode
Upload to Spotify: Create your podcast and publish
That’s it.
The Future of Content Creation
This isn’t just about podcasts.
This is about scalable authenticity.
You can now create daily content without daily work. Build expertise in topics you care about. Reach audiences while you sleep. Sound like yourself without being yourself.
Is it weird? Maybe.
Is it the future? Absolutely.
Three years ago, this would’ve cost $50,000 and a team of engineers. Today, you can do it in an afternoon for less than $10/month.
The people who adopt this early will dominate their niches. The people who wait will be playing catch-up.
Try It Yourself
If you build your own AI podcast, tag me. I want to hear it.
And if you tell your parents, let me know their reaction. 😄
Now go clone your voice and become a podcast host while you sleep.
- Yarn
P.S. If you’re thinking “this is creepy,” I get it. But remember: you’re cloning YOUR voice, for YOUR content. It’s just a more efficient version of you. And honestly? It’s way less creepy than spending 10 hours a week recording yourself.
