Appearance
Episode Messaging
Every episode includes a built-in Episode Chat where you can talk with your guests and team members in real time. Use it to share talking points, coordinate prep work, and discuss ideas right next to your show notes.
Where to Find Chat
Episode Chat lives on the episode's Show Notes page:
- Go to Episodes in your podcast navigation and open an episode
- On the Collaborators tab, click Open show notes
- On desktop, the chat sits in a rail to the right of your notes. On mobile, use the Chat item in the bottom bar (alongside Notes and People)
The chat header shows the Episode Chat title, small avatars for everyone currently online (hover to see "N online" with names), an unread count, and a pop-out button.
Send Messages
Type in the message box ("Type a message...") and press Enter to send. Use Shift + Enter to add a new line without sending.
Messages appear instantly for everyone who's online. Each message shows the sender's name, their avatar, and a relative timestamp like "5m ago". Your own messages align to the right.
Character Limit
Messages can be up to 5,000 characters. A character counter appears in the input once you're getting close to the limit.
Mention People
Type @ in the message box to mention someone. A suggestion list appears with matching episode participants:
- Use the arrow keys to move through the list
- Press Enter to insert the highlighted mention
- Press Escape to close the list
Mentions appear highlighted in the message so the person can spot them easily.
Who can be mentioned?
The list covers everyone on the episode: team members and guests alike.
React to Messages
Below each message from someone else you'll find an Add reaction button (a small + in a dashed circle). Click it to pick one of six reactions:
👍 ❤️ 😂 😮 🎉 🔥
Reactions appear as small pills under the message showing the emoji and a count. Click a pill to add or remove your own reaction.
You can't react to your own messages. On your messages, reaction pills from others are display-only.
Delete a Message
You can delete your own messages. Hover over one of your messages and click the Delete message button (trash icon) that appears above it, then confirm in the Delete message? dialog.
Deletion is permanent
"This will permanently delete this message for everyone." There is no undo.
The People Tab
Switch from Chat to People to see everyone with access to the episode:
- Online participants are listed first, each with a role badge (Host, Co-host, Producer, or Guest)
- Offline participants follow below
A typing indicator ("Sam is typing...") also appears in the chat while someone is composing a message.
Unread Messages
When messages arrive that you haven't seen:
- On desktop, a red badge with the count appears in the Episode Chat card header. Click it to clear the count.
- On mobile, the badge appears on the Chat item in the bottom bar.
Scroll up to review history and click Load earlier messages to fetch older conversation.
Pop Out the Chat
Click the Open chat in new window button in the chat header to open the conversation in its own small window. Handy when you want the chat visible while you work elsewhere in the episode, or on a second screen while recording.
The Guest Experience
Guests get the same chat through their portal, no account required. On desktop the chat appears beside their show notes. On mobile, guests switch between Shared, My Notes, and Chat tabs, with the unread badge on the Chat tab.
Guests can send messages, mention participants, react to others' messages, delete their own messages, and see who's online in the People tab.
Tips for Effective Collaboration
- Share prep materials early: post links and talking points before the recording session
- Use mentions when you need a specific person to respond
- React to acknowledge ideas without cluttering the conversation
- Check the People tab before recording to confirm everyone is online
What's Next?
- Invite Guests to your episodes
- The Guest Portal: what guests see and can do
- Show Notes: collaborative editing alongside chat