How to take notes on podcasts and remember them

Quick answer

You listened to a three hour episode on a walk. It was amazing.

You remember one sentence. Podcasts are hard to take notes on because you're usually doing something else.

What 125x is: 125x is a web app at 125x.app. You connect your YouTube subscriptions, and it gives you a feed of the latest videos from the channels you follow, each with a summary: a verdict, the 5 key takeaways, and the spoiler, plus Actionable and Lessons tabs with more tips. You read that and decide what's actually worth opening.

Open 125x

While you listen

Jot the timestamp and two words in your phone's notes when something hits. Deal with it later.
Use voice memos if your hands are busy. 'Minute 42, the sleep thing.'
Don't try to capture everything. One or two ideas per episode is plenty.

After you listen

Within a day, go back to your timestamps and write each idea in your own words.
Use the transcript or show notes if the episode has them.
Turn one idea into an action with a when.
Write three questions from memory a day later and answer them.

For video podcasts on YouTube

Many shows post full episodes on YouTube with chapters and transcripts. That makes finding the moment you half-remember a lot easier. See podcast summaries.

How 125x fits

If the podcast is on a YouTube channel you follow, 125x puts a summary on each episode with 5 takeaways, and the Actionable and Lessons tabs. Those make a good starting set of notes. Add your own timestamps for the parts you want to revisit.

FAQ: questions people ask

How do you take notes on a podcast while driving?

Use a voice memo or a quick timestamp, then write the idea down properly later.

How do I remember what I learn from podcasts?

Write the one or two best ideas in your own words within a day and act on one of them.

Do podcasts have transcripts?

Some do in their show notes or on YouTube, where many episodes have transcripts and chapters.