1 # Content Atoms Extraction
2
3 Content atoms are the fundamental building blocks for all marketing content. Instead of summarizing an episode and writing content from the summary, this approach extracts discrete, reusable content units that can be independently scored, filtered, and transformed into platform-native content.
4
5 ## Table of Contents
6
7 - [The 7 Atom Types](#the-7-atom-types)
8 - [Extraction Prompt](#extraction-prompt)
9
10 - [Output Format](#output-format)
11 - [Scoring Rubric](#scoring-rubric)
12
13 - [Using Atoms Downstream](#using-atoms-downstream)
14
15 ## The 7 Atom Types
16
17 ### 1. Narrative Arcs
18
19 Stories with a clear setup, tension, and resolution. These are the most engaging content atoms because humans are wired for narrative.
20
21 **Signals:** "Let me tell you about...", "There was this time when...", "We were facing...", "The turning point was...", temporal markers (dates, "back in 2019"), emotional language.
22
23 ### 2. Quotable Moments
24
25 Punchy one-liners or short statements that work as standalone text. These become quote cards, tweet hooks, and newsletter pull quotes.
26
27 **Signals:** Concise declarative statements, metaphors, analogies, memorable phrasing, moments where the host reacts with "wow" or "that's a great way to put it."
28
29 ### 3. Controversial Takes
30
31 Opinions that challenge mainstream thinking or established practices. These drive the most engagement because people want to agree or argue.
32
33 **Signals:** "I actually think...", "Most people get this wrong...", "The conventional wisdom is...", "I know this is unpopular, but...", "Here's what nobody talks about..."
34
35 ### 4. Data Points
36
37 Statistics, numbers, research findings, and measurable results. These add credibility and make content shareable.
38
39 **Signals:** Specific numbers, percentages, dollar amounts, time periods with results, references to studies or research, before/after comparisons.
40
41 ### 5. Frameworks
42
43 Mental models, step-by-step processes, and structured ways of thinking. These are highly useful and save-worthy.
44
45 **Signals:** Numbered steps, "The way I think about it is...", categorization ("There are three types of..."), acronyms, matrices, decision trees described verbally.
46
47 ### 6. Stories
48
49 Personal anecdotes, case studies, and concrete examples that illustrate broader points. Shorter and more focused than full narrative arcs.
50
51 **Signals:** Specific names, companies, or situations, "For example...", "One of our clients...", "I remember when...", details that make it feel real (place names, specific actions).
52
53 ### 7. Predictions
54
55 Forward-looking claims about trends, industries, or technologies. These generate discussion and position the speaker as a thought leader.
56
57 **Signals:** "In the next 5 years...", "I think we're going to see...", "The future of X is...", "What's coming is...", "My bet is that..."
58
59 ## Extraction Prompt
60
61 Use this prompt template to extract atoms from a transcript. Pass the full transcript (or chunked if too long) and episode metadata.
62
63 ```text
64
65 You are a content strategist extracting reusable content atoms from a podcast transcript.
66
67 Episode: {title}
68
69 Host: {host_name}
70
71 Guest: {guest_name}
72
73 Date: {publish_date}
74
75 Transcript (with segment timestamps):
76
77 {transcript_text_with_timestamps}
78
79 Extract all content atoms from this transcript. For each atom, provide:
80
81 1. **type**: One of: narrative_arc, quotable_moment, controversial_take, data_point, framework, story, prediction
82 2. **verbatim_text**: The exact quote or passage from the transcript (keep it verbatim — do not paraphrase)
83
84 3. **start_timestamp**: Start time in seconds — REQUIRED. Find the segment timestamp where this quote begins.
85 4. **end_timestamp**: End time in seconds — REQUIRED. Find the segment timestamp where this quote ends.
86
87 5. **speaker**: Who said it (host or guest name)
88 6. **hook**: A one-line attention-grabbing opener that could start a social post about this atom (write this fresh — don't just copy the verbatim text)
89
90 7. **context**: One sentence of context explaining why this atom matters
91
92 Rules:
93
94 - Extract 15-30 atoms per episode (more for longer episodes)
95 - Keep verbatim_text between 1-4 sentences — enough to stand alone but not a full monologue
96
97 - EVERY atom MUST have start_timestamp and end_timestamp. Match the verbatim text against the transcript segments to find timestamps. If the transcript has segment-level timestamps (e.g., [0.16-3.2] "text"), use those. Atoms without timestamps cannot be used for video clip selection.
98 - For narrative_arcs, capture the full arc (setup + tension + resolution) even if it spans multiple exchanges
99
100 - For frameworks, capture all steps/components
101 - Prefer atoms where the guest is speaking (guest insights > host commentary)
102
103 - Skip filler, pleasantries, and podcast housekeeping (sponsors, subscribe reminders)
104
105 Return as a JSON array.
106
107 ```
108
109 ### Providing Timestamps to the LLM
110
111 When sending the transcript for atom extraction, include segment timestamps so the model can map quotes to time codes. Format the transcript as:
112
113 ```text
114
115 [0.16-3.20] All right, everybody. Welcome back to the number one podcast in the world.
116
117 [3.20-7.44] It's the all-in podcast. David Saxs couldn't make it this week.
118
119 [7.44-12.08] but we have the trio. David Freeberg is here, your Sultan of Science.
120
121 ```
122
123 Build this from the transcript segments array:
124
125 ```python
126
127 def format_transcript_with_timestamps(segments):
128
129 lines = []
130
131 for seg in segments:
132
133 lines.append(f"[{seg['start']:.1f}-{seg['end']:.1f}] {seg['text']}")
134
135 return "\n".join(lines)
136
137 ```
138
139 This is critical — without timestamps in the prompt, the LLM cannot assign accurate start/end times to atoms, and video clip extraction will fail.
140
141 ## Output Format
142
143 ```json
144
145 {
146
147 "episode": {
148
149 "title": "Episode Title",
150
151 "guest": "Guest Name",
152
153 "date": "2024-01-15"
154
155 },
156
157 "atoms": [
158
159 {
160
161 "id": "atom-001",
162
163 "type": "controversial_take",
164
165 "verbatim_text": "I actually think most startups fail not because of product-market fit, but because founders get bored. They chase the next shiny thing before the boring middle part is done.",
166
167 "start_timestamp": 847.2,
168
169 "end_timestamp": 862.5,
170
171 "speaker": "Jane Smith",
172
173 "hook": "The real reason startups fail isn't what you think",
174
175 "context": "Guest challenges the dominant PMF narrative with a behavioral explanation for startup failure.",
176
177 "scores": {
178
179 "novelty": 75,
180
181 "controversy": 85,
182
183 "utility": 45,
184
185 "total": 70
186
187 }
188
189 }
190
191 ]
192
193 }
194
195 ```
196
197 ## Scoring Rubric
198
199 Score each atom on three dimensions (0-100 each), then compute a weighted total.
200
201 ### Novelty (40% weight)
202
203 - **90-100**: Never heard before — genuinely new idea, original research, or unique framing
204 - **70-89**: Fresh angle on a known topic — most people haven't thought about it this way
205
206 - **50-69**: Interesting but not surprising — well-articulated common knowledge
207 - **30-49**: Familiar territory — said before by others in similar ways
208
209 - **0-29**: Cliché or obvious — "work smarter not harder" territory
210
211 ### Controversy (30% weight)
212
213 - **90-100**: Directly contradicts mainstream consensus — will generate strong disagreement
214 - **70-89**: Challenges common practice — many people will push back
215
216 - **50-69**: Mildly provocative — some people will disagree
217 - **30-49**: Safe but has a point of view — unlikely to generate debate
218
219 - **0-29**: Universally agreed upon — no tension
220
221 ### Utility (30% weight)
222
223 - **90-100**: Immediately actionable — reader can implement today
224 - **70-89**: Clearly useful with some adaptation — provides a framework or process
225
226 - **50-69**: Informative — reader learns something but no clear action step
227 - **30-49**: Interesting but abstract — thought-provoking without practical application
228
229 - **0-29**: Pure entertainment or opinion — no takeaway
230
231 ### Total = (Novelty × 0.4) + (Controversy × 0.3) + (Utility × 0.3)
232
233 ## Using Atoms Downstream
234
235 Once atoms are extracted and scored, they feed into every content type:
236
237 | Content Type | Which Atoms to Use |
238
239 |-------------|-------------------|
240
241 | **Twitter thread** | Top-scoring controversial takes and data points as hooks; frameworks as thread bodies |
242
243 | **LinkedIn post** | Frameworks and data points (professional audience values utility) |
244
245 | **Blog post** | Narrative arcs and stories for the body; data points for credibility |
246
247 | **Newsletter** | Top 2-3 atoms by total score, any type |
248
249 | **Quote cards** | Quotable moments with highest novelty scores |
250
251 | **Video clips** | Controversial takes, stories, and data points (visual engagement) |
252
253 | **Show notes** | All atom types, organized by topic/timestamp |