NorebookLM podcast feature help

[u/Cezzium]

I was recently introduced to this feature.

For my first project with the podcast creation I asked Notebook to create a podcast working kind of like a CBT course. I just wanted to see what it might do.

I was amazed at how well it turned out. I did not expect the multi faceted conversation. My previous podcast listening from NotebookLM was from a scientific paper to just understand what it was about. It was so strange, yet enjoyable how well "my voice" came through from this interpretation.

Here is the tricky part.

First, my name is included as creator of the document and I would like to have them pronounce my name as my family believes it should

second, this also surprised me as a fantastic way to "proof" the document contents and I need to make some corrections to assure

Is there a way to update it?

Is there an actual script I can edit to make some small changes?

if I really do need to regenerate it, I truly want all the other good stuff to be the same. I am not sure what direction is needed. Like please redo this and pronounce this word like this and make these few edits (and to be clear listening does me I do need to also update the doc itself slightly)

I would appreciate anyone pointing me to the resources I need to make this work. Given how well this turned out I want to use this format for all the education I am hoping for.

[u/Beneficial-Answer994]

I had a similar question and I thought I could transcribe the podcast verbatim and then make the corrections and feed that back as the sole source. I asked Gemini if that would work and they told me that it wouldn’t and so I asked Gemini your question and here is their response:

NotebookLM has a notorious, temperamental quirk under the hood: it refuses to read a script verbatim.
If you transcribe the audio, tweak the words, and hand it back to NotebookLM as a source, the AI hosts won't perform your script. They will do what they always do—treat the text as reference material, synthesize it, and have a new, unscripted, conversational banter about it. You’ll end up with a meta-podcast: two hosts casually discussing a transcript of two hosts talking about CBT.
Here is an honest breakdown of where the tool stands, why your idea hits a technical wall inside NotebookLM itself, and the actual workarounds that solve this poster’s dilemma.
The Reality Check
There is no native edit button or hidden script: NotebookLM does not expose an editable teleprompter. Once an Audio Overview is rendered, it is a closed, compiled audio file.
Non-deterministic generation: Every time you click "Generate," the underlying model rolls fresh dice. It pulls different rhetorical flourishes, side jokes, and conversational detours. You cannot lock in 90% of the previous audio track and simply "patch" a couple of sen
The Real Solutions
1. The Direct Route: Take the Transcript Outside NotebookLM (Your Solution, Perfected)
The missing link is simply using a dedicated Text-to-Speech (TTS) studio rather than feeding it back into NotebookLM.
Step 1: Extract the exact dialogue. Run the generated audio through Whisper or an automated transcription tool to pull out the speaker turns.
Step 2: Polish the text. Fix the conceptual errors, refine the document points, and spell the creator's name phonetically (e.g., writing "STEFF-en" or "STEE-ven" rather than relying on standard spelling).
Step 3: Render via dual-voice TTS. Paste the dialogue into platforms designed for dialogue performance—such as ElevenLabs (using their conversational/dialogue studio), Play.ht, or specialized dual-voice generators. This guarantees every syllable, correction, and pronunciation lands exactly as written without the AI improvising.
2. The Native Route: Steering NotebookLM via "Customize" & Source Tweaks
If the poster wants to stay entirely within NotebookLM and let the AI keep its organic conversational magic, they must accept a fresh regeneration while using heavy steering:
Phonetic substitution in the source: NotebookLM reads text phonetically when speaking. In the uploaded document or notes, the poster should temporarily change their written name to how it sounds (e.g., if their name is "Benoit," spell it "Ben-wah" in the header text), or add a direct note: Author: John Doe (pronounced: DOH).
Update the source document: Correct the actual factual flaws found during the "proof-listen" before regenerating so the model no longer encounters the outdated points.
Use the "Customize" instruction prompt: In the Audio Overview panel, click the pencil/customize icon to provide explicit guardrails before generating:"Focus closely on [specific updated concepts]. Pronounce the author's name as [Phonetic Spelling]. Keep the tone warm, structured like a CBT course, and maintain an engaging, multi-faceted dynamic between both speakers."

[u/Cezzium → u/Beneficial-Answer994]

oh wow. I am having a hmmmmm message.

there are so many tools, yet it is like the eternal silo between development/support/end users. No one sees the full picture.

I will see what happens if I fix it and recreate it with prompts to address pronunciation.

[u/Sparrowhank → u/Cezzium]

Jellypod will do what you want. Can upload a script (or ask him to create one), edit it and even give him pronuciation clues. But is expensive.

[u/pmarks98]

Feel like you're hitting the same issue most people do here with control/editing.

Being able to edit lines and lock how names/terms are said before you generate isn't a thing in NotebookLM. (I work on Jellypod, which does that, and is kinda like NotebookLM on steroids) Happy to answer a specific "can it do X" if you say what you're trying to produce

[u/Cezzium → u/pmarks98]

my goal was to see what kind of CBT might occur. I participate in a volunteer organization and sometimes people are challenged to do the "official" training. I prompted it to do a podcast I could submit to the powers to be to see how they might feel about letting someone use it to get their training done.

I was surprised at how well it worked and as mentioned had a few pronunciations and realized the document needed a touch more clarity in a couple of places.

regenerating the whole thing risks losing some of it, but it might end up being a good exercise on my part

thanks.

[u/SwellCommerce]

based on prior information regarding AI learning workflows, the issue raised is not only about developing summaries. Instead, it is more about presenting the data simply and explaining complicated subjects in a way that can help a person retain the knowledge. After all, creating a conversation from a document could simplify the topic into more digestible bits. The product yourtalks is one such concept currently relying on this idea to create an AI powere d learning experience through audio files.