transcript-polisher

Use this skill when:

• Processing raw podcast transcripts from automated services (Rev, Otter, Descript, YouTube auto-captions)
• Cleaning up interview recordings or video transcripts
• Preparing spoken content for publication as articles or show notes
• Converting conversational content into readable written format

Not for: Written content that wasn't originally spoken, pre-polished articles, or scripts that are already edited.

Balance authenticity with clarity: Remove everything that doesn't add meaning while preserving what was actually said. Create the "ideal version" of what the speaker wanted to communicate—without changing their words or ideas.

Target: 25-35% length reduction while maintaining 100% fidelity to meaning.

Step 1: Add Document Structure

Create proper header with:

```markdown

# [Guest Name]: [Compelling Episode Title]

[Podcast Name] Episode - [Host Names]

---

[Add 10 chapters maximum - see guidelines below]

---

[Content starts here]

```

Timestamped Outline Rules (My First Million style):

• Format: MM:SS - Descriptive Chapter Title
• 10 chapters maximum for 45-60 minute episodes
• Focus on major topic changes, not minute-by-minute
• Use compelling, specific titles (not generic descriptions)

Good Examples:

• ✅ 12:25 - The 13th Percentile to Grade Level Miracle
• ✅ 29:08 - Why Successful Reforms Don't Spread

Poor Examples:

• ❌ 12:25 - Michelle talks about her students
• ❌ 29:08 - Discussion about education reform

Step 2: Identify and Label Speakers

Replace generic speaker markers (>>, Speaker 1, etc.) with actual names:

• Bold all speaker names: Isaac: Content here
• Use first names for casual podcasts, full names for professional interviews
• Be consistent throughout

Step 3: Aggressive Editing Pass

Apply aggressive polishing while maintaining 100% fidelity. See [Editing Guidelines](references/editing-guidelines.md) for detailed rules.

Quick checklist:

• Remove ALL filler words ("um," "uh," "you know," "like," "so," "I mean")
• Consolidate false starts and restarts
• Pick the clearest version when speakers repeat themselves
• Remove verbal hedging ("kind of," "sort of," "I think," "probably") when excessive
• Cut conversational detours that don't serve the narrative
• Fix awkward grammar and incomplete thoughts
• Keep only 1-2 strongest examples if speaker gives 5+
• Add clarity to vague pronouns (minimal bracketed additions)

Step 4: Preserve What Matters

Never edit:

• Unique voice and natural rhythm
• Exact wording of powerful statements
• Emotional moments and authenticity
• Specialized terminology
• Cultural references that reveal personality
• Natural dialogue patterns

Step 5: Quality Check

Before finishing:

• [ ] Length reduced by 25-35%
• [ ] All filler words removed
• [ ] Speakers properly identified
• [ ] Chapter breaks added with compelling titles
• [ ] Grammar fixed but voice preserved
• [ ] Key insights and stories intact
• [ ] No meaning changed or paraphrased

For detailed examples and transformation patterns, see:

• [Editing Guidelines](references/editing-guidelines.md) - Complete rules with before/after examples
• [Structure Template](references/structure-template.md) - Header format and chapter guidelines

Auto-caption issues:

• OCR errors (e.g., "quad code" → "Claude Code")
• Homophone mistakes (e.g., "their" vs "there")
• Missing punctuation
• Run-on sentences
• Mis-identified technical terms

Audio transcription issues:

• Speaker confusion
• Overlapping dialogue
• Background noise artifacts
• Timestamp errors

Final polished transcript should be:

• Markdown formatted
• Properly sectioned with timestamps
• Speaker names bold and consistent
• 25-35% shorter than original
• Grammar perfect but voice authentic
• Ready for publication or repurposing

100% Fidelity Rule:

❌ Never paraphrase or change meaning

❌ Never add ideas not present in original

❌ Never remove key insights or stories

✅ Only remove redundancy and inefficiency

✅ Preserve exact wording of powerful statements

✅ Keep all substantive content

Aggressive Editing:

❌ "So, um, I think that, you know, what we really need to focus on..."

✅ "What we really need to focus on..."

Voice Preservation:

❌ Removing authentic expressions like "bugged the crap out of me"

✅ Keeping natural language that shows personality