Connect Podbrain to ChatGPT

Add Podbrain once as a custom MCP server in ChatGPT on the web. After that, ChatGPT can search about 2,400 podcast episodes, read professional notes and list the books guests recommend, with a link back to every episode it uses.

What you need

• ChatGPT on the web. OpenAI's help center says custom MCP servers are connected on the web only, not in the mobile apps.
• A ChatGPT plan that allows custom MCP servers. OpenAI lists full MCP support for Business, Enterprise and Edu. It also says Pro users can connect custom MCP servers with read and fetch permissions. OpenAI does not say whether Free, Go or Plus accounts can add one, so check whether the option appears for you.
• On a Business workspace, only admins and owners can add the server. On Enterprise and Edu, an admin can grant the Create plugins with MCPs permission to other members.
• A Podbrain account, created when you sign in from ChatGPT, and the free trial. The trial needs a card but charges nothing for your first 30 episodes.

Set up Podbrain in ChatGPT

1. Open Plugins

   Sign in at chatgpt.com and select Plugins in the sidebar. You can also go straight to chatgpt.com/plugins.

2. Add a custom MCP server

   Select the plus button, then choose Add custom MCP server. Current OpenAI docs say you no longer need to switch on Developer mode first.

3. Name it and paste the server address

   Enter Podbrain as the name and, if you like, a short description such as "Podcast episode search and notes". Under Connection, paste https://podbrain.app/mcp.

4. Set up sign in and accept the warning

   Configure authentication for the server. Podbrain uses OAuth, so pick that option if the form offers a choice, and leave any client ID and secret fields blank: ChatGPT registers itself with Podbrain on its own. OpenAI's steps only say to configure authentication, so the labels in your form may differ. Then read the risk warning and tick I understand and want to continue.

5. Create it and review the tools

   Select Create as a plugin. ChatGPT reads the tools Podbrain offers and shows them for review. You should see search_episodes, get_episode_notes, get_references, follow_show and list_follows.

6. Install it and sign in to Podbrain

   Install the new plugin. If ChatGPT shows a Connect button, select it. ChatGPT opens Podbrain so you can sign in and approve access, then brings you back. Depending on the flow, this sign in can also appear while the plugin is being created.

7. Pick Podbrain in a new chat

   Start a new conversation, type @ in the prompt box and choose Podbrain. You can also select + and enter its name.

Try it

ChatGPT will usually call search_episodes to find the matching Huberman Lab episodes, then get_episode_notes to read the professional notes. It answers in its own words and links to the episode page on podbrain.app so you can check the source. Ask a follow up such as "Which books came up?" and it calls get_references.

Turn it off

In ChatGPT, open Settings, then Plugins, and select Podbrain. Under the connection or the more options menu (•••), choose Disconnect. Uninstalling the plugin also removes the connection. On a Business, Enterprise or Edu workspace, an admin can disable it for everyone from the workspace plugin settings. Podbrain does not have a connected apps page of its own yet, so ChatGPT is the place to remove it.

Questions

Sources

1. Connecting custom MCP servers in ChatGPT, OpenAI Help Center
2. Connect and test your plugin, OpenAI Developers
3. Connected apps in ChatGPT, OpenAI Help Center
4. Connecting and managing app accounts in ChatGPT, OpenAI Help Center
5. Plugins in ChatGPT, OpenAI Help Center