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Message Your Host ​

Every episode has a built-in chat called Episode Chat. It's the easiest way to ask your host a question, share a link, or sort out logistics, and it keeps everything about the episode in one place instead of scattered across emails.

Where to Find It ​

  • On a computer: the chat is docked on the right of your portal. Fold it to a slim rail when you want more room for the notes, and click anywhere on the rail to open it again
  • On a phone: choose Chat in the switcher at the top (next to Shared and My notes)

The chat header shows small avatars of everyone currently online. Everything posted in the chat is visible to all participants on the episode.

Send a Message ​

  1. Type in the message box ("Type a message...")
  2. Press Enter to send, or Shift + Enter to add a new line first

Messages appear instantly for everyone online, in one thread with a divider for each day. Each shows the sender's name, their role (such as Host or Guest, so you can tell who you're talking to) and the time it was sent in your time zone. Messages can be up to 5,000 characters; a counter appears if you're approaching the limit.

While someone else is writing, you'll see a typing indicator like "Sam is typing...".

Mention Someone ​

Type @ and a list of participants appears. Use the arrow keys to pick a person and press Enter to insert the mention, or Escape to close the list. Mentions show up highlighted, so they're a good way to make sure the right person sees your message.

React to Messages ​

Hover over a message from someone else (on a phone, tap it) and a small bar appears with 👍, ❤️ and Add reaction (a smiley with a plus) for all six reactions:

👍 ❤️ 😂 😮 🎉 🔥

Reactions show as little pills under the message with a count. Click a pill to add or remove yours. One quirk to know: you can't react to your own messages.

Delete Your Own Messages ​

Hover over one of your messages (on a phone, tap it) and click the trash icon (Delete message). The message asks Delete for all? underneath: choose Yes, delete, or Cancel to keep it. This permanently deletes the message for everyone, and there's no undo. You can only delete your own messages.

The People Tab ​

Switch from Chat to People to see everyone on the episode. Participants who are currently Online are listed first, then Offline, each with their role: Host, Co-host, Producer, or Guest.

Unread Messages and History ​

If messages arrive while you're elsewhere, a red badge shows the unread count (in the chat header or on the folded rail on a computer, on Chat in the switcher on a phone). Scroll up and click Load earlier messages to read older conversation.

When You're Away ​

If someone posts or mentions you while you're not in the chat, we let you know by email, and in your notification bell too if you have a show.fm account. The link opens your guest portal for the episode. With a show.fm account you go straight in, the same as your invitation link. Without one, you'll be asked to confirm your email first if you haven't used the portal on that device recently. We don't notify you about your own messages.

Pop the Chat Into Its Own Window ​

On desktop, click Open chat in new window in the chat header. The chat opens in a small separate window, which is handy during the recording itself: keep it visible on the side while the main portal (or your recording app) fills the screen.

What's Next? ​

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