diff --git a/lib/radiator/outline.ex b/lib/radiator/outline.ex
index 81e8d5b4..cc092b45 100644
--- a/lib/radiator/outline.ex
+++ b/lib/radiator/outline.ex
@@ -78,9 +78,9 @@ defmodule Radiator.Outline do
   # if no previous node is given, the new node will be inserted as the first child of the parent node
   def insert_node(%{"show_id" => _show_id} = attrs) do
     Repo.transaction(fn ->
-      prev_id = attrs["prev_id"]
-      parent_id = attrs["parent_id"]
       episode_id = attrs["episode_id"]
+      prev_id = attrs["prev_id"]
+      parent_id = convert_parent_id_to_intern(attrs["parent_id"], episode_id)
 
       prev_node = NodeRepository.get_node_if(prev_id)
       parent_node = find_parent_node(prev_node, parent_id)
@@ -116,6 +116,13 @@ defmodule Radiator.Outline do
     |> insert_node()
   end
 
+  defp convert_parent_id_to_intern(nil, episode_id) do
+    {episode_root, _} = NodeRepository.get_virtual_nodes_for_episode(episode_id)
+    episode_root.uuid
+  end
+
+  defp convert_parent_id_to_intern(parent_id, _episode_id), do: parent_id
+
   @doc """
   Intends a node given by its id (by using the tab key).
 
@@ -241,6 +248,12 @@ defmodule Radiator.Outline do
     {:error, :parent_and_prev_not_consistent}
   end
 
+  def move_node(node_id, prev_id: new_prev_id, parent_id: nil) do
+    node = NodeRepository.get_node(node_id)
+    intern_parent = convert_parent_id_to_intern(nil, node.episode_id)
+    move_node(node_id, prev_id: new_prev_id, parent_id: intern_parent)
+  end
+
   def move_node(node_id, prev_id: new_prev_id, parent_id: new_parent_id) do
     case NodeRepository.get_node(node_id) do
       nil ->
@@ -482,10 +495,14 @@ defmodule Radiator.Outline do
 
     Repo.transaction(fn ->
       old_next_node =
-        NodeRepository.get_node_by_parent_and_prev(get_node_id(parent_node), node.uuid)
+        NodeRepository.get_node_by_parent_and_prev(
+          get_node_id(parent_node),
+          node.uuid,
+          node.episode_id
+        )
 
       new_next_node =
-        NodeRepository.get_node_by_parent_and_prev(new_parent_id, new_prev_id)
+        NodeRepository.get_node_by_parent_and_prev(new_parent_id, new_prev_id, node.episode_id)
 
       {:ok, node} = NodeRepository.move_node_if(node, new_parent_id, new_prev_id)
 
diff --git a/lib/radiator/outline/node_repository.ex b/lib/radiator/outline/node_repository.ex
index fc12c84d..94049c40 100644
--- a/lib/radiator/outline/node_repository.ex
+++ b/lib/radiator/outline/node_repository.ex
@@ -26,6 +26,95 @@ defmodule Radiator.Outline.NodeRepository do
     |> Repo.insert()
   end
 
+  @doc """
+  Creates the internal nodes for a show, this is the global root
+  and the global inbox.
+  """
+  def create_virtual_nodes_for_show(show_id) do
+    # create a root node for a show
+    {:ok, show_root} =
+      create_node(%{
+        show_id: show_id,
+        parent_id: nil,
+        prev_id: nil,
+        _type: "global_root"
+      })
+
+    {:ok, global_inbox} =
+      create_node(%{
+        show_id: show_id,
+        parent_id: show_root.uuid,
+        prev_id: nil,
+        _type: "global_inbox"
+      })
+
+    {show_root, global_inbox}
+  end
+
+  @doc """
+  Creates the internal nodes for an episode, this is the episode root
+  and the episode inbox.
+  """
+  def create_virtual_nodes_for_episode(%{id: episode_id, show_id: show_id}) do
+    # create a root node for a show
+    {show_root, _global_inbox} = get_virtual_nodes_for_show(show_id)
+
+    {:ok, episode_root} =
+      create_node(%{
+        episode_id: episode_id,
+        show_id: show_id,
+        parent_id: show_root.uuid,
+        prev_id: nil,
+        _type: "episode_root"
+      })
+
+    {:ok, episode_inbox} =
+      create_node(%{
+        episode_id: episode_id,
+        show_id: show_id,
+        parent_id: episode_root.uuid,
+        prev_id: nil,
+        _type: "episode_inbox"
+      })
+
+    {episode_root, episode_inbox}
+  end
+
+  @doc """
+    returns the virtual nodes of a show
+    TODO: perhaps these should be stored in the show itself?
+  """
+  def get_virtual_nodes_for_show(show_id) do
+    [node_1, node_2] =
+      Node
+      |> where([p], p.show_id == ^show_id)
+      |> where([p], p._type in [:global_root, :global_inbox])
+      |> Repo.all()
+
+    if node_1._type == :global_root do
+      {node_1, node_2}
+    else
+      {node_2, node_1}
+    end
+  end
+
+  @doc """
+    TODO add documentation
+  """
+  def get_virtual_nodes_for_episode(episode_id) do
+    [node_1, node_2] =
+      Node
+      |> where([p], p.episode_id == ^episode_id)
+      |> where([p], p._type in [:episode_root, :episode_inbox])
+      |> Repo.all()
+
+    if node_1._type == :episode_root do
+      {node_1, node_2}
+    else
+      {node_2, node_1}
+    end
+  end
+
   @doc """
   Deletes a node from the repository.
 
@@ -62,7 +151,7 @@ defmodule Radiator.Outline.NodeRepository do
 
   ## Examples
 
-      iex> list_nodes(123)
+      iex> list_nodes_by_episode(123)
       [%Node{}, ...]
 
   """
@@ -76,6 +165,25 @@ defmodule Radiator.Outline.NodeRepository do
     |> List.flatten()
   end
 
+  @doc """
+  Returns the list of nodes for a show.
+
+  ## Examples
+
+      iex> _list_nodes_by_show(123)
+      [%Node{}, ...]
+
+  """
+
+  def _list_nodes_by_show(show_id) do
+    Node
+    |> where([p], p.show_id == ^show_id)
+    |> Repo.all()
+    # |> Enum.group_by(& &1.parent_id)
+    # |> Enum.map(fn {_parent_id, children} -> Radiator.Outline.order_sibling_nodes(children) end)
+    |> List.flatten()
+  end
+
   @doc """
   Returns the the number of nodes for an episode
 
@@ -150,17 +258,20 @@ defmodule Radiator.Outline.NodeRepository do
   end
 
   @doc """
-  Gets a single node defined by the given prev_id and parent_id.
+  Gets a single node defined by the given prev_id and parent_id and the
+  episode id.
+
   Returns `nil` if the Node cannot be found.
   ## Examples
-            iex> get_node_by_parent_and_prev("5adf3b360fb0", "380d56cf")
+            iex> get_node_by_parent_and_prev("5adf3b360fb0", "380d56cf", 23)
             nil
 
-            iex> get_node_by_parent_and_prev("5e3f5a0422a4", "b78a976d")
+            iex> get_node_by_parent_and_prev("5e3f5a0422a4", "b78a976d", 23)
             %Node{uuid: "33b2a1dac9b1", parent_id: "5e3f5a0422a4", prev_id: "b78a976d"}
   """
-  def get_node_by_parent_and_prev(parent_id, prev_id) do
+  def get_node_by_parent_and_prev(parent_id, prev_id, episode_id) do
     Node
+    |> where(episode_id: ^episode_id)
     |> where_prev_node_equals(prev_id)
     |> where_parent_node_equals(parent_id)
     |> Repo.one()
@@ -273,6 +384,17 @@ defmodule Radiator.Outline.NodeRepository do
     |> Repo.one()
   end
 
+  # @TODO needed?
+  def get_root_node_for_show(show_id) do
+    Node
+    |> where([p], p.show_id == ^show_id)
+    # |> where([p], is_nil(p.episode_id))
+    # |> where([p], is_nil(p.parent_id))
+    # |> where([p], is_nil(p.prev_id))
+    |> where([p], p._type == :global_root)
+    |> Repo.one()
+  end
+
   @doc """
   Returns all direct child nodes of a given node.
   ## Examples
diff --git a/lib/radiator/podcast.ex b/lib/radiator/podcast.ex
index e840eaaa..28f6a344 100644
--- a/lib/radiator/podcast.ex
+++ b/lib/radiator/podcast.ex
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ defmodule Radiator.Podcast do
   import Ecto.Query, warn: false
   alias Radiator.Repo
 
+  alias Radiator.Outline.NodeRepository
   alias Radiator.Podcast.{Episode, Network, Show, ShowHosts}
 
   @doc """
@@ -169,6 +170,47 @@ defmodule Radiator.Podcast do
     |> Repo.preload(preload)
   end
 
+  @doc """
+  Gets a single show and preloads its virtual nodes (root and inbox) in a single query.
+  Sets the virtual attributes root_node_id and inbox_node_id.
+
+  ## Examples
+
+      iex> get_show(123)
+      %Show{root_node_id: "uuid-1", inbox_node_id: "uuid-2"}
+
+      iex> get_show(456)
+      nil
+
+  """
+  def get_show(id, preload: preload) do
+    Show
+    |> join(:inner, [s], n in Node,
+      on: n.show_id == s.id and n._type in [:global_root, :global_inbox])
+    |> where([s, _], s.id == ^id)
+    |> select([s, n], %{
+      show: s,
+      nodes: n
+    })
+    |> Repo.all()
+    |> Repo.preload(preload) # FIXME
+    |> case do
+      [] ->
+        nil
+      nodes_and_show ->
+        show = hd(nodes_and_show).show
+        {root_id, inbox_id} = nodes_and_show
+          |> Enum.map(& &1.nodes)
+          |> Enum.reduce({nil, nil}, fn node, {root, inbox} ->
+            case node._type do
+              :global_root -> {node.uuid, inbox}
+              :global_inbox -> {root, node.uuid}
+            end
+          end)
+        %{show | root_node_id: root_id, inbox_node_id: inbox_id}
+    end
+  end
+
   @doc """
   Creates a show.
 
@@ -182,9 +224,17 @@ defmodule Radiator.Podcast do
 
   """
   def create_show(attrs \\ %{}) do
-    %Show{}
-    |> Show.changeset(attrs)
-    |> Repo.insert()
+    # also need to create the nodes for the show
+    # start a transaction =
+    Repo.transaction(fn ->
+      {:ok, show} =
+        %Show{}
+        |> Show.changeset(attrs)
+        |> Repo.insert()
+
+      {_show_root, _global_inbox} = NodeRepository.create_virtual_nodes_for_show(show.id)
+      show
+    end)
   end
 
   @doc """
@@ -380,6 +430,15 @@ defmodule Radiator.Podcast do
       order_by: [desc: e.number]
   end
 
+  @doc """
+  Lists all episodes for a given show.
+  """
+  def list_episodes_for_show(show_id) do
+    list_available_episodes_query()
+    |> where([e], e.show_id == ^show_id)
+    |> Repo.all()
+  end
+
   @doc """
   Returns the query for list of episodes including the (soft) deleted once.
 
diff --git a/lib/radiator/podcast/episode.ex b/lib/radiator/podcast/episode.ex
index 845d6c58..ea6a6176 100644
--- a/lib/radiator/podcast/episode.ex
+++ b/lib/radiator/podcast/episode.ex
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ defmodule Radiator.Podcast.Episode do
     field :slug, :string
     field :is_deleted, :boolean, default: false
     field :deleted_at, :utc_datetime
+    field :root_node_id, :binary_id, virtual: true
+    field :inbox_node_id, :binary_id, virtual: true
 
     belongs_to :show, Show
 
diff --git a/lib/radiator/podcast/show.ex b/lib/radiator/podcast/show.ex
index 1bd5fe3c..747e2b94 100644
--- a/lib/radiator/podcast/show.ex
+++ b/lib/radiator/podcast/show.ex
@@ -12,9 +12,10 @@ defmodule Radiator.Podcast.Show do
   schema "shows" do
     field :title, :string
     field :description, :string
+    field :root_node_id, :binary_id, virtual: true
+    field :inbox_node_id, :binary_id, virtual: true
 
     belongs_to :network, Network
-
     has_many(:episodes, Episode)
     has_many(:outline_nodes, Node)
     many_to_many(:hosts, User, join_through: "show_hosts")
diff --git a/test/radiator/outline_test.exs b/test/radiator/outline_test.exs
index f779068f..46873173 100644
--- a/test/radiator/outline_test.exs
+++ b/test/radiator/outline_test.exs
@@ -264,6 +264,23 @@ defmodule Radiator.OutlineTest do
       assert NodeRepository.get_node!(nested_node_2.uuid).prev_id == nested_node_1.uuid
     end
 
+    test "when parent node is nil it will be set to the episode root", %{
+      parent_node: parent_node
+    } do
+      node_attrs = %{"parent_id" => nil, "episode_id" => parent_node.episode_id}
+      {:ok, %{node: new_node}} = Outline.insert_node(node_attrs)
+      # do not test result since it will be altered
+      # but fetching if from the repo with low level functions will return the true value
+      {episode_root, _} = NodeRepository.get_virtual_nodes_for_episode(parent_node.episode_id)
+      assert NodeRepository.get_node!(new_node.uuid).parent_id == episode_root.uuid
+    end
+
+    test "when parent node is not given it will be set to the episode root", %{
+      parent_node: parent_node
+      } do
+
+      end
+
     test "without a parent node the inserted node will be put at the top", %{
       parent_node: parent_node
     } do
diff --git a/test/support/data_case.ex b/test/support/data_case.ex
index 208f87df..b3b1b409 100644
--- a/test/support/data_case.ex
+++ b/test/support/data_case.ex
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ defmodule Radiator.DataCase do
 
   use ExUnit.CaseTemplate
   alias Ecto.Adapters.SQL.Sandbox
+  alias Radiator.Outline.NodeRepository
   alias Radiator.PodcastFixtures
 
   import Radiator.OutlineFixtures
@@ -93,7 +94,10 @@ defmodule Radiator.DataCase do
   end
 
   def simple_node_fixture_hierachical(_) do
-    episode = PodcastFixtures.episode_fixture()
+    show = PodcastFixtures.show_fixture()
+    {_show_root, _global_inbox} = NodeRepository.create_virtual_nodes_for_show(show.id)
+
+    episode = PodcastFixtures.episode_fixture(show_id: show.id)
 
     node_1 =
       node_fixture(
@@ -120,13 +124,17 @@ defmodule Radiator.DataCase do
   end
 
   def complex_node_fixture(_) do
+    show = PodcastFixtures.show_fixture()
+    {_show_root, _global_inbox} = NodeRepository.create_virtual_nodes_for_show(show.id)
     episode = PodcastFixtures.episode_fixture()
 
+    {episode_root, _eposide_inbox} = NodeRepository.create_virtual_nodes_for_episode(episode)
+
     parent_node =
       node_fixture(
         episode_id: episode.id,
         show_id: episode.show_id,
-        parent_id: nil,
+        parent_id: episode_root.uuid,
         prev_id: nil,
         content: "root of all evil"
       )
diff --git a/test/support/fixtures/podcast_fixtures.ex b/test/support/fixtures/podcast_fixtures.ex
index 20666a54..b04ff1fe 100644
--- a/test/support/fixtures/podcast_fixtures.ex
+++ b/test/support/fixtures/podcast_fixtures.ex
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ defmodule Radiator.PodcastFixtures do
   Generate a show.
   """
   def show_fixture(attrs \\ %{}, hosts \\ []) do
-    network = get_network(attrs)
+    network = extract_network(attrs)
 
     {:ok, show} =
       attrs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ defmodule Radiator.PodcastFixtures do
   Generate a episode.
   """
   def episode_fixture(attrs \\ %{}) do
-    show = get_show(attrs)
+    show = extract_show(attrs)
     number = Podcast.get_next_episode_number(show.id)
 
     {:ok, episode} =
@@ -55,9 +55,9 @@ defmodule Radiator.PodcastFixtures do
     episode
   end
 
-  defp get_network(%{network_id: id}), do: Podcast.get_network!(id)
-  defp get_network(_), do: network_fixture()
+  defp extract_network(%{network_id: id}), do: Podcast.get_network!(id)
+  defp extract_network(_), do: network_fixture()
 
-  defp get_show(%{show_id: id}), do: Podcast.get_show!(id)
-  defp get_show(_), do: show_fixture()
+  defp extract_show(%{show_id: id}), do: Podcast.get_show!(id)
+  defp extract_show(_), do: show_fixture()
 end