diff --git a/backend/api/podcast/handlers/analysis.py b/backend/api/podcast/handlers/analysis.py
index b1800ec4..3131c4a3 100644
--- a/backend/api/podcast/handlers/analysis.py
+++ b/backend/api/podcast/handlers/analysis.py
@@ -121,22 +121,12 @@ Return JSON with:
             enhanced_ideas=enhanced_ideas[:3],  # Ensure exactly 3
             rationales=rationales[:3]  # Ensure exactly 3
         )
+    except HTTPException:
+        # Re-raise HTTPExceptions (e.g., 429 subscription limit) - preserve error details
+        raise
     except Exception as exc:
         logger.error(f"[Podcast Enhance] Failed for user {user_id}: {exc}")
-        # Fallback to basic variations of original idea
-        base_idea = request.idea
-        return PodcastEnhanceIdeaResponse(
-            enhanced_ideas=[
-                f"Expert insights on {base_idea}: A deep dive into industry trends and best practices.",
-                f"The human side of {base_idea}: Personal stories and real-world experiences that resonate.",
-                f"Modern perspectives on {base_idea}: Current trends and forward-thinking approaches."
-            ],
-            rationales=[
-                "Professional approach focusing on expertise and authority",
-                "Storytelling approach emphasizing human connection",
-                "Contemporary approach highlighting current relevance"
-            ]
-        )
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=f"Enhance failed: {exc}")
 
 
 @router.post("/analyze", response_model=PodcastAnalyzeResponse)
diff --git a/backend/api/podcast/handlers/research.py b/backend/api/podcast/handlers/research.py
index 2e75405c..503d54bc 100644
--- a/backend/api/podcast/handlers/research.py
+++ b/backend/api/podcast/handlers/research.py
@@ -160,10 +160,11 @@ Requirements:
                 
             summary = data.get("summary", "")
             key_insights = [PodcastResearchInsight(**insight) for insight in data.get("key_insights", [])]
+        except HTTPException:
+            raise
         except Exception as exc:
             logger.error(f"[Podcast Research] LLM Insight extraction failed: {exc}")
-            # Fallback to a basic summary if LLM fails
-            summary = f"Research completed for '{request.topic}'. Found {len(sources)} sources."
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=f"Research insight extraction failed: {exc}")
             
     # Fallback: if summary is still empty (e.g. LLM returned empty string), use raw content first paragraph or basic text
     if not summary:
diff --git a/backend/api/podcast/handlers/script.py b/backend/api/podcast/handlers/script.py
index 2e2b44dd..962e1767 100644
--- a/backend/api/podcast/handlers/script.py
+++ b/backend/api/podcast/handlers/script.py
@@ -133,6 +133,8 @@ Guidelines:
             preferred_provider="huggingface",
             flow_type="premium_tool",
         )
+    except HTTPException:
+        raise
     except Exception as exc:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=f"Script generation failed: {exc}")