If you’re a podcaster, you know the excitement of landing a dream guest for your show or preparing for your first podcast interview. However, to make the interview memorable and engaging, you need to ask thought-provoking questions that resonate with your guest and your audience.
The reality is, that there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for the “best podcast questions” that guarantee success in every interview. Every interview is unique, shaped by the guest’s background, expertise, the available time, and your podcast’s theme. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the art of crafting interview questions tailored to your guests. You’ll discover how to prepare, what to do just before recording, and a rich collection of 63 podcast interview questions. We’ll also provide tips on becoming a skilled interviewer. So, fellow podcasters, let’s dive in! 👇👇
Preparing for a Podcast Interview
Mastering the art of crafting interview questions is all about balance. Too much research can make the interview feel like an interrogation, while too little preparation can lead to awkward silences. Here’s how to prepare effectively:
- Get Up-to-Date on Your Podcast Guest
Leverage readily available information about your guest from their personal websites and social media profiles. Check their LinkedIn for recent career updates, and glance through platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for personal insights. This knowledge not only informs your questions but also helps you relate to your guests on a personal level.
- Consume Their Work
Dive into your guest’s creations, whether they are authors, podcast hosts, YouTubers, or professionals. Familiarize yourself with their work to craft informed questions and understand their style and approach.
- Read or Listen to Other Interviews
Studying a few of your guest‘s previous interviews can provide valuable insights into their preferred types of questions, communication style, and storytelling abilities. However, don’t overdo it, as it might lead you to ask repetitive questions.
- Make a List of Podcast Interview Questions
Create a list of questions as prompts, not a strict script. This list will serve as a safety net if you ever feel lost during the interview. It ensures you cover all the essential topics without stifling the conversation’s flow.
- Remember Your Podcast Theme
Align your questions with your podcast’s niche and theme. Your audience expects questions that resonate with the show’s overarching topic, so stick to relevant subjects.
Three Essential Podcast Interview Questions
Every skilled podcast interviewer should have these three questions up their sleeve, even if they don’t use them in every episode:
1. How Did That Make You Feel?
Delve into your guest’s emotional reactions, not just during difficult moments but also in moments of joy or humor. Your listeners connect most deeply with these feelings.
2. Is There Anything You Wanted to Add?
Give your guests the opportunity to share anything they think you might have missed. They might offer unexpected insights or anecdotes that enrich the interview.
3. Your Signature Question
Some podcast hosts have a recurring signature question that aligns with their show’s theme. This not only adds consistency but also helps conclude the episode neatly.
Preparing Just Before Recording
Before you press that record button, two crucial steps can ensure a successful podcast interview:
1. Warm Up Your Guest’s Conversational Skills
Although interviews are more one-sided than casual conversations, they should flow naturally. Spend a few minutes chatting with your guest off the record. Use this time to check their audio quality, gauge their mood, and become familiar with their speaking style.
2. Get Clear on Your Guest’s Boundaries
If you haven’t already, discuss any topics your guest prefers not to cover. This is especially important in interview-style podcasts, as it helps build trust and encourages your guest to open up.
63 Podcast Interview Questions To Ask Your Guest
To help you kick off a great interview, here’s a diverse range of questions categorized into various themes. Even if your podcast aligns closely with a specific category, consider exploring questions from other categories—they might lead to unexpected and insightful discussions. Please note that this isn’t an exhaustive or definitive list, but rather a collection of prompts to inspire you during your interviews:
Getting To Know Your Guest
- How do you feel about your name?
- What’s your biggest pet peeve?
- What is your morning routine?
- Do you eat to live or live to eat?
- What is the best compliment you can give yourself?
- What’s your most embarrassing memory?
- What’s your favorite interview question?
- If you could hang out with one historical figure for a day, who would it be and when?
- What was your favorite subject in school?
- How would you spend an extra hour every day?
- If your worst enemy wrote your dating profile, what would they say?
Family And Relationships
- Where did you grow up?
- Do you ever go back there?
- What’s your favorite childhood memory?
- How would your parents describe you today and as a teenager?
- How would your siblings describe you?
- What important lesson do you want your kids to learn?
- What was your favorite family trip?
- What’s the story your family tells about you when introducing you to someone new?
- What life hacks do you think every parent should know?
- What are the most important lessons you hope to pass on to your kids?
- How did you meet your partner?
- What’s your favorite funny story to tell about your relationship?
- Do you think your kids would like your younger self?
Career
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
- What has been your favorite job so far?
- What has been the most significant turning point in your career?
- What was your biggest failure, and what did you learn from it?
- What has been the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?
- Who has been your most important professional mentor?
- What is your favorite productivity hack?
- What’s a common myth or misconception about your profession?
- How do you balance life and work?
- If you could go back in time, would you choose the same career path?
Hobbies
- What are your three favorite movies, and why?
- What’s the last new skill you learned?
- What’s your favorite holiday movie?
- What book do you always gift to others?
- What book do you wish more people had read?
- Where did you take your favorite vacation?
- What is the best life lesson you learned from a movie or a book?
- What are the best podcasts you’ve ever listened to?
- What are your favorite podcast topics?
- What song always gets stuck in your head?
- What song do you listen to when you feel sad?
- What song do you know all the words to?
Digging Deeper
- What was the best moment of your life?
- What was the worst moment of your life, and how did you handle it?
- What moment changed your life forever?
- How do you handle passionate disagreements with someone you love?
- What challenges are you most worried about facing in the future?
- What caused your last breakup?
- What’s your biggest fear?
- How would you like to be remembered?
How To Be A Great Interviewer
As the podcast host, your role is to guide the conversation in a way that resonates with your listeners and creates an insightful and relevant interview. Here are three tips to excel as an interviewer:
Listen More Than You Speak
Your audience is interested in your guest’s insights, so allow them to share their thoughts without interruptions. Avoid turning the conversation into a personal anecdote exchange.
Ask For More Details
If your guest mentions something intriguing or provides a vague answer, make a mental note to follow up on it. Encourage them to elaborate and provide deeper insights.
Don’t Be Afraid of “Stupid” Questions
There are no stupid questions when they lead to a better understanding of your audience. If something your guest says isn’t clear, ask them to explain it further. Your goal is to serve your listeners and ensure the information you capture is informative and accessible.
Interviewing may seem daunting at first, but with proper research, attentive listening, and genuine interest in your guest, you’ll not only enjoy the process more than you think but also provide your audience with engaging and informative content.
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