The Art of Interviewing: Creating Engaging Podcast Conversations

In the world of podcasting, it's easy to forget that at the heart of every great show lies a simple yet powerful element: the interview.

While it’s easy to get bogged down trying to upload consistent episodes, adding interviews to your line-up can make a real difference. An engaging interview can be like a breath of fresh air for your podcast, captivating your current audience and attracting a new one. So, let's take a moment to explore the art of interviewing, and learning how to conduct thought-provoking conversations that leave a lasting impact.

Preparing for the Interview

1. Know Your Guest: Start by getting to know your guest beyond their professional bio. Understand their interests, experiences, and passions. This knowledge will help you connect on a deeper level during the interview.

2. Craft a Narrative: Plan the structure of your interview. Consider the story you want to tell or the message you want to convey and work with your guest to see if they have a message they would like to convey as well. Sometimes people already have a “canned talk” ready to go. You can use this as a general guide. Outline the key points you want to cover, but also be flexible enough to follow tangents!

3. Research, Research, Research: Dive deep into your guest's work, previous interviews, and any relevant publications. Don’t hesitate to ask your guest for links to any of this. This research into your guest will help you ask informed questions and show your guest that you value their expertise. Search outside of their social handles too. Oftentimes a quick search on YouTube or Google can give you all sorts of new information about them.

Creating Thought-Provoking Questions

4. Ask Open-Ended Questions: Avoid yes/no questions. Instead, ask questions that invite your guest to share their insights, experiences, and stories. For example, "Can you tell us about a time when..." or "What's your perspective on..." and don’t be afraid to ask a funnier questions or two. But save the funny questions for the end. It leads your podcast to end with your guest and audience laughing on a high note.

5. Play Devil's Advocate: Don't be afraid to challenge your guest's ideas, but do so respectfully. This can lead to more engaging discussions as your guest defends their viewpoint, providing deeper insights for your audience. If you’re going to do this, make sure the questions still relate to the overall theme of your podcast, and the message of the episode.

6. Follow the Flow: Pay attention to your guest's responses and be willing to deviate from your script when an interesting avenue presents itself. This spontaneity can lead to some of the most engaging moments in your podcast. But word to the wise: don’t dive down those rabbit holes too deeply with your guest, but by deviating from the , it will feel more authentic and relatable.

Nurturing Dynamic Conversations

7. Active Listening: Intentionally listen to what your guest is saying, rather than simply waiting for your turn to speak. Engage with their ideas and build upon them with your own questions or comments.

8. Show Empathy: Connect with your guest on a human level. Show genuine interest in their experiences, and let them know you appreciate their vulnerability in sharing personal stories, if they do.

9. Create a Comfortable Atmosphere: Make your guest feel at ease by starting with easy, ice-breaking questions. Building rapport from the beginning can set the tone for a relaxed and open conversation.

Wrapping It Up

10. Summarize and Reflect: Towards the end of the interview, summarize the key points and insights your guest has shared. Reflect on what you've learned and thank them for their time and contribution.

Remember, the goal of an engaging interview is not just to extract information from your guest, but to create a meaningful and memorable conversation that resonates with your audience. By preparing thoroughly, asking thought-provoking questions, and nurturing dynamic interactions, you can turn your podcast interviews into a meaningful, relatable content and a true source of inspiration and enlightenment for your listeners.