The best podcast interviews rarely feel like interviews.
They feel like thoughtful conversations where the guest is relaxed, articulate, and insightful. That is not luck. It is structure doing its job quietly.
A great host is not the most interesting person in the room; they are the one who removes friction so the guest can think clearly and speak well.
Start with intent, not questions
Most interview prep starts with a list of questions. That is already too late.
Start with intent.
Before you write anything down, decide what this episode is really about. Not the guest’s job title or backstory; the insight the listener should leave with.
Ask yourself;
- What does this person understand better than most?
- What misconception could they help clear up?
- What decision does the listener struggle with that this guest can illuminate?
Once that is clear, questions become easier and more focused.
Without intent, interviews drift into polite biography.
Brief your guest properly
Guests sound bad when they feel unsure.
A simple pre interview brief transforms performance.
This does not need to be long. A short note outlining;
- The core theme of the conversation
- The type of listener you speak to
- The tone you are aiming for; reflective, practical, challenging
- A reminder that pauses and thinking time are welcome
This removes pressure. Guests stop trying to perform and start trying to contribute.
It also signals that you have done the work; which immediately raises trust.
Structure the conversation in three acts
Great interviews follow a loose but reliable rhythm.
Think in three acts rather than a rigid script.
Act one; orientation
Help the listener and guest settle. Establish context, but do not linger. Avoid long CV run throughs. Focus on why this person’s perspective matters to the topic.
Act two; depth and tension
This is where the episode lives. Challenge assumptions. Ask follow ups. Stay curious rather than polite. Let the guest explore uncertainty, not just conclusions.
Act three; synthesis
Slow the conversation down. Ask reflective questions. What has changed their mind over time? What do they wish people understood earlier? This is where insight crystallises.
Holding this structure in your head keeps the episode flowing even if you improvise within it.
Ask fewer questions, listen harder
The biggest interview mistake is over questioning.
Great hosts leave space. They let answers breathe. They notice interesting phrases and pull on them.
Instead of jumping to the next question, try;
- “Say a bit more about that”
- “What makes that difficult in practice?”
- “When does that advice not apply?”
These prompts sound simple, but they invite depth.
The goal is not coverage; it is clarity.
Use signposting to guide the listener
Listeners get lost when conversations wander without markers.
Occasional signposting helps enormously;
- “This is the tension most teams run into”
- “There are two parts to this”
- “Before we move on, I want to underline that point”
This does not make the conversation artificial. It makes it legible.
Guests often appreciate this too; it helps them organise their thoughts in real time.
End with reflection, not promotion
The final moments of an interview shape how it is remembered.
Avoid ending on logistics or surface level plugs.
Instead, ask a reflective closing question;
- “What do most people get wrong about this?”
- “What would you do differently if you were starting again?”
- “What should listeners sit with after this conversation?”
These questions elevate the entire episode and leave the listener thinking.
Preparation is generosity
The paradox of interviewing is that preparation makes things feel effortless.
When you structure well, guests relax. When guests relax, they sound intelligent. When guests sound intelligent, your podcast gains credibility.
None of this requires heavy scripting or production. It requires intent, attention, and respect for the conversation.