Podcast Interview Tips: 45 Techniques + 30 Questions to Keep Listeners Hooked

I’ve done and given over 500 interviews as a guest and host, and here’s what I know when it comes to podcast interview tips: a great interview isn’t just about the guest – it’s about how you guide the conversation.

Many podcast interviews flow effortlessly, packed with energy and insight. Others? They make your guest feel like pulling teeth.

If you’ve ever wrapped up a podcast episode thinking, “That could’ve been better,” you’re not alone. Interviewing is a skill and small tweaks make a big impact:

• Ask better types of questions as an interviewer.
• Let the conversation flow naturally between host and guest in every single podcast episode.
• Know when to step in and when to step back.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to:

• Prepare your interview angle so your podcasting guest gives their best answers.
• Structure a potential guest interview without making it feel stiff.
• Ask real questions as a great interviewer that leads to engaging conversations.
• Keep the flow going and avoid awkward silences from guest interviews.

If you want to make every interview show feel like a conversation people want to listen to, stick around.

How to Prepare for a Podcast Interview

A great interview starts long before you hit record. The better your podcast interview prep, the smoother the conversation. Here’s how to set yourself up for a great conversation.

1. Know your guest. Skim their bio? Not enough. Listen to past interviews, read their latest work, and check their socials. The better your research, the better questions you’re going to ask.
2. Have a clear focus. What’s the goal? Are you diving into their expertise, personal journey, or something specific? A clear direction keeps the conversation on track.
3. Plan your best interview questions ahead of time, but don’t over-script. Outline key topics, but leave space for real conversations. The best moments and great interviews often happen when you go off-script.
4. Sort out your tech. A bad connection or dodgy audio can kill a successful interview. Test your mic, internet, and podcast editing and recording software before you hit record.
5. Share key details with your guest in preparation. Help your guest by letting them know the podcast format, actual interview length, if it’s live or pre-recorded, and any specific segments. A prepared guest gives better answers and makes for a great interview.
6. Get in the right mindset. Clear your schedule, eliminate distractions, and be fully present. Even with solid prep, a distracted host makes for a bad interview altogether. A great interview should feel like a real conversation, not a checklist.

The better you prepare, the more engaging and effortless your interviews will be.

How to Interview Someone for a Podcast

A great podcast interview isn’t just about asking questions – it’s about creating an engaging, natural conversation that keeps listeners hooked and gets the best out of your guest. 

How to start interviewing someone

The first few minutes of running a podcast interview sets the tone for everything that follows. If your guest feels comfortable and engaged early on, the rest of the conversation will flow naturally. Here’s how to start strong.

1. Greet your guest with confidence and warmth. Make them feel welcome right away. A simple “Thanks for being here – excited to chat with you today!” sets the right energy for authentic interviews.
2. Break the ice before hitting record. Jumping straight into questions can feel stiff. Before recording, have a quick informal chat. Ask how their day is going, mention a mutual connection, or comment on something interesting from their background. This eases nerves and builds rapport.
3. Give them a quick rundown of what to expect. Even if you’ve discussed details before, a short recap helps. Let them know how long the interview will be, the overall style (structured, conversational, rapid-fire, etc.), and if there are any segments or offbeat questions they should expect.
4. Start with a strong, engaging question. Your first question sets the tone for the whole conversation. Instead of the generic “Tell me about yourself,” try something more engaging like “What’s the most exciting thing happening in your world right now?” or “Was there a moment that completely changed how you see your work?” These get your guests thinking and excited to share.
5. Match your guest’s energy. Pay attention to their vibe early on and adjust accordingly. If they’re enthusiastic, match their excitement. If they’re more reserved, ease into deeper topics with softer follow-ups.
6. Keep introductions short and move into the conversation quickly. Long-winded intros can lose your audience. Instead of listing off credentials for minutes, hit the highlights and get into the discussion.
7. Reassure your guests if they seem nervous. If you sense hesitation, remind them that this is just a conversation, not an interrogation. Let them know there’s room for pauses or rewording answers, it’s okay to take a moment to think, and they don’t need to be perfect – just authentic.
8. Keep your tone conversational. The best podcast interviews feel like a natural back-and-forth. Speak as if you’re having a coffee chat, not a press conference. The more relaxed you are, the more your guests will follow your lead.

A strong start builds trust, wins the guest over, and makes it easy for the best interviews to emerge. Set the right tone and the rest of the conversation will unfold naturally.

How to Conduct a Podcast Interview

Once you’ve started the conversation, your role as the host is to keep things flowing, build guest relationships, and make sure your audience stays hooked.

How to do a podcast interview

A great interview doesn’t feel like a rigid Q&A podcast script – it’s often a natural, dynamic exchange that brings out the best in your guest. Here’s how to make sure your interviews hit the mark.

1. Nail your delivery. Even the best questions fall flat if they’re asked poorly. Keep your tone confident, conversational, and curious. If you sound bored, so will your audience.
2. Use follow-ups to dig deeper. Instead of moving straight to the next question, ask things like “Why do you think that happened?” or “What did you learn from that?” to get more insight.
3. Control your speaking-to-listening ratio. If you’re talking more than your guest, you’re doing it wrong. Keep your responses brief and focus on guiding the conversation.
4. Keep guests on track without shutting them down. If they veer off-topic, gently steer them back with a simple redirect like “That’s a great point. How does that relate to [main topic]?”
5. Keep the conversation dynamic. Avoid flat, predictable interviews by varying your tone, reacting in real time, and letting your personality shine through.
6. Use silence strategically. Don’t rush to fill every gap. Pauses allow your guest to think and provide deeper insights.
7. End with something memorable. Close the interview with a strong takeaway question like “If listeners could take away just one lesson from this, what should it be?” or “What’s the best way for people to connect with you?”

How to interview someone well

Here’s the secret: the best interviews don’t feel like interviews at all. They feel like conversations your listeners just happen to be eavesdropping on.

So how do you get there? Forget the script. Forget the checklist. Instead, lock into the moment. Treat your guest like an old friend at the cafe – genuinely curious, fully present, and listening with the intent to uncover something new.

Most hosts fire off questions and move on. That’s the mistake. The real gold is in the second layer. When your guest is more likely to share something interesting, don’t rush to the next topic – sit in it. 

Ask: “What was going through your mind at that moment?” or “Did that change how you approach things today?” That’s where the real stories live.

A good interview asks questions. A great one creates a moment. Be the host who does that.

15 Podcast Interview Tips To Help You Nail Your Interview

After hundreds of interviews – both as a guest and a host – here’s what I’ve learned: the best interviews aren’t about what you ask. They’re about what you unlock.

Most hosts think they need a perfect list of questions. They don’t. What they need is a way to get guests to say something they’ve never said before.

Want to be that host? Here’s how to start a podcast interview:

1. Make your guest forget it’s an interview. The moment they stop “performing” and start actually talking, you’ve won. Drop the robotic intros, talk to them like a real person, and set the tone early.
2. Don’t move on too quickly. If your guest shares something unexpected, sit in it. Ask “What did that moment teach you?” or “How did that change your perspective?” That’s where the magic is.
3. Challenge them (respectfully). If they say something vague or rehearsed, push back: “I hear that a lot, but I want your real take – what do you actually believe about this?”
4. Use silence as a tool. Ask a great question, then shut up. If they hesitate, don’t rush to fill the gap. Give them space. Those extra few seconds often lead to the most thoughtful answers.
5. Make it personal. Facts and frameworks are fine, but stories are what stick. If they talk about a concept, ask: “When did you first realize this?” or “What’s a moment in your life that proves this works?”
6. Be unpredictable. If they’ve done 50 other interviews, they’re expecting the same 10 questions. Hit them with something fresh: “What’s a belief you held five years ago that you no longer agree with?”
7. Let them steer sometimes. You don’t have to control every turn. If they light up about a topic, let them run with it. The best moments happen when guests go off-script.
8. Spot the unfinished thought. If they start to say something, then backtrack, there’s something valuable there. Circle back: “You almost said something interesting just now – what was it?”
9. Don’t be afraid to interrupt – for the right reasons. If they’re repeating something generic, cut in with: “Hold on. Before we move past that, can you give me an example?”
10. Read their energy and adjust. If they’re warming up, keep things light and let them settle in. If they’re already fired up, dive straight into the deep stuff.
11. Ditch the long-winded intros. Nobody needs a three-minute bio rundown from guest to guest. Hook your audience by jumping straight into something engaging.
12. Keep your reactions real. If something surprises you, say so. If something confuses you, ask about it. Your listeners will feel more engaged if they sense your genuine curiosity.
13. Don’t just listen – show that you’re listening. Paraphrase a key insight back to them or build on their idea before moving forward. It keeps the conversation connected.
14. Give them something they can’t get anywhere else. Before you wrap up, ask: “What’s something you’ve been thinking about lately but haven’t shared publicly yet?” That’s how you get great exclusives.
15. End on a high note. Don’t let the energy fade. Wrap up with a final, memorable question, thank them properly, and leave them excited to share the episode.

A great interview isn’t just about what’s said – it’s about what’s revealed. If you can ask questions to get your guests to forget they’re being interviewed, you’ll get moments that no one else does.

30 Best Podcast Interview Questions For Your Next Podcast Guest

Most podcast hosts ask the same predictable questions where the guest is saying the same rehearsed answers they usually give.

If you want to pull out real, memorable stories, you need to ask questions that make your guest pause, think, and reveal something new.

Here are 30 powerful questions to help you do just that.

Storytelling and experiences

1. If your journey were a book, what would the title be?
2. Can you tell me about a time when you completely failed but it turned out to be the best thing for you?
3. What’s a decision you almost made that would have taken your life in a completely different direction?
4. What’s a lesson you learned the hard way that you wish more people knew?
5. Can you walk me through a moment in your career that felt insignificant at the time but changed everything?
6. What’s the best risk you’ve ever taken?
7. If you could relive one day of your life exactly as it happened, which would it be and why?
8. What’s a belief you held at the start of your career that you no longer agree with?
9. When was the last time you had to completely rethink how you do things?
10. What’s the strangest or most unexpected thing that’s ever happened to you professionally?

Expertise and insights

11. What’s a piece of advice you always hear in your industry that you actually disagree with?
12. What’s a common mistake people make in your field that drives you crazy?
13. If you had to start from scratch in your field today, what’s the first thing you’d do?
14. What’s one thing that people assume is important in your industry but actually isn’t?
15. What’s an unpopular opinion you hold about your area of expertise?
16. What’s the one mindset shift that made the biggest difference in your success?
17. If you had to teach a masterclass on one topic, what would it be?
18. What’s something people think is complicated but is actually simple once they understand it?
19. What’s a question people should be asking you but rarely do?
20. If you could change one thing about your industry overnight, what would it be?

Personal reflections

21. What’s something you’ve changed your mind about recently?
22. How do you personally define success, and has that definition changed over time?
23. What’s one thing you’ve had to unlearn to grow?
24. If your future self met you today, what advice would they give you?
25. What’s something you’ve done that scared you, but you’re so glad you did?
26. How do you handle moments of self-doubt?
27. What’s a daily habit or mindset shift that’s had the biggest impact on your success?
28. If you could only be remembered for one thing, what would it be?
29. What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
30. If you could give one piece of advice to yourself ten years ago, what would it be?

How to Be a Good Interviewee

The best podcast guests don’t just give answers – they create unforgettable conversations. Show up, lean in, and leave an impression that sticks.

Here’s how you can do just that:

1. Don’t just answer questions – create moments. If your goal is to sound polished, you’ll blend in. If your goal is to connect, you’ll stand out.
2. Forget the script. The worst guests sound rehearsed. The best ones show up prepared but open to wherever the conversation goes.
3. Surprise the host. If they ask about your journey, don’t give the same story you’ve told a hundred times. Give them something fresh, something real.
4. Answer, then take them deeper. A weak guest says, “Yes, that was a challenge.” A great guest says, “Yes, and here’s what I learned from it that I’ve never shared before…”
5. Stories beat soundbites. People forget advice, but they remember stories. Instead of saying “Consistency is key,” tell them about a time you almost quit but didn’t.
6. Let the host lead, but don’t be passive. Great guests don’t just react, they engage. If something sparks a thought, jump in. Make it a real conversation.
7. Make your audience feel something. People tune in for insights, but they stay for emotion. If they feel inspired, challenged, or entertained, they’ll remember you.
8. Promote yourself without sounding like a walking advertisement. Instead of saying, “Go buy my book,” say, “I go deeper into this in my book, and people tell me it completely changed how they see [topic].”
9. Stay in the conversation after the mic is off. The best guests don’t just disappear when the episode airs. Share it, tag the host, and engage with listeners. It makes all the difference.

3 Examples of the Best Interview Podcasts [2025]

Most interviews are forgettable. The best ones make people stop, think, and see the world differently. They don’t just repeat what a guest has said a hundred times before – they pull out something fresh. Here are three episodes that do it right.

1. Modern Wisdom: Why You Should Spend All Your Money Before You Die

Most people are obsessed with saving – but what if hoarding money for retirement is actually a bad idea? Bill Perkins, a reasonably well-known guest, argues that wealth should be spent on experiences while you’re young enough to enjoy them. This Modern Wisdom episode will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about money.

Why it works:

• The host doesn’t just agree – he challenges Bill’s ideas, forcing deeper discussion.
• Instead of a typical finance conversation, it dives into how money connects to life, happiness, and regret.
• It’s packed with real-world examples that make the concept of Die With Zero more than just a theory.

2. The Koe Cast: The Most Profitable Niche is You

Forget trying to fit into a niche – you are the niche. That’s Dan Koe’s philosophy and original interview angle. In this episode of The Koe Cast, he explains why the most successful personal brands aren’t built around a specific industry, but around the creator themselves.

Why it works:

• Dan breaks the mold of traditional advice and exposes why “niching down” can hold you back.
• He brings in personal stories of failure and success, making the lessons feel real.
• The conversation isn’t just about branding – it’s about building a life that actually fits you.

3. Deep Questions with Cal Newport: How to Think

Most people never stop to think – not really. In this episode of Deep Questions with Cal Newport, he explains why deep thinking is a lost skill and lays out five practical ways to train your brain to focus, reflect, and make better decisions.

Why it works:

• The questions being asked push for depth, making Cal expand on ideas.
• It reveals why most people’s thinking is surface-level and how to break out of that trap.
• Instead of vague advice, Cal gives a step-by-step breakdown of how to improve your ability to think.

Final Tips for Podcast Interviews

Here’s the last thing most hosts don’t realize: a great interview isn’t about what’s asked – it’s about what’s uncovered. The best moments don’t come from the perfect question but from what happens after.

Most hosts move on too quickly. Sit in the silence. Let your guest think. Let them expand. When they finish speaking, pause for just a second longer than feels comfortable. That’s when they’ll reveal something deeper, something unscripted.

And here’s the real secret: your audience isn’t just listening to your guest. They’re listening to you. Your energy, your curiosity, your reactions – all of it shapes how engaged they feel. If you’re just reading from a list, they’ll hear it. If you’re locked into the conversation, so will they.

Forget chasing the perfect formula. 

The best interviews feel effortless, but that’s because the host is fully present, fully engaged, and willing to follow the conversation wherever it leads. Become a better host, and your interviews won’t just be good – they’ll be the ones people come back to.

One Conversation Can Change Everything

Most people think great interviews come down to having the right guest. They don’t. It’s about how you run the conversation.

The best podcast hosts don’t just ask questions – they create moments. They know when to push for a deeper answer, when to sit in the silence, and when to steer the conversation into unexpected territory. That’s what makes an interview worth listening to.

If you take one thing away from these podcast interview tips, let it be this: your job isn’t just to ask – it’s to uncover. That’s how you turn a decent episode into one that people remember.

And if you want to sharpen your skills even further, the best way is to keep getting behind the mic. 

Create your free Talks creator profile and connect with podcast guests looking to bring amazing value to your show. More conversations, more exposure, and more chances to refine your interviews – because the best way to improve is to keep showing up.