How to Prepare for Podcast Interviews: A Host's Complete Guide
TL;DR: Great podcast interviews start hours before recording. Research your guest deeply, prepare more questions than you'll need, and create a loose structure that allows spontaneity. The best preparation makes you knowledgeable enough to ask interesting questions while remaining curious enough to listen authentically.
Table of Contents
- Why Preparation Transforms Interviews
- Researching Your Guest
- Developing Interview Questions
- Structuring Your Interview Plan
- Day-Before Preparation
- Day-Of Checklist
- Preparing for Different Guest Types
- FAQ
Why Preparation Transforms Interviews
The difference between adequate and exceptional interviews usually traces back to preparation quality.
Here's the thing: guests can tell when you've done your homework. They give better answers when they sense genuine familiarity with their work.
What Good Preparation Does
Enables better questions: Knowing their background means you can ask about specific experiences rather than generic topics.
Builds trust: Guests relax when they realize you understand their work. They share more openly with prepared interviewers.
Creates conversation: Instead of reading questions from a list, you can respond naturally to what they say because you have context.
Prevents wasted time: You won't ask questions they've answered a hundred times or miss important aspects of their story.
Surfaces interesting angles: Research reveals unexplored topics, contradictions worth exploring, and connections worth making.
The Preparation Investment
Time spent preparing directly correlates with interview quality:
15-30 minutes: Minimal preparation. Works for casual conversations but limits depth.
1-2 hours: Standard preparation. Enough for solid, professional interviews.
3+ hours: Deep preparation. Reserved for high-profile guests or particularly important episodes.
Scale preparation to the interview's importance and your familiarity with the guest's domain.
Researching Your Guest
Research should answer: What do I need to know to have an interesting, informed conversation?
Primary Sources
Start with content the guest has created:
Their website/about page:
- Background and credentials
- Current projects and focus areas
- How they describe themselves
Their book (if applicable):
- Read it, or at minimum, read detailed summaries and reviews
- Note specific passages for potential questions
- Understand their framework or thesis
Their social media:
- Recent posts reveal current thinking
- Engagement patterns show what they're passionate about
- Controversies or debates they've entered
Previous interviews/talks:
- Watch or listen to 2-3 recent appearances
- Note questions they answer repeatedly
- Identify topics they rarely discuss
- Find angles that produced good responses
Secondary Sources
Then gather external perspective:
Articles about them:
- What do others say about their work?
- Awards, recognition, criticism?
- Industry context
Reviews of their work:
- What resonates with audiences?
- What criticisms appear?
- Controversial takes?
LinkedIn/professional background:
- Career trajectory
- Connections to other potential guests
- Previous companies or roles
Research Questions to Answer
By the end of research, you should know:
- What are they most known for?
- What are they currently working on?
- What's their perspective or philosophy?
- What topics have they covered extensively?
- What topics have they rarely addressed?
- What would make this conversation worth having?
Organizing Research Notes
Create a simple document:
Guest: [Name]
Interview Date: [Date]
Episode Focus: [What angle are we taking?]
Background:
- [Key credential]
- [Current role/project]
- [Relevant experience]
Recent Work:
- [Book/article/project 1]
- [Book/article/project 2]
Interesting Angles:
- [Unexplored topic]
- [Potential contradiction to explore]
- [Connection to current events]
Questions they're tired of:
- [Commonly asked question 1]
- [Commonly asked question 2]
Previous interviews worth noting:
- [Show name]: [What they discussed]
This document becomes your preparation foundation.
Developing Interview Questions
Transform research into questions that produce compelling responses.
Question Development Process
Step 1: Brain dump Write every possible question without filtering. Aim for 30-40 questions. Don't worry about quality yet.
Step 2: Categorize Group questions by topic or phase:
- Background/origin
- Current work
- Philosophy/approach
- Specifics/details
- Future/predictions
Step 3: Prioritize Mark must-ask questions. These form your backbone.
Step 4: Refine Rewrite questions to be specific, open-ended, and interesting.
Step 5: Order Arrange in a logical flow that builds naturally.
Question Types That Work
Specific experience questions: "You spent 10 years at [Company] before starting your own. What made you finally decide to leave?"
Process questions: "Walk me through how you actually [specific skill/approach]. What does that look like day to day?"
Perspective questions: "You've written about [topic]. What do you think most people misunderstand about it?"
Contrast questions: "In your book you say [X], but many experts argue [Y]. How do you reconcile that?"
Unexpected questions: "What's something you believe about [domain] that most of your peers would disagree with?"
Questions to Avoid
Questions that show you didn't research: "So, tell me about yourself." (Too vague) "What do you do?" (This should be in your intro)
Questions they've answered constantly: If it's the first question in every other interview, skip it.
Compound questions: "How did you start and what was that like and how did it change over time?" (Ask one at a time)
Questions with one-word answers: "Did you enjoy that experience?" (Rephrase as "What was that experience like for you?")
The Question Buffer
Prepare more questions than you'll need. For a 45-minute interview:
- Prepare 20-25 questions
- Expect to ask 10-15
- The buffer gives flexibility to skip topics that aren't landing
Structuring Your Interview Plan
Structure provides security while allowing spontaneity.
The Arc Approach
Plan an interview arc, not a rigid script:
Opening (first 10 minutes):
- Establish who the guest is
- Build rapport
- Set context for the conversation
- Questions: background, current focus
Middle (central 25-30 minutes):
- Dive deep into key topics
- Explore specifics and nuances
- Challenge and probe
- Questions: detailed exploration, specific experiences, philosophy
Closing (final 10 minutes):
- Synthesize and summarize
- Look toward the future
- Wrap up cleanly
- Questions: advice, predictions, what's next
Creating Your Interview Document
Build a single-page guide you can reference during recording:
[GUEST NAME] - Interview Guide
Date: [Date] | Target Length: [X minutes]
INTRO POINTS:
- [Credential 1]
- [Credential 2]
- [Current project/why now]
OPENING:
1. [Easy warm-up question]
2. [Origin/background question]
CORE TOPICS:
Topic A: [Description]
- [Question 1]
- [Question 2]
- [Potential follow-up]
Topic B: [Description]
- [Question 1]
- [Question 2]
Topic C: [Description]
- [Question 1]
- [Question 2]
CLOSING:
1. [Synthesis question]
2. [Forward-looking question]
3. Where can people find you?
MUST NOT MISS:
- [Question that absolutely must be asked]
- [Topic that must be covered]
Flexibility Within Structure
The plan is a safety net, not a railroad track. During the interview:
- If a topic is flowing, stay with it
- If a question falls flat, move on
- Follow interesting tangents
- Skip planned questions if they're no longer relevant
Think of your plan as a map, not a route.
Day-Before Preparation
The night before finalizes your readiness.
Final Research Review
- Reread your research notes
- Check for anything new (recent articles, social posts)
- Clarify any confusing points about their background
- Ensure you can pronounce their name correctly
Technical Check
- Verify recording software is working
- Test microphone and headphones
- Confirm guest has received technical instructions
- Ensure backup recording method is ready
Mental Preparation
- Remind yourself of the conversation's goal
- Visualize a successful interview
- Get enough sleep
Logistics Confirmation
- Send guest a reminder with:
- Recording link
- Time and time zone
- Brief topic overview
- Your contact info for emergencies
Day-Of Checklist
The hour before recording:
Technical Setup
- Recording software open and tested
- Microphone connected and level-checked
- Headphones working
- Backup recording running
- Phone on silent or airplane mode
- Notifications disabled on computer
- "Do not disturb" sign if needed
Physical Setup
- Water within reach
- Tissues nearby (cold season)
- Room at comfortable temperature
- No background noise sources
- Good lighting (for video)
Mental Setup
- Interview document open and visible
- Research notes accessible
- Energy level appropriate (not exhausted, not over-caffeinated)
- Genuine curiosity activated
Guest Arrival
When the guest joins:
- Greet warmly
- Brief audio check
- Confirm time available
- Any last questions before recording
- Start backup recording before main recording
Preparing for Different Guest Types
Adjust preparation based on guest familiarity and type.
Well-Known Guests
Challenges:
- They've done many interviews
- Risk of asking questions they're bored with
Preparation emphasis:
- Find unusual angles in their work
- Research their most recent thinking (which may have evolved)
- Look for topics they rarely discuss
- Prepare questions that will surprise them
Domain Expert Guests
Challenges:
- May not translate expertise to accessible language
- Could go too deep into jargon
Preparation emphasis:
- Understand enough to ask intelligent questions
- Prepare clarifying prompts ("Can you explain that for someone new to this?")
- Know which aspects of their expertise matter most to your audience
First-Time Guests (New to Podcasting)
Challenges:
- May be nervous or uncertain
- Could give short answers
Preparation emphasis:
- Create comfortable opening
- Prepare more questions (they may need more prompts)
- Be ready to explain the process
- Allow extra time for warm-up
Returning Guests
Challenges:
- Need to cover new ground
- Should reference previous appearance appropriately
Preparation emphasis:
- Review the previous episode
- Note what has changed since last time
- Prepare questions that build on previous conversation
- Reference specific moments from their last appearance
For returning guests, searching your transcript archive helps you find exactly what they said before, so you can ask informed follow-up questions.
FAQ
How much should I share with guests before the interview?
Share topics and general direction, not specific questions. This helps guests prepare mentally without scripting their answers. Example: "We'll talk about your recent book, your approach to leadership, and lessons from building your company" rather than sending your full question list.
What if I haven't read their entire book before the interview?
Reading the full book is ideal but not always possible. At minimum: read the introduction, conclusion, and one chapter deeply. Supplement with reviews, summaries, and the author's own discussions of the book. Be honest during the interview—"I was particularly struck by chapter 3..." rather than pretending comprehensive knowledge you don't have.
How do I prepare for technical topics I don't fully understand?
Research enough to ask intelligent questions, not to become an expert. Prepare follow-ups like "Can you explain that in simpler terms?" or "What would you tell someone encountering this for the first time?" Your role is curious interviewer, not subject matter expert.
Should I share my questions with nervous guests?
For genuinely anxious first-time guests, sharing 2-3 key questions can help them relax. But avoid sending full lists—it leads to rehearsed answers that lack authenticity. Reassure them that you'll edit out stumbles and that conversation is the goal.
How do I prepare when I have little lead time?
Prioritize: scan their most important work (recent book, signature talk), check their current social media, and watch one recent interview. Focus on understanding their current focus and worldview rather than comprehensive background. Better to have a shorter, focused interview than to skip preparation entirely.
Preparation Creates Possibility
The best interviews balance structure and spontaneity. Preparation provides the structure—knowing enough to ask interesting questions, having a plan for the conversation's arc, being technically ready.
Within that structure, stay curious. Let the conversation go where it wants to go. Follow threads that seem interesting. Your preparation lets you do this confidently because you know you can always return to your plan.
When you build an archive of interviews, that archive becomes preparation material for future conversations. Search your past episodes to find what you've covered, avoid repetition, and build on previous conversations with returning guests.
Try PodRewind free and turn your interview archive into a preparation resource.