I've performed over a hundred interviews, and I've been interviewed over 130 times on different podcasts. Today I wanted to make an episode to answer ALL the questions about podcast interviews.

Free Podcast Interview Guide

There is SO MUCH information in this episode, I've combined it into a Free Interview Guide. Click Here to Get the Guide

Video of “Carlos” doing the world's worst podcast pitch. WATCH VIDEO

Topics Include:

3:15 Appreciating your audience

7:29 Don't get blinded by resumes

10:40 Connect the Dots

16:13 How to turn down someone who wants to be on your show

18:38 Where to find Guests

20:20 Interviewing Celebrities

21:20 The Ask

25:37 Pre-Interviews

28:08 DO THE WORK

32:11 Be Vulnerable

34:08 Tag Team Interviews

41:02 Setting Guest Expectations

44:12 Shaping the Interview Questions

46:36 The Day of the Interview

49:23 Introducing the Guest

50:36 Get them to tell stories

54:15 The NPR Formula

56:54 The Importance of Shutting Up

01:01:00 Gear for conducting interviews on the road face to face

01:06:47 Proper Mic Technique

01:07:16 Recording “in the studio”

01:08:14  Recording podcast interviews remotely

01:14:10 Controlling the Interview

01:17:25 The End of the Interview

01:18:15 Getting your guests to share your podcast

01:23:22 Editing the Interview

Being a Guest on Podcasts

01:26:17 Being a guest on podcasts

01:27:13 Do the work

01:30:12 The Golden Rule Guest

If you'd like the full show notes for this episode, you can get them as a PDF

The ultimate guide to podcast interviews

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Mentioned in This Show

Podcast Gear

Zoom H1Recorder

Giant Squid Audio Lavalier Stereo Cardoid Lavalier

Rode SC6-L Mobile Interview Kit with Interface & 2 smartLav+ Microphones

Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone

Samson Q2U Microphone

Zoom H6 Recorder ( record up to six people, 4 out of the box)

Zoom H5 Recorder (record up to four people, 2 out of the box)

Zoom H5/H6 Case

Rode Rocaster Pro mixer/recorder/headphone amp

Rodecaster Pro Case

Rode Reporter Omnidirectional Dynamic Interview Microphone

Tascam DRX-10 Reorder (work with any microphone great for on the rode)

Nady SSPF-3 – Microphone Spider Shockmount With Integrated Pop Filter

Stage Rocker Bass Drum/Table Top Boom Mic Stand

Focusrite 2i2 (third gen)

Scheduling Tools

Acuity Scheduling

Calendly

Recording Podcast Interviews Online

Squadcast (my favorite)

Zoom.us

Skype

Free Skype Recorder

eCamm Call Recorder (for Mac)

Podcasts Mentioned On This Podcast

Jordan Harbinger Show

Armchair Expert

Blacklist Exposed

Computer Tutor

What Was That Like

Fresh Air Podcast with Howard Stern

Miscellaneous mentions

Click To Tweet

Podchaser

If This Then That

Episode on Editing

Episode in Pre-Interviews

Additional Resources

Steps to get booked (interview connections)

Creating a One Sheet

Sample One Sheet

Erik K Johnson

David Hooper Big Podcast Book

Howard Stern Comes Again Book

Work With Me

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About the Author
Owner of the School of Podcasting. Also produces the "Ask the Podcast Coach." He is also the author of the book "More Podcast Money" and is a regular speaker at podcasting and media conventions.
9 comments on “The Ultimate Guide to Hosting and Guesting Podcast Interviews
  1. Max Flight says:

    Great episode with lots of good advice and tips. I was glad to learn that I’m not the only one who favors the heavy mic stands normally used to record bass drums. I particularly like the K&M 25950. It’s a little pricey but well-built and super solid. You wouldn’t take it on an airplane but for a road trip to an interview, it’s fine.

  2. Dave, thanks so much for this absolutely fascinating, helpful episode.

    I love your advice, “Be the guest that you wish on your show” and “Know why you’re having someone on your show.”…

    Oh, and Dave, you cracked me up.

    I also hate the cop-out question, “Tell me a little bit about yourself.” You’re absolutely right; it shows that you’re not prepared!

    Connie

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