[FAQ]

Hey fellow podcasters,

I have an interview-style podcast, and while I enjoy it, I have a feeling my interviewing skills could be much better. Sometimes I listen back and feel the conversations are a bit stiff, more like a formal Q&A session than a natural, engaging discussion.

I’m looking for some practical tips and techniques on how to become a better interviewer in 2025. Specifically, how do you research guests effectively and then formulate questions that lead to deeper, more interesting answers and stories, rather than just simple “yes” or “no” responses?

Any advice on improving my hosting skills would be a massive help. Thanks!

[Jeff Bullas]

Becoming a better podcast interviewer is a skill that develops with preparation and practice. The goal is to shift your mindset from simply asking a list of questions to actively facilitating an interesting and valuable conversation for your listener.

There are several key techniques that will help you improve. First, thorough preparation is absolutely essential. You must research your guest extensively before the interview. This goes beyond just reading their professional bio. Listen to other interviews they have done, read articles they have written, or familiarise yourself with their work. This deep preparation allows you to ask more insightful questions and avoid the same basic questions they have likely answered many times before.

Second, you should prepare a flexible outline, not a rigid script. It is good to have a list of key topics and potential questions to guide the conversation and ensure you cover the important points. However, you must be prepared to deviate from it. Often, the best moments in an interview come from following an interesting tangent that your guest brings up. Your outline should be a safety net, not a cage.

Third, you need to master asking open-ended questions. This is a fundamental skill of interviewing. Instead of asking questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no,” you should start your questions with words like “How,” “Why,” “What,” or with phrases such as “Tell me about the time when…” or “Can you describe the process of…” This prompts your guest to provide detailed, thoughtful answers and to share stories.

Fourth, you must practise active listening. This is arguably the most important skill of all. Pay close attention to what your guest is saying in the moment, instead of just focusing on what your next scripted question will be. This enables you to ask relevant follow-up questions that can dig deeper into their response. A simple follow-up like, “What was the most challenging part of that?” can often lead to the most insightful part of the entire conversation.

Fifth, become comfortable with silence. Do not feel the need to immediately jump in the moment your guest finishes speaking. A brief, natural pause can give them space to gather their thoughts and elaborate on their answer, often revealing something they might have otherwise omitted.

And sixth, focus on making your guest feel comfortable. Begin with some light, off-the-record conversation before you start recording to build rapport. During the interview, maintain a sense of genuine curiosity and empathy. A guest who feels relaxed and engaged will always provide a better interview.

Your role as the host is not just to ask questions, but to be the surrogate for your audience, guiding the conversation in a way that uncovers the most value and insight. It is about fostering a great conversation, not conducting an interrogation.

Cheers,

Jeff

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