How to Prepare for Your First Podcast Interview: A Complete Guide

A great podcast interview doesn't happen by accident. Whether you're hosting your first guest or appearing on someone else's show, preparation separates memorable conversations from forgettable ones.

This guide covers everything you need to know to nail your podcast interview—from both sides of the microphone.

Part 1: Preparing as the Host

Research Your Guest Thoroughly

Before you even schedule the recording, do your homework:

• Read their bio and background: Understand their career journey and expertise
• Review their social media: Get a sense of their personality and current interests
• Listen to other interviews: Note what questions they've answered before (and avoid repeating them)
• Read their content: Blog posts, books, articles—anything they've published
• Find the unique angle: What can YOU discuss that others haven't?

Pro tip: Create a one-page guest brief with key facts, talking points, and potential conversation threads.

Develop Thoughtful Questions

Great questions lead to great answers. Here's how to craft them:

#### Types of Questions to Include

Opening questions: Easy, warm-up questions to build rapport

- "What's your origin story in this field?"

- "What sparked your interest in [topic]?"

Deep-dive questions: Get beyond surface-level answers

- "Walk me through the moment when..."

- "What was going through your mind when..."

Contrarian questions: Challenge assumptions respectfully

- "Some people argue that... What's your take?"

- "What's a common misconception about...?"

Practical questions: Give listeners actionable takeaways

- "If someone wanted to start tomorrow, what's the first step?"

- "What's one thing our listeners can implement this week?"

Personal questions: Humanize your guest

- "What's a failure that taught you something valuable?"

- "What advice would you give your younger self?"

#### Questions to Avoid

• Yes/no questions: "Did you enjoy that experience?" (Closed)
• Leading questions: "Don't you think that..." (Puts words in their mouth)
• Multi-part questions: "How did you start, and what challenges did you face, and what would you do differently?" (Confusing)
• Questions they've answered 100 times: Do your research!

Create a Flexible Interview Structure

Have a roadmap, but be ready to detour:

• Introduction (2-3 minutes): Welcome guest, brief bio, set context
• Opening segment (5-10 minutes): Background, journey, expertise
• Main content (20-30 minutes): Core topics, 3-5 key themes
• Rapid fire or fun segment (5 minutes): Lighter questions, personality
• Closing (3-5 minutes): Where to find them, final thoughts, CTA

Important: This is a guide, not a script. The best moments often come from unexpected tangents.

Technical Preparation

Don't let tech issues ruin a great conversation:

• Test all equipment 24 hours before recording
• Have backup options ready (second mic, phone recording)
• Send guests technical requirements in advance
• Do a sound check at the start of every session
• Record backup audio as a safety measure

Day-of Checklist for Hosts

• [ ] Review guest brief and questions one more time
• [ ] Test all equipment and software
• [ ] Prepare water and have tissues nearby
• [ ] Silence all notifications on devices
• [ ] Have backup questions ready
• [ ] Clear your schedule for 30 minutes after (in case it runs long)
• [ ] Take a few deep breaths and relax

Part 2: Preparing as a Guest

Before You Say Yes

Not every podcast is worth your time. Consider:

• Audience alignment: Will their listeners benefit from what you offer?
• Show quality: Listen to a few episodes first
• Host style: Do you like their interview approach?
• Promotion: Will they promote the episode effectively?
• Time investment: Recording, prep, and promotion time

Research the Show and Host

Know who you're talking to:

• Listen to 2-3 recent episodes: Understand the format and vibe
• Research the host: Their background, interests, and style
• Know the audience: Who listens and what do they care about?
• Review past guests: What caliber of guest appears on the show?
• Check their reach: Download numbers, social following, reviews

Prepare Your Talking Points

Have key messages ready, but don't sound scripted:

#### The 3-Story Framework

Prepare three compelling stories you can adapt to different questions:

Origin story: How you got started, what drives you

Transformation story: A challenge you overcame, lessons learned

Client/success story: Results you've achieved (without being salesy)

Each story should have:

• A clear beginning, middle, and end
• Specific details (names, numbers, emotions)
• A takeaway or lesson for listeners

Prepare Your Sound Bites

Have 2-3 quotable phrases ready:

• Memorable one-liners that capture your philosophy
• Surprising statistics or facts
• Contrarian viewpoints (backed by evidence)

Example: Instead of "Communication is important," try "The biggest communication mistake I see is assuming the other person heard what you meant, not what you said."

Technical Setup for Interviews

Professional audio matters, even as a guest:

• Use a dedicated microphone (not your laptop mic)
• Wear headphones to prevent echo
• Find a quiet space with minimal background noise
• Close unnecessary applications to prevent computer noise
• Test your setup before the recording day
• Arrive at the studio early to get comfortable with the environment

Day-of Checklist for Guests

• [ ] Review talking points and stories
• [ ] Test audio and video setup
• [ ] Have water nearby
• [ ] Silence all notifications
• [ ] Close unnecessary browser tabs and apps
• [ ] Have your bio and links ready to share
• [ ] Prepare a quiet, professional-looking space
• [ ] Do vocal warm-ups (seriously, it helps!)

During the Interview: Tips for Both Sides

Active Listening

The secret to great interviews is genuine curiosity:

• Make eye contact (or look at the camera for video)
• React naturally: Nod, smile, respond verbally
• Follow up on interesting points: "Tell me more about that..."
• Don't just wait to ask your next question: Actually listen

Handling Awkward Moments

Things will go wrong. Here's how to handle it:

• Long pauses: Embrace them briefly, then ask a follow-up
• Technical issues: Stay calm, take a break if needed
• Controversial topics: Redirect gracefully if needed
• Going off-topic: Gently steer back or embrace the tangent
• Mistakes: Most can be edited out—keep going

Energy and Pacing

Maintain engagement throughout:

• Vary your energy: Don't be monotone, but don't be manic
• Watch the clock: Respect time limits
• Mix question types: Alternate between heavy and light topics
• Take natural breaks: It's okay to pause and think

After the Interview

For Hosts

• Thank your guest immediately after recording
• Send follow-up email with next steps and timeline
• Edit thoughtfully: Cut dead air, but preserve authenticity
• Create promotional assets: Audiograms, quotes, clips
• Notify guest when episode goes live
• Share on social media and tag your guest

For Guests

• Thank the host: A quick message goes a long way
• Promote the episode: Share with your audience when it's live
• Engage with comments: Respond to listeners who reach out
• Repurpose the content: Turn your appearance into blog posts, social content
• Stay connected: Build a relationship with the host

Common Interview Mistakes to Avoid

As a Host

• Talking too much: You're there to highlight your guest
• Reading questions verbatim: Sounds robotic and disconnected
• Not following up: Missing opportunities to go deeper
• Poor time management: Rushing the end or going way over
• Forgetting the CTA: Always give guests a chance to promote

As a Guest

• Being too promotional: Provide value first, pitch second
• Giving one-word answers: Elaborate and tell stories
• Not preparing: Winging it rarely works well
• Ignoring the audience: Remember who's actually listening
• Forgetting to follow up: Missing relationship-building opportunities

Level Up Your Interview Game

Great podcast interviews are a skill that improves with practice.

Quick Tips for Continuous Improvement

• Listen to your recordings: Cringe, learn, improve
• Get feedback: Ask trusted friends or colleagues
• Study the masters: Listen to top interviewers in your niche
• Practice regularly: The more you do it, the better you get
• Invest in quality: Better equipment = better experience for everyone

Ready to Record Your Best Interview?

Whether you're launching a podcast or preparing for a guest appearance, preparation is everything.

At Bold Media Group, we provide:

• Professional studio space with top-tier equipment
• Technical support so you can focus on the conversation
• Full production services including editing and distribution
• Coaching to help you become a better interviewer

Our Mesa, Arizona studio is designed for podcast interviews:

• Multi-camera video setup for video podcasts
• Professional microphones for crystal-clear audio
• Comfortable, acoustically-treated environment
• Technical team to handle all the details

Contact us:

• Phone: (602) 833-4944
• Location: 2815 S Alma School Rd Suite 127C, Mesa, AZ 85210

Book your studio session today and create interviews that captivate your audience.

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Bold Media Group is a professional podcast and video production company in Mesa, Arizona. We help creators and businesses produce high-quality podcast content with professional equipment, expert guidance, and full production services. Contact us for a free consultation.