Podcast Interview Questions: Get 100 Free Questions to Guide Better Conversations

Great podcast interviews don’t happen by accident. They’re the result of strategic guest selection, thorough preparation, and skilled conversation techniques that bring out the best in your guests while serving your audience’s needs.

The right podcast interview questions can transform an ordinary conversation into compelling content that resonates with listeners.

This comprehensive guide will transform you from a nervous questioner into a confident conversation conductor who creates compelling content that keeps listeners coming back for more.

You’ll discover proven podcast interview questions, advanced techniques, and strategic frameworks that turn ordinary conversations into extraordinary content.

Why Interview-Style Podcasts Dominate The Charts

Interview-style podcasts consistently rank among the most popular and successful shows for several key reasons:

Content Variety

Each guest brings unique perspectives, stories, and expertise, ensuring your content never becomes stale or repetitive.

Audience Growth

Guests often share episodes with their own networks, exponentially expanding your reach and introducing new listeners to your show.

Reduced Preparation

While preparation is still essential, interviews require less content creation than solo episodes, making consistent publishing more manageable.

Authority Building

Hosting respected experts and thought leaders positions you as a connector and authority within your industry.

SEO Benefits

Guest names and expertise create additional keyword opportunities and search traffic to your podcast.

Part 1: Strategic Guest Selection and Booking

Defining Your Ideal Guest Profile

Before reaching out to potential guests, establish clear criteria for who would serve your audience best:

Expertise Alignment

Industry leaders in your niche
Practitioners with unique methodologies
Rising stars with fresh perspectives
Contrarian voices who challenge conventional wisdom

Audience Value

Can they solve specific problems your listeners face?
Do they have compelling stories that inspire or educate?
Can they provide actionable insights and practical advice?
Will they challenge your audience to think differently?

Promotional Potential

Do they have their own audience to cross-pollinate?
Are they active on social media and likely to share?
Do they have upcoming projects or launches to discuss?
Are they experienced podcast guests who understand the medium?

Guest Research and Discovery: Mining Your Network

Start Close to Home

Professional colleagues and industry contacts
Previous clients or customers with interesting stories
Fellow podcasters in complementary niches
Authors, speakers, and thought leaders you follow

Leverage Social Proof

People who’ve been featured in media you respect
Speakers at conferences you attend or wish to attend
Authors of books that have influenced your thinking
Experts quoted in articles relevant to your audience

Digital Discovery Strategies

LinkedIn Prospecting

Use advanced search filters for industry, company size, and job title
Look for people sharing valuable content in your niche
Check who’s commenting thoughtfully on industry posts
Review speaker lists from virtual and in-person events

Twitter/X Research

Follow industry hashtags and conversations
Identify thought leaders with engaged followings
Look for people sharing original insights, not just retweets
Check who’s participating in Twitter chats relevant to your niche

Podcast Guest Booking Platforms

PodMatch – Automated matching service connecting hosts and guests
HARO (Help a Reporter Out) – Source for experts and story ideas. HARO (Help a Reporter Out) isn’t a traditional podcast guest booking platform, but it can be a useful tool for discovering expert guests in niche fields. While primarily designed for journalists seeking sources, podcast hosts can use HARO creatively to find potential guests or position themselves as experts for media exposure.

There are too many to mention, and we didn’t feel like vetting them all. So, check out the article The 20 Best Podcast Booking Agencies and Services from our friends at Ausha to get more detailed list.

Content Platform Mining

YouTube creators with expertise in your area
Medium writers with substantial followings
Newsletter authors with engaged subscribers
Course creators and online educators

The Art of the Outreach: Crafting Irresistible Pitch Emails

Subject Line Strategies

“Podcast Interview Invitation: [Specific Topic]”
“Love Your Work on [Specific Topic] – Podcast Opportunity”
“Invitation to Share Your [Expertise Area] Story”

Any thing in the above vein will be fine. It’s best to be authentic. In the world of AI outreach there are way too man absurd subject lines that piss people off when they see them in their inbox.

Don’t be weird, just send them a legit invitation to be on your show.

Email Structure That Works

Opening Hook (1-2 sentences)

Reference something specific about their work that caught your attention. This proves you’ve done your homework and aren’t sending mass emails.

Example: “I just finished reading your article about AI’s impact on customer service, and your point about human empathy becoming more valuable really resonated with me.”

Brief Introduction (2-3 sentences)

Introduce yourself and your podcast with specific details that establish credibility.

Example: “I’m [Name], host of [Podcast Name], where I interview customer service leaders for an audience of 15,000+ support professionals. Recent guests include [Notable Guest 1] and [Notable Guest 2].”

Clear Value Proposition (2-3 sentences)

Explain what’s in it for them and why this interview would be valuable for both parties.

Example: “I’d love to have you share your insights on building empathetic AI systems with our audience. This would be a great opportunity to discuss your upcoming book and connect with support leaders who are implementing similar strategies.”

Specific Ask (1-2 sentences)

Make your request clear and easy to respond to.

Example: “Would you be interested in a 45-minute conversation about this topic? I’m flexible on timing and can work around your schedule.”

Professional Close

Include links to your podcast, recent episodes, and any relevant credentials.

Guest Preparation and Onboarding

Pre-Interview Communication is key to carrying out a successful interview.

Confirmation Email Template

Once a guest agrees, send a detailed confirmation email including:

Interview date, time, and duration
Recording platform
Technical requirements and setup instructions
Interview topics and potential questions (if requested)
Any materials they should review beforehand
Your contact information for day-of questions

You can automate a lot of this with Calendly.

Calendly booking card for CLIPPED Podcast Recording with The Podcast Haven, showing a 1-hour one-on-one session.

15 Minutes Before Recording

Test all technical equipment
Review guest bio and key talking points
Have water and any notes easily accessible
Check lighting and camera angle (for video)

5 Minutes Before Recording

Connect with guest and do tech check
Confirm pronunciation of their name
Review interview flow and timing
Take a moment to center yourself and set intention

Part 2: Interview Techniques and Conversation Skills

Creating Psychological Safety

Great interviews happen when guests feel safe to be vulnerable and authentic. Establish this through:

Genuine curiosity: Ask questions you actually want to know the answers to
Active listening: Respond to what they’re saying, not just your prepared questions
Vulnerability modeling: Share appropriate personal experiences when relevant
Non-judgmental responses: Avoid reactions that might make them self-censor

Building Rapport Quickly

Start with easier, more comfortable questions
Find common ground early in the conversation
Use their name naturally throughout the interview
Mirror their communication style and energy level
Show genuine appreciation for their time and insights

Podcast Interview Questions Categories and Frameworks

The foundation of every great interview lies in asking the right questions at the right time. These podcast interview questions are organized by purpose and timing to help you create natural, engaging conversations that serve your audience.

Origin Story Questions

“Take me back to the moment you first realized [their expertise area] was your calling.”
“What’s the story behind how you got started in [their field]?”
“If someone met you at a party and asked what you do, how would you explain it?”

Current State Questions

“What does a typical day look like for you now?”
“What project are you most excited about right now?”
“How has your approach to [their expertise] evolved over the years?”

Process and Methodology Questions

“Walk me through your process for [specific task related to their expertise].”
“What’s a common mistake you see people make when [relevant activity]?”
“If you were starting over today, what would you do differently?”

Challenge and Problem-Solving Questions

“What’s the biggest challenge facing [their industry] right now?”
“Tell me about a time when everything went wrong. How did you handle it?”
“What’s a problem you’re working on that keeps you up at night?”

Insight and Wisdom Questions

“What’s something you believe that most people in your field disagree with?”
“What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in the last year?”
“If you could change one thing about [their industry], what would it be?”

Values and Motivation Questions

“What drives you to do this work?”
“What’s a principle you refuse to compromise on?”
“How do you define success in your work?”

Growth and Learning Questions

“What’s something you’ve changed your mind about recently?”
“Who has influenced your thinking the most?”
“What book/resource has had the biggest impact on your approach?”

Future and Vision Questions

“Where do you see [their field] heading in the next 5 years?”
“What’s something you’re working toward that excites you?”
“If you could solve one problem in the world, what would it be?”

Actionable Advice Questions

“What’s one thing listeners could do today to [achieve relevant goal]?”
“If someone wanted to get started in [their field], what would you recommend?”
“What’s the best investment someone could make in [relevant area]?”

Connection and Resource Questions

“Where can people learn more about your work?”
“Is there anyone else you think I should have on the show?”
“What’s the best way for people to connect with you?”

Advanced Interview Techniques: The Art of Follow-Up Questions

The Ladder Technique

Start with broad questions and use follow-ups to go deeper.

Initial: “Tell me about your approach to leadership.”
Follow-up: “You mentioned empathy as crucial. Can you give me a specific example?”
Deeper: “What did you learn about yourself in that moment?”

The Clarification Probe

When guests use jargon or make broad statements.

“When you say ‘authentic leadership,’ what does that look like in practice?”
“Help me understand what you mean by [specific term].”
“Can you paint a picture of what that actually looks like?”

The Emotion Probe

Explore the feelings behind the facts.

“How did that make you feel?”
“What was going through your mind when that happened?”
“What was the emotional impact of that decision?”

Managing Difficult Situations

The Rambling Guest

Use gentle interruptions: “That’s fascinating. Let me ask you about…”
Summarize and redirect: “So what I’m hearing is X. How does that connect to Y?”
Set time boundaries: “We have about 10 minutes left. I want to make sure we cover…”

The Shy or Nervous Guest

Start with easier, factual questions
Share something about yourself first
Use encouraging responses: “That’s a great point” or “I love that perspective”
Give them time to think: “Take your time with that one”

The Overly Promotional Guest

Acknowledge their work early: “I know you have [project] coming up, and we’ll definitely talk about that”
Redirect to value: “Before we get to your book, I want to dive into the concepts behind it”
Set expectations: “I love to focus on insights that help our audience, and then we’ll make sure people know how to find your work”

The Controversial or Sensitive Topics

Approach with curiosity, not judgment: “Help me understand your perspective on…”
Acknowledge different viewpoints: “I know this is a topic where people have strong opinions…”
Focus on their experience: “What led you to this conclusion?”

Creating Memorable Moments

Use the power of storytelling to draw your audience in, build emotional connection, and make your interviews stick.

Whether it’s a personal anecdote, a lesson learned the hard way, or a behind-the-scenes detail no one’s heard before—stories are what people remember long after the episode ends.

Story Prompts That Work

“Tell me about a time when…”
“What’s the story behind…”
“Can you paint a picture of…”
“Walk me through what happened when…”

Story Enhancement Techniques

Ask for sensory details: “What did that look like?” “How did it feel?”
Explore the stakes: “What was at risk?” “Why did this matter so much?”
Find the turning point: “When did you realize…” “What changed everything?”

Emotional Resonance

Questions That Reveal Character

“What’s something you’re proud of that might not be on your resume?”
“Tell me about a failure that taught you something important.”
“What’s a moment when you surprised yourself?”

Vulnerability Invitations

“What’s something you wish you’d known earlier in your career?”
“What’s a mistake you see others making that you made yourself?”
“What’s something you’re still figuring out?”

Part 3: 100+ Podcast Interview Questions by Category

This comprehensive collection of podcast interview questions is designed to help you conduct engaging conversations across any topic or industry.

Use these questions as starting points, but always follow up based on your guest’s responses to create authentic dialogue. Again, don’t be weird just converse.

Want 100 Podcast Interview Questions?

We’re not listing them all here. Instead, we turned the full set into a free digital download. Pop in your email and we’ll send it straight to your inbox.

Yeah yeah, another freebie for your email. What’dya gonna do? Seriously though—it’s good. And it’s free.

Part 4: Post-Interview Excellence

The conversation doesn’t end when you stop recording.

How you handle the post-interview process can determine whether your podcast interview questions led to a one-time interaction or the beginning of a valuable long-term relationship.

Thank You and Follow-Up

Include any resources or connections you promised during the interview
Provide an estimated timeline for when the episode will be published
Ask for any corrections to names, companies, or facts mentioned

Content Creation Opportunities

Create graphics from memorable moments
Develop blog posts expanding on key topics discussed
Extract actionable tips for social media videos

Ongoing Engagement For Long Term Relationships

Share their content on social media with thoughtful commentary
Introduce them to other relevant contacts in your network
Invite them to participate in future projects or collaborations
Keep them updated on how their episode performed

Reciprocal Value Creation

Offer to be a guest on their podcast or at their events
Provide testimonials or case studies for their work
Make introductions to potential clients or collaborators
Share opportunities that might interest them

From Interviewer to Conversation Catalyst

Mastering podcast interviews is about more than asking good questions—it’s about creating a space where meaningful conversations can flourish.

The best interviewers are those who genuinely care about their guests’ stories and insights, who listen more than they talk, and who understand that their role is to serve both their guest and their audience.

Remember that every expert was once a beginner.

Your first interviews might feel awkward or stilted, but with practice and genuine curiosity, you’ll develop the skills to conduct conversations that inform, inspire, and entertain your audience.

The podcast interview questions in this guide provide a foundation, but your authentic curiosity will make each conversation unique.The goal isn’t to be the smartest person in the conversation—it’s to ask the questions that help your guest share their smartest insights.

When you master this mindset shift, you’ll find that great interviews become not just content for your podcast, but genuine connections that enrich your professional and personal life.

Start with one great question, listen to the answer, and let curiosity guide you to the next question. That’s where the magic happens.

Regardless of your interview style and the podcast interview questions you decide to ask, remember that the best interviews feel like natural conversations between curious minds.

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