6 Traits of a Great Podcast Interviewer

Podcasts have become a popular form of entertainment and learning. With so many podcast options out there, what sets some apart from the rest? Often, it's the host and their interviewing skills. Some of the great interviewers of my time (the 1970s-1990s) were Oprah Winfrey, Larry King, Barbara Walters, and even Howard Stern. They all had unique abilities and common traits, such as preparedness, being a great listener, and confidence in their craft.?

Now in the podcast arena, these traits are all valuable and still relevant. For example, I love the interview style of the OG podcaster Joe Rogan who has a child-like curiosity about many topics, a genuine interest in his guest's experience or expertise, and a high level of humility. Or Patrick Bet-David's ability to make his guests feel comfortable and at ease during the interview by being approachable, personable, and having a good sense of humor. By studying some great interviewers from the past and present and having done hundreds of interviews myself, I'd like to highlight some additional characteristics that today's podcast interviewers can adopt and excel at.

"The preparation gains the respect of his guests."

1. ?? Preparation - Great podcasters understand the importance of preparation and research. They do their homework on their guests, their body of work, and the topics they'll be discussing. This upfront effort allows them to ask informed questions and engage in meaningful conversation. One of my good friends, Jamie Gruber , the host of the Gobundance Tribe of Millionaires podcast, puts a lot of time and effort into researching his guests. This preparation gains the respect of his guests, who understands the level of preparation he's done based on the uniqueness of his questions. Putting the work in shows that they are knowledgeable about their guests and industry and use that knowledge to guide the conversation and make connections that others might miss. I love when I get the response, "No one has ever asked me that before." which is the podcaster's equivalent of receiving an Oscar!
2. ?? Curiosity - I've found that curiosity opens doors in business and life. As a podcast host, it can do similar things. A good podcaster is genuinely curious about their guests and their stories, and they ask intelligent questions that elicit exciting and insightful responses that can create a unique experience for guests and listeners. Confidently posing hypothetical questions can also take the conversation to a special place. Great podcasters have an insatiable curiosity for their guests and aren't afraid to respectfully ask complex or controversial questions. Their interest helps uncover exciting aspects of their guest's life or work and delves deeper into topics, revealing information that might not have been shared otherwise.
3. ?? Honesty - The second trait of a great podcast interviewer is honesty. Being honest with your guest and respectfully sharing your thoughts can lead to healthy debates and exciting conversations. It's okay to challenge your guest occasionally if you have a different viewpoint. By doing this, you show your audience that you are open to speaking your mind, which will gain their respect and allow them to get to know you better.
4. ?? Empathy - Great podcasters have empathy for their guests and their listeners. They can put themselves in their guest's shoes and understand their perspectives and experiences. They listen without judgment and create a safe space for their guests to share their stories. They can also connect with their listeners and understand their needs and interests, which helps them create content that resonates.
5. ?? Awareness - A great podcast interviewer is highly aware of their listener and what they may want. Knowing your audience and asking questions they would ask are important to creating a successful podcast. Your audience is a version of you, so what interests you will likely interest them. However, you must also know your audience's struggles and what they need to know to overcome them. Awareness of your guest's speaking pace and understanding of the topic is also essential. If they talk too fast or use jargon, your audience may not understand; it's okay to interrupt and ask for clarification. But, again, this shows your audience that you represent them and look out for their interests.
6. ?? Engagement - Engaging with your audience, asking them questions, listening to their feedback, and incorporating their ideas can help you improve your interviewing skills, grow a community, and create a better podcast overall. Live, virtual, or in-person interviews are also a great way to build excitement for you, the guest, offer your audience an opportunity to interact, and provide spontaneity and a fun level of unpredictability.

Whether you're a podcast host looking to level up or planning to start a podcast, these traits are the most common among traditional radio/TV interviewers and our podcasters of today. Preparation, curiosity, honesty, empathy, awareness, and engagement are some traits that set them apart from the rest of the world. So now that you know... go be great, be curious, and be yourself, and you're bound to have someone say, "Wow! No one has EVER asked me that question before!!!" ??

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