How I Prepare for My Podcast Interviews

In this episode, I share my 10-step podcast interview planning blueprint:

𝟭. 𝗗𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵: without question, the most important step is actually learning about the guest. I don’t short-change this part of the process. I listen to other podcasts they’ve been on, read their book(s), look deep into their #socialmedia (old and new posts), use Wikipedia (talk section), read book reviews (positive and negative), read articles, etc. - the goal is to find interesting facts, powerful insights, impactful stories, as well as avoid questions they're asked in every interview

𝟮. 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀: I order all the notes according to the flow that I outline below

𝟯. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴: I like to start with a question they've never been asked before. I try to tap into an emotion, either laughter or tears. Example: (funny) I asked a guest if it would be okay if I ate some Pez to start and pulled out a Pez dispenser because he’s from the birthplace of Pez. (emotion) I read a letter that Jeff Harry’s father wrote to him before he died. He was shocked and touched

𝟰. 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: I ask a few origin stories at the beginning to find out what early-life experiences helped to influence who they are today. Example: Chris Do - Why is April 30, 1975 a significant date to you? (this was the day his family immigrated to US from Vietnam)

𝟱. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: I ask questions about times in their life where the was a significant shift or pivot

𝟲. 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: I want to tap into their expertise/zone of genius by asking them questions that'll allow them to shine. These are questions that'll yield practical advice that can be implemented. I tie this back to their own life story. The best answers are step-by-step frameworks

𝟳. 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆: Based on my research I know their frameworks and concepts so I have clarifying follow-up questions on standby to emphasize key points. I include bulleted details under my questions so I can bring more depth to the conversation

𝟴. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗣𝗢𝗩 (𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄): Listeners don’t want to hear the same thing they’ve heard a million times before. They want new information delivered in a novel way. I look for my guest’s unique perspectives. James Carbary taught me to ask this question "what is a commonly held belief in your industry that you passionately disagree with?"

𝟵. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗨𝗽: I have all their CTAs, websites, books, and social medial handles ready. I say “you can learn more from…” then share what I have. I then ask them if they have anything to add. This way they don’t have to self-promote as I do it for them! (Tip: listen to recent interviews they’ve given and pay attention to their current CTAs)

𝟭𝟬. 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴: I give them the final word then end with a quote or meaningful passage from their book that ties back to what has been covered

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