When I was preparing for my very first podcast interview, I kept thinking of three college acquaintances. We were close enough to be “Facebook friends”, but not close enough to have exchanged phone numbers.
I wondered, “What will they think if they hear this episode?”
Deep down, I thought I already knew. That they’d find me too serious, too embarrassing, and so full of myself that I thought, “I absolutely must start a podcast!”
But years later, the reality is that these acquaintances never listened. And if they did, they never said anything negative to me. It all came from my own self-doubt: “What makes me so special that I’m the one conducting this interview?”
The answer, in fact, was simple: I was enthusiastic! I’d found someone fascinating, I wanted to ask him some questions, and he’d agreed. If you want to interview someone, it doesn’t have to be any more complicated than that.
Today, after hosting hundreds of episodes and listening to thousands, I’ve figured out what it takes to pull off a great interview – even if you start with doubt.
In this guide, we will look at :
Contents
- The role of preparation
- Which makes a good interview question
- Why open-ended questions are your best allies
- Lessons from the best interviewers
- A categorized list of 90+ interview questions
- FAQ
Preparing a podcast interview
Curiosity-driven preparation
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to go after a guest who doesn’t interest you, just because you think he’ll attract new listeners.
A great interviewer once said:
“I’ve interviewed people like Mark Zuckerberg and Satya Nadella… but my most popular episodes aren’t with them. My most listened-to guest was Sarah Paine. Before my interview, she wasn’t publicly known. [… But] I loved her books.”
Instead of chasing “big names”, find the people you really find interesting, and your audience will feel it too.
Planning an interview
Scheduling an interview two months in advance may seem organized, but it often breaks the momentum. Interest wanes, questions become stale, and ultimately the recording is postponed.
My aim now is to program quickly: within a week. I prepare intensely, write down my questions, and record as long as the energy is there.
Doing your research
Before recording an interview, I do a lot of research.
I always keep my audience in mind:
- If my listeners are beginners, questions that are too specific are likely to lose them.
- If they’re experts, I can go much further.
Search examples:
- Browse the guest’s Instagram, TikTok or LinkedIn
- Read his CV, articles or books
- Find old podcast interviews on Apple Podcasts or Listen Notes
Questions to ask yourself :
- What is the main objective of this episode?
- How can my guest help my listeners solve a problem?
- What is the key message I want to convey?
A little preparation at this stage can transform the flow and productivity of the conversation.
What makes a good interview question?
When I started out, I thought all you had to do was be curious. Ask a question, listen to the answer, and do it again.
But my best interviews didn’t just come from curiosity. They came from intentionally prepared questions.
A good question:
- leads to a story
- gives you space to think
- helps listeners connect with the subject
- takes the conversation elsewhere
Avoid simply rehashing the same ground already covered in other shows. This tires out the guest and brings nothing new to your listeners.
Why open questions count
If you ask closed questions (yes/no), you’ll get closed answers. Not very engaging, they often cut off the discussion.
Prefer questions that evoke stories and emotions:
- “Tell me about the time you threw your coffee.”
- “How did you feel when you changed careers?”
Then support with clarifying questions:
- “What do you mean by that?”
- “Can you give an example?”
- “How has this experience influenced your life?”
Lessons learned from great interviewers
- Terry Gross – Fresh Air: in-depth research, original angles.
- Guy Raz – How I Built This: clear narrative structure, always a common thread.
- Krista Tippett – On Being: spiritual and human depth.
- Oprah – Super Soul: active listening, mutual trust.
Recommended books
- The Art of the Interview – Lawrence Grobel
- Talk to Me – Dean Nelson
- Storyworthy – Matthew Dicks
Host label
You don’t have to send all your questions in advance, but sharing themes helps the guest prepare and enhances the quality of the episode.
90+ Interview Questions podcast
Icebreaker / Intro
- Where did you grow up, and how did that influence you?
- What’s your morning routine?
- What’s your favorite funny story to tell?
- What’s the nicest compliment you’ve ever received?
- What’s your favorite pastime, and why?
- What did you want to be as a child, and why?
- Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
- If you had to describe yourself as an animal, which one and why?
- If money were no object, what would you do with your time?
- What’s your favorite film, and what does it reveal about you?
- What’s your biggest pet peeve?
- What’s your greatest passion?
- What’s your most embarrassing memory?
- If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
- What is your astrological sign?
- What is your MBTI type or Enneagram number?
- What was your last search on Spotify?
- What would you do if you won the lottery?
Personal questions
- What is one of your greatest life challenges?
- Why are you so passionate about what you do?
- Who is the most influential person in your life?
- What do people misunderstand about you?
- What’s your favorite thing about your home, and why?
- Do you have any siblings, and how have they influenced you?
- What were you like as a child?
- How were you different from yourself a year ago?
- How do you want to be called back?
- What qualities do you most admire in others?
- What would you change about yourself if you could?
- What’s your biggest fear?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
- What really motivates you?
- What recent discovery surprised you about yourself?
- What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned?
- What’s your biggest “mistake”?
- What are you most proud of?
- What was the biggest turning point in your life?
- What makes you special?
- What would surprise people about you?
- What excites you?
- Do you have any regrets?
- How did you meet your partner?
- Do you have a life motto?
- What would you like to change about yourself in the coming year?
- What’s keeping you awake?
- Which challenge has shaped you the most?
- What’s your favourite quote?
Career & expertise
- When did you know you wanted to follow this career path?
- What’s the best advice you’ve ever received from a mentor?
- What’s the most difficult thing about your job?
- When are you most productive?
- If you could change one thing in your industry?
- What resources have helped you the most?
- What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
- What would you like to have known before starting?
- What’s the most common myth about your profession?
- What do you love most about your work?
- Who do you talk to when you’re stuck?
- What motivates you on a daily basis?
- What networking methods work for you?
- Who do you see as your biggest competitor?
- How are you different from other leaders in your field?
- How do you define success?
- Which business podcasts have helped you succeed?
- What’s the most crucial skill in your role?
- What surprised you most at first?
- What’s your best strategy for success?
Questions specific to podcasting
- What inspired you to launch a podcast?
- How long did it take to build your audience?
- What are your best content marketing strategies?
- What’s your trick to regular production?
- Any tips for monetizing?
- What’s your most popular episode and why?
- How do you stand out in your category?
- What’s your favorite recording software?
- Equipment recommendations?
Wrap-up & conclusion
- What advice would you share with our listeners?
- Your three reading recommendations?
- The best podcasts in your field?
- Is there a question you’d like me to ask?
- What message do you want listeners to take away?
- What are your next steps?
- Where can our listeners discover your products/services?
- Where can I find out more about you?
Narrative formats
- Can you tell us about that particular moment?
- What did you have in mind at that moment?
- How has this changed your vision?
- What is the story I want to tell in this episode? (for the host)
- What should my audience learn, feel or remember (for the host)?
- What topic hasn’t my guest covered enough elsewhere? (for the host)
- Which story belongs only to him? (for the host)
