So, you’ve snagged an amazing guest for your podcast. High five! But now, you’re stuck wondering, “What on earth do I ask them?” You want your episode to sparkle and pop, not blend into the endless sea of cookie-cutter interviews. Fear not, intrepid podcaster, we’ve got your back! We’ve cooked up a list of 150 podcast questions that are anything but ordinary. Get ready to dazzle your audience and make your guests shine. Feel free to skip sections and read what interests you, we’ve got a handy-dandy table of content as well. But, first, why do you even need good podcast interview questions?
Why Do You Need Good Podcast Interview Questions?
Good podcast questions are like rocket fuel for your interview. They can transform a meh episode into a truly epic one just by hitting the right notes at the right moments. With the perfect questions, you’ll come off as super prepared and not just fumbling around, plus you’ll make your guest feel like a rockstar. Great questions don’t just hook your audience; they also keep your guests engaged and excited. You want questions that are thought-provoking and really showcase the expertise of your amazing guest.
A common dilemma: should you prep your questions in advance? Won’t that make the interview sound robotic and stiff? Our answer: absolutely not!
Should You Prepare Your Podcast Questions In Advance?
Absolutely! Nailing the right questions at the right time can turn your episode from good to legendary. But don’t think of your question list as a rigid script. It’s more like a treasure map with multiple paths to hidden gems. Having a set of podcast questions is like carrying a toolkit, ready to whip out the perfect question just when your guest touches on an intriguing topic.
Being prepared means you can dive deeper into conversations with those well-researched, thoughtful questions right when the moment strikes.
But remember, pre-written questions are just your starting point. Here’s how to ask killer questions that’ll make your podcast shine, both in prep and in the moment.
Tips For Asking Great Podcast Interview Questions
Have A Goal
Every time you invite a guest to your show, there’s a reason you chose them. Maybe they’ve achieved wild success in their field, or they’ve been rocking it in their industry for ages. Whatever the reason, use it as your launchpad for setting the episode’s goal.
Sometimes, the goal is as simple as having a fantastic chat with an intriguing person. You set the goal, and it will be your guiding star, whether you’re curating podcast questions beforehand or firing them off on the fly.
Do Some Research About The Guest
This one’s a no-brainer. Dig into your guest’s background a bit. Any achievement, quirky hobby, or unique trait can serve as juicy material for your podcast questions. Not only will this elevate your episode from basic to brilliant, but it’ll also show your guest that you’ve done your homework. They’ll respect and like you more, creating a positive vibe that’ll shine through in your episode.
Crowdsource Your Podcast Questions
Tap into the goldmine that is your audience! If you’ve got an active fanbase, throw out a call on social media and let them suggest some fantastic questions. No active audience yet? No problem! Think like your target listeners and brainstorm the questions they’d be dying to ask your guest.
Remember, your episode is for them, so catering to their curiosities is always a winning strategy.
Remember The 5 Ws
Another trick up your sleeve is the classic 5 Ws—Who, What, Where, When, and Why. These trusty words can be your springboard, even mid-recording. Use them to frame on-the-spot questions that dive deeper into the conversation.
When prepping your questions beforehand, the 5 W’s framework can help you craft a treasure trove of podcast questions for a holistic and engaging discussion.
Ask Clarifying Questions
Clarifying questions are your best friend during a podcast chat. These gems help you and your audience get a clear picture of what your guest is saying. Whenever something’s a bit foggy, or you want to dive deeper, throw in a “What do you exactly mean by that?” or “Can you elaborate on [insert topic]?” These questions keep the conversation flowing naturally, without sounding scripted. But remember, active listening is key here so you can snag these golden moments.
Clarifying questions also align perfectly with your episode’s goal. Only ask them if they steer the conversation closer to your intended direction, or you might end up in a conversational maze.
Stay Flexible And Be Curious
Sure, you’ve got your trusty list of podcast questions ready to roll, but hey, life happens! Maybe you won’t get to ask them all, or the conversation takes a sharp left turn halfway through. It happens! The key? Stay flexible, my friend. Embrace the unexpected twists and turns.
Being open-minded during recording is like sprinkling magic dust on your episode. Who knows? Serendipity might just give you an even better episode than you planned. So, go with the flow, stay curious, and enjoy the wild ride that is podcasting!
Ask Open Ended Questions
Picture this: you’re in the zone, having a chat with your guest, and you hit them with an open-ended question. It’s like throwing open the doors to a treasure trove of juicy insights and anecdotes. Forget the scripted back-and-forth; with open-ended questions, your podcast becomes a captivating journey through riveting conversations between brilliant minds. So, ditch the yes/no queries and let the dialogue flow!
Establish A Connection/Build rapport
Before you hit that record button, it’s all about laying down the groundwork for a stellar episode. Start by building a connection with your guest. A little pre-recording chit-chat goes a long way in making both of you feel at ease.
Share a laugh, swap some stories, and voila! You’ve got yourself a comfy conversational vibe. You might even spill the beans about your plans for the episode, so your guest knows what to expect and can dive right in, ready to rock the mic.
Ask A Signature Podcast Question
Ready to add some pizzazz to your podcast? Consider introducing a signature question! Think of it like your podcast’s secret sauce—a question that’s uniquely yours and leaves your audience eagerly awaiting each episode.
It’s like a little mystery box of curiosity that keeps them coming back for more. Crafting the perfect signature question might take some brainstorming, but once you nail it, your podcast will be the talk of the town!
Things To Avoid When Curating Podcast Questions
Don’t Try And Cram Too Many Questions
Hey, we get it. You’ve got a million burning questions, but slow down there, turbo! Less is more in the world of podcasting. Sure, finding that sweet spot between not enough and too many questions is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but trust us—it’s worth it.
Too many podcast questions can leave your guest feeling like they’re in the hot seat, and nobody wants that! So, aim for quality over quantity. A handful of thought-provoking questions with juicy, deep answers? Now, that’s the ticket to a truly engaging episode!
Don’t Ask Questions That Your Guest Doesn’t Want To Answer
Psst, here’s a little secret: research is your best friend here. Take a peek at your guest’s past interviews and podcast appearances. See which questions make them squirm. After all the hard work of building that rapport, the last thing you want to do is toss it out the window with an awkward question. So, steer clear of those touchy subjects and keep the conversation smooth sailing!
Do Not Ask Questions That Are Always Asked
Picture this: You’re aiming for a podcast episode that’s as unique as a unicorn, right? Well, asking the same old podcast questions that everyone else asks is like serving up yesterday’s leftovers. Boring! Your listeners want fresh insights, juicy tidbits they’ve never heard before.
So, steer clear of the tired, worn-out questions that make everyone hit the snooze button. Let’s keep those listeners hooked and your guests on their toes—no repeat performances allowed!
How To Prepare For The Interview
Ready to rock that interview? Here are a few extra steps to make sure you’re primed and prepped:
Research Your Guest: Dive deep into the rabbit hole of your guest’s life and work. Trust us, a little stalking can go a long way!
Tech Setup Tips: If it’s a remote interview, lend a helping hand with the tech setup. Because let’s face it, nobody likes a glitchy connection!
Outline the Episode Flow: Give your guest a sneak peek into the roadmap of your episode. No surprises here—just smooth sailing!
Share Your Questions: Wanna really blow their minds? Consider sharing your curated podcast questions in advance. But hey, we’ll dive into that later in the blog, so stay tuned!
You may also like: How to Retain Your Podcast Audience and Keep Them Engaged
150 Best Podcast Interview Questions By Category
Icebreakers Or Intro Podcast Questions
Introductory questions can be a bit cliche and lets admit, quite boring. So we’ve gathered some common podcast questions and gave them an interesting angle.
- “Tell us a little about yourself.”
Interesting alternative: If your life was a movie genre, which genre would it be and why?
- “What inspired you to pursue your current career or passion?”
Interesting alternative: If you could trace back one moment or experience that ignited your passion, what would it be?
- “Can you share a brief overview of your journey to where you are today?”
Interesting alternative: If you had to describe your journey using only three words, what would they be?
- “What do you hope listeners will take away from our conversation today?”
Interesting alternative: If you could plant one idea or thought in the minds of our listeners, what would it be?
- “What’s a typical day in your life like?”
Interesting alternative: If you could invite anyone, living or dead, to spend a day shadowing you, who would it be and why?
- “What’s the most challenging aspect of your work?”
Interesting alternative: If you had a magic wand to eliminate one challenge you face in your work, what would it be?
- “Who has been the biggest influence on your career or personal development?”
Interesting alternative: If you could have a dinner party with three historical figures who’ve influenced you, who would they be and why?
- “What’s a misconception people often have about your field?”
Interesting alternative: If you could debunk one myth about your industry in a single sentence, what would it be?
- “How do you stay motivated and inspired in your work?”
Interesting alternative: If you could attribute your motivation to one thing or person, what would it be?
- “What’s a project or achievement you’re particularly proud of?”
Interesting alternative: If you could frame one accomplishment on your wall for everyone to see, which one would it be and why?
Personal Questions
- What’s the most significant lesson you’ve learned from a failure?
- Describe a moment in your life that changed you profoundly.
- How do you define success, and do you think you’ve achieved it?
- If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
- What’s something you used to believe strongly but have since changed your mind about?
- How do you handle criticism and negativity?
- What’s your biggest fear, and how do you confront it?
- Who has been the biggest influence on your personal life, and why?
- Describe a situation where you had to step out of your comfort zone.
- What’s something you’re passionate about that not many people know?
Expertise And Career Podcast Questions
- What’s the most challenging aspect of your profession, and how do you overcome it?
- What’s a common misconception about your field of expertise?
- Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped who you are today?
- How do you stay updated and continue learning in your industry?
- What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting in your field?
- Describe a project or achievement you’re particularly proud of.
- How do you balance work and personal life?
- What’s a trend or development in your industry that excites you?
- Can you share a memorable failure or setback in your career and what you learned from it?
- If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be?
Podcasting-Related questions
- What inspired you to start your podcast?
- How do you choose your podcast topics or guests?
- What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a podcaster, and how did you overcome it?
- How do you keep your podcast fresh and engaging for your audience?
- Can you share a memorable moment from recording your podcast?
- What’s your process for preparing and researching for episodes?
- How do you handle disagreements or conflicts with guests during recordings?
- What’s your favorite part about being a podcaster?
- How do you promote and grow your podcast audience?
- What’s a dream guest or topic you’d love to feature on your podcast?
Funny Questions
- If you could swap lives with any cartoon character for a day, who would it be and why?
- What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever done to impress someone?
- If you were a flavor of ice cream, what would you be and why?
- What’s the weirdest habit you have when no one is watching?
- Can you share a joke or funny anecdote that always makes you laugh?
- If you could only communicate using emojis for a day, how would you get your point across?
- What’s the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever had on a date?
- If your life was a sitcom, what would it be called and who would play you?
- What’s the funniest movie or TV show you’ve ever seen, and why?
- If you could create a new holiday, what would it be and how would we celebrate it?
Relationship Questions
- What’s the key to maintaining a strong and healthy relationship?
- How do you handle disagreements or conflicts with your partner?
- Can you share a memorable moment from your relationship that still makes you smile?
- What’s something your partner does that always melts your heart?
- How do you keep the spark alive in your relationship?
- What’s the most romantic gesture you’ve ever received or given?
- If you could give one piece of relationship advice to your younger self, what would it be?
- What’s your idea of the perfect date?
- How do you balance your relationship with other aspects of your life?
- What’s something you’ve learned about yourself through your relationships?
Friendship Questions
- What’s the most important quality you look for in a friend?
- Can you share a memorable adventure or experience you’ve had with your friends?
- How do you maintain long-distance friendships?
- What’s the best piece of advice a friend has ever given you?
- Describe your ideal friend group and what activities you’d do together.
- What’s a tradition or inside joke you have with your friends?
- How do you support your friends during tough times?
- Can you share a funny or heartwarming story about your friends?
- What’s something you appreciate about your closest friends that you don’t tell them enough?
- If you could go on a road trip with any three of your friends, who would you choose and where would you go?
Mental Health Questions
- How do you prioritize self-care in your daily life?
- Can you share a coping mechanism or strategy that helps you during stressful times?
- What’s one misconception about mental health that you wish more people understood?
- How do you destigmatize conversations about mental health in your circles?
- What’s something you do to boost your mood when you’re feeling down?
- How do you navigate the balance between seeking professional help and self-care?
- Can you share a time when you reached out for support with your mental health, and how it helped you?
- What advice would you give to someone struggling with their mental health?
- How do you create boundaries to protect your mental well-being?
- What’s one thing you wish people knew about living with a mental health condition?
Business And Professional Life Questions
- What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your professional life, and was it worth it?
- How do you foster innovation and creativity in your workplace?
- Can you share a lesson you learned from a business failure?
- How do you approach work-life balance in your career?
- What’s the most valuable skill you’ve developed in your professional journey?
- How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals, especially during challenging times?
- Can you share a mentorship experience that had a significant impact on your career?
- How do you navigate office politics and maintain professionalism?
- What’s your approach to handling setbacks and obstacles in your career?
- If you could change one thing about the corporate world, what would it be and why?
Rapid Fire Questions
- Coffee or tea?
- Beach vacation or mountain getaway?
- Dogs or cats?
- Early bird or night owl?
- Sweet or savory?
- Fiction or non-fiction?
- City life or countryside?
- Comedy or drama?
- Summer or winter?
- Books or movies?
Whimsical And Off-the-Wall
- If you could swap lives with any historical figure for a day, who would it be and why?
- What’s the weirdest dream you’ve ever had involving a celebrity?
- If you could live in any fictional universe, which one would you choose?
- What’s a conspiracy theory that you secretly hope is true?
- If you could have a dinner party with any three fictional characters, who would you invite and why?
- What’s the most absurd thing on your bucket list?
- If you could shrink any animal down to the size of a cat and have it as a pet, which animal would you choose?
- What’s the strangest talent you wish you had?
- If you could only eat one type of cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
- If you could have any mythical creature as a companion, which would you choose
Podcast Questions For Expert Insights
- What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring professionals in your industry?
- Can you share a trend or development in your field that you think will have a significant impact in the future?
- How do you see technology changing the landscape of your profession?
- What’s the most rewarding aspect of working in your field?
- Can you share a success story from your career that exemplifies the potential of your industry?
- How do you stay ahead of the curve and innovate in your field?
- What’s one challenge facing your industry that you think needs more attention?
- Can you share a valuable lesson you learned early in your career?
- How do you approach networking and building professional relationships in your industry?
- What’s one resource or tool you can’t live without in your profession?
Deep And Thought Provoking Questions
- What’s something you’ve always wanted to ask someone but haven’t had the courage to?
- Can you share a moment when you felt truly understood by someone?
- How do you define happiness, and do you think you’ve found it?
- What’s the most significant change you’ve made in your life, and why did you make it?
- Can you recall a time when you felt completely at peace with yourself and the world around you?
- How do you reconcile the gap between who you are and who you want to be?
- What’s a belief or value that you hold dear, and how does it influence your actions?
- Can you describe a moment when you felt a deep sense of connection with another person?
- How do you handle the existential questions of life, such as purpose and meaning?
- What’s one question you’ve always wanted to ask yourself, and what do you think the answer might be?
Closing Podcast Questions
- What’s one thing you hope listeners take away from this episode?
- Where can listeners find more about you and your work?
- Do you have any upcoming projects or events you’d like to share with the audience?
- What’s the best way for listeners to connect with you after the show?
- Is there anything else you’d like to add or share before we wrap up?
- Can you recommend a book, podcast, or resource that has had a significant impact on you?
- What’s next for you in your journey?
- If listeners want to support your work, how can they do so?
- What’s a message you’d like to leave our listeners with?
- Any final thoughts or reflections on our conversation today?
Questions To Engage The Listener
These are questions you can pose to your listeners to keep them engaged and urge them to share their thoughts.
- What’s one thing you learned from today’s conversation that surprised you?
- How do the topics discussed today relate to your own experiences or interests?
- Can you share a personal story or reflection inspired by today’s episode?
- What’s one takeaway from today’s episode that you plan to incorporate into your life or mindset?
- How did today’s conversation challenge or expand your perspective on the topic?
- Is there a question you wish we had asked today? What would your answer be?
- How do you think today’s topic might impact society or the world at large?
- What’s one action or change you feel inspired to make after listening to today’s episode?
- How do you plan to continue exploring or learning about today’s topic beyond this podcast?
- What’s one word or phrase that captures the essence of today’s conversation for you?
Should I Send Podcast Questions Upfront?
Ah, the age-old dilemma: to send or not to send? If your guest requests the questions, it’s usually best to oblige. After all, some folks have PR teams to keep happy, and they like to know what’s coming their way. Plus, who wants surprises, right?
But if they don’t ask? Well, that’s up to you, my friend! Want a raw, unfiltered convo? Skip the pre-game questions. But if you’re all about transparency, why not give ’em a sneak peek? It’s your call!
Conclusion
And that’s a wrap! We’ve covered everything from why killer podcast questions are a must to whether you should spill the beans upfront. We’ve dished out tips on how to craft the perfect interview, what pitfalls to avoid, and even served up a smorgasbord of questions to fuel your next chat.
We hope you’ve enjoyed the ride, and if you’ve got any burning questions (or just wanna shoot the breeze), hit us up on Instagram (@hubhopperofficial).
Oh, and speaking of success, let’s talk about finding the perfect podcast host. You want something that’s simple, budget-friendly, and won’t hold you back, right? Well, say hello to Hubhopper! With our straightforward plans and no-download limits, we’ve got everything you need to take your podcast from zero to hero. Check out our plans now and let’s make podcasting magic happen!
FAQs
What questions do you ask in a podcast?
Ask questions in a podcast that’ll keep your audience hooked and your guests on their toes. Dive into our list of questions above for some inspiration!
What are funny questions for podcasts?
Need a good laugh? Try asking about weird habits, sharing jokes, or imagining your life as a sitcom. Find more funny questions for podcasts in our blog!
What are some good talk show questions?
Spruce up your talk show with icebreakers, rapid-fire rounds, funny queries, relationship musings, and whimsical wonders. Check out our blog for a treasure trove of talk show question ideas!
