8 Ways to Ask Better Podcast Interview Questions

Want to ask podcast questions that get real answers? Here's your guide to mixing AI tools with human interview skills.

Here are the 8 key ways to improve your podcast questions:

1. Use AI research tools to scan guest profiles and past interviews
2. Build questions from verified data, not assumptions
3. Order questions for natural conversation flow
4. Apply AI analysis to spot patterns and trends
5. Match questions to each guest's background
6. Plan smart follow-up questions
7. Mix data from multiple sources
8. Time your questions right during the interview

Question Type	When to Ask	Purpose
Background	Opening	Get guest comfortable
Core Topics	Middle	Main discussion points
Deep Dives	Later	Detailed exploration
Next Steps	Closing	Future plans, takeaways

Key tools to help:

• GuestLab: Scans LinkedIn profiles ($0-30/month)
• Descript: Live editing ($12/month)
• Podcastle: Transcription ($11.99/month)
• Alitu: Audio cleanup ($38/month)

Remember: AI helps with research and prep, but YOU make the human connection that keeps listeners engaged.

Related video from YouTube

How Podcast Research Has Changed

AI has flipped how podcast hosts prep for interviews. Here's what's different now:

Research Area	Past Methods	Current AI Methods
Guest Research	Manual LinkedIn/Google searches	AI scans profiles, past interviews, social posts
Topic Planning	Reading articles, taking notes	AI analyzes trending topics, engagement data
Question Creation	Writing questions from scratch	AI suggests questions based on guest data
Content Analysis	Manual review of past episodes	AI processes millions of episodes for patterns

The numbers don't lie: 84% of podcasters say AI tools boost their content quality. And their listeners? 57% agree these shows are getting better (Acast, 2023).

Here's what AI brings to the table:

Benefit	Impact
Speed	Minutes vs hours for guest research
Depth	Access to 5M+ episode library
Accuracy	Less missed information
Focus	More time for human connection

Take GuestLab - it scans LinkedIn profiles and spits out custom intros and questions. This frees up hosts to do what they do best: connect with guests.

But here's the thing:

AI is like a super-powered research assistant. NOT a replacement for the host. Here's how to use it right:

Do	Don't
Use AI to find unexpected angles	Let AI write your whole script
Check AI suggestions against facts	Trust AI data without verification
Mix AI insights with personal research	Rely only on AI-generated questions

Think of it this way: AI handles the grunt work so hosts can focus on making interviews POP.

"Listeners are optimistic about the impact of AI, but they're proceeding with caution." - Walters

Bottom line? AI makes research faster and deeper. But at the end of the day, it's still about that human-to-human connection.

1. Use AI Research Tools

GuestLab makes podcast interview prep faster by analyzing LinkedIn profiles and past guest appearances. Here's what it does:

Feature	What It Does	Time Saved
Profile Analysis	Scans LinkedIn data	2-3 hours per guest
Topic Generation	Creates discussion points	1-2 hours per episode
Question Creation	Builds custom questions	1-2 hours per interview
Guest Research	Checks 5M+ episode library	3-4 hours per guest

The tool works like this:

Step	Action	Output
1. Input	Add guest's LinkedIn URL	Guest background data
2. Process	AI analyzes profile	Topics and angles
3. Generate	Tool creates content	Questions and intros

Pick your GuestLab plan:

Plan	Guest Research Limit	Questions Generated
Free	1 guest/month	20 questions
Pro	10 guests/month	20 questions/guest
Premium	100 guests/month	Unlimited

"Podcasters should use AI to help them plan their content, but they shouldn't use it to automate the entire creative process." - Tommy Walters, Commercial Insights Manager at Acast

How to get the most from GuestLab:

• Double-check AI suggestions
• Combine AI questions with your own ideas
• Customize AI-generated intros
• Browse the 5M+ episode library for fresh angles

Want alternatives? ChatGPT and Perplexity.ai work for basic research and they're free. But GuestLab specializes in podcast interviews.

Bottom line: These tools handle the heavy lifting of research. You focus on picking the best questions for your show.

2. Build Questions from Data

Let's turn your research into questions that get REAL answers from your guests.

Here's what works for different types of questions:

Question Type	Purpose	Example Format
Background	Get context	"What led you to [specific achievement]?"
Experience	Learn details	"How did you handle [specific situation]?"
Process	Show steps	"Walk us through [specific project]"
Results	Show impact	"What changed after [specific event]?"

Your questions should match who you're talking to:

Guest Level	Question Focus	Question Style
Beginner	Basic concepts	Simple, direct
Intermediate	Case studies	Specific examples
Expert	Deep analysis	Technical details
Thought Leader	Industry trends	Big picture views

Want better answers? Here's what to do:

• Skip yes/no questions - they kill conversations
• Stick to ONE topic per question
• Start with "how" and "why" to dig deeper
• Link questions to what's happening NOW

Here's how to fix common question problems:

Bad Question	Better Question
"Do you like podcasting?"	"What draws you to podcasting?"
"Tell me about your work"	"What's your role in [specific project]?"
"Was it hard?"	"What challenges did you face with [specific task]?"
"Are you successful?"	"How do you measure success in [specific area]?"

"When you do enough research, the story almost writes itself!" - Robert McKee

Before you start, check your questions:

Check Point	Goal
Specificity	Mentions exact projects/dates
Relevance	Links to guest's expertise
Depth	Goes beyond surface level
Flow	Builds on previous answers

These steps help you create questions that get the answers your listeners want to hear.

3. Order Questions for Better Flow

A well-structured interview flows like a natural conversation. Here's how to organize your questions:

Interview Stage	Question Type	Purpose
Opening (5-10 min)	Background questions	Get guest talking and relaxed
Middle (20-30 min)	Core topic questions	Dive into main discussion points
Closing (5-10 min)	Reflection questions	End with clear takeaways

Group your questions to keep the conversation focused:

Theme Type	Description	Example Question
Topic-based	Questions about one subject	All questions about a specific project
Time-based	Follow a timeline	Past work → current projects → future goals
Depth-based	Start broad, go deep	Overview → specific details

Pre-interview checklist:

Check	Why It Matters
Topic flow	Questions connect naturally
Time split	Key topics get most attention
Guest comfort	Build trust before personal questions
Pacing	Balance light and heavy topics

Moving between topics:

Do	Don't
Connect to previous answers	Switch topics randomly
Use the guest's language	Force awkward transitions
Signal topic changes	Rush between subjects
Add brief summaries	Leave gaps in the story

Smart question placement makes a BIG difference:

• Put tough questions in the middle when your guest feels comfortable
• Hold sensitive topics until you've built rapport
• Mix in quick, easy questions between heavy topics
• Close with questions about what's next

Check your question flow:

Step	Action
Speak questions out loud	Check the natural flow
Time each part	Keep good pacing
Plan transitions	Make smooth topic shifts
Mark follow-up spots	Know where to dig deeper

Think of your questions like building blocks. Each answer should lead to your next question, making the whole interview feel like a smooth conversation.

4. Apply AI Analysis Results

AI tools cut hours off podcast prep time by analyzing guest data. Here's what they can do for you:

Analysis Type	What It Shows	How to Use It
Sentiment Analysis	How guests express themselves	Match their communication style
Topic Mapping	Main talking points	Zero in on their expertise
Pattern Detection	Repeated themes	Build questions around what they know best
Audience Response	What listeners love	Focus on high-engagement topics

Tools like Insight7 and MonkeyLearn turn raw data into interview gold:

Tool Feature	What It Does	What You Get
Transcript Analysis	Scans past interviews	Key discussion points
Speech Pattern Review	Checks how they talk	Ways to phrase questions
Content Gaps	Finds unexplored areas	Fresh angles to explore
Trend Detection	Spots hot topics	Current talking points

GuestLab's AI does the heavy lifting:

Feature	Output
LinkedIn Profile Scan	20 custom questions
Past Episode Check	10 topic-focused questions
Guest Background Dive	Questions tied to their story

Here's how to put AI to work:

Step	What to Do	What You Get
Feed the AI	Give it guest info	First draft questions
Check AI output	Look for accuracy	Better questions
Mix with your research	Blend AI + human touch	Solid question set
Run a sound check	Say questions out loud	Interview-ready script

The numbers show it works:

Metric	Score
Questions on target	85% hit the mark
Topic fit	90% match guest expertise
Prep time saved	4-5 hours per guest

Know what AI can and can't do:

Good At	Not So Good At
Crunching data	Reading emotions
Finding patterns	Getting culture
Quick research	Building rapport
Big picture stuff	On-the-fly changes

Point your AI at:

• Old interviews
• Social posts
• Their content
• Industry news
• What listeners say

This mix of AI smarts and human touch helps you dig deeper with questions that hit home for both guests and listeners.

5. Match Questions to Guest Background

Let's talk about how to create questions that match what your guest knows best.

First, let's look at where to find good info about your guest:

Research Source	What You'll Find	Questions to Ask About
LinkedIn	Work history, skills	Career moves, expertise
Social Media	Latest updates	Current work, opinions
Past Interviews	Frequent topics	New takes on old topics
Published Work	Expert knowledge	Deep dives, specifics
Awards	Big wins	Behind-the-scenes stories

Here's what Sam Datta-Paulin from Lower Street does:

"I spotted [specific detail about their work] and I bet my listeners would love to hear more about that."

And Travis Brown at HitPublish puts it this way:

"We need to dig up stories that haven't been told on other shows."

Let's break down how to match questions to different types of guests:

Guest Type	Question Style	What to Focus On
Tech Expert	How-to	Step-by-step details
CEO/Founder	Stories	The ups and downs
Industry Pro	Big Picture	Where things are headed
Artist/Creator	Process	Making things happen

Quick tip: Mix up your questions like this:

Question Type	Goal	Best Time
History	Set the scene	Start
Details	Show you did homework	Middle
Personal stuff	Get them comfortable	Mix in
What's next	Look ahead	End

Remember: Good research = better questions. When you know what makes your guest tick, you'll get better answers. And that makes for a show people want to hear.

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6. Plan Good Follow-up Questions

Here's how to craft follow-up questions that get your guests to open up and share more.

Question Type	Purpose	Example
Elaboration	Get more details	"Tell me more about that process"
Clarification	Clear up confusion	"What do you mean by [term]?"
Connection	Link to other topics	"How does this relate to [topic]?"
Challenge	Test assumptions	"Can you compare this to [alternative]?"

Let me show you a simple system for better follow-ups:

1. Take Smart Notes

Jot down keywords while your guest speaks. These notes will point you to spots where you need to dig deeper.

2. Watch for These Signals

Signal	What It Means	How to Follow Up
Pauses	Guest is thinking	Wait, then probe further
New terms	Needs explanation	Ask for a definition
Stories	Hidden details	Focus on key moments
Numbers	Needs context	Ask for real examples

3. Use These Methods

Method	When to Use	What You Get
Step-by-step	Complex topics	Clear breakdown
Examples	Abstract ideas	Practical view
Comparisons	New concepts	Easy understanding
Background	Big claims	Complete picture

"Follow-up questions turn a basic interview into a gold mine of information." - Dan Brown, Author at EightShapes

Quick Tip: Keep these follow-ups in your back pocket:

• "What made you choose that?"
• "How did you do it?"
• "Can you break that down?"

The best follow-ups come from listening, not just reading questions. When something catches your ear, stop and ask about it.

7. Combine Different Data Sources

Want to create better podcast questions? Here's how to mix data from multiple sources:

Data Source	What to Look For	How to Use It
LinkedIn	Comments, discussions	Find hot topics and problems
Past Episodes	Episode content	See what works across shows
AI Tools	Quick guest research	Get fast background info
Community	Listener feedback	Understand audience needs

Here's the exact process top podcasters follow:

1. Start With LinkedIn

LinkedIn has over 1 billion members. That's a LOT of potential insights. Morra Aarons-Mele, who hosts "The Anxious Achiever", uses this to her advantage.

"I post content that makes me curious, inspired, or even angry. And you know what? My LinkedIn community jumps right into these discussions." - Morra Aarons-Mele

2. Add Some AI Power

Tool	Job	Result
Notta	Analyzes transcripts	Gets you 98.86% accurate summaries
GuestLab	Scans LinkedIn	Finds guest details fast
Google Notebook	Tracks themes	Shows you patterns

3. Mix in Guest Data

What to Check	Where to Look	Why It Matters
Old Interviews	5M+ episodes	See what they've said before
Social Posts	LinkedIn activity	Know what they care about now
Community	Group talks	Get real listener questions

Make It Work:

• Connect the dots between different sources
• Spot differences between guest claims and data
• Keep it organized (try Trello, Airtable, or Notion)
• Use transcripts to go deeper

As Greg Chapman puts it: "You market to people, not data." Same goes for your interviews - let data guide your questions, but keep them conversational.

8. Ask Questions at the Right Time

Here's exactly when to ask different types of questions in your podcast interviews:

Interview Phase	Question Type	Purpose
Opening	Light, background	Get guest comfortable
Middle	Core topics	Main content and stories
Later	Deep dives	Details on key points
Closing	Next steps	Plans and takeaways

Public vs Private Guests

Guest Type	When to Ask What
Public Officials	Hit main topics early - they come prepared
Private Individuals	Build trust first, personal stuff later
Subject Experts	Technical questions after basics

Beth Schwartzapfel from The Marshall Project puts it this way:

"I don't stick to a script. I want it to feel like a real conversation, not something we planned out ahead of time."

The Power of Silence

Kate Murphy, who wrote You're Not Listening, says:

"I've gotten my best info not from asking questions, but from staying quiet."

Smart Question Timing:

• Look for natural openings
• Cut the "uh-huhs" and "yeahs"
• Stop off-topic rambling
• Let silence do the work
• Push pros harder
• Go easy on personal stories

Time Blocks That Work

Time	What to Cover
First 5 mins	Who they are
5-15 mins	Big ideas
15-25 mins	Stories and examples
Last 5 mins	What's next

Bottom line: Don't get stuck on your question list. Listen to what your guest says - that's where your next question should come from.

Tips for Using These Methods

Here's how to combine AI tools with your interviewing skills to create better podcast content:

Task	AI Tool	Your Role
Research	GuestLab, Podder	Verify info, spot angles
Questions	Podsqueeze	Add your insights
Follow-ups	Descript	Stay engaged
Editing	Alitu, Wisecut	Select highlights

Mix Tech and Human Skills

Do	Don't
Let AI handle basic research	Accept AI questions as-is
Start with AI question ideas	Skip guest research
Use auto-transcripts	Ignore guest cues
Make quick highlight clips	Get stuck in your notes

"Focus on the moment. The next question can wait. What matters is NOW." - Sam Datta-Paulin, ex-journalism teacher and executive producer at Lower Street

Pick Your Tools

Tool	Main Use	Cost
Alitu	Clean audio	$38/month
Descript	Edit live	$12/month
Podcastle	Get transcripts	$11.99/month
GuestLab	Find guest info	Free - $30/month

Make It Work:

• Start with one AI tool
• Practice before going live
• Keep backup questions handy
• Stay in the conversation
• Notice guest signals
• Jot quick notes

"Get those audio levels right BEFORE you hit record." - Sam Datta-Paulin, ex-journalism teacher and executive producer at Lower Street

Tech Checklist

Item	Pre-Show	During Show
Mic	Test levels	Watch meters
Recording	Check capture	Use backup
AI tools	Do test run	Take notes
Questions	Print copy	Mark key spots

Bottom line: Tools help prep work, but YOUR attention makes interviews shine.

Choosing the Right Tools

Let's break down the best AI tools for podcast interviews. No fluff - just what works:

Task	Tool	Cost/Month	What It Does Best
Recording	Riverside.fm	$19	Clean remote audio
Live Edits	Descript	$15	Quick fixes
Guest Info	GuestLab	$30	LinkedIn deep-dives
Audio Fix	Alitu	$38	Makes audio sound good
Text Convert	Podcastle	$11.99	Audio to text

Here's the thing: You don't need ALL these tools. Start with the basics:

Need	Budget Option	Pro Option
Recording	Zoom ($14.99)	Riverside.fm ($19)
Editing	Descript Free	Descript Pro ($30)
Research	GuestLab Free	GuestLab Pro ($30)

Different shows need different tools:

Show Style	Tools You'll Want
Just You	Alitu + Descript
Interviews	Riverside + GuestLab
Multiple Hosts	SquadCast + Podcastle

Want to save money? Here's how:

What You Need	Free Tool	Paid Option
Recording	Zoom Basic	Riverside ($19)
Research	ChatGPT	GuestLab ($30)
Editing	Adobe Podcast Beta	Descript ($15)

Three big mistakes to dodge:

Problem	Fix It
Too many tools	Stick to 3 main ones
Spending too much	Test free versions first
Tech issues	Practice before going live

Here's your 4-week plan:

Week	Do This
1	Try free versions
2	Pick your tools
3	Learn to use them
4	Test everything

Bottom line: Pick a few solid tools and master them. That's WAY better than juggling tons of apps you barely know how to use.

Conclusion

AI tools are changing podcast interview prep in 2024. Here's what's happening:

Current AI Impact	Near Future Changes
Automated transcription	Natural conversation analysis
Basic guest research	Deep background insights
Question suggestions	Real-time topic mapping
Audio quality fixes	Dynamic content adaptation

It's about finding the sweet spot between AI assistance and human skills:

Task	AI Role	Human Role
Research	Data gathering	Context interpretation
Questions	Pattern analysis	Personal connection
Flow	Topic mapping	Natural conversation
Follow-up	Data insights	Intuitive responses

"From a legal and compliance standpoint, I predict two axis of battle forming, one would be the legal front where topics such as fair use, copyright, and liability are hotly debated but not settled and the other would be the regulatory front to regulate LLM or use cases." - Baris Sarer, Principal in Deloitte's Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice

Here's your action plan:

Area	What to Do	Why It Matters
Tools	Test 2-3 AI tools	Find what fits your style
Skills	Practice with AI outputs	Build better questions
Balance	Mix AI data with instinct	Keep talks natural
Updates	Watch AI tool changes	Stay current with features

The bottom line? AI handles the heavy lifting - research, data, and analysis. But YOU bring the magic that makes interviews pop.

Keep these guidelines in mind:

Do This	Not This
Use AI for basic research	Rely only on AI data
Let AI suggest questions	Read AI questions verbatim
Check AI findings	Trust AI blindly
Mix AI help with your style	Copy other shows' formats

AI won't replace podcast hosts. Instead, it's a tool that makes human conversations BETTER. Keep testing new AI features, but let your personality shine through. That's what makes interviews worth listening to.

FAQs

How to write interview questions for a podcast?

Here's what makes podcast questions work:

Question Type	Examples	Purpose
Personal Story	"Where did you grow up?"	Gets guest talking about their journey
Daily Habits	"What's your morning routine?"	Shows practical side
Light Moments	"What's your favorite funny story?"	Builds rapport
Career Path	"What did you want to be as a kid?"	Reveals growth journey

The BEST podcast questions do something specific: They pull out stories that haven't been told before.

"Our job as interviewers is to specifically pull out information that hasn't been shared on other shows." - Travis Brown, HitPublish

How do you research a podcast interview?

Want to nail your podcast research? Here's what works:

Research Area	What to Check	Why It Matters
Social Media	Recent posts, updates	Current projects and thoughts
Blog Posts	Written content	Deep dive into expertise
Past Podcasts	Previous interviews	Find fresh angles
Books/Publications	Published work	Core ideas and message

Here's something most people don't know: 44% of podcasters use an interview format. That means you NEED to stand out.

The secret? Mix different research sources to create questions that go DEEPER than the usual surface-level stuff.

Here's what separates good research from great research:

Do	Don't
Check multiple sources	Copy questions from other shows
Note unique angles	Repeat common questions
Look for gaps in past interviews	Read facts back to guests
Track recent updates	Stick to old information