Are you gearing up for your next podcast interview and feeling nervous about keeping your guest engaged and the conversation flowing smoothly? Do you find yourself asking the same old questions and getting the same old answers? If so, don’t worry! Interviewing guests can be challenging, especially if you want to keep your listeners engaged and interested. 

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 90 podcast interview questions to keep your guests engaged and your listeners so you can elevate your podcast to the next level and make a great impression.

1. Why Does Your Podcast Need Good Interview Questions?

Good interview questions are crucial if you want to create a podcast that stands out and keeps your audience coming back for more. They help you to dig deeper into your guest’s experiences, opinions, and insights. They can also reveal personal stories and details your audience wouldn’t have heard otherwise. 

Think about it – people mainly listen to podcasts to hear exciting and informative conversations. And as the host, your job is to ask questions that spark insightful and thought-provoking responses from your guests. This makes for a more engaging podcast and helps build a deeper connection between you, your guest, and your listeners.  

2. How to Prepare for Podcast Interview Questions?

• Know Your Audience

Knowing your audience is a critical component of preparing for podcast interview questions. For example, what are the age, gender, education level, and income range of your listeners? Understanding who your listeners are can help you tailor your questions to their interests and needs and ensure that your conversation is engaging and relevant. 

• Do Your Research

Take time to learn as much as you can about your guest and their expertise. Know your guests’ backgrounds, expertise, and achievements to understand their perspectives and experiences better. This will not only help you come up with better questions, but it will also show your guest that you value their time and knowledge. 

• Prepare a List

Start by brainstorming a list of open-ended questions that allow your guest to provide detailed and thoughtful responses. This will help you stay on track and cover all the essential topics. Be sure to leave some room for flexibility, as some of the best conversations happen when you can go with the flow. 

• Know the Purpose of the Interview

Think about the purpose of the interview and what you hope to achieve through the conversation. By knowing the purpose of the interview, you can focus the discussion on the most critical topics and ensure that you don’t waste time on irrelevant or tangential subjects. This helps to keep the conversation focused and engaging for your listeners.

3. Tips to Script Podcast Interview Questions

• Plan a flow 

Plan a logical flow for your interview by organizing your questions into topics or themes. This will help ensure you cover all the critical topics and keep the conversation focused. Start with broad, open-ended questions and then move on to more specific questions that delve deeper into your guest’s experiences and insights.

• Use open-ended questions

When scripting your questions, use open-ended questions that encourage your guest to share their thoughts and experiences in detail. Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” Open-ended questions will help keep the conversation flowing and allow your guest to showcase their expertise.  

• Keep it conversational

While scripting your questions is essential, it’s also important to keep the conversation natural and conversational. Avoid sounding too rehearsed or rigid, and be open to following interesting tangents or unexpected topics that arise during the conversation. Remember that the best podcast interviews often feel like natural, engaging conversations.

4. Podcast Interview Questions to Avoid

• Questions that are too generic or predictable 

Generic podcast questions about life are often too broad and lack the specificity to elicit detailed or insightful responses from your guest. Avoid asking generic questions your guest has answered a hundred times before. This can make the interview feel uninspired and uninteresting. Avoid asking questions that are too general or irrelevant to your guest’s work or achievements.

• Leading questions 

Leading questions can be biased and suggest a particular answer or viewpoint. This can influence your guest’s response and create a one-sided conversation that does not accurately represent their perspective or experience. Avoid using phrases or words that suggest a particular answer or point of view, such as “Don’t you think that…?” or “Isn’t it true that…?” Instead, try using neutral language and let the guest provide their own insights.

• Negative or confrontational questions 

While asking challenging questions is crucial, avoid deliberately controversial podcast questions. Negative or confrontational questions can put your guest on the defensive, create an uncomfortable or hostile environment, and detract from the value of the conversation. Instead, focus on questions that encourage thoughtful discussion and debate.  

• Questions that are too long or complicated

Avoid asking questions that are too long or complicated. Long or complex questions can be difficult for your guest to understand or respond to, leading to confusion or frustration. They can also make it difficult for your listeners to follow the conversation and stay engaged.  

5. General Podcast Questions to Ask Every Guest

1. Please tell us briefly about your background and how you got started in your field.  
2. What inspired you to pursue your current career or area of expertise?  
3. What do you consider your most outstanding achievement or accomplishment in your career?  
4. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your work, and how have you overcome them?  
5. What advice do you have for people just starting in your field?  
6. How do you stay current on the latest trends and developments in your industry? 
7. What are some of the most exciting or innovative projects you’re working on?  
8. What are the biggest opportunities and challenges facing your industry in the next few years? 
9. How do you balance your professional and personal life, and what strategies do you use to stay motivated and productive?  
10. What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of work?

6. Best Podcast Interview Questions to Ask Your Guest

6.1 Intro or Icebreaker Questions

Intro or Icebreaker podcast interview questions are typically asked at the beginning of an interview to help break the ice and establish a rapport between the host and guest. You can start with light-hearted questions that help to put the guest at ease before diving into more serious or in-depth topics.

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about what you do.
2. What was the first job you ever had?
3. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
4. What would it be if you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice?
5. What’s something that most people Don’t know about you?
6. What’s your favorite way to spend a lazy day?
7. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
8. What’s your favorite food?
9. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
10. What’s the last book you read?

6.2 Personal Questions

Personal podcast interview questions help the audience get to know the guest on a deeper level. You can cover a wide range of topics, from the guest’s personal life and background to their beliefs, values, and experiences.

11. What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your personal life, and how did you overcome it?
12. How do you manage stress?
13. Who has been the biggest influence on your life?
14. What’s something that you’re most proud of?
15. What are your thoughts on work/Life balance?
16. What’s your favorite thing to do with your family or loved ones?
17. What do you think is the key to a successful relationship?
18. How do you define success in your personal life?
19. What’s your proudest accomplishment outside of your work?
20. How do you stay motivated and focused on your personal goals?

6.3 Profession-Related Questions

Profession-related podcast interview questions help you explore the guest’s expertise, experiences, and insights in their particular field or industry. It can include questions about the guest’s work and insights into the trends and developments in their field.

21. How did you start your career, and what led you to where you are today?
22. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career?
23. How do you stay current and informed about trends in your industry?
24. What’s the biggest challenge in your work, and how do you overcome it?
25. How do you stay organized and manage your time effectively?
26. What advice would you give to someone just starting in your field?
27. What’s the most rewarding project you’ve ever worked on?
28. What’s the most important skill you’ve developed in your career?
29. How do you handle failure and setbacks in your work?
30. What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

6.4 Funny Questions

Funny podcast interview questions are lighthearted and humorous ones, that are intended to make the guest and audience laugh or smile. These types of questions can be a great way to create a relaxed and fun atmosphere for the interview.

31. What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you?
32. What’s your favorite joke?
33. What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?
34. What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?
35. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
36. What’s the ridiculous thing you’ve ever bought?
37. What’s the worst haircut you’ve ever had?
38. What’s the funniest prank you’ve ever pulled?
39. What’s the weirdest food combination you’ve ever tried?
40. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

6.5 Relationship Advice Questions

Relationship advice podcast interview questions help you explore the guest’s expertise and insights in the realm of relationships, dating, and love. With these kinds of questions, your audience can learn more about what it takes to build and maintain healthy, fulfilling relationships.

41. What’s the key to a successful relationship?
42. How do you communicate effectively in your relationships?
43. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about love and relationships?
44. What’s your idea of a perfect date?
45. What do you think is the essential quality of a partner?
46. How do you navigate conflict in your relationships?
47. What’s the best relationship advice you’ve ever received?
48. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from past relationships?
49. How do you keep the spark alive in long-term relationships?
50. Name three things that you think are essential for a healthy relationship.

6.6 Hobby-related Questions

Hobby-related podcast interview questions help you explore the guest’s personal interests and hobbies. These types of questions can provide a fun and interesting way to get to know the guest on a personal level and can inspire the audience to pursue their own hobbies and interests. 

51. What’s your favorite hobby?
52. How did you get interested in your favorite hobby?
53. What’s something you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t had the chance to yet?
54. What’s your favorite place to engage in your hobby?
55. What’s the most challenging thing about your hobby?
56. What’s the most rewarding thing about your hobby?
57. What’s the best advice you would give someone interested in pursuing your hobby?
58. How has your hobby impacted your life?
59. What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever made/created through your hobby?
60. How does your hobby help you de-stress and relax?

6.7 Favorites

Favorites podcast interview questions are meant to explore the guest’s personal preferences and tastes. By sharing their favorite things, the guest can also help your audience discover new books, movies, music, foods, and travel destinations that they might enjoy.

61. What’s your favorite movie?
62. What’s your favorite book?
63. What’s your favorite TV show?
64. What’s your favorite Song?
65. What’s your favorite food?
66. What’s your favorite vacation spot?
67. What’s your favorite way to exercise?
68. What’s your favorite way to relax?
69. What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?
70. What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

6.8 Concluding Questions

Concluding podcast interview questions help you wrap up the interview smoothly. These types of questions can provide a sense of closure and help the audience to leave the interview with a clear sense of what they’ve learned and what they can take away from the guest’s insights and experiences.

71. What’s next for you?
72. What’s the best way for people to connect with you or learn more about your work?
73. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
74. What’s the most important thing you want your legacy to be?
75. What’s the one thing you want people to remember about you?
76. Is there anything else you’d like to share that we haven’t covered yet?
77. What’s one question you wish I had asked you today?
78. What’s something you’re looking forward to shortly?
79. What’s one final thought you’d like to leave our listeners with?
80. If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

7. Best Podcast Interviews With Engaging Questions

1. Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

In a podcast episode of Armchair Expert, Dax Shepard interviews Brené Brown, a research professor and the author who asks engaging questions about Brené’s research on vulnerability, shame, and empathy and how it applies to relationships and personal growth. He also delves into her personal life and asks about her struggles with vulnerability.  

2. WTF with Marc Maron

In one of the podcast episodes, comedian Marc Maron interviews former President Barack Obama. Marc asks engaging questions about Obama’s life before and after his presidency, his experience as the first black president of the United States, and his thoughts on politics and social issues. The conversation is insightful and provides a rare glimpse into the personal opinions and experiences of one of the most influential leaders of our time.  

3. The Joe Rogan Experience

In an episode, podcast host Joe Rogan interviews Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla. Joe asks engaging questions about Musk’s vision for the future of space exploration and renewable energy, as well as his personal life and work ethic. The conversation is informative and entertaining as Joe and Elon discuss various topics, from artificial intelligence to flamethrowers.

8. FAQs

• Should I Send Podcast Interview Questions to My Guest in Advance?

Yes. Providing questions in advance allows your guest to prepare thoughtful and well-informed responses. In addition, it can make your guest more comfortable if they know what to expect during the interview.

• Can I ask funny podcast interview questions?

If your podcast has a lighthearted or humorous tone, and your guest seems open to playful or silly questions, incorporating some funny podcast questions into the interview can be a great idea.