Podcast Interview Questions: How to Ask Better and Unlock Amazing Conversations

Published January 20, 2024 | By Matt

🔥 Want to Sound Like a Pro Instantly?
If you’re serious about growing your podcast, don’t just wing your interviews.

The Podcast Interview Toolkit Bundle gives you:

✅ 150+ proven questions for guests in any niche
✅ Fill-in-the-blank templates for every part of your episode
✅ Pre-interview prep sheets, question frameworks & more

🎁 Includes printable cheatsheets and digital files to save time and sound sharper.

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🎯 25 Best Podcast Questions to Ask Guests Need ideas fast? Here’s a quick-start list of great podcast questions, organized by type. Scroll down for more context, strategy, and tools.

Type	Example Question
Icebreaker	“What’s a fun fact most people don’t know about you?”
Deep Dive	“What moment in your career changed everything?”
Reflective	“What advice would you give your past self?”
Hypothetical	“If you had a billboard for one message, what would it say?”
Personal Story	“Tell us about a time you failed and what you learned.”
Rapid Fire	“Coffee or tea? Early bird or night owl?”
Entrepreneur	“What problem did your business set out to solve?”
Author	“What inspired you to write your book?”
Creator	“How do you stay consistent when motivation fades?”

➡️ Want a custom set of questions? Try our Free Podcast Question Generator.

Why Good Podcast Questions Matter

Podcasting is more than just hitting record—it’s about creating a real conversation that your audience feels. Whether you’re brand new or 100 episodes in, the quality of your questions directly affects how memorable (or boring) your show is.

Great questions:

Make your guest feel comfortable
Pull out better stories and insights
Help listeners connect more deeply

Think of each question as a tool. The better your tools, the better the finished product.

5 Core Types of Podcast Questions

Mixing up your question styles will keep things flowing and avoid one-dimensional interviews. Here are the five types you need:

Type	Purpose	Example
Open-Ended	Get deeper stories & insights	“What’s something about your journey most people don’t know?”
Hypothetical	Spark imagination & reveal values	“If you had to start over from scratch, what would you do differently?”
Personal Story	Build connection	“Can you share a time you nearly gave up?”
Reflective	Encourage introspection	“What advice would you give your younger self?”
Unexpected	Add fun & personality	“If your podcast had a mascot, what would it be?”

🎤 Ready to Interview Like a Pro?
Don’t just ask better questions—ask the right ones.

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Ask sharper, more impactful questions
Build stronger guest rapport

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How to Build Stronger Conversations

Good interviews aren’t just about what you ask—it’s how you ask and how you listen.

1. Use Follow-Ups

Follow-up questions show you’re truly listening. When a guest gives a great answer, dig deeper:

“What happened next?”
“How did that affect your career?”

2. Match the Energy

If your guest is laid-back, don’t hit them with rapid-fire business questions. Adapt your tone and pacing.

3. Don’t Over-Script

Plan your interview—but don’t rigidly follow a script. Let the conversation breathe.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Asking 3-in-1 Questions: These confuse your guest. Ask one thing at a time.
Interrupting Too Much: Let silence do the work sometimes.
Skipping the Basics: Always warm up the guest with a few easy questions.

Bonus: 4 Questions to Shape Your Podcast’s POV

Want your show to stand out? Define your unique voice using these prompts:

What do I care deeply about that listeners also care about?
What types of guests do I love talking to—and why?
What episodes am I most proud of? What made them great?
How do I want listeners to feel after each episode?

These shape your tone, pacing, and yes—your questions.

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