How to interview someone for a podcast

5 min read

Podcasts are all the rage. Listen to them at home, on a bus, up a tree. You choose. And you’ll be in good company, since the number of worldwide podcast listeners reached 584.1 million in 2025. The beauty is that anyone with a microphone and internet connection can start one for themself. But there’s one non-negotiable: Learning how to interview someone for a podcast.

Sure, you’re a great conversationalist with your friends. But guiding an interview when the tape’s running? That’s a whole other beast.

To help you start a podcast that makes a splash, we’ve gathered tips from Samantha Zorn, co-host of Venture Ahead and all-round great person. Let’s get into it.

How did Samantha become a podcast host?

Samantha’s an International MBA student here at IE Business School. She’s also involved in more extracurricular activities than seems humanly possible. And that’s how she came about interviewing top business entrepreneurs.

“I wanted to immerse myself more in the IE Entrepreneurship Center,” Samantha says. “I applied for a fellowship called Startup Experience. It acts like a sort of internship, giving students exposure in the startup ecosystem. I ended up becoming president of the initiative and connected with a lot of great people at IE University. They saw my enthusiasm and thought I’d make a good host—so they invited me onto the podcast!”

“I think it’s important to have an interest in people,” says Samantha. “I’ve always been interested in social entrepreneurship and international relations. And I’ve done a lot of volunteering. It’s about making an impact, even if it wasn’t direct.”

How to make a good podcast?

So how do you make a podcast that people want to listen to? After all, only 6% of podcasts make it past episode three, and of those around 90% quit after 20 episodes.

Here are a few Samantha-approved tips to get you over common hurdles.

Be enthusiastic

The first thing, according to Samantha, is having genuine enthusiasm for what you’re doing. “We had a whirlwind experience during our first season that coincided with a big entrepreneurship conference,” Samantha says of recording the first season of Venture Ahead. “It was intense but exciting. You need that energy to be reflected in the final product.” So, make sure you’re starting a podcast for the right reasons—invest yourself fully.

Pick a theme

According to Apple Podcasts, finding your niche is key. You slap your label front and center and you’re instantly attracting qualified traffic who have a need for your content. Having a set theme also makes it easier to choose guests, guide discussions and do your research. “Venture Ahead is an entrepreneurship podcast,” Samantha says. “So it’s focused towards anyone who’s passionate about that field.”

Choose interesting guests

There’s no point learning how to interview someone for a podcast if you don’t have quality guests. Invite relevant people for the show’s theme with expertise and a unique perspective. Venture Ahead centers around top entrepreneurs from a variety of industries, including FemTech, live entertainment and real estate.

Promote your interviews

Ensure you’ve got a marketing strategy in place. That means taking advantage of social media and SEO. But also remember your own personal branding comes into play. “I’m surprised by how much Venture Ahead has boosted my visibility,” says Samantha. “An entrepreneur from El Salvador recently reached out about my work on the podcast, and we’ve discussed creating a platform for young entrepreneurs in Central America.”

Listen to other podcasts

Don’t reinvent the wheel—do your research on existing podcasts. “The more I listen to podcasts and see how they function, the better I get at crafting interesting dialogues,” Samantha says. “Watching my friend from Guatemala, who runs a successful podcast called Un Cura y Un Cuento, has given me valuable insights too.”

How do you interview someone for a podcast?

Knowing how to interview someone for a podcast is a craft. Here are some tricks-of-the-trade—take note!

Go with the flow

“Be ready to pivot during the conversation,” says Samantha. “If a topic sparks interest, follow that thread! You should aim to create a comfortable atmosphere, making it feel like a genuine conversation rather than a rigid Q&A.”

Listen actively

You don’t have to sit there in silence. Stay present and offer something for your guests to bounce off. “I’ve learned to connect with guests and create more engaging conversations,” says Samantha. “Don’t be afraid to share your own story if it helps guests open up.”

Research your guest

Don’t rely on the conversation flowing naturally—have a few things up your sleeve that can guide your interviewer to an exciting place. “Research on your guest,” Samantha advises. “Having a deeper understanding of their background will enable you to ask more insightful questions.”

How to become a better interviewer?

So, you’ve learnt how to interview someone for a podcast. The next step is honing your personal style. For Samantha, reflection has been key to improving her craft: “I struggled with asking deep questions and establishing a natural connection during interviews,” says Samantha. “But as I gained more experience, I became more relaxed. I realized it’s fundamentally a conversation to inform and engage the audience, rather than a test of my abilities.”

“The whole experience has really influenced my long-term goals,” says Samantha. “It’s expanded my perspective on entrepreneurship and the potential impact I can have. I never expected that.”

Watch our entrepreneurship podcast

Eager to see Samantha in action? Scroll down to see Samantha shine on Venture Ahead and discover her core takeaways from each interviews.

Disruptive solutions with Uri Levine

“Interviewing Uri Levine was a highlight. Speaking with someone so influential in entrepreneurship was such a unique opportunity. He was launching his new book, and his insights about embracing failure struck a chord with me. He shared how in his household, failure was viewed as an opportunity for growth rather than a punishment. That perspective is liberating for many aspiring entrepreneurs. It reinforces the notion that success isn’t a straight path. There are various routes to achieve your goals, and being open to learning from failures is essential. Uri is also my mentor, so it was great to sit down and get his thoughts on camera.”

Innovating entertainment with Daniel Fletcher

“Daniel was incredibly fascinating as well. His journey shows how someone can transition into the music industry even if they didn’t start there. He emphasized keeping your passions alive while pursuing a career, reminding us that you don’t have to abandon what you love to create a fulfilling life.”

Disrupting real estate with Alejandro Artacho

“His story encapsulates the entrepreneurial spirit that IE fosters. He began with an idea and relied on the connections he cultivated at IE to build a successful company in a challenging market like real estate. His success story is a testament to thinking outside the box and validating your ideas against conventional wisdom.”