The Art of the Podcast Interview: It’s Not Just a Chat, It’s a Journey

I once worked with a client who had a clear mission: they needed to communicate crucial, complex information. They were deeply invested in getting the message out there, and rightly so—it was important. But when I suggested wrapping this information in a story, they hesitated. 

It was as if the idea of storytelling felt almost cheap to them, like the seriousness of their message didn’t need the “fluff” of a narrative.

They believed that if they just broke down the facts clearly, that would be enough. But here’s the thing: while information is critical, the way you deliver it makes all the difference. So, I convinced them to take a different approach. 

Instead of just laying out the facts, we focused on finding the person most affected by this information and told their story.

And that’s when the magic happened. Suddenly, the complex became relatable. The important became personal. The audience wasn’t just hearing information—they were feeling it, connecting with it on a human level. The story became the vehicle that carried the message, making it not just understandable, but memorable.

Let’s get one thing straight: a podcast interview isn’t just a chat.  It’s not a “discussion” in the casual, let’s-see-where-this-goes sense. It’s a conversation with a purpose—a carefully crafted narrative that takes your listeners on a journey. And just like any good story, it needs a hook, a clear beginning, middle, and end, rising conflict, and ultimately, resolution.

In journalism, we’re trained to find the story in every interview. That skill translates directly into podcasting. Even when you’re working with a straightforward Q&A format, the conversation should be structured to build momentum. 

You start with the hook—something intriguing that grabs the listener’s attention right from the start. Then you move through the narrative, introducing tension or conflict. Maybe it’s a problem your guest is solving or a challenge they’ve faced. Finally, you bring it home with a resolution—an insight, a lesson learned, something that ties the whole conversation together.

This approach doesn’t just make your podcast more engaging; it makes it more memorable. Your audience isn’t just passively listening—they’re invested in the story you’re telling. They want to know what happens next, how it all ends. And that’s the key to keeping them coming back episode after episode.

So, even if you’re working with an interview format, remember: you’re not just asking questions. You’re telling a story. And when you do it well, you’re not just filling airtime—you’re creating something that resonates.