Thrive Careers Podcast host Olajumoke Fatoki writes for PodcastingToday: How to Book Better Podcast Guests: A Simple System That Improves Interviews.
I used to think a “great guest” was someone with an impressive title, a big following, or a polished bio.
Then I booked a few of those guests… and got interviews that felt flat, overly rehearsed—and worst of all, more like a sales pitch than a conversation.
That’s when I learned this: the quality of your interview is often decided before you ever hit record.
If you want better interviews, you don’t need more guests. You need better-fit guests—chosen with intention and a clear outcome for your listeners.
Here’s the simple system I use.
The system at a glance (save this)
- Define the listener win
- Score the guest with a 5-point scorecard
- Ask two vetting questions that reveal substance
- Do a 15-minute alignment call (optional)
- Use a simple interview arc
- Send a guest success one-pager
- Turn one great guest into future growth
1) Define the listener win before you book anyone
Before you invite a guest, decide the outcome:
What should a listener be able to do, think, or feel differently after listening to this episode?
Not “be inspired” or “learn about leadership.”
Make it specific:
- “Know the 3 questions to ask in a salary negotiation.”
- “Stop overthinking and take the first step into a career pivot.”
- “Build a networking plan that works even if you’re introverted.”
When you lead with a listener win, your booking gets easier.
You stop chasing “interesting people” and start choosing guests who can deliver a real result.
2) Use a guest scorecard (so you stop booking based on vibes)
This is the fastest way to avoid avoidable disappointment.
Rate each category from 1–5:
- Relevance: Do they match the listener’s win?
- Proof: Have they done the thing—or helped others do it?
- Clarity: Can they explain without rambling or hiding behind jargon?
- Generosity: Do they share practical steps, not just philosophy?
- Ease: Are they responsive, respectful, and prepared?
If someone scores low in two or more areas, I don’t book them for that episode.
This scorecard also protects you from “big-name syndrome”—when the guest looks impressive, but the episode doesn’t serve your audience.
3) Ask two questions that reveal everything (before you say yes)
I don’t do long vetting processes. I ask two questions that force clarity.
Question 1: “What’s one specific takeaway you can give my listeners in 10–15 minutes?”
Question 2: “Do you have a real example from your experience (or supporting others) that you’d be comfortable sharing to bring this to life for listeners?”
You’ll know quickly whether someone can add real value.
What “weak” looks like
- “I’ll talk about mindset, resilience, and overcoming obstacles.”
- “I have lots of insights to share about leadership.”
- “I can cover anything you want—just send questions.”
What “strong” looks like
- “I’ll share a 3-step method for preparing answers that sound natural (not scripted), plus the biggest mistake candidates make.”
- “I’ll tell the story of the moment I realised my interviews weren’t converting—and the exact changes that improved my results.”
- “I can give your listeners a simple checklist they can use immediately.”
Strong guests answer with outcomes, structure, and proof.
Weak fits stay vague.
4) Do a 15-minute alignment call (optional, but powerful)
If the topic is high-stakes, or I’m unsure about fit, I do a short alignment call.
It’s not a deep meeting. It’s a clarity check.
In 15 minutes, confirm:
- The listener win
- The 2–4 points you’ll cover (so it fits the time)
- 1–2 stories you’ll definitely include
- Any “no-go zones” (so it doesn’t turn into a pitch)
This one step reduces awkward interviews and improves flow dramatically.
5) Use a simple interview arc (so your episode has a beginning, middle, and end)
A conversation can be warm and structured.
Here’s the arc I use:
- Hook: Why does this matter right now?
- Turning point: What changed for you (or your clients)?
- Framework: The practical “how” (steps, tools, decisions)
- Reality check: What gets in the way + what to do instead
- Action step: One clear next move the listener can take today
If you want a practical primer on interviewing technique, BBC Academy’s interviewing guidance and NPR Training resources are both useful, non-sales references.
6) Send a guest success one-pager (this improves the interview instantly)
Three to five days before recording, I send a one-page brief.
It includes:
- One sentence on the audience
- The listener win
- 6–8 questions (in order)
- The interview arc (bullets)
- Two reminders: short answers are okay, and stories beat summaries
It sets the guest up to succeed.
It also makes you sound like a stronger host because the conversation becomes tighter and more intentional.
Template: Guest success one-pager
Episode title:
Audience (1 sentence):
Listener win (1 sentence):
Topics we’ll cover (3–4 bullets):
Stories we’ll include (1–2 bullets):
Questions (6–8 bullets):
Reminder: Keep answers tight. Stories over summaries. Our goal is to serve the listeners first.
7) After recording, turn one good guest into growth
The system doesn’t end when the episode drops.
After publishing, I do three things:
- Pull three shareable moments (bold insight, relatable mistake, step-by-step tip)
- Create a mini promo pack the guest can share easily
- Build the relationship—because great guests often know other great guests
Make sharing easy, and you’ll get more shares—without chasing anyone.
Red flags to watch out for
Avoid guests who:
- Try to control the questions or steer everything into promotion
- Can’t articulate a clear takeaway
- Are consistently slow or disorganised with communication
- Speak in theory only (no proof, no examples, no steps)
- Dismiss the audience (“They should already know this…”)
You don’t need a “perfect” guest.
You need alignment, clarity, and someone who respects the listener.
A simple checklist before you confirm any guest
Before I say yes, I check:
- Can they deliver the listener win clearly?
- Do they have proof (experience or results)?
- Can they communicate with clarity?
- Will they share practical steps (not fluff)?
- Are they easy to work with?
- Do they understand this is about the listener—not a sales platform?
If the answer is “yes” to most of these, the interview usually goes well.
The big idea: book for outcomes, not for optics
When your booking process is built around listener outcomes, everything improves:
- Less prep stress
- More confident hosting
- Better pacing
- Stronger listener retention
- More shares and word-of-mouth growth
It’s not magic.
It’s a system.
And once you build it, every episode gets easier.
About the author
Olajumoke Fatoki is the award-winning host of the Thrive Careers Podcast, a global career growth show listened to in 18+ countries, where she shares practical strategies that help professionals and job seekers thrive at work.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thrive_careers_podcast
