What if I told you that most interviews are mind-numbingly boring, and you're probably doing them wrong? Today I interview Tracy Johnson, and after decades in radio and working with countless shows, he's written a book, Mic Drop Moments, that shares the secrets to transforming mediocre conversations into absolute “Didya Hear That?!” moments.
In this episode, we pull back the curtain on selecting guests that will electrify your audience, ask questions that make people lean in, and tell stories that keep listeners hanging on every word. Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, what we share will completely change how you approach interviews forever. So if you're ready to stop settling for bland, forgettable conversations and start creating audio magic, hit play right now.
The Triple Threat Filter for Interview Guests:
1. Familiarity
– How well-known is the guest to your audience?
– A familiar guest brings built-in interest and recognition
– More famous guests typically make better interview subjects
– Provides an immediate connection for listeners
2. Relevance
– Does the guest's story or background matter to your audience?
– Must align with your podcast's theme and target listeners
– Simply being famous isn't enough if the content doesn't resonate
– The guest should provide value specific to your show's focus
3. Interest/Entertainment
– Can the guest tell a compelling story?
– Ability to be engaging, dynamic, and captivating
– Brings unique perspectives or unexpected narratives
– Makes the host look good by providing memorable content
Aim to have at least two out of three criteria met. If you lose two out of three, the interview will likely be challenging to make interesting. The ultimate goal is to leverage the guest's story to enhance your podcast's entertainment value.
The 3E's of Entertainment:
1. Enhance
– Add extra details to make the story more interesting
– Go beyond the basic facts
– Ask questions like “What were you thinking at that moment?”
– Create additional context that wasn't initially present
– Make the story more vivid and engaging
2. Exaggerate
– Slightly amplify the story's impact
– Turn a small moment into a bigger narrative
– Example: A small fish becomes “the biggest catch of the season.”
– Create dramatic tension without losing the core truth
– Make the story more memorable and exciting
3. Embellish
– Add creative storytelling elements
– Stage the story for maximum entertainment value
– Take a brief moment and turn it into a full narrative
– Example: A simple backstage conversation becomes an epic ping pong challenge
– Use creative license to make the story more compelling
Mic Drop Moments of Authenticity
As audiences crave authenticity, Tracy isn't saying to lie, but you can bring in adjectives that trigger the theater of the mind. In the same way that you can enhance a story through embellishment, one way to embellish is to edit and remove items that don't move the story forward or add to the narrative.
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Resources Mention
Episode 677 The Ultimate Guide to Hosting and Guesting Podcast Interviews
Drew Carey on Jordan Harbinger Show (start at 48:14 nsfw)
Howie Mandel on Jordan Harbinger
Find “All Things Dave” at powerofpodcasting.com
Say Thanks for a Great Show schoolofpodcasting.com/thanks
