Podcast Production Interview Techniques & Guest Management

Question 1

What is the 'pre-interview' technique used by experienced podcast hosts?

Accepted Answer

A conversation with the guest before recording to build rapport, confirm talking points, and identify the best stories

Answer

A scripted set of questions emailed to guests to answer in writing before appearing

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A test recording session to check audio quality before the main interview

Answer

Reading the guest's bio aloud on air before asking any questions

Question 2

What does 'active listening' mean in the context of podcast interviewing?

Accepted Answer

Fully focusing on what the guest is saying and responding to their actual words rather than reading from a prepared question list

Answer

Monitoring audio levels on the interface while the guest speaks

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Recording the interview while simultaneously editing a previous episode

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Using noise-canceling headphones to block out distractions during remote interviews

Question 3

What is a 'release form' (guest release) and why is it essential in podcast production?

Accepted Answer

A written agreement granting the podcast permission to record, edit, and distribute the guest's voice and likeness

Answer

A form guests complete to request removal of their episode from all platforms

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A technical document authorizing a guest to access the recording software

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A liability waiver protecting the host from defamation claims by guests

Question 4

What is a 'double-ender' recording technique in podcast interviews?

Accepted Answer

Each participant records their own audio locally while connected via a call, producing two separate high-quality tracks

Answer

A technique where the interview is recorded twice using two different microphones as backup

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A method of conducting two separate interviews with the same guest on different days and editing them together

Answer

Recording both the pre-interview and main interview in sequence without a break

Question 5

What is the 'five-second rule' that many podcast hosts use at the start of recordings?

Accepted Answer

Waiting silently for five seconds after starting the recording before speaking, to ensure clean edit points at the top

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Asking the guest to speak for exactly five seconds as a microphone level test

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Waiting five seconds between questions to give guests time to compose their answers

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Starting the episode with a five-second music intro before the host begins speaking

Question 6

What is the 'clap sync' method used in podcast production?

Accepted Answer

Clapping once at the start of a recording to create a visible audio spike that syncs multiple tracks in post-production

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Applauding at the end of a recorded segment to signal approval to the guest

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Using a clapperboard to mark the start of each episode segment for video podcasts only

Answer

Clapping to signal the audio engineer to begin recording in a studio environment