Prepare and interview
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The idea in everyday life
Research enough to avoid asking for a biography the guest has repeated everywhere. Share scope and consent, design a narrative route, ask open questions, listen for concrete scenes, and leave room for correction. Respect off-record and withdrawal agreements.
Research earns better follow-ups; listening finds the moments no question list can predict.
One step at a time.
Use the sample or information you have permission to use. Keep your work as you go. You can pause between steps.
- 1
Research the guest’s work, timeline, claims, previous interviews, and the listener’s likely questions.
- 2
Plan the conversation as a story: introduce the situation, ask what changed, explore specific events and choices, then ask what the guest learned.
- 3
Ask one clear question at a time, then use silence and exact follow-ups to get detail.
- 4
Confirm names, dates, permissions, sensitive boundaries, promotional expectations, and fact-check items.
See how it works.
Rae builds a timeline of a bridge-repair shift, asks the guest to describe the first sign something was wrong, follows decisions and sensory detail, and pauses to clarify safety context. The guest confirms pronunciation, bio, clip permission, and one sensitive edit.
Did you cover these?
- The guest knows topic, format, recording status, release plan, and consent terms.
- Questions seek experience and meaning without fabricating drama.
- Sensitive claims and third-party allegations have an editorial verification plan.
What to finish
An interview plan with research notes, questions in story order, and a list of facts to check afterward.
Watch for this
Reading the next question while the guest gives the detail that deserves a follow-up.
How can I tell I understand it?
The conversation produces specific scenes, decisions, and insights—not only polished talking points.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
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Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video · same video as Lesson 1
How to Start a Podcast
From Riverside. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
Use the video's interview setup as the technical foundation, then listen for the host behaviors—preparation, follow-up, silence, and clarification—that create usable material.Tools, templates, and lesson sources
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