How can you evaluate a podcast interviewee's ability to communicate complex ideas?

1 Listen to their previous interviews

One of the easiest ways to assess a potential interviewee's communication skills is to listen to their previous interviews on other podcasts, radio shows, or video platforms. You can look for clues such as how they introduce themselves, how they answer questions, how they use examples and analogies, how they handle feedback and interruptions, and how they summarize their main points. You can also pay attention to their tone, pace, volume, and clarity of speech. If you find their previous interviews informative, enjoyable, and easy to follow, chances are they will do well on your podcast too.

2 Ask them to pitch their topic

Another way to evaluate a podcast interviewee's ability to communicate complex ideas is to ask them to pitch their topic to you in a short email or voice message. You can give them some guidelines on what you expect from them, such as the length, the angle, the audience, and the main takeaways of their topic. You can then review their pitch and see how well they articulate their idea, how relevant it is to your podcast theme and listeners, and how original and compelling it is. You can also ask them some follow-up questions to test their depth of knowledge and their responsiveness.

3 Conduct a pre-interview call

A third way to evaluate a podcast interviewee's ability to communicate complex ideas is to conduct a pre-interview call with them. This is a chance for you to have a casual conversation with them and get to know them better. You can ask them about their background, their motivation, their challenges, and their goals. You can also discuss their topic in more detail and clarify any doubts or questions you might have. You can use this opportunity to observe how they communicate verbally, how they listen and interact with you, and how they handle any technical issues or distractions. You can also give them some feedback and suggestions on how to improve their presentation for your podcast.

4 Use a feedback form

A fourth way to evaluate a podcast interviewee's ability to communicate complex ideas is to use a feedback form after the interview. You can create a simple form that asks you and your interviewee to rate different aspects of the interview, such as the content, the structure, the delivery, the engagement, and the value. You can also include some open-ended questions that allow you to give and receive more specific and constructive feedback. You can use this form to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your interviewee's communication skills, as well as to improve your own interviewing skills and podcast quality.

5 Learn from the best

A fifth way to evaluate a podcast interviewee's ability to communicate complex ideas is to learn from the best. You can listen to podcasts that feature experts who are excellent communicators and analyze how they explain their ideas, how they use stories and examples, how they connect with the host and the audience, and how they make their message memorable and actionable. You can also read books, articles, and blogs that offer tips and techniques on how to communicate complex ideas effectively. You can then apply what you learn to your own podcast and to your interviewee selection process.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?