What are effective ways to overcome nervousness during a podcast interview?

Back in the day, I used to do a radio show for my local chamber of commerce. At first I would spend literally a couple of hours generating questions, putting together an outline, and then I would get nervous trying to pay attention to what I prepared and NOT the person I was interviewing. This went on for probably a year. Finally, I asked the General Manager at the station, who was an outstanding interviewer what he did. He told me he only decides on the first question. He wants it to be a good one. Then he has a conversation. From then on, I never prepared an outline or more than three questions. My interviewing got so much better because I was fully focused on the guest, and not the distractions of all the things I had done to "prepare".

Agreed. Researching your guest and establishing the flow and cadence of your questioning is very important. When you are well prepared, you sound like an expert to your guests, and they feel more at ease. Remember what you want listeners to get from the episode, even if you like a loose-style conversation.

Feeling a bit jittery before a podcast interview is completely normal! It's like meeting new friends; there's a mix of excitement and a touch of nerves. Just take a deep breath, visualize your success, and remember that you've got valuable insights to share with the audience. Trust in your preparation, focus on the conversation, and don't worry too much about being perfect. Mistakes happen, but they're just part of the journey. So, relax, be yourself, and enjoy the opportunity to connect with your listeners through your words of wisdom. You've got this!

Having a general outline can be incredibly helpful, especially at the beginning when you’re new to podcasting. I suggest using bullet points and indentations to help you visually follow along. Your goal isn’t to read word for word, it is to have a document you can scan to keep you on track and ensure you didn’t forget anything important. I suggest having something that is four pages or less. As you get more experience, you can adjust this document as you go, and you likely will rely on it less and less.

I agree with Julie B. --having an outline is helpful, and NEEDED. I think is non-negotiable for an interview-based podcast. Everyone can get off track if there isn't work done on an outline. I've seen well-meaning Producers write out a script, and well-intended guests fill in their answers like a script. And yes, some people read off of the page--but actually, I've found it helpful to write out my answers (almost like a dress rehearsal). That way I don't miss any points I would want to say if my mind suddenly goes blank. Of course, I would suggest not reading off the page in a boring drone voice, and only referencing the answers while in the actual interview. Isn't it great that episodes can be recorded (and then edited?!)

There is merit in practicing (rehearsing) possible answers, not just for content sake, but also to get acquainted with the sound of your voice, your own inflections, and the nuances of your filler words. If you've never had ANY experience with recording ever, this is most likely a helpful exercise. Post-recording, if you're planning on guesting (or hosting) in the future, it's wise to listen to the finished product. You may cringe (don't we all) but then you get to become better for the next time!

Remember, the magic happens in post-production, so you can relax and just enjoy the conversation. If you are nervous, request on your pre-call that you would like to hear the audio before the episode goes live. Once this is established, you will be able to engage deeply in the conversation, ask follow-up questions, and truly listen. So, let loose and worry about the end result later. Your host wants you to look and sound your best too and should be open to your feedback!

Having nerves is a sign that you are invested in what you are doing and this is a positive sign. Being self aware enough to acknowledge the nerves and embrace them is a helpful step in overcoming them.

You need to watch your "game tape". If you're going out on podcasts as a guest and not listening to them critically after the fact, you're doing it wrong. Every speaker, every athlete, every person who treasures their craft watches their performance with a critical eye and critiques it. You cannot get better without putting in the reps, nor can you get better without taking an objective look at things like your vocal filler usage (ums, ahs, uhs, "that's a great question", etc.), your camera eye contact, your interaction with hosts, and your story. Practicing and tightening these things up is only possible by taking the time after you're on a show to de-brief and not only get feedback from yourself, but the host you just worked with.

While it’s great to have an intention or goal for this particular podcast interview, the magic happens when you allow some flexibility in the conversation. This means following and staying true to your show’s purpose and your desired format and structure, while allowing smaller moments of unplanned and unstructured conversation. This can lead to some really wonderful stories and insights you might not get otherwise.