The Secrets to Asking Compelling Questions
Whether you're conducting a podcast interview or just looking to improve your conversation skills, hopefully these 10 tips can help.
When I co-founded the Our Hen House (OHH) podcast in January 2010 with Mariann Sullivan, it was partly as a response to my annoyance. I had been working for an advocacy organization and I was frustrated by how many passionate animal advocates didn’t know how to get involved with activism, so a lot of them waited for top-down organizational campaigns to determine for them where to donate, or what change.org petition to sign.
OHH came from a hope that activism can be replicable, scalable, personal, and easy—using the stories, successes, and ideas from change-makers of all stripes (artists, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs, etc.) to provide inspiration and ideas.
If we all start with what we are good at, what we love to do, and the communities we are already involved with, our advocacy efforts can be fun, fulfilling, and effective.
So we set out to interview one, then two, then dozens, then hundreds, and ultimately thousands of activists who were each changing the world for animals in their own unique, fabulous way. To date, we’ve published 588 episodes of the eponymous podcast, as well as 70 episodes of the Animal Law Podcast, and 10 special episodes of the Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast (not currently active). Because I’m OCD, and rather relentless sometimes (most of the time), we have never missed a week of production of the OHH podcast (I’m both proud of that as well as a little embarrassed).
When we first started interviewing folks, a generous seed-grantor had expressed concern to us that we’d run out of people to interview. Currently, that idea is laughable to me; our little podcast (which has gone on to get several Webby nods) could go out daily and still never run out of guests. Also, the robust and devoted community that centers around our platform is strong, tight-knit, and eager to learn more.
Throughout the 10.5 years of going on the air each week, I have had the distinct honor of honing in on how to conduct an excellent interview.
Some of this has been learned the hard way, and some through trial and error—understanding what types of questions can break through boring “talking points”-type answers. I’m proud to say that many of our guests remark on how easy and emboldening the interview process is. That’s how the experience should be.
A happy interviewee means a more compelling interview.
And, on a selfish level, it’s much more intriguing for me to be involved with the process if I can somehow set things up so that the person I’m interviewing is being invited to share their most thoughtful, cutting-edge, and personal thoughts on activism.
To date—whether it was for the Our Hen House podcast or my work as an editor with VegNews—I’ve been able to interview fabulous folks including Joaquin Phoenix, Cory Booker, Bob Barker, Mayim Bialik, Tig Notaro, Mena Suvari, and a lot more. Though I still get butterflies in my stomach sometimes (especially with Tig … be still, my heart), I feel strongly that my commitment to being present, not being tied to the questions or research, and knowing how to craft a question thoughtfully will ensure that my guest will leave the interview feeling heard, affirmed, and celebrated.
Conducting a strong interview and learning what questions to ask, and how to ask them, is also something that comes in handy with general conversation—since most of the tips and tricks I’ve picked up can result in more engaging dialogue, regardless of whether it’s later broadcast.
Today, I wanted to lay out for you some successful ways to pose questions. Whether you use this to interview someone for your podcast, a magazine article, a blog, or a newsletter—or you just want to be a little better equipped for how to avoid awkward lulls in conversation the next time you’re at a gathering—this will hopefully help.
10 Tips on How to Ask Podcast Questions
Set your guest up for success. Thank them profusely, tell them they can pause at any time to get water or to take a question again, and remind them that this is a friendly, conversational chat. Reiterate how excited you are to be interviewing them and how much your listeners will love and appreciate their perspective.
Ask open-ended questions. This one seems pretty obvious but is worth underlining. You can also bring up something from your guest’s background or project and then ask them a follow-up question. “I know you grew up in New Jersey in the high-hair 1980s. What was that like for you?”
While you’re doing research on your guest, if anything lights you up—however seemingly small—ask them about it. When I was recently interviewing New York Senator Jabari Brisport, I realized that we both went to college for theater in NYC. Sharing that little fact with him was very sweet and created for an interesting, authentic interview moment.
Don’t be afraid of having a perspective. A little friction makes for a much more enjoyable experience. Whenever you are able to weigh in with an additional POV or (quick) personal anecdote, do so. But make sure you are using your story or perspective to frame your guest, not you.
Showcase them, not you. Just to take that thought a little bit further, everything you are doing during this interview is aimed at highlighting your guest’s story, your guest’s experience, your guest’s ideas, and your guest’s projects. Yes, it is a conversation, but they are your guest—not the other way around.
Be affirming, even when you disagree. This little tip might come in handy the next time you get into an argument. Start with something affirming: “I totally hear you that you think ….” So, you’re making sure they know you actually hear them. Then, pivot to an “I” statement. “Interestingly, my experience has been a little different, and I’m curious what you think. I have found that ….” Then, after offering your perspective, pivot again to make sure they don’t feel attacked. “That said, I’m intrigued by how different your experience with this was. Why do you think that is?”
Move them off of the talking points. Some folks will come to your interviews over-prepared. This is super annoying sometimes. Get them off their talking points by asking them something out of left field if you have to. I like to shake things up sometimes by asking them what they ate for breakfast. You can edit and streamline later, if you need.
If they are going on for too long, it’s ok to gently interrupt. This is hard because it feels rude (and sometimes it is a little rude), but I’m going to say that every one in twenty interviews, you must jump in—especially if they are monologuing. Just say, “John, John, John …” (Note: Only say “John” if your guest’s name is, in fact, John.) “That’s such a great point, which makes me wonder if …” and then keep going. John will pick up the hint—and it won’t sound weird to your listeners, even though it feels weird to do it.
Stay engaged. I admit that I learned this the hard way (I probably have ADHD, but that’s for another conversation). Resist the urge to check your notifications (turn them off beforehand and leave your phone out of the room). The focus needs to be on the interviewee. If you lose focus, you might also lose the opportunity to pull out a rare gem from their story and ask a follow-up question.
Honor their time and be very gracious. Pull out the effusiveness. Though it’s true that you are using your platform to highlight their work, your guest is still giving you and your listeners their time and their take. That’s worth a lot of graciousness.
xo,
jazz
One Thing I’m Jazzed About
The amazing literary agency that I’m proud to be with, PS Literary (my rockstar agent is Claire Harris) is putting together a pretty epic panel discussion on Clubhouse, and yours truly is one of the guests. Entitled Food Writers Talk About Earth Day, I’ll be offering a bit of a vegan perspective to the upbeat chat this Thursdsay, April 22, at Noon ET. If you’re on Clubhouse, follow me at @jasmin_singer, and tune in to celebrate the planet with me.
And before you go! Here’s yet another reminder that also on April 22 is the night of the first-ever virtual Gala for the Newark LGBTQ Center! If you haven’t gotten your ticket yet, you can get them right here for free (though donations are hugely appreciated). The lineup of performs is truly extraordinary.
One Random Thing I’d Like to Share
When the world ends and I have to finally break into my “doomsday” bin of canned goods, I will have potatoes! Thanks, Aldi.