Create Conversations That Actually Connect

Hi Friend

Because of Easter and a dentist appointment this was a very short week for me, where I had to pack a weeks worth of work into 2 days. Somethings stayed unfinished but all the crucial parts got done. Including this newsletter, thanks to the second guest post in this publication.

Hope you had a more relaxed week than me.

💛 Valentin

How to Host Better Interviews

With over 8 years of experience and hundreds of interviews under her belt, Regina knows how to guide a conversation. But what surprised me most was how many of her tips still felt fresh. Little things that are easy to forget but that make a big difference.

I first met Regina at a creator event last year, and her warmth and clarity stuck with me. When I saw she was speaking at Creative Mornings, I knew I had to attend and on the way there, I listened to her podcast on how to host better interviews, a skill that is helpful if you are creating content or not.

So this week’s newsletter is a collaboration with her. Sharing a condensed version of Regina’s guide to becoming a better interviewer. For those of you hosting guests but this is just as useful if you're recording a talking head by yourself.

Interview-style podcasts are one of the easiest formats to start with. But doing them well takes intention. Here’s how to get there.

Step One: Preparing Your Interview

Know your guest.

“Is there something that would make your episode stand out because you look at it from a new angle?”

Research deeply. Past interviews, articles, books, social media. What stories do they tell? What’s something they rarely speak about that you want to explore?

Even if they’ve done many podcasts, what angle could make yours stand out? Bring your own curiosity into it.

Clarify your episode goal.

Ask yourself: What’s the takeaway for listeners? Inspiration? Practical advice? A deep dive into a niche? Your answer will shape your questions and tone.

Craft thoughtful questions.

Avoid yes/no traps. Use open-ended prompts:

• “Can you tell us about a moment that shaped your journey?”

• “What’s a challenge you’ve faced that’s not obvious from the outside?”

Have your questions ready, but let the conversation flow.

Have a pre-chat.

If you haven’t met before, schedule a 5–10 minute call, before or just ahead of the recording. It breaks the ice and sets expectations:

• Duration?

• Edited or live?

• Audio-only or video too?

Build trust early. The more at ease they feel, the better the conversation will flow.

Step Two: Showing Up as a Confident Host

Ground yourself beforehand.

“I should have 10 to 15 minutes before my recording where I just ground myself.”

Don’t scramble right before recording. Take 10–15 minutes to:

• Set up your gear

• Breathe

• Stretch

• Review notes

• Set your intention

Be present. Listen deeply.

Turn off notifications. Ask your guest to do the same.

Don’t fixate on your next question. Listen. The best follow-ups often come from the moment:

• “Can you tell me more?”

• “What did that feel like?”

Watch their body language or voice tone—even in audio. Trust your instinct if something deserves a deeper dig.

Keep the energy natural.

Don’t aim for perfection. Be warm, curious, and relaxed. Imagine you’re just having a coffee with a friend.

Guide the conversation.

If they go off track, steer gently:

• “This is great, let’s come back to X for a moment.”

You’re the guide. Stay flexible, but prioritize relevance.

Embrace the pause.

Silence is okay. It gives your guest space. It gives you time to think. And you can always edit it later.

Step Three: Leverage the Moment

The end is the beginning.

“The end of this interview is the start of your relationship.”

After the interview:

• Thank your guest

• Share what the convo meant to you

• Follow their work

• Support and reshare their wins

That relationship can evolve into something long-term. Collaborations. Opportunities. Friendships.

Engage your audience.

Ask listeners what resonated. Use the podcast and your social media to invite reflection and discussion. This builds your community—and your confidence.

Reflect and Improve

Afterwards, listen back.

Not right away, give it some time. Then reflect:

• What felt off?

• What worked well?

• What would you change next time?

Each episode helps you grow. As a host. As a communicator. As a creator.

f you want to go deeper into Regina’s world, check out her Podcasts, where she helps purpose-driven voices share their message with clarity and confidence.

And if you're up for a little challenge this week:

Try recording a 10-minute interview, or even a solo talking head, using one of the tips from this guide. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Just notice how you show up differently when you prepare with intention.

Hit reply and let me know what you learn. I’d love to hear how it goes.

I use Riverside for all my remote interviews.
Clean audio, crisp video, and no stress.
It’s built for creators and makes recording feel seamless every time.

Use code Orbit to get 15% off

My favorite content this week

Personally I’ve been rewatching Adam Temesi’s Sine Waves series in case you’re up for a classic Vlog feeling mixed with skateboarding.

And Flavortrip just released a new mix with the perfect spring/summer vibes

What’s on your playlist this week?

If you have a newsletter, podcast or YouTube channel and want to share a guest post here, simply hit reply. I’d love to feature you.

In case you missed it:

⬅️ Last week I explained YouTube like it’s a grocery store

➡️ Next week it’s already May. Can you believe it?

Thank you for reading