Setup

Opening

How Jordan Harbinger Tripled His Downloads

Authentic Laughter

Dave's Brain Gap Test

Tracy Johnson Interview

Triple Threat Filter

Coming up with Good Questions

Didya Hear Moment

The Three E's Of Entertainment

The Power of Editing

Where Do You Start?

How Do You Say No?

Two Motivating Factors

Trainwreck Interviews

Buy the Book

Authenticity

Storyworthy

Question of the Month

Join the School of Podcasting

What if I told you that most interviews are mind-numbingly boring, and you're probably doing them wrong? Today I interview Tracy Johnson, and after decades in radio and working with countless shows, he's written a book, <a href="https://geni.us/mic-drop-moments" target="_blank">Mic Drop Moments</a>, that shares the secrets to transforming mediocre conversations into absolute "Didya Hear That?!" moments. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on selecting guests that will electrify your audience, ask questions that make people lean in, and tell stories that keep listeners hanging on every word. Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, what we share will completely change how you approach interviews forever. So if you're ready to stop settling for bland, forgettable conversations and start creating audio magic, hit play right now.<h2>The Triple Threat Filter for Interview Guests:</h2>1. Familiarity- How well-known is the guest to your audience?- A familiar guest brings built-in interest and recognition- More famous guests typically make better interview subjects- Provides an immediate connection for listeners2. Relevance- Does the guest's story or background matter to your audience?- Must align with your podcast's theme and target listeners- Simply being famous isn't enough if the content doesn't resonate- The guest should provide value specific to your show's focus3. Interest/Entertainment- Can the guest tell a compelling story?- Ability to be engaging, dynamic, and captivating- Brings unique perspectives or unexpected narratives- Makes the host look good by providing memorable contentAim to have at least two out of three criteria met. If you lose two out of three, the interview will likely be challenging to make interesting. The ultimate goal is to leverage the guest's story to enhance your podcast's entertainment value.<h2>The 3E's of Entertainment:</h2>1. Enhance- Add extra details to make the story more interesting- Go beyond the basic facts- Ask questions like "What were you thinking at that moment?"- Create additional context that wasn't initially present- Make the story more vivid and engaging2. Exaggerate- Slightly amplify the story's impact- Turn a small moment into a bigger narrative- Example: A small fish becomes "the biggest catch of the season."- Create dramatic tension without losing the core truth- Make the story more memorable and exciting3. Embellish- Add creative storytelling elements- Stage the story for maximum entertainment value- Take a brief moment and turn it into a full narrative- Example: A simple backstage conversation becomes an epic ping pong challenge- Use creative license to make the story more compellingAs audiences crave authenticity, Tracy isn't saying to lie, but you can bring in adjectives that trigger the theater of the mind.<h2>Resources Mention</h2><a href="https://geni.us/mic-drop-moments" target="_blank">Mic Drop Moments Book</a><a href="https://tjohnsonmediagroup.com/" target="_blank">Tracy Johnson Media Website</a><a href="https://community.schoolofpodcasting.com/?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=shownotes&amp;utm_campaign=984" target="_blank">School of Podcasting</a><a href="https://schoolofpodcasting.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-hosting-and-guesting-podcast-interviews/" target="_blank">Episode 677 The Ultimate Guide to Hosting and Guesting Podcast Interviews</a>

Captivate

School of Podcasting - Podcast Tips to Plan, Launch, Grow Your Podcast

Mic Drop Moments: How to Turn Boring Interviews into Podcast Gold with Tracy Johnson

Dave Jackson