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Do you really need to interview guests to have a successful podcast?
This may be a bit of a controversial take, but I say absolutely not, and I’m going to tell you why.
Before I dive in, let me be clear: I’m not anti-guest. I could do a whole episode on why guest interviews are amazing, what they can do for your podcast and business, and why bringing guests on is the right move for a lot of podcasters.
I also know great people who have services for booking guests, whether you’re a host looking for guests or you want to go on other shows. Reach out and I can give you some recommendations.
But this podcast is all about permission and options. If someone’s told you that you can’t fly solo and that you absolutely have to interview people first, then this episode (and this article) is for you.
The Post That Made Me Want to Close the App
I was scrolling one day in a podcast group when I came across a post from someone asking if she could just do a solo show with short episodes.
There were a lot of well-intentioned people offering support. But there were also a lot of experienced podcasters (and even some service providers) who essentially shut her down in their comments.
I’m paraphrasing here, but what I heard were things like:
“No, no, no – you’ve got to do a whole season of interviews first. You can’t do solo shows. Do that first. Talk to other people, bring them on to build your authority. And then maybe next year, use your own voice.”
Like it was some “right” strategy that she absolutely had to follow. Some magic number of 20 or 30 interviews before she was “allowed” to fly solo.
It was a common theme throughout the post, which is why I wanted to address this topic.
To be honest, I didn’t respond. I just shook my head and scrolled by. I didn’t want to fight with strangers about it.
But I regret that now. I wish I’d given some counterpoints.
So that’s part of the reason I wanted to do this episode. I know there’s a very slim chance that person is reading this, but I do want to share what I really would have liked to say.
Why That Advice Is Dangerous
The reason that advice, although maybe well-intentioned, is so dangerous is what I call the authority myth. Some people refer to it as the “Joe Rogan Effect.”
You see podcasters like Joe Rogan everywhere, on videos, audio clips, massive shows with guests. I can see where the idea comes from that you have to bring on guests if you’re going to have a podcast.
But here’s what I want you to know:
You don’t build authority just by interviewing people. You build it by having a point of view, talking about what you believe in, and sharing your experiences and expertise.
Everyone has something to share that can provide value to someone listening.
For newer podcasters especially, there’s a bit of a guest crutch. It’s certainly easier to carry on an episode or reach a certain length if you have someone to ask questions to.
But there’s some backwards logic being shared in threads like that one. Do a whole season of something you don’t really want to do, and THEN do what you actually want – talking to the microphone and sharing your expertise and insights, which is what she wanted to do in the first place.
Because here’s the real kicker: She said in her original post that she wanted to fly solo.
They talked her out of her original instinct. And that’s just wrong. It’s not what podcasting should be about.
Things like that are a big reason why I’m recording these episodes and finally doing my own podcast.
The Hidden Challenges of Guest Interviews
If you’re bringing on guests, let me share some things to consider:
Scheduling Nightmares
We’re all busy. Coordinating calendars means issues will pop up, such as rescheduling, people getting sick, emergencies, or they simply forgot. It happens.
And time zones don’t always line up. If you’ve ever tried interviewing someone from Australia while you’re in North America, you’ll definitely notice that time zone difference.
You Can’t Record When Inspiration Hits
With guests, you’re waiting for that scheduled recording time and hoping it’s going to be good.
What I like about flying solo is that if I feel like recording, I can set up my equipment quickly, do a mic check, hit record, and knock out an episode.
Technical Issues
Bad audio. Laptop mics. Echoey rooms. Barking dogs. You never know what’s going to happen when you’re interviewing a guest in a different location.
Internet can be glitchy and drop mid-interview. You could be stuck using bad audio or asking them to re-record, which leads to more scheduling headaches.
Loss of Creative Control
Often the conversation goes where the guest wants to go. You’ve invited them on, and you want to give them a platform to speak about their views. That makes sense.
But you can’t always steer it back to your own message. Sometimes a guest can ramble or go off topic. Sure, it can be edited, but it’s something to consider.
I know podcasters, including a current client of ours with a well-established show, who’ve switched exclusively to solo episodes for some of these exact same reasons.
Preparation Requirements
If you’re bringing a guest on, there’s probably research you should do beforehand to know who you’re speaking to and what they do.
You’ll need to prepare questions. You might have to brief them on your format. Some hosts and guests even have pre-calls before the actual interview, and that’s another call to schedule before you even hit record.
You may need to send follow-up reminders. And you’re doing all of this before you’re even recording.
Additional Considerations
I’ve seen guests insist on giving approval on the final edit.
And here’s something that absolutely shocks me: You’d assume if you invite a guest on your podcast that they’re going to share the episode after it airs. You’re thinking it’s a way to build authority and bring new listeners into the fold.
But it doesn’t happen all the time. In fact, it’s more common than not. From talking to podcasters, it’s a frustration point that their guests aren’t sharing their episodes.
Don’t assume that because you’re inviting a guest on, regardless of how big their platform is, that they’re going to shout it from the hilltops. Very often, it just doesn’t happen.
The Compounding Effect
All of these issues can compound week after week. One guest cancellation can derail your whole publishing schedule and force you to shift things around.
It can be exhausting in a way that solo episodes aren’t.
This is what leads to podcaster burnout and podfade.
The Middle Ground: Other Options to Consider
You don’t have to choose all-or-nothing. Here are some alternatives:
The Hybrid Approach
You can absolutely alternate solo and guest episodes. I know podcasters who do this very successfully, and it keeps things fresh.
You could decide the ratio based on what serves your message. Maybe you do three solo episodes and then one guest episode. Maybe you alternate weeks. Maybe you do three guest episodes and then add a solo.
Or make it completely random. It’s really up to you.
This can give you the best of both worlds.
Be a Guest on Other Podcasts
You could fly solo with your own show like I’m doing here, but then get on other people’s podcasts to talk to their audiences.
Now you’re in front of new people without the hosting burden. You’re not scheduling guests. You’re not doing prep. You’re not editing audio. You’re controlling your message, and they’re handling the logistics.
This can be a smart growth strategy for a lot of people.
Seasonal Shifts
Maybe for Season 1, you fly solo to find your voice. Then in Season 2, you bring on some guests or do a hybrid.
The key is these are just options. They’re not requirements.
Again, no rules.
Let’s Be Honest About Flying Solo
To fly solo, you really need to have something to say.
But if you’re passionate enough to want to start a podcast, or you’re reading an article about starting or having your own show, I think you probably do.
Solo shows are more vulnerable. You don’t have anyone to hide behind. It’s you talking into the mic.
But I’ll argue that flying solo is more sustainable in a lot of ways for the reasons I’ve talked about here.
Your Permission Slip
The question you have to ask yourself isn’t, “Can I fly solo?”
The question is: “What do I want my show to be?”
Here’s your actionable permission slip: Record one 5-minute solo episode.
You don’t have to have a podcast live yet. You don’t have to let anyone listen to it or publish it anywhere. Just record it. Talk into a mic and get a feel for what it’s going to be like.
Prove to yourself that you can do it.
Then decide: Do you want to fly solo exclusively? Do you want guests? Do you want a mix? Do you want to be a guest on other shows?
The nice part about being a podcaster is that you get to choose.
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