HomeCasa Prompts

Podcast guest interview question list with follow-ups

Prepare a podcast interview with a three-act structure, open questions and follow-ups, story prompts, timing per segment and a list of facts about the guest to verify before recording. Designed for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity. It includes 6 customizable variables and you can copy it for free in one click.

Intermediate · Text · Pending editorial review

Designed for:

Prompt

Act as a podcast producer and interviewer experienced in long-form conversations. Prepare the question guide for interviewing a guest.

Context:
- Podcast and topic: {{podcast}}
- Guest and what they do: {{guest}}
- Guest’s public material (bio, articles, talks, links): {{material}}
- Episode goal: {{goal}}
- Planned length: {{length}}
- Podcast audience: {{audience}}

Deliverables:
1. A guest profile based ONLY on the material provided. If you look up sources, cite them. Mark with [VERIFY] anything I should confirm with the guest.
2. A three-act structure (origin, core, future) with approximate timing per segment based on {{length}}.
3. For each segment: 3-5 main open questions, each followed by 1-2 follow-ups to dig deeper.
4. Two questions that invite a specific story (“Take me to the moment when…”).
5. One question that raises an opposing view, phrased respectfully.
6. A closing rapid-fire round of 5 short questions and a final sign-off question.
7. Topics to avoid or handle with care, plus questions for the pre-interview email.

Constraints:
- No yes/no questions among the main ones, and no leading questions that answer themselves.
- Do not invent the guest’s achievements, numbers or quotes.
- If the material is thin, tell me and suggest what to research before recording.

Format: segments with headings, numbered questions and timings in the margin.

How to use it

  1. Paste the guest’s bio and links or excerpts from interviews, articles or talks.
  2. Define the episode goal: what listeners should walk away with.
  3. Send the guest the pre-interview questions and confirm anything marked [VERIFY].
  4. While recording, use the guide as a map and leave room for follow-ups that come up naturally.

Usage example

Podcast: “Made Local”, about small-town entrepreneurship · Guest: Dana, a potter who opened a studio in rural Oregon · Length: 45 minutes · Goal: listeners learn how to validate a craft business.

Sample output

1. Guest profile (based only on the material provided)

Dana Reyes, a potter who opened a studio in rural Oregon. Opening year and prior career: [VERIFY] with her; the material is thin, so expand it in the pre-interview email.

2. Structure (45 min)

  • Act 1 · Origin (0:00-12:00)
  • Act 2 · Core: validating before the leap (12:00-35:00)
  • Act 3 · Future (35:00-42:00)
  • Rapid-fire and sign-off (42:00-45:00)

3. Act 2: main questions

  1. How did you check that people would pay for your pottery before you quit your job?
  • What signal really convinced you?
  • What would you test differently today?
  1. Which numbers did you watch to decide it could work?
  • Which one turned out less useful than you expected?
  1. What did a small town give you that a city wouldn't have, and what did it cost you?

4. Story prompts

  • "Take me to the moment you decided to sign the studio lease."
  • "Tell me about the first order that went wrong."

5. The opposing view

"Some people say it's better to jump without a safety net because it forces commitment. How would you respond?"

6. Rapid-fire

Must-have tool · First mistake · One book · Morning or night · One piece of advice in a sentence…

Key facts

Category
Audio & voice · Podcasts
Output type
Text
Level
Intermediate
Designed for
ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity
Verified in
Pending editorial verification
Variables
Podcast and topic, Guest and what they do, Guest’s public material, Episode goal, Planned length and Audience
Language
English
Price
Free, no sign-up
Updated
Nov 7, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Why use Perplexity with this prompt?

It can search the guest’s public information and cite sources. Even so, confirm any fact with the guest before mentioning it on air.

How many questions do I need for an hour?

About 12-15 main questions is usually enough: the best interviews live on follow-ups, not on working through a long list.

Should I send all the questions to the guest?

Better to send the topics and a few key questions. If they know every question, answers can sound rehearsed.

What is this prompt for?

Prepare a podcast interview with a three-act structure, open questions and follow-ups, story prompts, timing per segment and a list of facts about the guest to verify before recording.

Which AI tools does it work with?

It is designed for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity. We have not verified it in these tools yet, so results may vary between them.

How do I customize the prompt?

Click “Customize” and fill in the variables (Podcast and topic, Guest and what they do, Guest’s public material, Episode goal, Planned length and Audience). The text updates instantly and you can then copy it in one click. Values are stored only in your browser.

Do I need experience to use it?

It is intermediate: it helps to know the topic so you can provide good context and review the result critically.

Is this prompt free?

Yes. Every HomeCasa Prompts prompt is free, with no sign-up or subscription. You can also use them in professional projects.

Can I trust the AI output?

Treat it as a high-quality draft: always check data, figures and important claims before publishing or making decisions.

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