90. Storytelling & Interviewing: A Live Panel at Podcasters NW with Erica C. Barnett and Ronit Plank

This is a live recording from Podcasters NW, the largest networking group for podcasters in Seattle.

About this episode: A journalist who never sends questions in advance. A memoirist who reads your entire book before she'll talk to you. And me, who shows up with curiosity and basically no prep because I'm also producing 25 other shows.

I put these three approaches in a room together on purpose. Because podcasting is not one size fits all.

We got into interview techniques, how to tell a story in every podcast episode, and how we roll with the punches during interviews (even the ones that don't go the way we imagined)/

This one was recorded live at Podcasters NW — the largest in-person podcasting and creator networking community in the Pacific Northwest. If you've ever wanted a room full of people who actually get what it's like to make a show, this is it.

In this episode:

• Three completely different interview philosophies — journalist, memoirist, and "curiosity-first"

• What to do live, in the moment, when a guest goes off-script or shuts down on you
• The exact moment that makes a podcast host say "I love my job"
• The awkward reality of an interview going not the way you were hoping
• How to actually land a dream guest (it took one of us a full year and a second ask)
• The line we each have for when an interview just doesn't make the cut

Join us at the next Podcasters NW event on July 22. It's free to join! https://july22podcastersnw.eventbrite.com

This month's event was sponsored by Armoire — use code PODCAST2026 for a free month of clothing rental.

Connect with Ronit: https://ronitplank.com

Connect with Erica: https://publicola.com

Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:

Apply to work with us: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/6521a4cc8fdeed003a859a44

Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/checklist

Website: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/

⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction

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My favorite podcast tool, Descript: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=KkInCQ

Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com