Your Podcast Guest Didn’t Prep

.. and It’s Ruining the Episode

Author

Rich Cardona
March 17, 2025

You know how we start! Proof that this isn’t AI—I’m writing this on a Friday! I just finished taking some pics for some local clients here looking to make a splash on LinkedIn. Here’s one of ‘em.


Anyway I’m ahead on this newsletter for once, and when you read this, I’ll be in Ohio setting up equipment and a studio space for the top real estate team in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

But I’ve got a quick story I gotta get out.

One of my clients had a big guest on his podcast. This guest also has a huge podcast (and I happen to be a total fan of them). So, naturally, I was curious about how it went down since I wasn’t there.

I spoke to the guest’s operations manager (and now a cool new friend) afterward, and one of their responses made my stomach drop:

"It was obvious he didn’t prepare."

F.

We could talk all day about what the host did wrong here, but not today. Let’s flip it and act like this was the guest’s fault—because when I looked at the initial clean cut of the video, the energy was noticeably low.

Welcome back to UNFLTR - the newsletter that helps you untangle your podcast & content hold ups and get to work.

In today’s UNFLTR:

  • Why guests sometimes show up unprepared (and why it’s not always intentional)

  • How to quickly assess if your guest is "checked out" before you hit record

  • What to do when they clearly didn’t take the interview seriously

Quote of the week

"If practice makes perfect, and nobody’s perfect—WHY practice?"

— A Marine I used to know from my enlisted days (He got himself kicked out eventually)

Why Some Guests Just Don’t Show Up Ready

Some guests don’t prep at all and depending on your experience you may not need to! But … it does happen.

Sometimes it’s pure laziness, but often it’s unintentional. Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:

  • It’s just another meeting on their calendar. Or maybe they just wrapped a Zoom call and rolled straight into your pod without a break. Or maybe they were hoping you’d cancel so they could get some time back that day.

  • They’re treating it like a casual chat instead of a valuable opportunity. Now look it can be both. But some guests don’t realize your podcast is meant to be high-value content—not just a friendly convo. Friendly convos don’t always serve an audience craving something specific. I mean have you ever been like “I love the chemistry they have!!!” Probably not.

  • They think their name alone will carry the episode. The bigger the guest, the more likely they assume they don’t need to bring their A-game. Seen this many times.

  • They’re exhausted. Travel, work, or just too many podcast appearances in a short span can make them show up drained. Just ask Howie Mandel who took a stray when Dana White walked off his podcast. This was NOT scripted.

Telltale Signs Your Guest Didn’t Prep

Before you hit record, you should already have a feel for whether your guest is dialed in or ready for this to be over. Here’s what to watch for:

  • Bad setup (if virtual) – If they didn’t test their mic, lighting, or background, they didn’t take this seriously.

  • Low energy or monotone responses – If they sound half-asleep in the pre-show chat and they have a coffee in their hand - it’s already over. It won’t magically get better when you hit record.

  • Vague, generic answers – If their responses are full of clichés, they’re phoning it in.

  • Fidgeting or multitasking – If they seem distracted, they probably are. When Gary Vee was launching Vee Friends he was a 1000% checking his emails during our convo. Don’t worry he’s not like that virtually.

If you catch two or more of these signs, you’ve got a checked-out guest problem.

Bored Over It GIF

Get me out of Here

How to Fix It in Real-Time

Pivot. FAST.

Here’s how:

  • Call it out: "Hey, I know you’ve been busy—is this still a good time?"

  • Reframe the stakes: "A lot of people look up to you. Me, the audience, and a lot more—what’s one thing you wish they understood about [topic]?"

    Now, they’re thinking about who’s listening—not just answering your crappy questions. (Sorry - we’ll cover hosting mistakes another time)

  • Ask a personal question: "I saw on your IG that you had a baby / ran a Triathlon / got robbed at gunpoint at church. How does that play into how think about [topic]?" A question that ties to their real life wakes them up more than the espresso shot they had before the show.

  • Cut your losses and wrap early: If nothing is working, end it early. Say you have explosive diarrhea or something. Not every interview is worth putting out. You don’t owe your audience a bad episode.

Content You Should Check Out 

Totally unrelated to this topic but a great lesson I had to relearn as a business owner..

Useful links from the web that you’ll find handy:

How to start a podcast playlist - here

The starter camera I recommend - Sony ZV-E10

Lens I recommend: Sigma 30mm f1.4

USB Mic - Shure MV7

Connect with me on Linkedin

Connect with me on Instagram

Check out my totally mid website

If you’re running interviews (or thinking about it) and want to get better at handling unprepared guests, I coach people on this all the time.

No pitch—just hit reply if you ever want to talk about it.

Next week: The Art of Keeping Your Guest Engaged.



Thanks for reading UNFLTR today - I’ll see you again next week!

— Rich

P.S. ways to work with me:

  • 1:1 Coaching

  • Podcast Strategy and Management (Audio only, Video, Full Service, etc)

  • Filming Day here at the UNFLTR studio in Wilmington, NC

If you want to learn more, get in touch with Ellie at [email protected]