What 11 Episodes of Will Bowman's "Art of the Interview" Podcast Taught Me About Humans
- 4 days ago
- 11 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
“I know, for me, one of my favorite things in the whole wide world is doing interviews with people and getting to hear their story, getting to hear them be passionate about what they're passionate about, be frustrated about what they're frustrated about, and really just sit and watch people get really excited.”
From The Art Of The Interview: Episode 63 | How Much Should I Talk About Myself In An Interview?, Mar 12, 2024
Introduction
For centuries, folk have been having chats since language was invented, and probably before then with matters of grunts and points. Humans have honed their language skills and have learned the art of conversation through some trial and error.
I like to think of myself as a good conversationalist. I can chat with anybody at any event. Hell, the entire idea of "Takes One to Write One" was formed because I was chatting with folk at said parties and I was super interested in learning more.
But conversation skills don't necessarily translate into interviews. Especially podcast interviews. I wanted and needed to learn more from professionals about how to conduct interviews.
Sure, I could learn as I go, but that wouldn't be fair to the guest that is opening up to me about their lives. It also wouldn't be fair to my listeners because their time is also valuable and they expect valuable information.
So I did what any modern woman in 2025 would do: looked up "how to interview" Apple Podcasts.
And, low and behold, "The Art of the Interview" with Will Bowman was available with ✨sixty-four✨ episodes. This is excellent for folk making a production out of interviews like I am. There are episodes explaining the pre- and post-production aspects of the content creation. There are episodes exploring what it's like to talk with big personalities and small personalities. Will wants his listeners to get the full picture of what a production like this can be.
Now this post is about a specific 11 episodes and the notes that stood out to me, and I hope that they'll stand out for you, too.
So please: make space, prep, prep, prep, and follow the energy!
Outline
Who is William Bowman?
He's an American video producer on the west side of the country. With a company called 262 Creative, he acts as Director of Productions and resident extrovert. He and a team work hard to produce promotional material for your brand through video content. Their website is quoted saying, "Craft your story, capture your unique voice, elevate your brand, and grow your client community through compelling video content that stays relevant for years, not just weeks or months."
The interview podcast is promoted on their website:
Want to be a better interviewer? In our podcast The Art of the Interview, you’ll learn tips, tricks, techniques, and mindsets to adopt to create safety, depth, and impact through your own interviewing.
Lead producer Will Bowman shares his knowledge from doing hundreds of interviews as a news producer, online talk-show host, and now marketing-informed video producer.
There's also a video with a past project explaining who he is on 262 Creative's YouTube.
So, with these hundreds of interviews completed, what does he have to teach us?
Episode 1: Intro - What is an Interview?
Definition of an Interview: asking questions with a purpose (for an audience)
Interviewing and you you become a better interviewer, you become better in a lot of different areas in your life:
Better conversationalist
Learn how to ask the right questions
Doing An Interview/ Asking for Interview
No small ask
Folk get nervous
Understand the gravity of what we’re asking
Helps us be more intentional, compassionate, and deliberate
Episode 2: Intro - Why I Care About Interviews
“I found that interviewing was a simple, powerful way to get intimate with someone in a way that genuinely could have a transformative effect on them but in the container of the interview.” (24:08)
They are very cost effective to produce
A goal when interviewing is to create and hold for that person a space of intimacy, healing, growth, transformation, and love. And that can translate through the podcast/page/video that is created.
Episode 3: Intro - Who Should Care About Interviews?
Professional interviewers in news and media
People in client relations
Marketing, Public Relations, Small Business Owners
Contractors
Creatives
Writers
Documentary makers
Mental Health Practitioners
Therapists, psychologists
People who want to become better conversationalists to their parents, friends, and spouses
Episode 4: Interviewing 101 - Five (5) Lessons I’ve Learned from Doing Hundreds of Interviews
Even if you’ve interviewed for years, there are deeper levels of interviewing that you can get to
Lesson 1: Respect the Give
Understand the gravity of what you’re asking somebody to do
They have subconscious walls hindering them from fully opening up
Your responsibility is to make a safe space for them to open up
Lesson 2: Give Them Directions Before the Interview
Assure folk that anything can be edited
Repeat words, cut out an error, change the way something is said
Ask them to repeat the question back:
Q: How long have you been working here?
A: I have been working here for x years
Let folk know that you’re hoping to get out of the interview
Goals, information, etc
Pre interviews are helpful
They (and you) can get the vibe
Lesson 3: Take Control and Direct the Interview
Don’t be relaxed about it and hope the guest gives you something.
You’ll just look like you don’t know what you’re doing.
They’ll get anxious and scared and the walls will go up
You’re the “parent” helping the “child” do something for the first time
Lesson 4: Never Tell Them What to Say
It takes out the emotion and sincerity in what guests have to say
Guests will shift into “pleasing mode.”
Figure out how to ask a question to get the answer you want/need:
“Tell me/say that chocolatiering is an artform for you”
vs
“When was the time when you felt most artistically satisfied making chocolate?”
Lesson 5: Prepare Rigorously and Prepare to Leave It All Behind
There are some schools of thought with interviewing. Writing hundreds of questions vs letting curiosity lead you in the moment.
Do both: prepare and be flexible
Be ready for the unexpected paths guests will take you on
There is no such thing as a stupid question, but there are insulting questions
Ex. meeting with the president and asking where they went to college.
If it’s Googleable, don’t ask it
Talk to the guest about things you can’t find anywhere
Research is for figuring out what questions need to be asked to understand and see the person in a new and interesting way
Follow the energy!
The above lessons are all about creating the container for a good interview.
Episode 5: Interviewing 101 - 5 Ways to Prepare Before an Interview
The pre-interview part is very important
#1: Research, Research, Research
What has a guest been asked before?
Don’t ask that again–google the already knowns
The questions don’t need to be new, just relevant
Also, find things that are tied to the interviewee but not necessarily connected to them
Organizations they belong to
People they know
#2: Pre-Interview
Go get coffee with them or go to their office
Create an energetic conversation to they get pumped to share
Work to find the heart of the story/matter and follow that energy
#3 Do Something Nice for the Interviewee
As simple as making a drink/getting a drink for them
This “disarms them” and makes them feel comfy and hospitable
#4 Talk Them Through How the Interview Is Going to Go
Set the tone and answer questions
Ease their anxiety—this is scary for them!
Show them that you’re in control and can guide them.
#5: Expand Yourself
Create the container
Make yourself big enough to hold the information, emotions, and topic.
You are more powerful than the thing is.
Observe feeling and let them go
Don't contract and pull in
Show guest you can handle things
Episode 6: Interviews in Review - Engaging Introverted Interviewees and What to Do When The Interview Gets a Little Dull
Introverts
Don’t force them into conversation
They can fake it but you don’t want that
Intuitively analyze what will add comfort towards their situation
E.g. Shy mother, connect with her kids
This should be done before recording
Find subjects that “light them up”
Find a way to indirectly get into their “inner sanctum” and respect being there
When Things Get Boring or Dull
You got to stay present. DO NOT CHECK OUT
Usually happens when you ask the “wrong” questions that don’t engage them
“Tell me a story about how you felt”
This asks them about an experience directly connected to an emotion
Episode 7: Interviewing 101 - Respect the Ask and Give
Realize what’s going on
We’re asking for an interview like we usually do. We are the position of power.
The guest is giving a lot (time, effort, energy, etc)
We’re getting more than they are (content, money, etc)
They’re in a scary position
Some interviewers take advantage of the fight, flight, or freeze response. They push guests into angry and intense responses.
DON’T DO THIS. ^^^
There are healthier ways to get to the core. Some Do’s:
Be thankful and grateful
Be warm and respectful
Offer final edit rights
Respect what the guest gives and what they’re willing to give.
Episode 18: Interviewing 101 - Six Surprising Places to Research Information on Interviewees
The usual suspects:
Social Media
Their Website
The Library
#1: Other Local Media News Outlets
Helpful because you see what has been covered in other interview
You don’t repeat, and they don’t get bored
#2: Their Resume
See where they’ve been and what they’ve done.
See the forward facing identity they’re putting out
Points like:
Where they went to school
What they studied
Therefore, look at the media of the institution and see if anything was written about guest
Work history
See any pivots in their career
See any new skills they’ve acquired
#3: Their Institutional Resume
Say, if they’re CIO at a corporation or professor at a university
On their website
See any passions they list
#4: Their Published Works
If they are a scientist, teacher, poet, writer, etc
Read their works! Generate questions from there
#5: A Mutual Friend
Not always possible but…
If somebody says “you need to interview them” x3, ask why.
Learn more details for research and backgrounding.
Learn the guest’s vibe through this mutual contact
#6: Consult Your Audience
Ask ”what would you like to hear me talk to (guest) about?”
Increases relevance of questions because you’ll know that’s what the audience wants to know
They also do some of the research that you may not have been able to access
Episode 46: Interviewing Q&A - What to Do When Your Interviewee Gets Cold Feet
#1: Identify Their Concerns
Don’t immediately back down from doing the interview with them
Give them the option! But not right away
More often than not, doing the interview is not the big problem
Ask what they’re really concern about:
Worried about coming off poorly?
Worried about fallout?
Misusing content?
#2: Normalize and Legitimize Their Concerns
Don’t just say, “Your concern is valid and lots of people have them.”
Go deeper with the validations
“You’re not the first person to have these concerns.”
“I know that this is a big ask that I’m requesting of you.”
“I’m going to do my best to make sure that these things you’re concerned/afraid/worried about don’t come to pass.”
#3: Reaffirm Their Agency
Allow them to feel more comfortable
It’s a trust builder — expand the container
Reaffirm that they:
Can veto/control what topics are discussed
If they are uncomfortable with something, we can move on.
#4: Reassure Them of Your Intent
You are a friendly interviewer
“I’m here to put you in a good light and have you sound as good as possible.”
#5: Tighten Up the Container
Specific to each interviewee because different people interview differently
Chill vs. anxious
Open vs. shy
Act in accordance to their energy
More trust building
Being on time/relaxed, honoring their needs
#6: Fulfill on Your Commitments You Made to Them
Go through with promises:
First cut preview
Cutting out specific part
Promoting business/socials
Episode 63: How Much Should I Talk About Myself In an Interview?
Think About Your Audience
Why do they tune in?
Some folks listen because they like you and your personality
Some listen just because of the guests/interviewees
Is your own story part of the narrative?
Does your experience help open the conversation?
Or does it close out the tale?
Genre
Talk podcast vs documentary style
Long-form vs short-form
1-on-1 vs Groups
Think About Purpose of the Interview
What is The Ultimate Goal? Examples:
Biography of guest
Talk/conversation podcast
Press junket
Entertainment/Behind-the-scenes
Marketing/Selling Product
What Kind of Host Do You Want to Be?
Joe Rogan
75% about him and his experiences
Guest help prove his points
David Letterman
Quiet curiosity
Puts guests up on platform
**Ultimately: will listeners/audience gain anything from your “personal” take?
Episode 64: How to Frame Your Interview
Emails and Correspondence Before the Interview
Time and Location of Interview
Discuss how to get best sound and lighting
Natural vs artificial
Minimal background noise without
Refrigerators
Coolers
Traffic
Washing Machine/Dryer
Running Water
Air Conditioning
Tech Points
“We’ll send you the link x time before interview” It will be through Zoom/Google Meet
Duration
30-40 minutes, 1-2 hours, etc
Assurances
Everything is editable
Not live
Set them at east and give security to they can focus on interview
Tools
Microphones
Get a microphone for quality sound
Keep away from spaces with above-average noise
Audio
Look more into riverside.fm
Be aware of internet browser compatibility/updates
Video
Stabilize phone with tripod
Update drivers on webcams
Give guests a week or so to do the above
During the Interview
Get ready and pretty before the interview, no primping while your guest is there
Genuinely thank them
What they’re doing is scary/difficult
They’re courageous for opening up and sharing
Tell them there may be some exploration and follow up questions
Assure them this is like a conversation
“You can ask me all the questions you want!”
After the Interview
A transition out of communication with them
THANK THEM
Give them a timeframe of process time for the interview to complete and post
Open up the floor for any more questions
On editing process
On how interview and content will be used
Photo Gallery
If you're a visual learner like I am, behold the written notes below instead of the sterile type above.
Conclusion
To be loved is to be seen.
Sure, these episodes are geared towards the media production of conversations. The intention under them is very clearly to be a safe place for humans to express themselves. With instructions to "create the container," find a way to indirectly get into their inner sanctum' and respect being there, "respect the give," and to address and validate their concerns, it leads the listener to a realm of empathy for the human experience.
And two people can never go wrong when they approach each other with empathy. Stand in their shoes, fill their shoes, walk a mile in their shoes—whatever footwear you may find. When you approach a question with genuine interest and go about things in a respectful way, folk are more open to sharing and expressing their thoughts and feelings.
Read their works, learn their history, do your due diligence on backgrounding. See them for who they are and they will respond authentically. Find the humanity, respect the humanity, and share in the human experience.
Thank you, Will Bowman, for creating the container to educate ourselves on how interviews can be an important human experience as any.
Follow the energy!
Katherine Arkady
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