The best podcast hosts, especially those doing interviews, are curious.
Thoughts to help you do this …
Broaden Your Reading: Dive into a variety of topics, genres, and authors. Don't stick to familiar subjects; explore new areas that you know little about.
Ask Questions: Cultivate the habit of asking questions about everything. The more questions you ask, the more you'll want to know.
Listen Actively: When talking to guests (or anybody), listen more than you speak. Try to understand their perspectives and experiences.
Seek Challenges: Step out of your comfort zone and tackle tasks that aren’t straightforward for you. Challenges stimulate curiosity.
Learn from Children: Kids are naturally curious. Observe how they explore the world without preconceived notions.
Travel: Experiencing new cultures, languages, and environments can spark curiosity. Note that you can do this even in your own city.
Take Courses: Enroll in courses on subjects outside of your expertise. Online platforms offer a plethora of opportunities for learning.
Join Communities: Engage with groups or forums that discuss various topics. The exchange of ideas can pique your interest in new areas.
Reflect: Spend time thinking about what you've learned and how it connects to what you already know or your life experiences.
Use the “Five Whys” Technique: When you encounter something new, ask "why" five times to delve deeper into understanding it.
Experiment: Try doing things differently in your daily life or work to see what results you might get.
Document Your Discoveries: Keep a journal of interesting things you learn each day. Reviewing it can inspire further exploration.
Set Learning Goals: Have specific targets for what you want to learn, which can help maintain your focus on being curious.
Embrace Uncertainty: Get comfortable with not knowing things and see uncertainty as an opportunity to learn.
Stay Humble: Acknowledge that there's always more to learn, no matter how much you know.
By incorporating these practices, you can develop and maintain a strong sense of curiosity, which will enrich your content and engage your audience more deeply.
LOVE THIS! Wait - where are the complex workings of a podcasters brain?! Please share.