Podcasting Advice from Mike Tyson
When Mike Tyson was asked by a reporter whether he was worried about Evander Holyfield and his fight plan, he answered, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."
The same advice applies to you and any interview you do.
Interviews are living things—they need to breathe. If you go in with a strict agenda and prepared questions, you’re going to get tape that feels stiff.
We’ve all seen movies (and some have lived the experience) where there’s a family on vacation and the father is on a tight timeline, trying to do everything on his list …
6:00 AM - Rise and shine! Everyone up! We have a big day ahead of us! Quick showers, people—we're on the clock.
6:30 AM - Breakfast on-the-go. Dad's special "eat as you pack the car" sandwiches. Remember, if you're chewing, you're not moving fast enough.
9:00 AM - First attraction: The World's Largest Ball of Twine. Exactly 15 minutes allocated for viewing, picture-taking, and bathroom breaks. Dad checks his watch every 30 seconds.
10:00 AM - Scenic Overlook Photo Op. Everyone must line up by height for efficiency. Two snaps per camera, then back in the car!
12:00 PM - Picnic lunch at a historical site. Eating and learning? Multi-tasking at its finest. Dad quizzes everyone on historical facts between bites.
1:30 PM - Visit to the local zoo. Each exhibit has a strict 5-minute viewing window.
3:00 PM - Quick detour for Mom's surprise shopping trip – it's on the schedule, but only for 20 minutes. Go, Mom, go!
You get the idea …
The best interviews use questions (or topics) as prompts that help frame a linear path, but still allow for slack in the middle.