Episode Summary
In this episode of Recorded Content, host Tristan Pelligrino chats with Philip Kushmaro, a digital marketing expert and co-host of the C-Suite and Sour podcast. They delve into the world of podcasting, discussing the importance of refining interview techniques, the evolution of their respective shows, and the value of learning from experience. Philip shares his thoughts on creating engaging, informative conversations that resonate with listeners.
The discussion explores the art of asking questions and how to guide a conversation based on curiosity. Philip details his interview approach, focusing on the guest’s content and playing devil’s advocate to elicit deeper insights. He also emphasizes building a solid foundation by providing guests with softball questions before tackling more challenging topics.
Lastly, they touch on the importance of setting goals and aspirations for their podcasts, such as securing well-known guests and refining their techniques over time. Philip’s ultimate goal is to get thought leader Simon Sinek on his show, and he shares how he’s working to build the clout necessary to make that happen. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in podcasting and making a lasting impact on their audience.
Guest Profile
Name: Philip Kushmaro
What they do: VP of Growth Marketing
Company: Align
Noteworthy: Co-host of the C-Suite and Sour podcast, skilled in creating engaging, insightful conversations
Key Insights
- Developing a Podcast’s Unique Voice: Philip Kushmaro and Tristan Pelligrino discuss the importance of creating a unique voice and style for their podcast. They share their journey in finding a balance between in-depth conversations and approachable content for their listeners. Kushmaro emphasizes that being genuine and passionate helps create engaging discussions with guests. Additionally, they mention the need to experiment with different techniques and approaches to keep their content fresh and appealing.
- Overcoming Challenges in Podcasting: In the episode, Kushmaro and Pelligrino talk about the challenges they’ve faced in the podcasting world. From refining their interview style to securing high-profile guests, they’ve learned that preparation and persistence are key to success. They also discuss the importance of continuous improvement and learning from past experiences to enhance their podcast’s quality and impact on their audience.
- Enhancing Interview Techniques: The hosts discuss their strategies for developing compelling questions and guiding conversations during podcast interviews. Kushmaro explains that he gets inspiration from the guest’s content and plays devil’s advocate to provoke thought and challenge perspectives. Pelligrino mentions the book “Stop Asking Questions” by Andrew Warner as an interesting resource for refining interview techniques and fostering curiosity-based conversations. They stress the importance of experimentation and adapting one’s style to better engage guests and listeners.
Episode Highlights
Experimenting with Podcast Formats
Philip Kushmaro and Tristan Pelligrino discuss the experimentation process in finding the best podcast format that suits their style and audience. They stress the importance of trial and error in discovering what works best for their show. This approach allows them to deliver valuable content and maintain audience engagement.
“We started off with a very traditional interview format and then we kind of moved to more of a conversation format which I think is working well for us.”
Importance of Research in Podcasting
The hosts emphasize the value of research when preparing for podcast episodes. Proper research allows them to ask informed questions and engage in richer conversations with their guests. It also helps avoid awkward situations and facilitates a smoother flow of the discussion.
“There are some episodes that could have been much better if we were to do a little bit more research beforehand.”
Building Towards High-Profile Guests
Kushmaro shares his aspirations to have high-profile guests on their podcast like Simon Sinek. By consistently improving the quality of their show and building a larger audience, they hope to attract more prominent guests over time.
“Getting Simon Sinek on the podcast. And uh so that’s kind of what we’re trying to refine, trying to get that daisy chain going. So we have enough views and enough clout to go to to to finally go to Simon Sinek.”
Nurturing Curiosity in Interviews
Tristan Pelligrino introduces Philip Kushmaro to Andrew Warner’s book “Stop Asking Questions,” which explores how to guide conversations based on curiosity. They discuss the importance of adapting interview techniques and refining one’s style to better engage guests and listeners.
“Andrew Warner has a book called ‘Stop Asking Questions.’ And it’s and it’s not literally that but it’s all about how you can guide a conversation based around curiosity.”