Interview Podcast vs. Solo Show: Which Format Is Right for You?
You're ready to launch a podcast. You know your niche, you've got your equipment, and you're excited to start creating content.
But you're stuck on one crucial question: Should you interview guests, or host a solo show?
It's not a trivial decision. Your format shapes everything: content creation process, time commitment, audience growth strategy, and even whether you'll still enjoy podcasting six months from now.
Let's break down both formats so you can make the right choice for your situation.
What's the Difference?
Interview Podcast Format
Definition: Episodes feature conversations between you (the host) and guests who bring expertise, stories, or perspectives to your audience.
Examples:
How I Built This (Guy Raz interviews founders)
The Tim Ferriss Show (deep-dive interviews with top performers)
Smart Passive Income (Pat Flynn interviews entrepreneurs)
Armchair Expert (Dax Shepard interviews celebrities and experts)
Structure: Host asks questions, guest responds, conversational back-and-forth, typically 30-90 minutes.
Solo Podcast Format
Definition: You're the sole voice on every episode, sharing your knowledge, opinions, stories, or commentary without guests.
Examples:
The Daily (Michael Barbaro delivers news analysis)
Hardcore History (Dan Carlin's long-form historical narratives)
Marketing School (Neil Patel's daily marketing tips)
The Ramsey Show (Dave Ramsey answers caller questions solo)
Structure: Host-driven monologue, teaching, storytelling, or commentary, typically 10-60 minutes.
Interview Podcast Format: The Full Breakdown
✅ Advantages of Interview Shows
1. Leverage Guest Expertise You don't need to be the expert on everything. Guests bring knowledge, credibility, and unique perspectives you don't have.
Example: A marketing podcast host doesn't need to master SEO, email marketing, paid ads, and content strategy—they interview experts in each area.
2. Built-In Audience Growth Quality guests share episodes with their audiences. Each guest brings potential new listeners.
Math: 12 guests/month × 1,000 followers each = 12,000 potential impressions Even 1% conversion = 120 new listeners monthly
3. Content Variety Different guests = different angles, stories, and insights. Your show stays fresh without you generating all the ideas.
4. Easier to Fill Time A 60-minute conversation flows naturally. A 60-minute solo monologue requires significant content planning.
5. Less Pressure on You Guest carries 50% of the content load. If you have an off day, a great guest can carry the episode.
6. Network Building Each interview builds a professional relationship. Your guest roster becomes your professional network.
7. SEO Benefits Guest names in titles/descriptions help with search discovery. People searching for the guest might find your show.
8. Social Proof "As featured on [Your Podcast]" becomes credibility for guests. Quality guests validate your show's authority.
❌ Disadvantages of Interview Shows
1. Guest Booking Time Investment Finding, vetting, pitching, and coordinating guests takes significant time—often 5-15 hours per week for consistent bookings.
Reality check:
Research prospects: 2-3 hours/week
Write personalized pitches: 2-3 hours/week
Follow-up communication: 1-2 hours/week
Scheduling coordination: 1-2 hours/week
Guest prep and briefing: 1-2 hours/week
2. Dependency on Others Guests cancel, no-show, or reschedule. Your content calendar depends on other people's availability and reliability.
3. Variable Episode Quality Some guests are natural storytellers. Others give one-word answers. You can't control guest performance.
4. Hosting Skills Required You need to be a good interviewer: ask follow-up questions, keep conversation flowing, make guests comfortable, manage time.
Not everyone is naturally good at this (but it's learnable).
5. Less Control Over Content Guests sometimes go off-topic, promote too heavily, or don't deliver the insights you hoped for.
6. Preparation Time Researching each guest, preparing questions, understanding their background—adds 1-3 hours per episode.
7. Technical Complexity Coordinating remote recordings, managing two audio sources, dealing with guest tech issues adds complications.
8. Harder to Batch Record Solo episodes can be recorded 4-6 at once. Interview episodes require individual scheduling with each guest.
Interview Format Time Breakdown (Per Week)
For 1 interview episode/week:
Guest research and booking: 5-8 hours
Guest preparation: 1-2 hours
Recording: 1-2 hours
Editing: 2-3 hours
Show notes and promotion: 1-2 hours Total: 10-17 hours/week
Solo Podcast Format: The Full Breakdown
✅ Advantages of Solo Shows
1. Complete Creative Control Your vision, your voice, your message—no compromises or guest agendas to manage.
2. Consistent Quality Every episode sounds like you. Your audience knows exactly what they're getting.
3. No Coordination Required Record whenever you want. No scheduling, no follow-ups, no dealing with cancellations or no-shows.
4. Easier to Batch Record Record 4-6 episodes in one sitting. Build a content buffer for busy periods.
5. Build YOUR Authority You're the expert, the thought leader. All credibility accrues to you, not shared with guests.
6. Faster Production No guest research, booking, or coordination. Just prepare content and record.
7. More Intimate Connection Direct host-to-listener relationship. Audiences feel like they know YOU personally.
8. Simpler Technical Setup One microphone, one voice, one audio track. Less can go wrong technically.
9. Format Flexibility Pivot topics, change length, experiment freely—no guest commitments to honor.
❌ Disadvantages of Solo Shows
1. All Content Creation Falls on You Every idea, insight, story, and teaching point must come from you. This is exhausting long-term.
Reality: Generating 52 episodes of original solo content per year is harder than most people think.
2. Slower Audience Growth No guest audiences to tap into. Growth relies entirely on your promotion, SEO, and content quality.
3. Requires Deep Expertise You need enough knowledge to teach or comment on your topic consistently without running dry.
4. Risk of Repetition Same voice, same perspective every episode. Can feel monotonous to listeners (and you).
5. Higher Pressure If the episode is boring, it's on you. No guest to carry the conversation or add variety.
6. Limited Perspectives Your take on topics is limited to your experience. Guests bring diverse viewpoints and experiences.
7. Harder to Fill Long Episodes A 60-minute solo monologue requires substantial content and speaking stamina. Most solo shows are 10-30 minutes.
8. No Network Building Missing out on the relationship-building opportunities that interviews provide.
Solo Format Time Breakdown (Per Week)
For 1 solo episode/week:
Content research and planning: 2-3 hours
Scripting or outlining: 1-2 hours
Recording: 30 minutes - 1 hour
Editing: 1-2 hours
Show notes and promotion: 1-2 hours Total: 5.5-10 hours/week
Which Format Is Right for You?
Choose Interview Format If You:
✅ Want faster audience growth - Guest cross-promotion accelerates reach
✅ Enjoy conversations and people - Interviewing energizes rather than drains you
✅ Don't mind coordination - Scheduling and logistics don't frustrate you (or you'll delegate it)
✅ Value diverse perspectives - You want variety in viewpoints and expertise
✅ Are building a network - Professional relationships matter for your goals
✅ Have time for booking - 5-15 hours/week for guest research and coordination
✅ Are comfortable not being "the expert" - You're a curator and facilitator, not the sole authority
✅ Can invest in booking help - Budget for VA or professional booking service
Best for: Networkers, connectors, people in industries with accessible experts, business/marketing podcasts
Choose Solo Format If You:
✅ Want complete creative control - Your vision matters more than growth speed
✅ Have deep expertise - You can generate 52+ episodes of original content annually
✅ Prefer working independently - Coordination and people management drain you
✅ Value schedule flexibility - You want to record on your timeline
✅ Have limited time - 5-10 hours/week is your max capacity
✅ Enjoy teaching or storytelling - You're energized by solo content creation
✅ Don't need rapid growth - Organic, slow-build audience is acceptable
✅ Want simpler production - Less technical complexity appeals to you
Best for: Educators, storytellers, commentators, niche experts, introverts, true crime/history/narrative creators
Hybrid Formats: The Best of Both Worlds?
You're not locked into one format forever. Many successful podcasts use hybrid approaches:
Option 1: Mostly Interviews with Occasional Solo Episodes
Example structure:
3 interview episodes per month
1 solo "reflection" or "hot take" episode per month
Why it works: Maintains guest variety while giving you space for personal commentary.
Option 2: Mostly Solo with Occasional Guest Features
Example structure:
3 solo episodes per month
1 expert interview per month when highly relevant
Why it works: You maintain control but bring in outside expertise strategically.
Option 3: Co-Hosted Format
Structure: Two permanent hosts discuss topics, occasionally bringing on guests.
Examples: Freakonomics Radio, Stuff You Should Know
Why it works:
Built-in conversation (no solo burden)
No guest coordination for core episodes
Guest episodes add variety when desired
Option 4: Seasonal Variation
Structure:
Season 1: All interviews
Season 2: All solo deep-dives
Alternate or mix based on response
Why it works: Test both formats, see what resonates, adapt accordingly.
The Real Question: What's Your Long-Term Goal?
Your format should align with your podcast's purpose:
If Your Goal Is: Build a Personal Brand
Best format: Solo or co-hosted Why: You need to be the voice people recognize and associate with your expertise.
If Your Goal Is: Grow a Business or Generate Leads
Best format: Interviews (slightly favored) Why: Guest audiences = lead generation. But either format works if content is valuable.
If Your Goal Is: Build a Network in Your Industry
Best format: Interviews (strongly favored) Why: Each guest = professional relationship. Solo shows don't build network.
If Your Goal Is: Become a Thought Leader/Authority
Best format: Solo (slightly favored) Why: All wisdom comes from you. But interviewing top people also builds authority.
If Your Goal Is: Monetize Through Sponsorships
Best format: Either works Why: Sponsors care about audience size and engagement, not format. Interviews may grow audience faster initially.
If Your Goal Is: Create a Passion Project You'll Sustain Long-Term
Best format: Whichever you'll actually enjoy doing for years Why: Burnout kills podcasts. Choose the format that energizes you.
Starting Strategy: Test Before Committing
Don't overthink it. Here's a smart approach:
Month 1-2: Launch with 8-10 Episodes in Your Chosen Format
Pick the format that seems best based on this guide, then commit for 8-10 episodes.
Month 3: Evaluate
Ask yourself:
Am I enjoying this process?
Is my audience responding?
Is this sustainable long-term?
What's working? What's not?
Month 4: Adjust or Double Down
If loving it: Keep going, optimize what's working
If struggling: Try hybrid approach or switch formats
If burned out: Simplify or get help
Remember: Early episodes are learning anyway. Don't let format paralysis stop you from starting.
The Booking Challenge (And Solutions)
The #1 reason interview podcasts fail: Hosts underestimate the time and skill required for guest booking.
If you choose interviews, you have three paths:
Path 1: DIY Guest Booking
Time: 5-15 hours/week Cost: Free (your time) Best for: New podcasters, those with unlimited time, network builders
Resources to help:
Path 2: Virtual Assistant Support
Time: 3-5 hours/week (managing VA) Cost: $400-800/month Best for: Growing shows, those with some budget but limited resources
What VAs can do: Research prospects, send emails you write, manage scheduling
What you still do: Write pitches, approve guests, conduct interviews
Path 3: Professional Booking Service
Time: 1-2 hours/week (communication only) Cost: $250-1,000/month depending on volume Best for: Serious podcasters who value time over money
What's handled: Research, outreach, vetting, follow-up, scheduling, coordination—everything
At Podcept: We specialize in end-to-end guest booking for interview podcasts. Our team handles research, personalized outreach, follow-up, and coordination—delivering a consistent pipeline of quality guests so you can focus entirely on hosting great conversations.
See how we handle booking | Learn about our process
Common Format Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Choosing Format Based on What's Popular
Just because interview shows dominate the charts doesn't mean it's right for you. Choose based on your strengths and goals.
Mistake 2: Not Considering Long-Term Sustainability
A format you love for 10 episodes but hate by episode 50 is the wrong choice.
Mistake 3: Underestimating Solo Content Demands
"I'll just talk about what I know" sounds easy until you're staring at episode 30 wondering what to say.
Mistake 4: Assuming Interviews = Easy Content
Guest booking, prep, and hosting are real skills that take time to develop.
Mistake 5: Copying Someone Else's Format
Your favorite podcast's format works for THEM. Consider your unique situation.
Mistake 6: Refusing to Adapt
If a format isn't working after 20-30 episodes, it's okay to switch or hybridize.
Decision Framework: 5 Questions to Ask
1. How much time can I realistically invest weekly?
5-10 hours → Solo or hybrid (mostly solo)
10-15 hours → Interview (DIY booking)
15+ hours → Interview (plenty of time)
Limited time but have budget → Interview (outsource booking)
2. Do I have enough expertise to teach solo for 52+ episodes?
Yes, absolutely → Solo or hybrid
Maybe 20-30 episodes worth → Start solo, add interviews later
No, I'm learning too → Interview (learn from guests)
3. What energizes me more: teaching or conversing?
Teaching/storytelling → Solo
Conversations/people → Interview
Both equally → Hybrid
4. How important is rapid audience growth?
Very important → Interview (guest cross-promotion)
Steady organic is fine → Solo
Important but have budget → Interview (professional booking)
5. Can I manage coordination and scheduling stress?
Yes, I'm organized → Interview
No, that sounds awful → Solo
No, but I'll pay someone → Interview (outsource booking)
Final Recommendation
There's no universally "better" format. It depends entirely on your:
Available time
Personality and strengths
Goals and purpose
Resources and budget
Topic and niche
My advice:
If leaning Interview: Start with it, but have a booking plan (DIY systems or professional help) from day one. Don't wing guest booking—it will burn you out.
If leaning Solo: Batch record 4-6 episodes before launching. This reveals if you can sustain content generation long-term.
If truly torn: Start with hybrid—2 solo, 1 interview per month. Adjust based on what you enjoy and what resonates with your audience.
Most importantly: Choose the format you'll still enjoy doing one year from now. Consistency beats perfection every time.
Ready to Launch Your Interview Podcast?
If you've decided on an interview format but don't want to spend 10+ hours weekly on guest booking, we can help.
Podcept handles your entire guest booking process:
Strategic guest research and targeting
Personalized outreach and follow-up
Complete scheduling coordination
Ongoing pipeline management
You show up prepared for great conversations. We make sure you always have exceptional guests scheduled.