Podcast Guesting for Success – and why you should practice first!
Guesting on podcasts is one of the smartest things you can do for your business. Whether you’re self-employed or running your own venture, podcasts offer a fabulous platform to share who you are, what you do, and the ‘why’ behind it all. They’re a chance to answer questions about your service or product, and to tell your business story in your own words. Someone once said—though I can’t quite remember who—that if you run your own business, you should host a podcast. If that’s true, there are thousands out there just waiting for voices like yours.
At our last Speaker Club session before Christmas, I decided to bring this to life. I created a mock podcast studio and invited the crew to experience being a guest on a ten-minute ‘show’. I hosted alongside the other members, and I’d asked everyone to arrive prepared with three questions:
- A question you’ve never been asked but would love to answer (about your business)
- A question you’d like to ask another member
- A festive question for one—or all—of us
They took turns in the hot seat, questions and answers flowing naturally. Everyone did brilliantly, and it turned into one of our most engaging and enjoyable sessions. Judging by the feedback, it was genuinely useful too.
Vicci captured it perfectly: “I found the session really reassuring and practical. It reframed the experience as a structured conversation rather than a performance, which helped take away some unnecessary nerves. It was also a great opportunity to put into practice the preparation and communication techniques we’ve been developing—from pausing and thinking through responses to eye contact and being mindful of delivery—all in a supportive, natural setting.”
I filmed each ‘podcast’ so guests could watch themselves back. Yes, I know—cringeworthy! But the crew found it invaluable.
As Vicci added, “I’ve not yet used my clip—I have watched it and was pleasantly surprised!”
There’s something about seeing yourself on camera. The good, the bad, and yes, occasionally the ugly bits you didn’t even know you were doing. But that awareness is powerful. Stewart discovered some pleasant surprises: “The Good – always feared I’d talk too quickly but realised the speed of my talk seems surprisingly balanced and coherent. The answers to everyone’s questions seemed similar in length. Didn’t ramble.”
But he also spotted things to work on: “The bad – realising how much I used my hands as an extension while talking, not sure this is a good thing. The ugly – note to self – sit up straighter!!!!”
Westrow had a similar revelation: “I was able to see I was overdoing it with the hand gestures. It looked particularly weird because for much of the time I was gesturing with my hands beneath the table. Very distracting.”
Perhaps most importantly, the session gave people confidence they didn’t know they had. As Christophe shared: “I’ve often wondered how I would handle guesting on a podcast. I was given a chance to find out in a simulated recording at Jackie Goddard’s Speak Like a Speaker Club. I learnt that although I am a long way from ‘pro’ status, with the Club members’ support and Jackie’s guidance, I’d no longer be shy of putting myself forward for one!”
So yes, I’d absolutely recommend guesting on podcasts. But I’d also recommend practicing first! And hmm, I wonder where you might find that kind of supportive practice and feedback. The Speaker Club, of course! Our brand-new membership launches this month, January 2026 and opportunities like this will be part of your monthly experience.
As Stewart said, “I really enjoyed the podcast evening… Would be great to do this again.”
Come join us—your podcast debut awaits!