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E544 - The Type of Podcast Guest That I Typically Don't Bring Onto My Podcasts and Why
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Episode 544 - The Type of Podcast Guest That I Typically Don't Bring Onto My Podcasts and Why
Podcast Show Notes: The Type of Podcast Guest I Don’t Typically Bring Onto My Podcasts (and Why)
In this episode of The How To Podcast Series, host Dave offers a candid behind-the-scenes look at how he chooses who appears — and who doesn’t — on his shows. With nine podcasts under his belt, Dave has learned that not every guest is the right fit, and protecting the listener’s experience always comes first.
He dives into one particular type of guest he politely avoids: those on a “podcast tour.” These are guests who jump from show to show purely to promote a book, course, or product, often guided by PR agents who pitch them indiscriminately. They appear on any podcast that will have them — regardless of topic or audience relevance — and deliver the same scripted talking points every time.
Dave explains that while it’s understandable these guests want exposure, their widespread, one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t serve podcast audiences well. Listeners come to a show for its unique voice, not recycled soundbites that appear on dozens of other episodes across the web. This “tour” mentality turns guesting into a numbers game, with little care for the individual podcast or its community.
For Dave, podcasting is about connection, not transaction. He prefers authentic, conversation-driven episodes with guests who bring value and insight specific to his audience. Rather than taking anyone who’s available at the last minute, he curates people who inspire, teach, and share genuinely — those who are more interested in serving the listeners than selling to them. His guiding principle? The podcaster owes more to their audience than to their guests. You can always decline an interview or decide not to release an episode if it doesn’t align with your mission or tone.
He encourages other creators to develop a “guest filter.” Know exactly who fits your show’s purpose and who doesn’t. The right guests will expand your community and strengthen listener loyalty, while the wrong ones can erode trust and engagement. And as Dave notes, many of these “tour guests” won’t even share the episode afterward — they’re already off to the next appearance.
In the latter part of the episode, Dave reminds new podcasters that interview-based shows should be guided by intention, not urgency. Planning and curation matter far more than filling a calendar slot. He contrasts “plotters” — creators who design their content thoughtfully — with “pantsers” who improvise without direction, encouraging podcasters to lean more toward planning and purpose.
Ultimately, Dave believes that podcasting is a privilege built on listener trust. Protecting that trust means inviting guests who care about the people behind the downloads, not just their own spotlight.
Key takeaway: You control the mic and the message. Avoid “podcast tour” guests who treat your show like a stop on a marketing highway. Choose genuine voices who connect, contribute, and care about your listeners — because your audience deserves more than a commercial.
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