Great interviews don’t happen by accident. The best interviewers don’t just ask good questions—they create conversations that feel natural, meaningful, and impossible to turn off. Few people do this better than Krista Tippett, the Peabody Award-winning host of On Being.

For two decades, Tippett has been interviewing some of the most fascinating thinkers in the world. From poets to scientists to spiritual leaders, she has a way of drawing out deep, honest, and thoughtful responses that feel different from the usual podcast Q&A. Her approach is slow, intentional, and deeply human.

What makes her interviews so compelling, and what can podcasters learn from her?

She prepares, but not in the way you think

Tippett does her research, but she doesn’t over-script. Instead of writing out exact questions, she focuses on understanding the guest’s worldview. This allows her to follow the conversation naturally rather than just checking off a list of prepared topics. She often starts with big, open-ended prompts that invite guests to reflect rather than react.

Her goal isn’t just to extract information but to create a space where guests feel safe enough to say something they might not have planned to share.

She knows when to embrace silence

Many interviewers feel pressure to jump in, react, or prove they are knowledgeable. Tippett resists this. She listens fully before responding, leaving room for pauses and letting guests sit with their thoughts. This creates a sense of trust and allows for deeper, more meaningful exchanges.

Her interviews often contain long, thoughtful silences—something most podcasters try to avoid. But those silences are where real insights emerge.

She focuses on questions that open doors

Some interviewers look for confrontation or debate. Tippett looks for discovery. She asks questions that encourage reflection rather than defensiveness. Instead of asking, “Why do you believe this?” she might ask, “How did you come to believe this?” A slight shift in wording can turn an interview from an argument into a genuine exploration.

One of our favorites is the way she frames many of her deeper questions, "How would you begin to talk about this?"

This approach works in any podcast format, whether you are interviewing experts, celebrities, or everyday people with great stories to tell.

Wrapping it up

Krista Tippett’s interviews feel different because she treats them as more than just conversations. They are invitations to think, reflect, and connect. For podcasters, the lesson is clear. A great interview isn’t about proving how smart you are or rushing through a list of questions. It’s about creating a space where something real can happen.