Guest research
Guest research is the homework a host does before recording, gathering a guest's background, recent work, strong opinions, and notable stories so the conversation goes deeper than a surface summary. For B2B shows it is how you earn a senior guest's respect and draw out non-obvious insight.
For example, before interviewing a sales leader you read their recent LinkedIn posts, listen to one prior appearance, and note a claim they made that you can respectfully challenge on air.
Why it matters: prepared hosts get better answers, and guests can tell within minutes whether you did the work, which shapes both the quality of the episode and how proudly they share it afterwards.
Strong research goes past the bio - you arrive knowing the guest's recent work, contrarian views, and the questions only they can answer, so the conversation feels earned.
- Reading the LinkedIn headline and winging the rest.
- Asking questions the guest has answered on ten other shows.
- Researching the person but not their company's current priorities.
What is guest research?
Guest research is the homework a host does before recording, gathering a guest's background, recent work, strong opinions, and notable stories so the conversation goes deeper than a surface summary. For B2B shows it is how you earn a senior guest's respect and draw out non-obvious insight.
How much time should guest research take?
Enough to find two or three specific, non-generic angles you could not have asked without it, which for most B2B guests is roughly an hour of focused reading and listening.
What sources are most useful for guest research?
Recent posts and articles by the guest, prior podcast or conference appearances, their company's recent news, and any strong or contrarian views they have published.