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Becoming a great podcast host is a blend of art and science. I discuss how to become a great one with my guest, Mark Iorio.
Mark is the host of Language of Leadership, a seasoned business culture expert, and a passionate advocate for helping organizations align purpose, people, and performance to build thriving, values-driven cultures.
Eight years ago Mark was in the studio shooting an episode of his TV show, “CEO Chat”, and his business partner was one of the co-hosts. As Mark was walking off the set a woman asked him to guest on her podcast and Mark agreed. When Mark arrived to record the show, the CEO of the studio, Keith, came into the lobby asked him who he was there to see. When Mark mentioned the woman that invited him Keith told him she was gone but he would interview Mark.
As the interview progressed, they were discussing marketing. Keith told Mark that he believed Mark would make a good podcast host. Mark blew it off as just another compliment to be nice, but Keith persisted. Mark agreed to be a host and decided to brainstorm topics and names for the potential show. He eventually came up with “Rainmakers’ Roundup” and ran the show for seven and a half years.
What it Takes to Get Started in Podcasting
Just do it, just step into it.
First, you must be genuinely curious. You must focus on the person that you’re interviewing. Mark had 75 episodes of Rainmakers’ Roundup in the studio and he noticed there were dozens of hosts from other podcasts that read from a script. There was no flow to it, there was no real cadence. Just a list of questions. Mark was more improvised. He told me that if you can be curious about your guests’ lives, and be curious about the subject matter, your show will flow very nicely like a conversation over a cup of coffee.
Creating a Successful Structure for a Podcast Conversation
In your head, create and go through a process. Maybe its discussing how your guest got started in their business or career. Maybe it’s learning about why they love what they do. Have a specific cadence and let them answer the question. Make the show about them. If you go in thinking your show is about you because you’re this great podcaster, then you probably shouldn’t do it.
If you’re there to shine a light on them and their career path, their service, what they’ve done for society and so on, then you’re taking the right approach. You’re in the right ballpark.
How to Find Your First Guests
You must have a mission for your podcast. When you understand that mission, look for people that match that mission. As an example, Mark is starting over with his new podcast “The Language of Leadership”. Language of Leadership is all about people in leadership positions that not only use meaningful language, but their behavior is such that people want to follow them. They want to follow their behavioral patterns. Because of his purpose Mark knows he needs to find branding people, HR people that care about their staff, heart-centered leaders and so on.
What does this mean for you? Don’t try to squeeze someone into your podcast just because they’re a warm body. Know your mission and then figure out the types of people that fit your mission. That helps the conversation flow effortlessly and that makes it easier for you to ask the right questions because you know your mission so well.
We also dive into topics including:
- More ways to find and connect to the mission for your podcast.
- How to develop your marketing message once you decide on the mission for your podcast.
- How to create the right mindset to “keep on keepin’ on” in the early stages of your podcast.
- Why keeping a cadence is important for your marketing.
- The pros and cons of live podcasting vs. prerecorded episodes.
- Advice for keeping on track with your podcast once you’re established.
- The one thing, above all else, that you need to do to be a great podcast host.
…and more golden nuggets of advice!
You can get my book here: “Idea Climbing: How to Create a Support System for Your Next Big Idea”
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About My Guest
Mark Iorio is a dynamic keynote speaker, media host, and business culture strategist with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations align their people, purpose, and performance. As host of Language of Leadership and Rainmakers Roundup, Mark engages top executives and thought leaders in powerful conversations about authentic leadership, team alignment, and purposeful growth.
Mark is the creator of the Brand and Culture Alignment Toolkit (BCAT)—a science-based framework that visualizes a business as a single high-performing individual, helping teams clarify their collective purpose and drive consistent, values-based behavior. His talks blend real-world business insight with emotional intelligence, storytelling, and actionable strategies that resonate with leaders across industries.
