Chewing The Fat With The Host Of Coffee And A Mike Podcast

Podcasting Hurdles

Ahmad and Michael dive into the challenges they've faced in podcasting, from managing a backlog of recorded episodes to dealing with difficult guests. Ahmad shares his experience of having numerous interviews lined up, which sometimes leads to a delay in releasing episodes 1. He also recounts instances where he had to stop a podcast due to lack of engagement from the guest, emphasizing the importance of making guests feel welcome 2.

I had one recently where we were 15 minutes into this remote podcast, and there was no backwards and forwards, there was no, there was nothing. It was really weird. I had to stop it. I said, is everything all right?

--- Ahmad Malik

Michael adds that comedians can be particularly challenging to interview, as their on-stage persona doesn't always translate well to a conversational format.

   

Scheduling and Risks

Scheduling guests can be a daunting task, as Ahmad illustrates with his story of trying to book a comedian who kept postponing 3. He highlights the importance of clear communication and mutual respect in scheduling. Ahmad also discusses the repercussions of speaking out on controversial topics, sharing how a clip from his podcast led to his suspension from a hospital 4.

I got suspended from a hospital because I posted a clip of Ava Bartlett.

--- Ahmad Malik

These experiences underscore the complexities and risks involved in podcasting, especially when tackling sensitive issues.

   

Interview Skills

Both hosts reflect on the critical skills they've developed over time. Michael talks about the evolution of his interviewing style, moving from extensive preparation to a more relaxed, conversational approach 5. He emphasizes the value of active listening, a skill he continues to hone 6.

The more you listen and the more you absorb, the more you can, a, get a read on people, and b, you can understand, you know, where it is they're coming from.

--- Michael Farris

Ahmad agrees, noting that the key challenge is getting guests to open up and share interesting insights.

   

Content Quality

Ahmad and Michael discuss the importance of valuing their audience's time and producing high-quality content. Ahmad explains that he sometimes chooses not to publish episodes he deems unworthy of his listeners' time 7. He also shares his philosophy of being a 'happy warrior,' staying positive despite the ups and downs of podcasting 8.

I always recalibrate myself and I always say, be a happy warrior and just look at the timeline of humanity. There's been so many ups and downs.

--- Ahmad Malik

Michael concurs, stressing the importance of creating content that is both engaging and respectful of the audience's time.