What’s the Difference Between Podcasts and Interviews?

Published: 12 Apr 2025

Podcasts and interviews are two popular forms of content, but they serve distinct purposes and appeal to different audiences. While both are great for sharing information and stories, understanding the key differences between them can help you choose the best format for your next project. In this post, we’ll break down the essential distinctions between podcasts and interviews so you can make an informed decision.

Table of Content

Podcast:
Interview:
Format
1. Podcast:
Purpose
1. Podcast:
2. Interview:
Audience Engagement
1. Podcast:
2. Interview:
Length and Frequency
1. Podcast:
2. Interview:
Production
1. Podcast:
2. Interview:
Conclusion:

Podcast:

A podcast is a type of digital media (audio or video) designed for distribution over the internet. It’s typically a series, with episodes focusing on a particular subject or theme, such as storytelling, news, education, or interviews. Podcasts can be listened to or watched on demand, making them highly accessible for an audience looking for flexible content consumption. Podcasts often have recurring hosts or guest speakers and can range from professional productions to amateur setups.

Interview:

An interview, on the other hand, is a focused conversation where one person (the interviewer) asks questions and another person (the interviewee) responds. While interviews are often part of podcasts, they can also be standalone pieces of content. The goal of an interview is to extract insights, experiences, or opinions from the interviewee, typically in a direct question-and-answer format. It’s more structured compared to podcasts and often serves as the focal point of the content. What’s the Difference Between Broadcast and Podcast?

Format

Podcast:

A podcast can have various formats. It could be a solo host sharing thoughts, discussions between multiple hosts, or interviews with guest experts. There are different styles—narrative, interview-based, or a mix of storytelling and expert insights. Episodes can also include music, sound effects, or other creative elements to enhance the listening experience. A podcast’s format may evolve over time, with different types of segments or recurring themes across episodes.

Interview:

An interview is generally a one-on-one format (though group interviews do exist). It’s centered around the questions posed to the interviewee, often with minimal distractions. Interviews may include follow-up questions based on the interviewee’s responses. The conversation is usually structured to delve deep into a specific topic, whether it’s the interviewee’s background, expertise, or views on a subject. The focus is on the information being shared by the guest.

Purpose

Podcast:

The primary purpose of a podcast is to engage an audience through entertainment, education, or inspiration. Podcasters typically aim to build a loyal listener base, with episodes that encourage listeners to return week after week. Podcasts can cover a broad range of topics and are often used to provide ongoing content for fans. Whether it’s a true-crime series, business advice, or casual banter, the goal is to keep listeners interested in the long term.

Interview:

An interview’s primary purpose is to gather information or insight from a specific person. It’s often used in media, research, or content creation where expert opinions or personal stories are crucial. Interviews can serve to educate the audience about a person’s experiences, career, or specialized knowledge. This format tends to focus on the value provided by the interviewee, such as an expert in a particular field or a famous individual with an intriguing story. 7 Types of Interview Podcasts

Audience Engagement

Podcast:

Podcasts aim to foster a deeper connection with listeners by providing regular, consistent content. A podcast host may encourage listeners to interact through social media, email, or listener feedback, creating a sense of community. Podcasters also build relationships with their audience by maintaining a conversational and personable tone, allowing them to engage with listeners on a more intimate level. Over time, podcast listeners often feel more connected to the hosts and other fans.

Interview:

Interviews typically engage the audience on a more specific level, focusing on the value of the content shared by the interviewee. Audience engagement may come from the curiosity about the interviewee or the topic being discussed. While interviews can be compelling, the engagement level is usually centered around the quality of the conversation and the uniqueness of the insights provided, rather than ongoing, episodic content like podcasts.

Length and Frequency

Podcast:

Podcasts tend to vary greatly in length, with some lasting anywhere from 10 to 90 minutes. Many podcasts follow a release schedule, such as weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, which helps build anticipation among listeners. The frequency and length of episodes can vary depending on the format and the host’s goals. Some podcasts may be short and snappy, while others may go in-depth on complex subjects over several episodes.

Interview:

Interviews are typically shorter and more to the point than podcasts, often lasting between 20 and 60 minutes. The length can depend on the subject matter and the depth of the discussion. Unlike podcasts, interviews are generally a one-off event and don’t usually follow a consistent release schedule unless they’re part of a larger series. An interview is often a standalone piece of content.

Production

Podcast:

Podcasts generally involve more extensive production work. This includes editing, mixing, sound design, and sometimes adding music or sound effects to enhance the overall listening experience. Depending on the quality of the podcast, it may require professional-grade equipment and technical skills to produce polished content. Some podcasts also involve the use of multiple hosts, guest interviews, and segments, all of which require more time and effort to coordinate.

Interview:

The production of an interview is often simpler. While high-quality audio and video are still important, interviews don’t typically require as much post-production. They can be recorded in a single session and edited only for clarity or to remove any technical issues. Interviews often rely more on the skill of the interviewer and the natural flow of the conversation rather than complex production work.

Format

Podcast:

Structure: A podcast often involves a variety of formats, making it more flexible and adaptable depending on the content creator’s goals. Some common structures include:

Solo Shows: A single host delivers the content, offering personal insights, stories, or commentary. This format is popular for niche topics, where the host’s expertise or personality is the main draw.

Co-hosted Shows: Two or more hosts engage in conversation, discussions, or debates. This dynamic format helps create a more engaging and interactive listening experience, with banter and multiple perspectives.

Interview-based Shows: In this format, the podcast typically focuses on guest interviews, where a host interviews one or more experts or notable individuals. This structure helps provide fresh perspectives and expert opinions.

Narrative/Storytelling Podcasts: These podcasts revolve around telling a specific story, often in serialized episodes. This can include investigative journalism, fiction, or real-life stories like true crime or personal experiences.

Roundtable Discussions: A podcast that features multiple people discussing a specific topic in-depth, such as business trends, pop culture, or politics. These discussions can be spontaneous or highly structured.

Tone and Content Variety: The tone of a podcast can vary significantly—some may be formal, while others could be casual, comedic, or educational. Many podcasts feature a mix of content, switching between interviews, personal anecdotes, and expert insights, making them a highly versatile format for different types of audiences.

Multiple Episodes/Seasons: Podcasts usually consist of multiple episodes that are released periodically, creating a sense of continuity and anticipation for the audience. Some podcasts may be evergreen (timeless content) or topical (related to current events), depending on the creator’s vision.

Interview:

Structure:

An interview is typically more rigid and straightforward compared to the flexible nature of podcasts. It usually follows this basic structure:

Introduction:

The interviewer introduces the guest, providing context about who they are and why they’re being interviewed.

Main Interview:

This is the core of the conversation, where the interviewer asks questions, and the guest provides responses. The focus is generally on the guest’s expertise, experience, or opinions on a specific topic.

Conclusion:

The interview often concludes with the interviewer summarizing key points and thanking the guest. There might also be a call to action, like promoting the guest’s work or offering additional resources.

Single Event vs. Ongoing Series: While interviews can be part of a podcast, they can also exist as standalone content. They don’t require multiple episodes or seasons to have an impact, and a single interview might provide enough value to stand on its own. The frequency of interviews can vary, depending on the platform and purpose.

Less Flexibility: The format of an interview is usually more rigid because it revolves around specific questions and answers. However, some interviews may include a more relaxed, conversational style, but the overall structure still follows a clear Q&A format.

Quiz: Test Your Knowledge – Podcast vs. Interview

What is the main difference between a podcast and an interview?

a) Podcasts are usually one-on-one conversations, while interviews have multiple hosts.
b) Podcasts involve a series of episodes; interviews typically focus on a single conversation.
c) Podcasts require guests, while interviews do not.
d) There is no difference.

Which of the following is a common format for a podcast?

a) Solo Shows
b) Interviews
c) Roundtable Discussions
d) All of the above

What is the primary goal of an interview?

a) To entertain a wide audience over multiple episodes.
b) To gather insights from an expert or guest.
c) To provide background music and sound effects.
d) To create content for long-term engagement.

How often are podcasts typically released?

a) Only once
b) Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly
c) Every few years
d) Every day at the same time

Which of the following is TRUE about the production of podcasts?

a) Podcasts are simpler to produce than interviews.
b) Podcasts usually require more editing and sound design.
c) Interviews are produced with more technical tools.
d) Podcasts don’t need to be edited.

Can a podcast include interviews?

Yes! Many podcasts feature interviews as part of their content. In fact, interviews are one of the most common formats used in podcasts to engage listeners and offer expert opinions or personal stories.

. How long should a podcast episode be?

Podcast lengths can vary depending on the format and content. Most episodes range from 20 minutes to 60 minutes, but some podcasts may be shorter or longer depending on the topic and audience. The key is consistency in length, so listeners know what to expect.