Why Great Interviews Start with Not Knowing Everything
Show notes
After 300+ interviews with Stanford experts, Russ Altman knows how to turn complex ideas into conversations people actually want to follow.
In this episode of Continuing Studies, Neil and Jen talk with Russ, host of The Future of Everything, about the craft behind engaging expert interviews. Russ shares how he keeps highly technical conversations clear and fun, why he sees himself as the “jargon police,” and how curiosity can be more useful than trying to know everything in the room. They also get into his practical interview strategies, from preparing “emergency topics”, to using a mid-interview break to refocus, check in with the guest, and steer the episode toward a strong ending. A smart, fun, and practical listen for anyone trying to make expert knowledge more accessible.
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Chapters:
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (03:33) - From SiriusXM to podcasting
- (05:02) - Returning to the show’s original purpose
- (07:20) - Making science relatable
- (08:47) - Interviewing beyond your expertise
- (11:38) - Why not knowing everything can help
- (14:17) - The no pre-interview rule
- (17:43) - Emergency topics and interview prep
- (19:21) - The mid-interview break
- (24:59) - Video, shorts, and audience reach
- (28:31) - Advice after 300+ episodes
- (31:06) - Conclusion
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