The Art of Asking Good Questions: How Podcast Hosts Become Better Colleagues

"I didn’t know I could actually be a good interviewer or podcast host. It was part of self-discovery—and it gave me another way of looking at life."

That reflection came from a participant in one of our client podcast design teams. And it's one we hear often.

Most employees don’t sign up to become podcast hosts thinking it will change the way they show up at work. But it does. Stepping behind the mic does more than develop communication skills—it opens up new ways of seeing, hearing, and connecting with others. Hosting an internal podcast becomes a gateway to practicing curiosity, empathy, and deep listening—skills that are essential for a collaborative, inclusive workplace.

It starts with learning how to ask a good question. Not the kind that checks a box, but the kind that invites someone to open up. Podcast hosts quickly discover that to get to an honest, meaningful answer, you need to be fully present. You need to care about what the other person is saying—not just what you’re going to say next. That kind of listening doesn’t stay in the podcast studio. It shows up in meetings, in hallway chats, in cross-functional projects.

We’ve seen hosts begin to shift the way they interact with colleagues across the board. They become more open, more patient, more interested in people beyond their roles or titles. They ask better follow-up questions. They listen more than they speak. And they begin to notice things they previously overlooked—like the quiet colleague with an insightful perspective, or the teammate whose job they've never truly understood.

These moments of connection create ripple effects. Teams begin to collaborate more smoothly. People feel seen and valued in new ways. And because internal podcasting is about hearing from employees—not just about them—it shifts the internal culture toward one of mutual respect and trust.

For many of our podcast hosts, the experience is both professional and personal growth. One participant shared how the project helped them discover talents they didn’t know they had. Another said it expanded their network and deepened their appreciation for the diversity within their organization. The act of hosting—of being the one to hold space, guide the conversation, and spotlight someone else’s story—is a powerful reminder that everyone has something valuable to share.

At The Community Studio, we design internal podcasting experiences that do more than share stories—they build storytellers. And in doing so, we help organizations grow better colleagues, better teams, and ultimately, a better workplace.

🎙 Want to uncover the untapped talents in your organization? Let’s start the conversation.