Reena Friedman Watts returns to the show to reveal her inside secrets for killer interviews. She primes every session by scoping out guests on social, hitting up LinkedIn recommendations, and connecting with people in their orbit for the real scoop.

By finding common ground, Reena flips nervous chatter into deep, human stories, then drops curveball prompts that ignite authentic, memorable moments. 

Subscribe to Reena's podcast Better Call Daddyhere!

Catch Reena's workshop "Crafting a Killer Podcast Interview" at Speke Fest 2025. Buy tickets here!

Subscribe to Your Mic on YouTube, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Shoot Freddy an email: freddy@spekepodcasting.com.

Key Takeaways

1. A standout interview starts with deep research—what Reena playfully calls "stalking in a good way." This includes checking a guest’s social profiles, digging into their LinkedIn recommendations, and even connecting with people who know them better. Going beyond surface-level prep helps generate original, thoughtful questions that lead to more engaging and revealing conversations.

2. Finding common ground and making connections on a personal level helps both interviewer and guest feel at ease. Asking about topics that are unique to the guest (such as their academic background or personal experiences) and not being afraid to deviate from the script results in richer, more relatable interviews. It's about making the conversation authentic, not formulaic.

3. Adaptability is key. While social media provides new methods for research and outreach today, Reena’s experience shows that strong communication skills (like being willing to talk to strangers or “run and gun” during her TV days) remain vital in any era. The tools may change, but the core skills of curiosity and initiative endure.

4. Summarizing the main points, restating key insights, and delivering a call to action at the end help the audience anchor what they’ve learned. Synthesis—either by the host or a co-host—helps listeners process the conversation, making the episode more memorable and impactful.

5. Many people find microphones, cameras, and studios intimidating. Acknowledging and humorously disarming these nerves, as well as emphasizing the non-live, editable nature of the podcast, can help guests relax and be themselves. Establishing this atmosphere of reassurance leads to more honest, natural conversation.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Strategic Social Media Networking

04:50 Refreshing Podcast Strategies

06:58 Crafting the Perfect Interview

10:49 Studio-Induced Stage Fright

14:10 Podcaster Reflects on DJ Experience

17:48 Viral Success with Better Call Daddy

Reena Friedman Watts returns to the show to reveal her inside secrets for killer interviews. She primes every session by scoping out guests on social, hitting up LinkedIn recommendations, and connecting with people in their orbit for the real scoop.
By finding common ground, Reena flips nervous chatter into deep, human stories, then drops curveball prompts that ignite authentic, memorable moments.&nbsp;
Subscribe to Reena's podcast Better Call Daddy <a href="https://bettercalldaddy.com/">here</a>!
Catch Reena's workshop "Crafting a Killer Podcast Interview" at Speke Fest 2025. Buy tickets <a href="https://www.spekepodcasting.com/spekefest2025">here</a>!
Subscribe to&nbsp;Your Mic on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@SpekePodcasting">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl">Spotify</a> or wherever you get your <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/spekepodcasting/playlists/your-mic">podcasts</a>.
Shoot Freddy an email: <a href="mailto:freddy@spekepodcasting.com">freddy@spekepodcasting.com</a>.
Key Takeaways
1.&nbsp;A standout interview starts with deep research&mdash;what Reena playfully calls "stalking in a good way." This includes checking a guest&rsquo;s social profiles, digging into their LinkedIn recommendations, and even connecting with people who know them better. Going beyond surface-level prep helps generate original, thoughtful questions that lead to more engaging and revealing conversations.
2.&nbsp;Finding common ground and making connections on a personal level helps both interviewer and guest feel at ease. Asking about topics that are unique to the guest (such as their academic background or personal experiences) and not being afraid to deviate from the script results in richer, more relatable interviews. It's about making the conversation authentic, not formulaic.
3.&nbsp;Adaptability is key. While social media provides new methods for research and outreach today, Reena&rsquo;s experience shows that strong communication skills (like being willing to talk to strangers or &ldquo;run and gun&rdquo; during her TV days) remain vital in any era. The tools may change, but the core skills of curiosity and initiative endure.
4.&nbsp;Summarizing the main points, restating key insights, and delivering a call to action at the end help the audience anchor what they&rsquo;ve learned. Synthesis&mdash;either by the host or a co-host&mdash;helps listeners process the conversation, making the episode more memorable and impactful.
5. Many people find microphones, cameras, and studios intimidating. Acknowledging and humorously disarming these nerves, as well as emphasizing the non-live, editable nature of the podcast, can help guests relax and be themselves. Establishing this atmosphere of reassurance leads to more honest, natural conversation.
Timestamped Overview
00:00 Strategic Social Media Networking
04:50 Refreshing Podcast Strategies
06:58 Crafting the Perfect Interview
10:49 Studio-Induced Stage Fright
14:10 Podcaster Reflects on DJ Experience
17:48 Viral Success with Better Call Daddy

A podcast for Houstonians who want to engage more with their hometown and learn more about the people driving its growth.

Cruz through HTX spotlights the stories, individuals, businesses, and organizations that make the Houston area GREAT.

A podcast for Houstonians who want to engage more with their hometown and learn more about the people driving its growth.
Cruz through HTX spotlights the stories, individuals, businesses, and organizations that make the Houston area GREAT.

A podcast for Houstonians who want to engage more with their hometown and learn more about the people driving its growth.

Cruz through HTX

Twenty-six year radio veteran Freddy Cruz has gone indie.


From former special forces operators and CEOs to authors and journalists, join
Freddy as he seeks to learn from some of the highest achieving individuals in the
world. These are stories of grit and blasting through the crucible of life. Stories of
standing up to powerful corporations and defying the odds. Not all of his guests
are authors, but they all have epic stories to share.