Podcasting Made Simple

Episode: Becoming the Guest Listeners and Hosts Want
Host: Alex Sanfilippo
Guest: Shontra Powell
Date: February 24, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Shontra Powell shares actionable insights and practical advice for becoming the kind of podcast guest that both listeners and hosts truly value. Speaking from her experience as a mentor and podcast guest, Shontra outlines a thoughtful, step-by-step approach to guesting, emphasizing preparation, authentic storytelling, and embracing the collaborative nature of podcast conversations. The episode is a concise, motivational guide for anyone wanting to make a memorable impact as a podcast guest.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Know the Audience (00:26)

• Understanding the Listener Community

  • Shontra emphasizes that podcast audiences are distinct communities with their own personas and profiles.

  • Don't get so enamored with being featured that you overlook the importance of tailoring your message to the specific audience.

    "Know the audience. Seriously know the audience...do your homework about the audience."
    — Shontra Powell, 00:36

• Key Questions to Ask

  • Why is the host seeking you out?

  • Who is their regular audience?

  • Why does their audience listen, and what do they enjoy?

  • What drives listener loyalty and return engagement?

    "If you find yourself in a position of wanting to leverage a podcast and you're seeking to be a guest on a podcast, the responsibility to know the audience is really great for you."
    — Shontra Powell, 01:53

• Clarify Your Why

  • Ensure your goals align with the show's audience and that you have a compelling reason for guesting.

2. Make It Plain (03:00)

• Be Clear on Your Message

  • Prepare and articulate your key messages before the show.

  • Know what points are most important to communicate.

    "Be very clear beforehand with what your key points of message are that you really want to impress upon the audience."
    — Shontra Powell, 03:11

• Storytelling as Connection

  • Prepare personal stories that illustrate your points.

  • Listeners relate most to real, engaging stories—not just bullet points.

    "Podcast listeners love to relate to who they're listening to, and the best way for them to relate is to hear stories, real stories."
    — Shontra Powell, 03:46

3. Let Go and Flow (04:45)

• Embrace Flexibility

  • Even with preparation, be willing to adapt to the unexpected direction of the conversation.

  • Trust the host, who best knows the rhythm and interests of their audience.

    "Be prepared to let go and flow... The podcast host is intimately connected to the listener... so now it's time for you to trust them."
    — Shontra Powell, 05:17

• Be Open and Vulnerable

  • Sometimes the conversation may prompt sharing a story you hadn't planned.

  • This flexibility often leads to the most resonant and memorable moments.

    "Instead of being connected to the stories that you showed up wanting to tell, be open to the vulnerability of perhaps sharing something you hadn't prepared to share."
    — Shontra Powell, 06:00

4. Recap & The Ripple Effect of Guesting (07:00)

• Review of Core Points

  • Know the audience: Understand who you're speaking to and why you matter to them.

  • Make it plain: Clearly convey your message and bring relatable stories.

  • Let go and flow: Trust the host, follow the conversational journey, and allow for spontaneity.

    "Lean into the journey. Allow the podcast host to keep you fresh and connected... For an amazing audience and amazing community..."
    — Shontra Powell, 07:46

• Podcasting as Community Building

  • Sharing on podcasts extends your mentoring or message to more people, fostering a supportive community that can follow and uplift you.

    "After this experience you have, it could actually be the community that supports you and the thing that you want to do—podcasting is a powerful tool."
    — Shontra Powell, 08:10

• Intentionality & Service

  • Prioritize adding value to the audience; even impacting one listener can have significant ripple effects.

    "Even if you touch just one listener, just one listener has the power to be the difference in a world that needs people that show up to be the difference."
    — Shontra Powell, 09:22

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Know your audience. Seriously know the audience." (00:36)
• "Be very clear beforehand with what your key points of message are that you really want to impress upon the audience." (03:11)
• "Podcast listeners love to relate to who they're listening to, and the best way for them to relate is to hear stories, real stories." (03:46)
• "Be prepared to let go and flow." (04:45)
• "Lean into the journey. Allow the podcast host to keep you fresh and connected..." (07:46)
• "Even if you touch just one listener, just one listener has the power to be the difference..." (09:22)

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• 00:26 — Introduction to Shontra Powell’s three keys for guests
• 00:36 — Know the audience: research and ask questions
• 03:00 — Make it plain: clarity and storytelling
• 04:45 — Let go and flow: trust the process, embrace vulnerability
• 07:00 — Recap and community impact
• 08:10 — Podcasting’s power to build supportive communities
• 09:22 — Impacting even a single listener as a victory
• 09:45 — Outro and resource reminder

Final Takeaway

Shontra Powell encourages podcast guests to combine diligent preparation with genuine openness. By respecting the audience, delivering clear messages wrapped in relatable stories, and trusting the host’s lead, guests can both shine and deeply connect with listeners—potentially changing lives, one episode at a time.