Podcasting Made Simple

Episode: How to Say No to Guest Pitches | Agi Keramidas
Host: Alex Sanfilippo
Guest: Agi Keramidas
Date: February 3, 2026

Main Theme

This episode is dedicated to one of the biggest challenges faced by podcast hosts: how to say “no” to guest pitches effectively, respectfully, and without guilt. Agi Keramidas shares his proven three-step framework for filtering guest requests, maintaining professionalism and clarity while ensuring every guest adds value to the audience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Challenge of Guest Pitches

• Problem Statement:

  • Many podcast hosts are overwhelmed daily by pitches—some relevant, many not. (00:24)
  • Agi: “You can’t say yes, but only to a few of them. So how do you say no to the other ones without feeling bad or guilty?”

• Why Having a System Matters:

  • Without a system, you risk missed responses, wasted time, and lower quality episodes.
  • Essential to have processes for professionalism, sanity, and audience benefit.

Agi Keramidas’s Guest Vetting Process

1. Initial Filter: Seriousness through System Adoption

• Uses PodMatch as his gatekeeper platform; you can use your own preferred system. (02:10)
• Standard Reply:
  • “Thanks for reaching out. I manage all my guest requests through PodMatch. You can connect with me there and also explore other guest opportunities. Here is my profile link.”
• Result:
  • Most people ignore this step, immediately filtering out the less committed.
  • If asked for exceptions (e.g., “PodMatch is a paid platform”), Agi still responds politely but firmly:
    • “No, thank you, but it is a kind no.” (03:33)
  • Agi: “Treating people with respect goes a long way. If you don’t like it when people ignore your emails, don’t ignore theirs. A simple response can turn a no into a positive interaction.” (03:51)

2. Show Fit: The “Heck Yes,” “Absolutely Not,” and “Maybe” Categories

• After profile review, guests usually fall into three buckets: (05:18)
  • Heck Yes:
    • Perfect alignment. Book them immediately.
  • Absolutely Not:
    • Clearly off-topic. Polite decline, sometimes with a parting gift (digital book).
    • Memorable Moment: Agi gives a digital copy of his book to those he declines: “I often give them a digital copy of my book as a gift for reaching out.” (06:19)
  • Maybe Zone:
    • Uncertain cases that require a bit more effort and engagement.

3. The “Prove You Care” Test

• For “Maybe” guests, Agi asks them to listen to past episodes and reflect on fit:
  • “I would encourage you to listen to a couple of episodes to get a feel for the show and to see if your message aligns with the topics that we explore. If you still think it’s a great fit, let me know.” (07:05)
• Most people never respond. Some come back with relevant insights, and those are usually good fits.
• If still unsure, uses a polite “not now” deferral:
  • “I tell them I’m fully booked at the moment. Can you reach out again in a couple of months… most people never follow up… and that’s fine.” (09:00)
• Tip: If you need guests, you can always follow up with these candidates later.

Audio Quality as a Non-negotiable

• Agi requires all guests to have an external microphone. (10:29)
• In Booking Form: “Which microphone are you currently using?”
• Enforces this boundary—if guests show up without proper gear, he asks to reschedule:
  • “If a guest doesn’t have the proper mic on the day I say, sorry, we can’t record, this was clear in our communication. Would you like to reschedule?” (10:58)
  • Memorable Moment:
    • “When you set clear boundaries, people take you more seriously.” (11:35)
    • He shares a story where a guest, only after being denied, suddenly “found a microphone” and connected it.

Why a Process Is Essential

• Saving Time and Protecting Your Show:
  • “Having a process isn’t just about saving time. It is about protecting your podcast. Ensuring that every guest you bring on adds value to your listeners.” (12:07)
• Leadership, Not Rejection:
  • “Rejecting someone as your podcast guest doesn’t mean you are rejecting them as a person. It means that you are making the best decision for your audience.” (12:35)
  • “Saying no isn’t rejection. It’s leadership. It’s setting a standard.” (13:29)
• Perspective on the Podcast Industry:
  • “There are 100,000 podcasts seeking guests while 4.4 million guests are looking for podcasts to be on. That’s 44 guests for every podcast. You don’t need to say yes to everyone. You shouldn’t say yes to everyone.” (12:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Filtering with Kindness:

  • Agi: “A simple response can turn a no into a positive interaction.” (03:51)

• On Setting Boundaries:

  • “When you set clear boundaries, people take you more seriously.” (11:35)

• On the Importance of Process:

  • “Having a process isn’t just about saving time. It is about protecting your podcast.” (12:07)

• On Saying No:

  • “Saying no isn’t rejection. It’s leadership. It’s setting a standard.” (13:29)
  • “It’s your podcast, your rules. Saying no is an act of leadership, not rejection.” (13:44)

Key Timestamps

• 00:24 – Alex introduces the guest pitch problem and the need for a vetting process
• 02:10 – Agi explains his first filter: managing requests through PodMatch
• 03:51 – Importance of polite, kind responses to rejections
• 05:18 – Breakdown of “Heck Yes,” “Absolutely Not,” and “Maybe” categories
• 07:05 – The “Prove You Care” test for “Maybe” guests
• 09:00 – Tactic for buying time with “maybe” guests and why follow-up reveals commitment
• 10:29 – Audio quality as a non-negotiable standard
• 11:35 – Setting and enforcing boundaries
• 12:07 – Why process matters for your podcast and audience
• 12:50 – Reflecting on the podcast industry’s guest surplus, justifying selective booking
• 13:29 – “No” as an act of leadership

Summary Table: The Agi Keramidas Filtering Process

| Step | Purpose | Action | |-----------------|------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 1. System Filter| Weed out uncommitted guests | Require requests via PodMatch (or platform of choice)| | 2. Show Fit | Ensure show/guest alignment | Categorize as Heck Yes / Absolutely Not / Maybe | | 3. Prove You Care| Evaluate investment from “Maybe” guests | Ask them to listen/reflect on show fit | | Audio Quality | Ensure technical standards | Require external mic; enforce or reschedule |

Final Takeaways

Agi’s approach empowers hosts to confidently say “no” without guilt or apology, emphasizing leadership and audience value above all else. His advice: Create and enforce your process, communicate with respect, and remember—your podcast, your rules.