Today we’re talking to Jordan Harbinger. Jordan is a Wall Street lawyer turned podcast interviewer with an approachable style and knack for securing high-profile guests. His podcast, The Jordan Harbinger Show, was selected as part of Apple’s “Best of 2018.”

Jordan is a legend in the podcasting space, averaging 10 million downloads a month. He’s an OG podcaster and has been podcasting for 17 years at this point.

In this episode we dive deep into why he named his show the Jordan Harbinger show, the nitty gritty details of how to properly host a guest on a podcast, how to come up with questions no one has asked before, and much more.

If you’re looking to create a world class podcast or take your interviewing skills to the next level, this episode is a must listen.

Key Lessons:

1. As a podcast host, if you have no input you’re commoditizing your product. As a podcaster, your co creating the episode with the guest, not just giving the guest a space to repeat the same talking points they’ve said on 100 other shows.
2. As a host you separate yourself with your prep by reading the subtext. What’s not being said in the text, what being left out but would be an interesting story, ask yourself questions you would ask the person.
3. If you want to have a 1% podcast you have to put in 1% work. This isn’t something we directly talk about, but it’s clear from talking to Jordan just how much sheer effort he’s put into refining himself as a host, storyteller, and just general conversationalist. Being 1% is a mindset of never mailing it in and always finding ways to improve. He does his own research, has a variety of coaches to work on minute little skills, and responds when people reach out to him. Most people don’t even bother doing research.

Links:
Jordan's website: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/
Kobe Bryant interview: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/kobe-bryant-dissecting-the-mamba-mentality/
Tim Grover interview: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/tim-grover-the-unforgiving-race-to-greatness/
Seth Godin interview: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/seth-godin-shipping-creative-work/
Mark Cuban interview: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/mark-cuban-tales-from-the-shark-side/
Howie Mandel interview: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/howie-mandel-a-conversation-about-mental-health-talent-and-perseverance/